Blessed are Those Who STOP Praying for Backup

  Many faithful churchgoers encourage us to face hard times by saying, "Jesus has your back." We call on the Lord from those crisis moments, admitting we cannot cope alone. We recognize our need for divine intervention when things get tough. When our efforts to get through the struggle have fallen…

0 Comments

The Worry Curse, Part Twenty-Eight

A scream whirled from an alley across the street, punctuated by barked obscenities. Rubbish tinged the bitter wind pricking up the fine hairs on Laina's clammy arms. The bar-enforced door slammed shut behind her. A shudder slithered up her spine and niggled at her scalp as Arden clicked his key into the…

0 Comments

Longing for a Taste of Freedom

"Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,     prisoners suffering . . . Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,     and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,     and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing…

1 Comment

Longing for a Taste of Freedom

"Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,     prisoners suffering . . . Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,     and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,     and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing…

1 Comment

Shadows at Commencement

"See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared" (Exodus 23:20). I wiggled on the plastic seat and squinted toward the floor of the expo hall. Four hundred fifty-four square black caps huddled into rows…

0 Comments

Crucial Prayer

"Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, 'Pray that you will not fall into temptation.' He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,  'Father, if you are willing, take this cup…

0 Comments

Crucial Prayer

"Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, 'Pray that you will not fall into temptation.' He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,  'Father, if you are willing, take this cup…

0 Comments

Royal Status of a Child

"children running and shouting through the Temple, 'Hosanna to David’s Son!' . . . Jesus said, 'Yes, I hear them. And haven’t you read in God’s Word, ‘From the mouths of children and babies I’ll furnish a place of praise’?'” (Matthew 21:15-16). Easter dawned on the horizon as Christ marched through formidable gates to…

0 Comments

Engage Your Long Range Weapon

  "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people" (Ephesians 6:18). A dust cloud thundering with hooves approaches from the horizon. Screams erupt as the grey shadow roars through the towns…

0 Comments

No Sword Left Behind

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). I hit the snooze. Again. Before I know it, those red digits glare alarming numbers. I have fifteen minutes to get out of the house. After a quick prayer, I hack my…

2 Comments