The Character of God – Mathew 27:46 We are looking at the different interpretations of this text that come from the way the key words are emphasized.  In the first devotion we looked at, “why have you forsaken me?” and we contemplated the purposes of God.  Here we will look at,...

The Purpose of God – Mathew 27:46, “Why have you forsaken me?” Have you ever played the game where you take a simple sentence and see how the meaning changes when you change the emphasis?  Start with, “Why did you eat that apple?”  Now read it as, “Why did you eat...

Bronnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She recorded their dying epiphanies in a blog called Inspiration and Chai, which gathered so much attention that she put her observations into a book...

The comment caught me completely off-guard.  I was proudly showing a colleague my new truck; a sleek black Dodge Ram 2500 long bed with a V8 Hemi engine that my kids named Darth Vader.  Instead of the expected words of admiration, however, this friend just retorted, “You are really supporting...

Several years ago I experienced a week of travel that can only be described as a descent into madness.  It’s a little long, but I thought you might enjoy my ‘travelogue’. I entitled it, ‘So, how was your week?’ If you would indulge me for a few moments I would like to...

My favorite story from Scripture about faithful asking and generous giving may surprise you. It comes from Luke, Chapter 19 beginning at the 28th verse. “And after Jesus had said this he went on ahead going up to Jerusalem.  As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the...

I heard a quote yesterday (Stewardship Summit in Portland) that an idol is, “something you go to for comfort instead of God.” Where do we seek our comfort, assurance and security?  We have a lot of idols in America.  Sports is an idol, but we immerse ourselves in sports to...

In the late 1800’s a Montana fur trapper is running out of supplies during a particularly brutal Rocky Mountain winter.  Growing desperate, he realizes he must make his way down to the nearest town to buy food or he will not survive. He sets out through an early morning blizzard...