My mother died on a Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 10:30 in the morning in Indianola, Mississippi, a small town about 22 miles from Greenville, our hometown. She went on to a new life with the Lord while my sister Libby and I stood at her bedside. It was a sacred moment of watching a life well-lived end on this earth, then head to golden shores. I suspect it was the Lord that led me to write this poem some …
Category: Purpose
I was fortunate to be able to work for my brother, Jim, for a couple of years in the apparel industry. I loved working with him and to this day, find him to be one of the smartest business guys I know. He’s also just a really great brother. He was quite successful in the apparel business managing large brands like Ocean Pacific (Op). He knew when to be tough and when to give. I not only I loved working …
And we know that for those who love God all things (no matter what the season) work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (emphasis added) …
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. – Psalm 103:19 (NASB) When the King of England died in 1952, his daughter Elizabeth was thrust onto the world stage as Queen of the United Kingdom. In the Netflix series “The Crown” the Queen’s grandmother writes Elizabeth a powerful letter as she prepares to become Queen. In the letter she says: I have seen three great monarchies brought down through their failure to separate …
Humans have an innate desire to explore and learn about the things that are important to us. Need to learn how to use the new Apple Watch? Sure! Need to get your resume redone? No problem. Need to plan a family vacation? Absolutely. Need to learn about new players for your fantasy league? Can do! But faith? …do we desire to passionately explore what it means to really know the God of the universe? …do we desire to explore and …
As the deer pants for the water brook, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Psalm 42: 1-2 (NASB) ~~~~~ I heard a speaker at a men’s retreat once say that he wakes each morning and runs to the cross of Christ. He wakes up and runs, not walks, to the cross….to Jesus. Wow. What a stunning visual. That made me stop and ask: Who or what am I running to first each day? …
Sometimes it seems our world is only filled with wars, civil unrest, beheadings, evil rampages and moral decline. It must pain God to see how we treat each other….in both unspoken ways (like prejudice) and in more outward ways like murder and the bombing of innocents. Isaiah 60:2 (ESV) says: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. Like you, I am …
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10 (NIV) This plea from King David was his response after his affair with Bathsheba. When facing his sin, he turned to God and cried out for a clean heart. We too can follow David’s example, turn to God and seek a pure heart. But the enemy wants us to dwell on our sin…to lay in shame and wallow in our unfaithfulness. He wants us to delay our confession and …
Recently I endeavored to categorize all 750+ verses in the Bible pertaining to the heart. It was rewarding to discover the dozens of rich aspects of the heart. One such aspect of the heart is the idea of God putting deposits, plans and ideas into our hearts. First and best of all, as followers of Christ, God put a new heart in each of us at the moment of our salvation. You have a new heart. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I …
When our hearts are humble toward God and others, they’re open to truth. Yet, when we believe our own wisdom (pride) is sufficient for the issues of life, our hearts become closed. Humility and pride determine the openness of our heart. Do you want the eyes of your heart open to His truth, grace and forgiveness? Do you want the eyes (of your heart) focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to …