Peter followed at a distance. The others ran. Judas was counting his money. The perfume from the night before still lingered on His head. His face covered in bloody dirt from praying face down while His friends slept. He didn’t resist arrest. He was on alert. He was paying close attention to details. He had a job to do. He was the only one that could do it. The leaders were baffled that He didn’t even attempt to free Himself. They just didn’t fully understand Who they were dealing with. He had given so many instructions to His disciples. He…

The story uncurled like new branches. Reaching for the light. Spreading out before the life-giving Savior. There, the anticipation of victory. He is the beacon of hope the world would forever cling to. He is pointing the way to the only way. The sure and steady directional Master paving the way. But He had to go through the dark. He had to enter that place to satisfy what mankind couldn’t. He willingly entered it. His strength all-sufficient. His is the final victory. Raised to live. On the nextday the largecrowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that…

When I saw her yesterday, in fresh skin dressed in soft cotton, she still radiated purity.  Her dark silky hair her crown.  She slept a peaceful sleep full of smiles and moans of contentment.  I had to imagine what she witnessed behind those fluttering eyelids.  Barely two months into this world, what does she know now that we have forgotten? Surely a faith in the care of her parents. She doesn’t know all the pain this world will throw at her.  For now, she trusts that her needs will be met.  She sleeps in complete satisfaction.  She is held and…

Facebook will show you what you posted in the past.  In this certain memory that appears today, I am reminded of many memories from three years ago. There were blisters on my feet when I sat in the chair that night.  Because we danced and laughed and celebrated a wedding.  My girl’s wedding.  Those blisters showed the physical evidence of the rubbing in my heart and mind.  You know blisters can be painful results.  But the memories of earning those blisters are sweet reminders of so many things. The “everyone that played a part in this day” come to mind…

It is a big thick book.  So many words, the size of it is daunting.  But there it is.  The contents, waiting to be read.  Available for anyone that will open it. Tragedies.  Romance.  Adventure.  Scandal.  Mystery.  Betrayal.  Redemption.  Reconciliation.  Hope.  Love.  Compassion.  Missions.  Death.  Birth.  Science.  Fragrant.  Tasty.  Physical.  Emotional.  Spiritual.  Intellectual.  Radical. Take your pick.  It is there.  Inside the pages waiting to be discovered.  But yet it is much more than words. It is the display of God’s love and compassion.  All waiting for you to notice.  Collecting dust until you decide to open it.  More than…

Her topic was prayer. As she spoke, my attention was pulled from the words she spoke. I tried to listen to her but there was a clicking sound. Not constant but just frequent enough to distract me. Isn’t that exactly what Satan does? He uses the smallest annoyance to grab our attention so we won’t focus on what is important. He likes that game. He uses it quite well. I knew where the clicking came from but I continued to choose to ignore it. Even though I was very aware of it. I wondered if anyone else noticed it. She…

It is so early. The cool of the night still lingers in the air. Rain silently falls cleansing the air and ground. Drops of sweet clean. Rhythms of life singing praise to the Creator. Rivers of life coming from heaven. Reminding of the living water. A slight breeze wraps around and cools a little more. Refreshing the skin of my face from a warm night sleep. Awakens me to a new day full of promises. The expectation of the day ahead beating hard in my chest. Desiring more than I knew yesterday. Because yesterday is gone but today is now…

Taking that hand.  Trusting that hand would rescue from the swirling water.  Knowing before that the water would be a sure-footing underneath unsteady feet.  But looking down pulls one down.  But looking full into the face of the One that saves rescues from the chaos below.  And He gently reaches down and lifts the hand without yanking.  Because in His love there is a gentle touch.  Knowing His strength so that harm doesn’t come in the helping. Are you fully trusting in His strength this hour, this moment? Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying…

Cutting through the mindless hours wasted doing nothing of eternal benefit.  Sitting in front of light that gives me no path for my feet.  Feeling numb or befuddled because I haven’t engaged into meaningful fellowship.  Facebook doesn’t count as meaningful fellowship! But hearing my girl on the phone trying something new.  Again.  Her using her desire for beauty in this world, making something small to add a little touch of beauty.  Does she know that the beauty is in her by doing?  That the love He placed within her is where the real beauty comes from?  Not the small something…

She walked in with a vase of flowers and a small bag containing bread.  But she carried more than just that.  She came bearing something greater than the items in her hands.  And she explained how there were others she had already seen and more she intended to see on that day.  She wasn’t looking for anything in return.  Her mission was to provide a simple touch of compassion.  She came to see what else may be needful in a difficult moment.  Maybe we were able to give back by being attentive to her presence. Another one walked in with…