Reading the Board Differently

There is an old story, often repeated in Christian circles, about a painting sometimes called Checkmate. The work is by Friedrich Moritz August Retzsch, though its original title was The Chess Players. It depicts a young man seated at a chessboard across from a dark and ominous opponent, and the scene has long been read as an image of spiritual conflict, of a soul cornered and apparently near defeat. Over time, a story became attached to the painting, most often involving

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Coffee Pops Up

There is a coffee app on my phone that pops up from time to time to let me know their business is near me. No matter where I go in this country, it lets me know when one of their locations is nearby and suggests I order my favorite drink. 

This got me thinking about how God is always near us and does some of the kindest things to let us know He is close; He listens and loves us. This verse sums it up: Psalm 46:5 (NIV) “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her

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Waiting

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary: and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31. (KJV)

When we are waiting on God for an answer or direction, sometimes our destination or what we need to do next is unclear. In times of uncertainty, it is important to know that waiting on God is not being idle. This is a time to be people of action! While we are waiting for our answer, w

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Waterfalls and Cat Litter

I was doing chores this weekend, and in the middle of vacuuming, I started wondering how much time I have spent in my life doing mundane things. Maybe that thought should be frustrating, but then I remembered this verse;

Psalm 42:7 (NIV)

Deep calls to deep

in the roar of your waterfalls;

All your waves and breakers

have swept over me.

I absolutely love this verse. It reminds me that I have a spirit-bond with the King of the Universe. The author of creation, the Alpha and Omega,

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The Little Engine

Have you read the story, The Little Engine That Could? It’s a beloved children’s story of a small train who believed he could do the impossible. Other trains with more power refused the task because they didn’t think they would succeed. 

The Little Engine agreed to pull a much larger, heavier train with many cars attached up a hill. As he worked his way to the top, he kept reciting, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” Eventually, The Little Engine reached the top

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Standing Strong

The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their h

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Mirrors

I see signs of aging as I look in the mirror, and I am forced to come to terms with the fact that I don’t look the same as I did when I was 18. I wish I could go back in time and tell my younger self to appreciate what I had, but, unfortunately, I don’t know if I was ever truly happy with how I looked in the moment. That dissatisfaction seems so silly to me now, I straightened my curly hair and my friends with straight hair curled theirs! I dieted and worked out and worrie

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Guard Duty

Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 (GW)

Starting very early in life we seek approval. It feels good to have someone look at you or what you have done and say, "Nice job” or “Well done!" Our flesh wants to feel validated and that is not always a bad thing. It motivates us to keep moving forward and strive to be good stewards over the gifts we have been given.

What happens when you are about to make a decision

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The Prescription

Anxiety can feel like an overwhelming weight on our shoulders. We know that stress and worry can lead to health issues, strain our relationships, and hinder our goals. In today’s world, there is a strong focus on relieving anxiety with medication, therapy, exercise, and other strategies. While these approaches can help manage the symptoms of anxiety, God’s joy offers a deeper healing that transforms our outlook and provides lasting comfort.

I love Psalm 94:19 (NIV), which s

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Structure vs Intimacy

There are voices—both ancient and modern—that have tried to name what happens in us when a living relationship with God slowly hardens into religious duty and becomes a focus on wood and stone constructs. I know that we don’t set out to lose intimacy, but something in us drifts toward what we can measure, manage, and maintain.

I think of Eugene Peterson’s warnings about the subtle shift from life with God to religion about God. Dallas Willard spoke of the “great omission” w

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Scars of Grace

There is a courage that only shows up when someone dares to reveal their scars.

I once heard the story of a man sitting in a hospital consultation room, his hands clasped so tightly his knuckles had turned pale. The doctor had explained the procedure twice already—open heart surgery. The words sounded too big, too sharp. The man nodded politely, but inside he was unraveling.

He wasn’t afraid of pain as much as he was afraid of the unknown.

“What if I don’t wake up?”

“What if s

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A Hand To Hold

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NKJV

This is my go-to verse when things get hard.  I say this scripture out loud to block out the noise of doubt, worry or even daily nonsense.  

I have always had a healthy respect for heights but not long after I got married, I had the opportunity to cross a bridge.  It was one of those bridges that had openings in the slats and you could see the rushing water beneath your feet.  Now, I knew that bridg

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The Impact of Responding: Called Into a New Story

“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.” — Jude 1:1–2 NIV

    Jude, the half brother of Jesus, does not open his short letter with instruction, but with the language of belonging. 

     Before we are told what to do, we are reminded who we are: called, loved, kept. Three words that bend the arc of a life before the life even

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Temptation

“When truth presents itself, the wise person sees the light, takes it in, and makes adjustments. The fool tries to adjust the truth, so he does not have to adjust to it.” 

— Dr. Henry Cloud

 Everyone experiences sin. Everyone experiences temptations—some lean toward gossip, some gluttony, lying. Some skin-to-skin. But inevitably we all give in. That giving in is what the Bible calls sin. It is an ancient archery word that means to miss the mark or the bullseye.

Scripture spea

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Pah-Rum-Pum-Pum-Pum

On Christmas morning, I was working in the kitchen, getting ready for Christmas dinner. I had a Christmas hymn playlist going and was singing badly and off-key, but joyfully, as I cooked. The playlist brought up the Bing Crosby/David Bowie duet, “Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth” and the song flowed over me as I puttered along. At the end of the song, I started to think about the song “The Little Drummer Boy” by Katherine Kennicott Davis. Now, to be fair, that song is an

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