For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4 ESV One of the keys to understanding the kingdom of God is an awareness that the kingdom of God has past, present, and future implications. For example: I have been saved. (Past) I am being saved. (Present) I will be saved. (Future) Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is a finished work of God’s grace and mercy. Once my faith meets His grace, salvation is accomplished. My spirit… Read More
Humility is not a natural disposition, it is a daily decision. But the benefits of choosing to be humble are well worth the discipline it requires. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10 NKJV King Hezekiah was one of very few Old Testament kings who “did what was right in the sight of the Lord.” He tore down idolatrous images, he cleaned up messes left by previous leaders, and he led his people back to the ways of the Lord – decisions that… Read More
Carrie and I had just gotten married and were both working at the Cracker Barrel. The summer before my senior year of college we were asked to go to another state and help salvage a struggling store. It didn’t take long for Carrie and I to realize why this particular location was doing so poorly. One of the managers was unprofessional, apathetic, and the chief cause of the high turnover rate among the employees there. Have you ever heard the term, “one apple can spoil the whole bunch?” I’m always amazed at… Read More
I often find myself over-working, over-thinking, and over-doing life. For any of us who put our hearts into our lives, we can end up carrying stress to the point that it affects our ability to rest. Resting is not merely the physical act of reclining or sleeping. No – there are many times I have been in a physical posture of rest while not being at rest. Resting is not a position of your body, but a posture of your soul. Is your mind at rest? Is your will (your decision making… Read More
Standing at over 85 feet high and over 65 feet wide, Rome’s Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous and glorious water fountains in the world. Each statue stands as its own work of art, painstakingly crafted with opulent detail and placed on a rock foundation brilliantly hewn to accent their beauty. But, as beautiful as this masterpiece is, its brilliance and glory is only fully realized when crystal clear water cascades freely in, around, and over it. The beauty of a fountain is its overflow of water. A fountain without water… Read More