And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52 NIV) One Wednesday last month our missions team reported on the people they had encountered when on a missions trip to Brazil. They had participated in large rallies and prayed for many, many people. The reports theyContinue Reading
Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. For by it the people of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the world has been created by the word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3 NASB) And without faith it isContinue Reading
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:2-3 NIV) As I write this I am sitting on my deck enjoying a perfect June evening. The sun is shining, theContinue Reading
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, soContinue Reading
[This is Friday, the last day of the arts camp. I am elated with how smoothly camp has gone so far and I’m looking forward to the activities and final performance today. I have been riding on adrenaline and joy this week. It will feel very strange to not leaveContinue Reading
[Our third day of the arts camp was without the storm chaos of the previous day and went very smoothly. It is such a blessing to see all these smiling faces and create works of art together! We have two more days of camp, closing with a final program onContinue Reading
[Our second day of camp began with severe thunderstorms about 5:30 a.m. that knocked out power to many families in the area and caused road closures because of trees down. We did delay the opening of camp by one hour to give families a chance to make adjustments, but thenContinue Reading
[We had a fantastic first day of the arts camp. The joy and energy of pre-teens and teens is contagious, especially in a loving and well-organized atmosphere. Yesterday we talked about building our lives on the foundation of God’s word because we are God’s masterpieces. Today we’re talking about creatingContinue Reading
Praise the Lord, my soul.He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. (Psalm 104:1, 5 NIV) [This first day of the arts camp we are talking about building the foundations of our lives on the Word, Jesus Christ. This post comes from those devotions.] Imagine, for a moment, aContinue Reading
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. (Psalm 28:7 NIV) As I write this I’m listening to the rain pour down upon our home, grateful that this cold front can pull the temperaturesContinue Reading