Roger and Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 NIV) One of the stories we’re studying in the American short stories class I’m teaching is Langston Hughes’ “Thank You, M’am,” which was written and published in 1958. Hughes was the first AfricanContinue Reading
Senses remember
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. (Psalm 34:8 MSG) Last week in the American short stories class I’m teaching, we studied O. Henry’s “The Cop and the Anthem.” It’s a story about a homeless man who plansContinue Reading
Shadows
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV)“Beloved, I see how you have journeyed through the valley of the shadow of death. You started out strong in faith and believing that I was with andContinue Reading
Remember the Faithful Voice
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27 NIV) My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled. I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. (Psalm 17:5-6 NIV) Tonight, we had ourContinue Reading
Vacation
Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life. (Psalm 23:1-3 TPT) Three SundaysContinue Reading
For or against?
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever isContinue Reading
“Because of the Battle”
“Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him.There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him— the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the Lord is his name!” (Hosea 12:4-5 NIV) “Because of the battle I’ve learned how to pray Continue Reading
Be a Chicken
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” (Romans 6:11-12 NIV) Once I hear a pastor tell the story of being at his construction job, and a groupContinue Reading
He Hides My Soul
“He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rockThat shadows a dry, thirsty land;He hideth my life in the depths of His love,And covers me there with His hand,And covers me there with His hand.” (Fannie J. Crosby) Heavenly Father, Thank you for making heaven and earth, for creatingContinue Reading
God Laughs at the Nations
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. (Psalm 2:10-11 NIV) God of the Nations, Thank you for your sovereignty over this nation and the world. Even when we don’t see it, we knowContinue Reading