Thoughts from Within

In the last several years, our expenses as a family have soared. This is mainly due to two facts. My family is growing and the cost of living is skyrocketing. And if you have paid attention to the news, the cost of food and fuel is supposed to increase again due to the drought of last summer. Each week, I enter receipts and keep track of our checking account expenses. Over the last several months, I have noticed that these increases are mind-boggling. Not in the sense that these costs are high, but the fact that our income has remained fairly level, not combating the effects of the increases. What is mind-boggling is how God has provided our every need during this time. Not once have we had to ask to borrow money. Not once have we been late on a bill. Not once have we wondered from where our next meal would come. I do not mean to sound prideful. This all is not the result of our frugality, rather it is all because God is supplying! We have been faithful to Him and He has been more ...

The Gospel of Luke tells a fabulous story of a thankful heart. In chapter 17, as He made way to Jerusalem, Jesus came to a small village in the midst of Samaria and Galilee. While there, ten lepers stood afar off and cried out to him. They were unclean and as a result, were to avoid others for fear of infecting them. Verse fourteen says Jesus saw them and told them to visit the priests (for they had authority to declare them clean), and “as they went, they were cleansed.” Notice the word used by Luke is not healed or made whole ; rather, they were cleansed . What is the difference you ask? Well, it just may be that their cleansing was temporary. Strong’s Concordance defines the word cleanse as: to clean or make clean (the idea of temporary removal of impurities). The word whole is defined as: to save, deliver or protect (the idea of permanence). We find that of the ten lepers who were cleansed, only one returned to Jesus. This one “turned back, and with a loud voice ...

Let me just say right from the beginning of this blog... God is sovereign. He has a plan. He is in control. He still reigns on His heavenly throne. All this I believe to be true; however, it has been extremely disheartening to see all the post-election comments, rhetoric and cliches spewing forth from the mouths of Christians. The most common phrase I have heard or read is, "It doesn't matter who won the election because God is in control. He is still on the throne." or "I am disappointed with the election results but God has it under control." To me these statements are obvious truths that justify political inaction on the behalf of lazy Christians. I understand that God is in control of all things, the last Presidential election included, but I also understand that people use God's sovereignty as a way to explain everything under the sun - even those things in which Christians should have stronger involvement. Instead of advancing the na...

Abraham pleaded time and time again for God to extend his mercy on Sodom. "If there be 50 righteous... If there be 45...40...30...20...10." No doubt, Abraham felt distraught and grieved as each proposal failed. As his final request for mercy was rejected, Abraham assuredly felt hopelessness for Lot and his family. The rejection of his final request must have solidified in his mind that God's judgment could no longer be held back. I have to imagine that Abraham left Sodom sad and dejected, knowing God was about to destroy the city of his nephew Lot. After last night's election, it is quite evident that our proposals to God for mercy are running out. We are finding fewer righteous people in this nation. How much more will God tolerate before judgment falls? Americans had an opportunity last night to replace a wicked leader, and collectively, we chose to retain that evil. What number are we down to with God? Christians are undoubtedly feeling the same sadness and ...