Love or LOVE

"What a support to our faith is this, that God the Father, the party offended by our sins, is so well pleased with the work of redemption! And what a comfort is this, that, seeing God's love rests on Christ, as well pleased in him, we may gather that he is as well pleased with …

Disc Golf and the Abiding Life

A lucky eagle on one is a double bogey on the next. Welcome to the abiding life. If you abide, not all days will be the same. There is the challenge of your own trouble, but a lighter burden and a ladder descending from on high to the sand trap and a wellspring on the …

The Bitter Depths of Deep Work

Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no-one else can share its joy. Proverbs 14:10 NIV Observation: When you do deep work, you get to the bottom of your own bitterness AND joy! If you try and share what you discover, it is somewhat impossible, and even unfruitful, to share it with others who have …

For my Sons in the Faith

Start by praying a dangerous prayer of commitment; "Father, make me like Jesus by whatever means." Read John chapters 13-17... It's the map on abiding in Christ and meant to be an all day every day carry. John 13 is where Jesus washes the disciples feet and shares communion with them. This is where it …

What’s THE Plan, Man?

I've been stressed a lot over what I'm supposed to do, and sadly, most of it revolves around making a nice comfortable living for myself. As a Christian, this is nonsense, especially because I'm "all in". Sidenote: don't tell Him you're "all in" and be disappointed when He starts changing things up. It's all according …

The True Test of Abandonment to God

This is an adaptation of Chamber's Utmost, March 12th - The true test of Abandonment to God ...Then Peter began to say unto Him, "Yo... we left everything and followed you.…" Mark 10:28.The Lord Jesus replies, in effect, that abandonment is for Himself, and not for what His disciples will get out of it. He …

Faith, Love, Hope: Thoughts on Ephesians‬ ‭1:15-19‬‬‬

“This is why, since I heard about your FAITH in the Lord Jesus and your LOVE for all the saints, [Faith can’t be trusted until it is evidenced by Love for others.] I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus …

Ask the Father… – a thought on John 15:7-8

Pretty straight forward... "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples" (John 15:7‭-‬8). I get this image of producing spiritual fruit and then …

The Dude Abides: The True Vine and the Gardener

A few years ago, my wife and I started a garden in our back yard. When I say “my wife and I”, I really mean “my wife” started a garden. My part was simple: build a couple of raised beds and put some dirt in them. Some wise green thumb told us to start with …

Rocky Rose

This is an adaptation of C. H. Spurgeon's devotional thoughts on 1 John 4:19. Loves parent is the love of God shed abroad in the heart (Rom 5:5). After its divine birth, it must also be divinely cultivated. Love is an exotic plant. It will not flourish naturally in human soil because it is planted, …