Last night, we studied the story of the hemorrhaging woman who was healed when she merely touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. It’s a story I’ve heard so many times and one I’ve always loved, but I read it with new eyes this week as I prepared to discuss it with our group. After our study, as I slipped off to sleep, I couldn’t help but ponder the story and what I can learn from it. (more…)
This week, a small town in Indiana was thrust into the news. Knightstown’s previous claim to fame was the Hoosier Gym, the cinematic home court of the Hickory Huskers in the movie, “Hoosiers.” But this time, Knightstown made news when one of its citizens, represented by the ACLU, sued the town to remove the lighted cross from atop the town Christmas tree. He claimed the religious symbol violated his first amendment rights. Within a couple of days, the town council had the cross removed from the tree, probably because they didn’t want to (or perhaps because they couldn’t afford to) spend the resources to contest the lawsuit. (more…)
If you have spent more than ten minutes with me in the last five or ten years, then you’ve probably noticed the awkward way I “turn” my head, which is really a full-body move. Or you’ve heard me complain about my chronic neck pain (sorry). It has something that has been a pain in my neck for years. (I know — that was a stupid joke, even for me.)
I haven’t posted a lot about jail ministry lately — maybe because I’ve been a little burned out and a LOT worn out. When the busy-ness of life becomes overbearing, it’s easy for even things we love to be relegated to “just another commitment,” or thought of as, “just another thing I have to do.”
I love jail ministry with everything in me, but lately I’ve been so busy with life that I’ve felt drained. I’ve been praying that God would rekindle my spirit and return my joy. I wanted my passion back. (more…)
Matthew 18:23-35New Living Translation (NLT)
23 “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. 24 In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. 25 He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt. (more…)
Don’t you hate feeling helpless when a friend or loved one confides in you about struggles he or she is facing. Loss, sickness, despair, and grief leave us feeling hopeless and impotent. We want to “fix it” and make him or her feel better, but in our desperation, we offer simply, “I’ll keep you in my prayers.” (more…)