my own Ethiopian encounter

In Acts chapter 8 Philip met an Ethiopian man who had a thirst for understanding scripture and was quick to respond and except the gospel of Jesus Christ. Well … not to be outdone … on my way to the Denver International Airport yesterday I also met an Ethiopian … and he was also quick to inform me of his love for Jesus. I saw an Ethiopian Bible in the shuttle van we were riding in and asked the driver if this book gave him any instructions about life after death. Without hesitation he said one word: “Heaven“. I then …

God-Love Walks on Water

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 1 John 3:14 (NIV)   *** *** *** ***   Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker –   Our love for one another is the fruit, not the root, of our relationship with God. John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, taught that our love for others emerges from our relationship with God; that anyone born of God who knows God will love with the love of God (1 John 4:7, based on NLT).   In …

Compromising on Love?

And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. Colossians 1:18 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker –   If our love for one another is not energized by Jesus, we’re doomed to slide from the promise of “All You Need Is Love” into the push and shove of “I, Me, Mine.” Our love can’t stop at “let’s just get along” because the deep and ancient God-love emerges, not from compromise, but …

Back to School

What do #2 pencils, Elmer’s Glue, Crayola Crayons, and Construction Paper bring to mind? Well, besides the obvious answer of “Tools that MacGyver would use to build a car with;” most would say school supplies. With a first grader in our home, we have certainly been reacquainted with the whole “back to school” scene. You remember it don’t you? If it’s been a while for you, maybe this will help. New blue jeans that are so dark they don’t even look blue, so you make your Mom wash them a few hundred times to give them that faded look; or …

Committing to Each Other

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) *** *** *** *** Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – Truth teaches that the quality of our friendships is more important than the quantity. We don’t need a lot of friends in this life, but we do need a few good ones.   By moving beyond superficial acquaintance with specific Jesus-ones, we become friends who are closer than family (Proverbs 18:24).   This requires considerably more commitment than our standard “to each his own” …

Jesus Prays for You

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message . . .” John 17:20 (NIV)   *** *** *** ***   Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker – During the Last Supper, Jesus prayed for himself and then he prayed for the disciples. And then, with the hour of his death approaching, he took time to pray for you. He prayed for all those who would believe through the ministry of the disciples, and that means you.   This is what he told God:   “My prayer …

A Better Place to Be

Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV) *** *** *** ***   Today’s guest devotional is provided by Jon Walker –   Have you ever been somewhere you didn’t want to be? Maybe it was a job, a town, or a marriage. Maybe it was a stage in life, like singlehood, or a state in life, like a disability. It’s very possible that as you read this, you’re wishing you were somewhere else – …

Movie Review: The X-Files – I Want to Believe

Squeezed in the middle of a summer full of superheroes (with superhype!), 20th Century Fox decided to try and put a hammock up before all the summer comedies come out (“Pineapple Express”, “The Rocker”, and “Tropic Thunder” are all on deck), and lazily threw in a movie that will certainly have Xphiles lined up…but what about the rest of the moviegoing public? Unfortunately, I think they’ll be less than impressed, because this movie may put you to sleep. I am an admitted “X-Files” slave. I first caught eyes to it several months before its airing in 1993, seeing that guy …

Trusting the Father's Goodness

Isn’t it wonderful when our children teach us about Jesus? Not that it is always fun, but the Holy Spirit doesn’t waste a moment if you’re just willing to listen. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. – James 1:17 (ESV) Tonight Stephanie is working so I’ve been …

Becoming Like Jesus Is a Slow Process

This will continue until we are . . . mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him. Ephesians 4:13 (CEV)   *** *** *** ***   Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth. Spiritual maturity is neither instant nor automatic; it is a gradual, progressive development that will take the rest of your life.   Referring to this process, Paul said, “This will continue until we are . . . mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him” (Ephesians 4:13 CEV).   You are a work in progress. Your …