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James 2:2-4 (NIV) | Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. My brother and I had a rock tumbler when…

Ephesians 2:8-9 | “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” 1) I’m a “good person.” Do I really need salvation? 2) I’m not a bad person. Is my sin really that bad?…

Proverbs 1:8-9 (NIV) | Listen, my son, to your father’s Instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. Happy Global Day of Parents! This celebration is relatively new as it was started by the UN in 2012. The idea behind…

I saw something the other day that immediately took me back to walking Ethan, and then Mia, through a parking lot. There was a little girl with pigtails, seriously cute as a button, running with glee. Behind her was a man (I presume her dad) who was chasing after her with a grimace. One thought…

Last week we celebrated the graduation of our Hope Church Preschool Class of 2023. It was such a sweet and special evening culminating the achievements of these precious kiddos. Some of them started when they were mere toddlers and are now heading to kindergarten fully armed with the knowledge of the alphabet, letters, colors, shapes,…

Light is probably the most predominant metaphor for the presence and activity of Jesus in the world. From creation when the Creator said, “Let there be light” to today’s verse when Jesus identified Himself as the light, the promise was made that we will never walk in darkness when we walk with Him. That’s not…

1 John 4:4 (NIV) | You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Today’s verse comes in a section where the Bible warns against the devil and his minions. One of the ways evil works is it tries to…

Have you heard that imitation is the finest form of flattery? I think that’s at the very least mostly true. I know there are people I admire and try to emulate. From trying to mirror Dale Murphy’s batting stance as a kid to mimicking techniques of my favorite preachers/teachers, imitation gives us glimpses into not…

Amos 5:21-24 (NLT) | 21 I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. 22 Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. 23 Away with the noise of your…

Today’s verse makes me think about the friends who have been by me in thick and thin. From those who I am still in touch with since my school days to new friends who I interact with regularly day in and day out. Did you know that God wants to be your friend? He does!…