James encouraged his listeners to pray at the end of his very practical letter to suffering, scattered believers: “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him… Read More »
Whether we are experiencing a major trial, a “blah” day for no apparent reason, or anything in between, we are people who need comfort and encouragement. And if we are in need of encouragement, it is very likely that the people around us are too. Paul prayed such a prayer for the encouragement of the… Read More »
Last time, I began with an attempt to begin to answer the question, What are we really asking for when we pray for wisdom? We looked at definitions of wisdom, the source of wisdom, and the outcomes of wisdom. This time, we will look at some examples of praying for wisdom as well as a… Read More »
In continuing the Wednesday night lessons on prayer for our ladies, we studied examples of and a command to pray for wisdom. When I introduced the lesson, I asked what it is that we are really asking for when we pray for wisdom. Usually, I’m thinking: Please, Lord, tell me what to do! Help me… Read More »
How do I love God? I was recently asked this question by one of my children, shortly before I was asked to speak at a Valentine’s Brunch. A few days later I was asked to speak in our school’s elementary chapel. With this question in my head and Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I… Read More »
Last week our Christian school had Spirit Week. It’s a fun-filled week intended to bring unity to the individual classes as they compete against one another, as well as school unity as we cheer our school on against another at the end of the week. Unity is a good thing in a school or any… Read More »
Along with a friend in my church, I am teaching a ladies’ class on prayer on Wednesday nights. The general theme is “What to Pray for as We Ought.” So we’ve been looking at the patterns of prayer in both the Old and New Testaments. The verse that was the foundation for this study is… Read More »
Last time, we looked at enslaved Israel in Egypt, their cry to God for deliverance, and God’s hearing, seeing, and knowing their troubles. He responded with care because he remembered his promises to them, and he delivered them. Hundreds of years later, we see Judah, the more faithful of the divided nation of Israel, once… Read More »
I recently had a friend mention that I only had 4 recipe posts on the blog, so, Tom, this one’s for you! 🙂 We have been having more people over for Sunday lunch after the morning service, so I’ve been working at expanding my Sunday lunch repertoire. Normally, if it’s just us, we keep it… Read More »
Israel’s Cry for Deliverance After almost 400 years of slavery in Egypt, Israel is recorded to have groaned and cried out for help. During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up… Read More »