The source is YOU

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV Joyful in hope, yes Lord, I am all in, but patience is not a strong skill of mine, and the idea of being patient in affliction feels heavy on me. When affliction comes, either physical, spiritual or emotional, the last thing I…

Free Gift

6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. Romans 11:6 NIV When I read this verse, I immediately understand the words, but do I fully comprehend the message Paul is sharing? He is talking about salvation, the free gift of salvation that is…

Blackberry thicket

My family went blackberry picking this weekend on our neighbors’ property near the irrigation canal. I have always been mesmerized by blackberry plants they seem perfectly designed to protect their fruit and unlike other plants with thorns, blackberries have the uncanny ability to repel with sharp barbs while simultaneously pulling you in with the same…

The hot mess of humanity

It is a jump right in kind of day, so join me in Romans, Chapter 5 verse 7-8 I’ll wait, while you grab your coffee, tea, or a refreshing glass of water.  7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his…

As Christians, we are responsible for ensuring the nectar never runs dry, and God will do the heavy lifting. 

Following the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit-filled apostles went out and taught the gospel.  43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  Acts 2:43 NIV The believers ate together and gathered with glad and sincere hearts (v46). Oh, how I treasure that description, with glad…