In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) It was mid-morning as our little band of flatlanders arrived at our 6,000-foot trail head. Just a mere 24 hours earlier we had left home at sea level, and it felt great to be breathing the crisp mountain air. We tried to encourage our
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If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (NIV) When my children were little I was cleaning up in the living room one day and realized that someone had drawn on the back of a leather recliner with an ink pen. I asked
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Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) …and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. About once a year my wife travels to the other side of the country to visit her family for about a week to ten days. I’m glad that she gets to make this
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One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him… Luke 17:15-16 (NIV) One day, while Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, ten men with leprosy approached Him. In those days, leprosy was deadly. Once the disease had invaded your body, there was
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You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last… John 15:16 (NIV) One of my fondest memories of grade school was playing kickball at recess. I loved that game so much, and I couldn’t wait to get on the field and get the game going. There
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Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV) Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. It starts when they’re so young. The other day I walked in on another skirmish. “What happened?” “She hit me!”
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All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 1 John 3:3 (NIV) It was “Ask the Youth Leader Night” for the kids at church, and everyone was putting their questions into the hat. The evening always provided interesting discussion centered on questions about faith, the Bible, and everything in between. Tom pulled the first
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He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will… Ephesians 1:5 (NIV) My relationship with my daughter Anne started out differently than with my other kids. Anne first came to our home as a foster child, and that’s how I introduced her to people. “This is my foster daughter, Anne,” I would
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The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1 (NIV) The other evening, as I walked by the front window of our home, I caught a glimpse of a bright light in the early evening sky. I knew what I saw was more than a distant airplane or helicopter. It seemed odd
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For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 (NIV) D.L. Moody lived in the later part of the 1800s and was well known for his influence as an evangelist. History books say he led more than a million people to Christ during his lifetime. One of the most interesting facets of his life
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