A Clay Jar

Let Nothing Move You – 1 Corinthians 15:58

January 20, 2018

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. -1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV This verse reminds me very much of a recent picture making the rounds on Facebook. In the center of the picture is a lighthouse setting on a rock in a storm. The waves are crashing around the lighthouse. But it’s foundation is firm and the lighthouse stands secure; no matter what the storm throws at it, nothing moves it. Even so, …

Resisting Temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:13

January 14, 2018

God does not leave me alone in dealing with temptation. He knows me and what I am capable of, ensuring that my temptation does not exceed my ability to resist. And he always provides a way to escape.

Glory in Suffering – Romans 5:3-4

December 12, 2017

How do you respond to the challenges of life? Paul, and other NT writers, tell us to rejoice in them because of what those trials can produce in your life.

The Marriage of the Lamb – Rev 19:7

February 23, 2019October 28, 2017

The marriage of the Lamb is coming and his Bride the Church) is making herself ready. Hold onto that hope and let it sustain you during the trials of this life.

Conquerors – Rev 15:2

November 29, 2017October 23, 2017

How do you come out on top in the end? By trusting your life to Christ and being faithful to him even unto death. Nothing in this life can compare to that.

Run with Perseverance – Hebrews 12:1-3

April 8, 2019August 18, 2017

As the athlete in the stadium is cheered on and encouraged by the crowd, so we should be encouraged by those who have come before us. We may not see them now, and may not be able to physically hear their voices, but they do speak out to us from the pages of history. Let their faithfulness be an encouragement and example to you.

Hold Firmly to the End – Heb. 3:14

November 30, 2017August 6, 2017

Could it be that only those who are faithful to the end are ever actually saved? That salvation is not based on how you start the journey, but on how you finish it?

A Beautiful Tree

April 8, 2021May 13, 2013

I recently spent a night in the backcountry and happened to notice some of the alders that were growing nearby, including one that my hammock was hung from. Now alders are generally fairly straight trees, with small branches. A mature alder looks something like a power pole with branches. And many of them in the neighborhood of my camp did have that look. But the one I focused on mostly, and hung from, bore little resemblance to a power pole. This tree has not had an easy time of it. It appears to have been hit and broken by at …