Filthy language was once considered “taboo”, but now the “F” word seems to be in every other sentence on TV, social media, everywhere. No longer “bleeped out”, the world has accepted and even embraced it. Yes, it’s just a word. But words mean things. People say, “Jesus!” or “Oh, my God!” when exclaiming something … but is He really? Is He really their God? If you are a follower of Jesus through spiritual birth, your slate has been wiped clean! But now you are called to be set

Today’s song is a powerful story of grace, brotherly love and shining the Light of Jesus, both physically and spiritually. The lyrics tell it all … I met Craig at a church called Redeeming Grace. It's like he understood my "I don't wanna be here" face. I didn't bow my head, not one single prayer, but he just shook my hand, said "I'm glad you're here." He says, "We'll all be judged" but he was never judgmental; and even though my songs don't belong in no hymnal, he'd quote me

As a child, my parents used to encourage me to be different, be unique; dare to not always go along with the crowd but to do my own thing. If everyone wanted blue shoes, it was anything but blue for me; when short hairstyles were “in”, mine was kept long; rock-n-roll music was “cool”, but it was still country for me. Then later as parents, my husband and I encouraged our children in the same way. As spiritually-born followers of Christ, God calls us to be different, too. We a

Look around you … what do you see? sunlight, moonlight? family, friends, co-workers? cars, stars, house, coffeehouse …whatever you see, it came from God. The very eyes you see with came from God! Everyone and every thing comes from God. We own nothing; we are simply stewards of what He has given us. We can’t take it with us … it is ultimately all God’s. He is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful) and omnipresent (present in all places at all times). Look again.

Today’s song is often referred to as the “Black National Anthem”. It was written in 1899 as a poem by James Weldon Johnson and turned into a song by his brother, John Rosamond Johnson. Reportedly written in response to post-Civil war times of racial segregation and Jim Crow laws, in the 1950s it became a major symbol of the Civil Rights Movement and was quoted several times in speeches by the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. It still holds a strong place in black American cu

The biblical account of Jesus walking on water is a well-known miracle, occurring shortly after another miracle, the feeding of the 5,000. The Bible presents bits of information about Jesus walking on water in three of the Gospels. A noticeable difference in the accounts is that Peter isn't mentioned in the Gospel of John, but in Matthew, he walks on the water to meet Jesus, (Matt 14:28-32). Also noteworthy is that Matthew, Mark, and John, three of Jesus' disciples, are who r

Have you ever reached a point where things just aren’t right and you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of busyness, chaos, clutter? So much so that you don’t even know how to articulate the words to pray? Things start piling up and then discouragement and discontentment sets in; you feel like things will never be “right” again, so why even try? But deep inside, you know God is there with you. You’ve buried Him so far down you can’t even feel or hear Him any more … but then y

There’s a new faith-based movie, American Underdog, about the life of pro-football player Kurt Warner, and how his relationship with Jesus became real when he met his (future) wife, Brenda, then a divorced mother of two. In his testimony, Kurt said about her, “She challenged me early and often in our relationship about what I believed and why I believed it.” Movie Review Many people who profess to be “Christians” merely have doctrinal or intellectual knowledge of Christ, but

When you’re down and out, or just having a bad day, remember: The Creator of the universe LOVES you! The Almighty, Who made the mountains and the seas, and all creatures great and small; The One Who knows how much sand is on the shores … He knows your name! Before He formed you, He knew you. Christ-follower, He carried your cross, sanctified you, redeemed you and calls you by name! Wow! Let that sink in … STOP! Don't just read the words ... meditate on that thought. Now, are

If you have been born into God's family, you are His child, which means you have Two Fathers – an earthly (biological/physical) and One Heavenly (spiritual). What a blessing! What an inheritance! Sometimes we are disappointed by our earthly fathers, or they are not present in our life (whether by death or other circumstances); it may be that another man fills that earthly role. Regardless, our heavenly Father is perfect and always there for us. Jesus Christ is the visible ima

Today’s song reminds us that Jesus is our Day Star, our Light in the darkness of this world. His Word is our roadmap in this journey, helping us to find the path back to Him. The beautiful lyrics -- “Lily of the Valley, let your sweet aroma fill my life! Rose of Sharon, show me how to grow in beauty in God's sight. Fairest of ten thousand, make me a reflection of Your Light. Day Star, shine down on me and let Your Love shine through me in the night. Lead me Lord, I'll follow

We are two weeks into the new year. How’s your spiritual resolution going? What growth steps are you taking in your walk with the Lord? For the weary and lost soul, Jesus is calling! For the spiritually-born believer, Jesus is calling! None of us have arrived. There is always room for growth, always someone who needs to hear the Good News of Jesus’ saving grace. Resolve to read, study and meditate on God’s Word. If you’re already doing that, resolve to do it even more. Are yo

Today’s song, "Dear Hate", was written shortly after the mass shooting in Las Vegas, killing more than 50 and injuring more than 400 in one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history. The shooting took place during a Jason Aldean performance at a Harvest Festival in Las Vegas in October 2017. All proceeds from this song were donated to benefit shooting victims and their families. This tragedy was an act of hate straight from the devil. Hatred doesn’t come from God. G

Children owe their parents one thing. And no, it's not love (although believers are also commanded to love one another). The Fifth Commandment understands that sometimes it's difficult or even impossible to love your parents. But God says to honor them. Old Testament Exodus 20:12 "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." New Testament Matthew 19:19 "Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love t

Let’s talk about the role of a pastor. It is arguably one of the most difficult jobs there is; a job appointed to natural man with supernatural consequences. Pastoral ministry is unique, sacred, challenging and even dangerous ... the very souls of people are at stake. Satan is aware that pastors are the leaders of the flock, so he attacks them frequently, knowing the damage is exponential if they fall. A pastor is called to live a life of prayer, like Jesus. In doing so, God

Spiritually-born believers comprise the body of Christ. The body of Christ is the church, both locally and the saved multitudes from every nation. “Church” is not a building. We don’t “go to church”, we go to a building and gather locally with the church to pray, praise, glorify and worship our Holy Lord and Saviour. The pastor shepherds the flock, and as members grow in faith and knowledge, they serve. God wants all believers to build up, teach and strengthen each other thro

Don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but it’s been cold and overcast here and still seems unseasonably warm for January (so far). The hype about climate change has been around for years and is almost comical. Fact is, the weather is always changing but it takes hundreds, sometimes thousands of years for the climate to change. I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure our God Who created the earth, the weather, the climate … everything … knows what He’s doing w

The Scott Family sings today’s song, Love Remains on Country's Family Reunion Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting. Ricky Skaggs produced the record and they won a 2017 Grammy Award for this project with Hillary Scott. This is a song about Love. A parent’s love and love for our spouse is undeniably deep, but the Hope and love of God is immeasurable and eternal. Song Lyrics: “We are born one fine day, children of God, on our way. Mama smiles, Daddy cries, a miracle before their eyes

Do you sometimes feel as if you’ve sinned so much that God wouldn’t even consider accepting you into heaven? Have you done things you know are wrong, some of which you just can’t seem to stop, no matter how hard you try? Friend, Jesus loves you just the way you are … broken, hurting, lost, ashamed. His forgiveness is more than the drops in the ocean! He will help you, He will make you new! Psalms 32:1 - “… Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”

Reading God’s Word should be a daily routine for Christ-followers, partly so that when trials come, we can rely on the Scriptures to comfort our souls. Seeking God’s help through His Word should be our first action. When we lose hope and strength, The Bible is a source of peace and comfort. Life doesn’t always happen the way we think it should. Many of us know what it’s like to be emotionally hurt by friends, family, or even a spouse. Many more know what it is like to live wi