Ezekiel 13 I used to think that extending grace to people meant overlooking or covering up their mistakes. It meant pretending like offenses did not offend me and, really, whitewashing sin. After all, if I admitted that someone hurt me, it meant I’d have to acknowledge all of the painful, uncomfortable emotions that came along [...]
George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984 is set in a futuristic totalitarian regime, where human behavior and thoughts are regulated and under scrutiny by an oppressive government that employs the thought police, known as Thinkpol, to control what people think. As believers, we know that we are commanded to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” [...]
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) Mistakes I’ve made in the past Regrets I wish wouldn’t last Repeatedly running through my mind I wish I could leave it all behind [...]
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). When I was in high school, I attended a Christian camp through my church every summer and winter. One year, the Camp Director explained something that really impacted me and has stayed with me over the years. She encouraged us to think back [...]
Ezra 1:1-4 During a dark time in their history, the Israelites lived away from their homeland for 70 years. After returning home and in spite of many obstacles over the years, they successfully rebuilt the temple—the symbol of God’s presence. There are at least three valuable lessons that we can learn through the Israelite’s perseverance, [...]
