We only discover the counterfeit when we know the truth. We only discover the fake when we know the original. We only know the unworthy when we know the worthy.

In the book of James, the brother of Jesus compares our tongue - that is, our speech - with a tiny ember that sparks a forest fire.  Likewise, the tongue, though a small part of the body, can start our relationships on fire.

In the letter to the Ephesian Church, Paul says something quite striking. Paul then instructs them that they ARE light!  Not only that they are "in" light, but that IN Christ, they have become light!

Two weeks ago I made a reel of Levi playing in the backyard using his imagination. It lasts 43 seconds. It’s possible people in my own family haven’t watched till the end.

Have you stopped to consider the astounding reality that the God who created all things desires to have a relationship with His creation?  With you?

The word of God to us in scripture  exhorts us to be thankful over 150 times.  Thankfulness, expressed in different ways, should be a part of who we are as disciples of Jesus.

We cannot GET renewed, at least not like you can go to the store and get milk or protein bars. We can only BE renewed, when acted upon by something or someone outside ourselves.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ changed everything.  Jesus being raised is the central moment, the most critical event for all the world and every human being.  

Palm Sunday commemorates the day that King Jesus, Messiah, entered Jerusalem to the cheers of "hosanna" - that is, "LORD save us".  

Psalm 24:3-4 says, “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false”.

You may have heard the aphorism,"Forgive and Forget".  Well, that's not exactly in the Bible.  It doesn't match our human experience either.  Sure, for small offenses, we forget.

"Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?” (Acts 1:11) Here is a question that provokes a deeper question in me:

Do I functionally live as if Jesus is away from me?

As disciples of Jesus, we need to be reminded of the basics on a regular basis.  As Paul says in Romans 12, "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  

Christianity is not at the center about churches and ministries and buildings and budgets. But, rather, about The Truth of all things: Jesus Christ, He is the Lord of heaven and earth. He is the true joy of every heart.

Dear Elim Grace,

Since I asked you to pray for me, and since I know you did, I wanted to write to you in brief about my trip to Peru.

Colossians is one of the last letters Paul ever wrote before his execution in Rome.  God provided him the strength, despite those circumstances, to write an astonishingly powerful letter to the church in Colossae.

Dear Elim Grace,

In the history of the people of Israel, we remember well that they wandered in the desert 40 years. But the pivotal event that led to that wandering is often forgotten.

In the gospel of John, chapter 7, Jesus stands up and yells, he cries aloud, that any who believe in him will receive 'rivers of living water'.  He was talking about the person of the Holy Spirit!

Imagine if you were given a gift - something useful and needful for your life. Perhaps a vehicle so you can travel faster and farther or a new coat that protects you from the elements. Imagine you never use them.

We don't make decisions without outside influences.  No matter how objective we strive to be there are underlying assumptions and beliefs from which our decisions are derived.