“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.” (Psalm 16:1) The racket emanating from my backyard escalated, forcing me to abandon my task and discover what could possibly be creating such uproar. With...
Backyard Pulpit
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Purpose
Mark My Words
“And they were astonished at his teaching.” (Mark 1:22) “And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching” (Mark 1:21). Enter our home, dear Lord, as...
Likewise
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36) In this instance, the crowd did not come to Jesus. This time...
Outdo
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve...
Esteem
“O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.” (Isaiah 25:1) This “exalting” of God is what we long to...
Becoming
“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14) As...
Little Things
“For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice.” (Zechariah 4:10) Our expectations soar when grand developments, great accomplishments, and large gatherings are the norm. God’s...
Unthinkable
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.” (Matthew 3:13) When Jesus approached John with this appeal, John didn’t think this was entirely a good idea. Feeling...
Beautiful
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:6-7) At...
Cheer Leader
"Therefore encourage one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:18) I remember him cheering from the bleachers. James’ full throttled, all-encompassing, top-of-the-lungs, hooting and hollering...
Vital
“So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.” (Matthew 26:44) On the way to the cross, Christ faced what we can hardly comprehend: unbearable...
Emerge
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you…For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) Knocking down walls is never pretty. During our...
