Few of us enjoy chaos. It’s just too... chaotic , right? The human mind needs order and peace, yet we live in this messy world. Stuff is flying by all the time, and we duck. Our relationships are a mess, and we have to schedule that root canal...while simultaneously making dinner and cleaning the house. Is there a way out? Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of G...
Oct 19, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 621
Who is the most loyal person you’ve ever known? A parent? Spouse? Friend? Truthfully, we all crave loyalty. It gives us a sense of safety. We feel that if there is some loyalty in our world, it’s like a warm blanket on a cold night. Life seems less scary. As we discuss the role of Jesus in our personal stories, it is good to remind ourselves often of ultimate loyalty. In turn, it encourages us to be loyal to that One person we can always count on. John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way a...
Oct 16, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 620
Have you ever noticed how much we love ritual and form as part of religion? We become so good at it, so obsessed with it, that we lose sight of the essence of what it means to be a Christian. To know God. That is the purpose of our journey, and it will be the end of our journey. It is so foundational to who we are as humans that even the great Moses basically begged God to let him see Him. So close were they that according to Jewish tradition, when Moses died, God drew his spirit from him with a...
Oct 15, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 619
When the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened in 2011 in Arkansas, the vast sum of money spent on art caught some off-guard. One painting in particular, “Kindred Spirits,” was sold to Alice Walton for the museum for $35 million dollars! It’s a beautiful painting, for sure. Two men are standing on a bluff, overlooking a scene of mountains and a river. Some might have an issue with the price of the painting, but Walton felt the scene was priceless and wanted others to enjoy it. Ephesians ...
Oct 14, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 618
It’s kind of fun in those moments when the kids are in bed and the dishes are done, to think about the Big Questions. You know the list. Why am I here? What is the meaning of life? A question that people from ancient times to now have asked is, why in the world, literally, did God create people? We are a handful, as past generations used to say. We mess up. Sometimes we’re on our way to being smart then find ourselves flying down the Stupid Highway. God must get tired of us, right? 1 Peter 2:9 s...
Oct 13, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 617
Of the many gods throughout world history, almost none of them seem to care about individuals. They might alter the weather so that crops can’t grow. Or cause some global upheaval. But only one claims to care about you. Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Isn’t that amazing? The story is that Jesus left His place of royalty in heaven to come to Earth as an innocent baby, then grow into a man ready to carry our sins for us. He came to find you! You! God...
Oct 12, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 616
In Autumn 2019, Hurricane Dorian became the most intense tropical cyclone on record to strike the Bahamas. In fact, this single storm is regarded as the worst natural disaster in the country's history. Many of us worried about the east coast of our own country, but the Bahamas were hit especially hard, with the storm basically stationary for many hours. Residents there hunkered down and sought higher ground, wondering when the onslaught would end, and the storm would pass. The physical damage le...
Oct 09, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 615
Colossians is a very informative book. Originally, it was a letter written by Paul and Timothy to believers in a small city. Chapter One tells us that Jesus made everything we see (and plenty we don’t see!). The universe was brought into being by Him. That’s kind of a comforting thought! This great source of Love also made it all and He sustains it all. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Many people, maybe rightly so, worry about the planet. Cer...
Oct 08, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 614
Does the future scare you? If it does, that’s understandable, from a human standpoint. After all, so much is unknown. And yet, God gave us His Word as a guidebook. The Bible tells us certain specific things that bring great comfort. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” For the most part, we know the past. We are navigating through the present. But the Word tells us that Jesus is standing there at the end, bringing all things to their proper conclu...
Oct 07, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 613
Carol had really messed up in her personal life. The career wasn’t going so well, either. But it was one particular relationship that kept her up at night, and she felt like things were coming apart. Instead of going to lunch with co-workers one day though, she ducked into a coffee shop and found an empty seat in the back. There she pulled out her phone and fed her soul by looking up Scripture. She met Jesus that day in the coffee shop. Carol looked out a window at the busy street outside and th...
Oct 06, 2020•1 min•Season 1Ep. 612
Do you feel like you’re falling apart today? It’s okay to say yes. Life is life, and we all have obstacles to overcome. Maybe your issue is ongoing, or maybe it’s a sudden thing. But please think of it this way: Jesus is alive and He knows who you are and He cares about your problems. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Jesus is not caught off-guard by problems in your life and most importantly, He truly cares for you and is able to help. Remembe...
Oct 05, 2020•1 min•Season 1Ep. 611
“Mom — I broke something! I’m so sorry!” Benjamin had slipped on the wet bathroom floor and managed to take down the shower curtain and the curtain rod, in one fell swoop. His mom’s concern wasn’t the state of the shower curtain, but whether the broken something was an arm or leg. Thankfully, her son wasn’t hurt, and fixing the curtain was a lot easier than mending a broken bone. A reassuring hug from mom was all the boy needed to mend his hurt pride. None of us are perfect, whether we’re 8 year...
Oct 02, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 610
A loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butter. What’s on your shopping list this week? It’s been an interesting few months in our country, and chances are you’ve gone to the store for the items on your list sometime this year, only to find the shelf empty of your favorite cleaning product, food staple, or toilet paper. These shortages have been temporary, thank goodness. Those empty shelves are also a reminder to count our blessings. We have so much here in America, and sometimes w...
Oct 01, 2020•1 min•Season 1Ep. 609
Have you ever played Hide-and-Go-Seek in the dark? What about flashlight tag? Or the grownup version of these childhood games: trying to find candles or flashlights in the midst of a sudden power outage. Sight begins when light enters the eye. This light triggers light-sensitive cells in the retina at the back of the eye. As a result, signals zoom along the optic nerve to the brain. The brain then makes sense of the signals, giving us the experience of seeing. When you’re fumbling for the light ...
Sep 30, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 608
You probably know whether you’re a morning or night person. Science has some good news for you early risers: Apparently, the early bird really does get the worm. In a study of early risers versus night owls, researchers at the University of Birmingham discovered strong connections in the regions of the brain that can predict better performance and lower sleepiness; these areas were significantly stronger in study participants who identified themselves as early birds. Whether you burn the midnigh...
Sep 29, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 607
Kerrie sat down at the optometrist’s office and admitted sheepishly that this was her first eye exam in a few years. “I think I’m doing okay though, doc. I don’t have any trouble reading, but I guess it is a little harder than it used to be to see the tv screen, and sometimes when I’m driving at night, things look a little fuzzy…” The doctor nodded, asking questions as he ran through a series of lenses. “And how do you see now, Kerrie?” “Oh, this is just terrible! Clearly, I don’t need glasses, ...
Sep 28, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 606
There is a movement in our society for a return to simple living. We might not want to give up all of our technology—much of it is wonderful and helpful. But it is true we want to quiet our minds and find some peace. This week we are talking about the simplest, sweetest truth around: Jesus Saves. With that knowledge in hand, we can all find peace that the Bible says is from another world. Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” It seems we are moving at ne...
Sep 25, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 605
Whenever we have to overcome an obstacle in our lives, we are thinking about a million different things. Our minds race. We might even be aware that our Creator is there to help. But have you ever considered that even when life gets tough, you can still have joy? Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Sheila Walsh has said that what got her through a bout of depression was the knowledge that God the Father loved her, and wanted the best for her. Today,...
Sep 24, 2020•1 min•Season 1Ep. 604
Beryl Markham could have given up her aviation dreams after crash-landing in Nova Scotia. But she didn’t. Instead, this determined woman became the first person to fly from England to North America. She later said that in order to move forward, we can’t stay in the past. In fact, she said, “Leave it the fastest way you can!” This pioneer knew that staying stuck was not inevitable, that we must choose to keep our eyes on what it is we are yet to accomplish in life. Ephesians 4:31-32 says, "Let al...
Sep 23, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 603
As we talk through the Good News of Jesus this week, we must always make it personal. In other words, deciding to believe in Christ is a very personal thing. We all come from different backgrounds and belief systems. In the end, though, what will you do with the story of Jesus? Do you believe it is true? Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Over and over in the New Testament, Jesus talks to the individual. He knew us before we were born, and knows all t...
Sep 22, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 602
Have you ever wondered what your place in this world is? Of course, you have. That’s the human experience. Alone with our thoughts, we wonder who we even are, and what we are meant to do. It’s a mysterious journey, but the fog lifts, and the way becomes clear when we get to know King Jesus. Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." You were made for something! You were made to do things f...
Sep 21, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 601
It's almost universally believed that tech guru, Steve Jobs, floated into mega success with Apple, the company he co-founded with Steve Wozniak. Job’s first go around with Apple didn't end well — in 1985, he was forced out. His next effort wasn't a home run either, yet Job puts his head down like a fullback and plowed ahead. Next up for him was founding Pixar and finally, more than a decade after his humiliating exit from Apple, Jobs returned there as CEO and revolutionized the way people intera...
Sep 18, 2020•3 min•Season 1Ep. 600
Do you struggle to wonder what God’s will is for your life? Many of us do. Although it isn’t a quick answer, the best way to find God’s will for your life is to read His Word. The Bible will tell you the answer to that question. Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Actually, finding God’s will isn’t the hardest part. Deciding to follow His will is where we get tripped up. People need the skill and discipline of being persistent. Too often the impulse is to give up and...
Sep 17, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 599
In thinking about different kinds of love, it’s a beautiful thing to realize that God has placed certain people in our lives for specific reasons. Friendship is one of His greatest gifts to us, all-time. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Do you have someone in your life that’s not blood-related, but it sure feels like it? In fact, beautiful friendships often feel like a closer relation than biological family! Notice what the writer of Prover...
Sep 16, 2020•1 min•Season 1Ep. 598
History tells us that God exists. Really, it does. And even if you aren’t interested in history, you might be interested in a few quick examples. At the battle of Gettysburg, when the United States was about to be ripped apart by civil war, General Lee’s attack plans were lost by an officer and found by Union soldiers. This helped turn the tide of the battle, and led to victory and reconciliation of the country later. For centuries, disease threatened all of Europe. The Black Death wiped out mil...
Sep 15, 2020•3 min•Season 1Ep. 597
Have you ever heard someone recall a tough time and be happy about it? Not often, right?! We all go through stuff we’d rather forget. When tough times hit us without warning, it’s natural to just wish it could all be over — immediately! Humans are built to run from trouble, and that’s actually our theme this week: How do you grind through when it’s so bad you want to die? Romans 5:3-4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; p...
Sep 14, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 596
Have you seen the movie “Napoleon Dynamite”? The character of Kip is one of the offbeat people in an Idaho town. But he is also one of the neediest in terms of peace in his life. Kip sort of defines our theme of peace this week. At one point, he changes his persona and his signature line is, “Peace out!” It’s hilarious, but also poignant because the peace he found came about because someone chose to be kind to him. Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towar...
Sep 11, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 595
Do you especially need the gift of peace right now? Is your life so busy, you can’t find time to take a breath? There is Good News for you: Jesus already knows. Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” When Jesus ascended to heaven, he told the apostles, “My peace I leave with you.” Because He lives, we know for sure that this peace is available to us anytime, anywhere. Even in the busy part of your life, when you think you’re going crazy, you can ...
Sep 10, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 594
Have you ever thought of yourself as a catalyst for peace? It’s something to think about as we continue our discussion this week about peace. Donna and Betty were sisters, but in mid-life they were both tired of the fighting and mistrust and hurt. Each had their grievances. Both were stubborn. Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” At one particular time of the year, Betty heard this verse spoken in a service. And here’s an ironic thing: of the t...
Sep 09, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 593
Being positive really is a mindset. As we talk about “pockets of peace” around the world this week, we will notice some amazing examples. Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” God pulls wins out of the most difficult challenges, and one of the toughest was the ongoing conflict between Egypt and Israel. Both nations are mentioned for blessing in Scripture, but until 1981, the modern era was almost as bad as the ancient era. Two full-blown wars in...
Sep 08, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 592
