Complete Dependance
Read: Mark 10:13-16 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. (v. 15) When my baby sees something she wants that’s out of reach—a rice husk, her bottle, anything shiny—she crawls over, points with both index fingers and begins a refrain of “dah dah […]
Crying Out at Night
Read: Romans 8:12-17 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (v. 15) It was four o’clock in the morning the first time my daughter said my name. Her first tooth was coming in […]
A Room of Our Own
Read: John 14:1-7 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? (v. 2) Our new house had more rooms than we needed at first, but shortly after we moved in, I learned that I was pregnant. “The corner […]
Known as a Child of God
Read: Psalm 139:1-18 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. (v. 13) As a new mom, can anyone know my daughter better than me? I’ve seen every tiny change in the colors of her eyes. I’ve heard every coo and cry and can usually guess what they mean. I […]
Family Resemblance
Read: Genesis 1:20-31 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (v. 27) “Who do you think she looks like more?” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked that question since my daughter was born. Everyone tries to pinpoint […]
The Truth I Hold
Several years ago, Words of Hope Albania began a new radio program project called, “The Truth I Hold.” The goal of the project was to record 365 testimonies from Albanian Christians, and then produce them as life stories for radio. This ambitious goal was achieved, and the programs proved popular. From there, the team decided […]
Submitting to Weakness
Read: Luke 1:26-38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. (v. 38) Mary was already “weak” in the eyes of the world before the angel brought his request from God that she become the mother of God-in-flesh. […]
Unhindered
Read: Mark 10:13-16 Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. (v. 14) The words of Jesus loom large for those who would complicate theology in any way: Don’t hinder those with wide-eyed trust, be they children or adults. Hebrews 11:6 teaches that without faith it’s […]
Accepting versus Boasting
Read: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (v. 9) When I read this passage, I think I might be hearing the Loony Tunes cartoon character Yosemite Sam in my head hollering, “Whaaat in tarnation . . . ?!” So, I can’t […]