JUST COMESCRIPTURECome to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.-Matthew 11:28Rest is the biggest unmet need in our get-it-done culture. We push and exhaust ourselves with the useless goal of finishing what we think we need to get done.Jesus isn't inviting us to a nap--at least not most of the time. He is inviting us to hear his heart. He whispers this invitation. Maybe ...  Read More

No More HidingSCRIPTUREFor I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. -Psalm 51:3David is confessing his sin against Bathsheba and God. David tried to ignore that he had done something against God. He wouldn't admit his wrong motives and actions. He was hiding I imagine him during those days as a worried, troubled man who was sick of himself and more afraid than he admitted. He knew...  Read More

Have MercySCRIPTUREHave mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. —Psalm 51:1We are not quick mercy givers in the United States. Our courts aren't known for giving mercy, and our corporate and political systems distribute even less. Instead, power rules. The more power, the better, and mercy is locked out.I have learned tha...  Read More

Today we begin a purposeful journey to the cross. We pray that we will receive everything God intends with the gift of his Son, Jesus. Without him, we are paupers unnecessarily. We can't give ourselves a pep talk worthy of the journey we need to make. We must come before God and humbly acknowledge that we are emptier than we want to be and weaker than we should be. We need a fresh coal of fire in our hearts that begins to blaze for what God wants to do in us, through us, and for us. We want to burn with a desire to grow in Christ.  Read More

SCRIPTUREREVELATION 22:20-21He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen. It's often been observed that Christians live in the tension of the now and the not yet.Death has been swallowed up in victory--but for now we still live in a broken world.God has won, is winning, and will win--but for now we st...  Read More

SCRIPTUREGENESIS 3:14-15So the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." It seems utterly, painfully dark....  Read More

SCRIPTUREMATTHEW 2:1-2, 7, 12, 16After Jesus was born in Bethelehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."... Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.... And having been warned in...  Read More

SCRIPTUREMATTHEW 1:24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. Some of us may remember the 'gos hit "Teardrop" by the musical group Massive Attack. The opening lines went, "Love, love is a verb, love is a doing word."Massive Attack would, perhaps, have been surprised to discover what gifted theologians they were because, on one level, ...  Read More

SCRIPTUREJOHN 1:14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. The Bible is many things. It's the story of a couple who became a family that became a nation that gave birth to a movement that would transform the world. It's a book about flawed and fragile people who fail and fall,...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 1:51-55He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 1:28The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." There has never been anyone in all of salvation history, even in their lowest and vilest moments, who has been unloved by God. God's relentless, incessant, ironclad love reaches queens and paupers, tyrants and monsters. God's love fills and floods and saturates every inch of his creatio...  Read More

SCRIPTURELUKE 2:10-12But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." For so many of us, Christmas is a time of incredible happiness. It's a time for family...  Read More