Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 3:8 Have you ever loved someone so much it physically hurt? Loved someone that it was a sacrifice beyond what you thought you could handle? Could only see what they “could be” instead of what they are? Yes, you […]

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19 “James, what was it? What brought you home? Why after all of these years?” I asked […]

He remembered us in our weakness. His love endures forever. And freed us from our enemies. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:23-24 The phone rang at 2:15 a.m. Surprisingly I awoke with ease and answered it, fully coherent. It was Sam. He lives on the west coast therefore it is 3 hours earlier in his […]

(“Faith” Assignment for my Graduate class:  “Feed and clothe a homeless person”)   At the beginning of the course, upon reading this assignment, I prayed, “Lord, I often feed people by providing meals to those who have had surgery or lost a loved one.  I also donate clothes that don’t fit or I don’t want […]

Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 Little faith, great faith, perfect faith, is there really a difference?  Isn’t faith, just faith?  Recently I was challenged by Pastor Chapin Marsh’s book […]

I just happened to stumble upon this journal entry on my computer.  It was written 3 months before James died. The story of Robert 12/13/08 Today is Love out Louder Day for Calvary Chapel. It is the day that thousands of volunteers show up at the church at 7:30 a.m. and are sent out into […]

“Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I promised that your branch of the tribe of Levi would always be my priests. But I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me. 1 Samuel 2:30 “Here we go” she texted right before she took her math […]

It was a typical afternoon; final school bell rings and at about 3:15 p.m. in walks my most favorite kindergartener, Sonia.  Her beaming smile makes me anticipate what she is holding in her hands, a little plastic jar with a white lid.  Inside I see what appears to be a few insects.  She walks over […]

“You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I […]

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19 Mary seems to get my attention in the scriptures. Maybe its because I can relate to her as a mom. Seeing the movie “The Passion of Christ” some of the scenes that impacted me the most were Mary’s suffering. Regardless […]

Now the slaves and the police had made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it and warming themselves.  Peter also was standing with them and warming himself.  John 18:18 Listening to a Bible teaching on the restoration of Peter, I have a scene stuck in my mind.  Peter standing […]

When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden.  For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten.  In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord.  But in the fifth year you may […]