Learning to Pre-Forgive

By Bruce Hebel –

The forgiveness model Jesus left for us to follow involves the mindset of pre-forgiveness. He made the decision to forgive us long before we admitted we needed it. He knew what we were going to do. “[Judas] What you are about to do, do quickly” (John 13:27). Later in the garden, “Friend, do what you came to do” (Matthew 26:50). Shocking isn’t it? Read more

Walking with the Wise

By Cheri Cowell –

“Such foolishness,” my grandmother would say, shaking her head in disbelief at the nightly news. We don’t hear that phrase too much anymore but it is a good one. It is good because the opposite of foolish is wise. In this context it is much easier for us to identify foolish versus wise choices. Read more

Careers

By Cheri Cowell –

Family game nights have become popular over the last few years, and many of the board games played today are new twists on old ideas. The game Careers is one of my old favorites because it allowed players to see what it would be like to succeed by choosing your own formula for success. Read more

Catching Trophies or Catching Bait

By Cynthia Ruchti –

A lone boater caught my eye when my husband and I were in Florida months ago. We stood on a long pier from which tourists can fish for the curious, sun-speckled varieties the Gulf of Mexico offers. For a fee, tourists can rent a pole and use it to dangle something tantalizing before the nose of a fish. What camera-bedecked man or woman doesn’t want to land a lunker, a line-pulling, back-straining monster that might make its way to the photo Christmas card or the wall of the family room? Read more

Seeking God with All My Heart

By James Pence –

I love the book of Psalms. For many years it has been the centerpiece of my devotional life. A few years ago I decided to take on the challenge of memorizing Psalm 119, the longest psalm in the book. I’m only about fifty verses in, but the richness of this psalm never ceases to amaze me. Read more

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