Monday, July 26th, 2010
U-Haul Needed
“God moved out of Manhattan a long time ago…” was all I heard. I was listening intently to Gerald as I picked at my cheese Danish at an overpriced but chic coffee shop in the Financial District when that phrase caught my attention. I stopped him mid-sentence and repeated his statement for accuracy and then, pushing my chair back to give my mind room to process what I heard, slowly shook my head and said, “Wow.” Read More…
Monday, July 12th, 2010
Pushed, Pulled, Bumped, Bruised
I was at an amusement park last summer, wearing shorts, a T-shirt, socks and sneakers—perfect, practical attire for a day on my feet. But when my daughters and their friends invited me to join them on “River Rapids,” I wished I had worn my quick-dri, mesh-lined bathing suit and flip-flops. But not wanting to miss creating a memory, I stepped into line, and started calculating my odds of staying dry. Since each raft held eight people, I figured 3-4 would get drenched, 2-3 would get wet and 1-2 would escape with nothing but a splash of spray hitting their faces and momentarily staining their shirts.
I could not have been more wrong. Read More…
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
Central Park West: Penthouse ‘A’
I wanted to jump off the roof of the building. I was 100 feet above the top of the tree line and aware that any leap would mean certain death, but a seemingly endless expanse of vibrant, green leaves created a hypnotic invitation to jump and bounce and run and play among their tree tops. I stood on the patio of Penthouse ‘A’ on Central Park West in a trance, in awe that a place of such beauty and quiet and inspiration existed in New York City. Read More…
Monday, June 14th, 2010
Life Isn’t Fair
Officer Rob is head and shoulders above the rest. He’s not a tall man, but he is a New York City police officer with the Mounted Unit, allowing him to look down on even the most vertically enhanced individuals from his vehicle of choice: a 4-year old golden brown Thoroughbred named Ginger. Officer Rob is a worthy representative of NY’s finest: he’s quick to say ‘hello’, he patrols with authority, and always agrees to a photo-op from interested onlookers. But Officer Rob lives in denial: he ignores the moments his horse leaves a hefty deposit on a sidewalk or street.
Friday, June 11th, 2010
A Prayer and a Knee to the Groin
Walking up Warburton Avenue in Yonkers, NY toward the school crossing guard is my first school memory. I was officially a “big boy.” Not only was I in first grade but I had my own house key and walked to and from school by myself. It was my coming of age and the beginning of a season of anxiety for my single mom who worked the morning shift as a hospital nurse. She taught me to get myself up and dressed, eat breakfast and make it to school on time. Although not on the pre-approved “To Do” list, I managed to sneak in some morning TV and enjoyed feeling powerful when I locked the door with my very own key. My mother, on the other hand, worried her entire shift until my 3:15PM phone call revealed I returned home safely.
Read More…
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
My Week…
Hello All,
Wow. What a week. Its been great, but I’ve got plenty of snapshots that make quite an album.
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Vines on Easter
I spent a few hours this week cutting and pulling down vines that appeared to be choking the life out of healthy trees. Upon closer inspection, however, the vines had killed the trees. What I thought were healthy trees because they bloomed last year was only an illusion: it was the vines that sprouted leaves last spring. I couldn’t help but think of Easter as I cut, pulled, and untangled vines from far too many trees. Easter Sunday is a reminder that despite the vines that attempt to weigh us down and suck the life out of us, Jesus ripped free of the vines. His resurrection is a permanent vine killer, forever rendering the vines in our lives powerless. Do you feel trapped by a vine or two this morning? Guess what? You don’t have to–Jesus has set us free!
Friday, January 8th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 5: God forgives me
Field trip
Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Think of a place you can go to that gives you a sense of awe of the grandeur of God.
- Along a river?
- Hiking on a trail?
- Where you can view a mountain range?
- A grass field?
- The top of a skyscraper?
- A park?
Read and re-read these verses several times and take the opportunity to thank God for who He is and all He has done in your life.
Think about it
What event or activity gives you the freedom to cheer and express yourself passionately? What would it be like to put that same enthusiasm and energy into living for God? Try it today—even if only for a few minutes.
Thursday, January 7th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 4: God forgives me
Word association
Psalm 32:1-2 (NLT)
1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Write the word “Forgiveness” in the middle of the page and circle it. Think of all the benefits to forgiveness and write those around the circle. As specific memories from times you have been forgiven come to mind, write the names of the incidents and connect them to the circle. If names of people you need to forgive come to mind, add those as well. Add any additional thoughts about forgiveness (song lyrics, movie titles, books, etc.).
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 3: God forgives me
Memory verse
Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT)
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Write out today’s key verse on a piece of paper and take it with you to review throughout the day. Work through it phrase by phrase until you can recite it in its entirety. Write out any key thoughts you may have throughout the day.
Definition
Rescued:
1) To draw or snatch from danger, rescue, deliver. This is more with the meaning of drawing to oneself than merely rescuing from someone or something.
2) It forcefully portrays the gracious initiative and independent activity of God, the impotence and helplessness of man, and the contrast between the two modes of existence.
Sign Up
Subscribe to my mailing list:
Links
“God moved out of Manhattan a long time ago…” was all I heard. I was listening intently to Gerald as I picked at my cheese Danish at an overpriced but chic coffee shop in the Financial District when that phrase caught my attention. I stopped him mid-sentence and repeated his statement for accuracy and then, pushing my chair back to give my mind room to process what I heard, slowly shook my head and said, “Wow.” Read More…
Monday, July 12th, 2010
Pushed, Pulled, Bumped, Bruised
I was at an amusement park last summer, wearing shorts, a T-shirt, socks and sneakers—perfect, practical attire for a day on my feet. But when my daughters and their friends invited me to join them on “River Rapids,” I wished I had worn my quick-dri, mesh-lined bathing suit and flip-flops. But not wanting to miss creating a memory, I stepped into line, and started calculating my odds of staying dry. Since each raft held eight people, I figured 3-4 would get drenched, 2-3 would get wet and 1-2 would escape with nothing but a splash of spray hitting their faces and momentarily staining their shirts.
I could not have been more wrong. Read More…
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
Central Park West: Penthouse ‘A’
I wanted to jump off the roof of the building. I was 100 feet above the top of the tree line and aware that any leap would mean certain death, but a seemingly endless expanse of vibrant, green leaves created a hypnotic invitation to jump and bounce and run and play among their tree tops. I stood on the patio of Penthouse ‘A’ on Central Park West in a trance, in awe that a place of such beauty and quiet and inspiration existed in New York City. Read More…
Monday, June 14th, 2010
Life Isn’t Fair
Officer Rob is head and shoulders above the rest. He’s not a tall man, but he is a New York City police officer with the Mounted Unit, allowing him to look down on even the most vertically enhanced individuals from his vehicle of choice: a 4-year old golden brown Thoroughbred named Ginger. Officer Rob is a worthy representative of NY’s finest: he’s quick to say ‘hello’, he patrols with authority, and always agrees to a photo-op from interested onlookers. But Officer Rob lives in denial: he ignores the moments his horse leaves a hefty deposit on a sidewalk or street.
Friday, June 11th, 2010
A Prayer and a Knee to the Groin
Walking up Warburton Avenue in Yonkers, NY toward the school crossing guard is my first school memory. I was officially a “big boy.” Not only was I in first grade but I had my own house key and walked to and from school by myself. It was my coming of age and the beginning of a season of anxiety for my single mom who worked the morning shift as a hospital nurse. She taught me to get myself up and dressed, eat breakfast and make it to school on time. Although not on the pre-approved “To Do” list, I managed to sneak in some morning TV and enjoyed feeling powerful when I locked the door with my very own key. My mother, on the other hand, worried her entire shift until my 3:15PM phone call revealed I returned home safely.
Read More…
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
My Week…
Hello All,
Wow. What a week. Its been great, but I’ve got plenty of snapshots that make quite an album.
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Vines on Easter
I spent a few hours this week cutting and pulling down vines that appeared to be choking the life out of healthy trees. Upon closer inspection, however, the vines had killed the trees. What I thought were healthy trees because they bloomed last year was only an illusion: it was the vines that sprouted leaves last spring. I couldn’t help but think of Easter as I cut, pulled, and untangled vines from far too many trees. Easter Sunday is a reminder that despite the vines that attempt to weigh us down and suck the life out of us, Jesus ripped free of the vines. His resurrection is a permanent vine killer, forever rendering the vines in our lives powerless. Do you feel trapped by a vine or two this morning? Guess what? You don’t have to–Jesus has set us free!
Friday, January 8th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 5: God forgives me
Field trip
Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Think of a place you can go to that gives you a sense of awe of the grandeur of God.
- Along a river?
- Hiking on a trail?
- Where you can view a mountain range?
- A grass field?
- The top of a skyscraper?
- A park?
Read and re-read these verses several times and take the opportunity to thank God for who He is and all He has done in your life.
Think about it
What event or activity gives you the freedom to cheer and express yourself passionately? What would it be like to put that same enthusiasm and energy into living for God? Try it today—even if only for a few minutes.
Thursday, January 7th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 4: God forgives me
Word association
Psalm 32:1-2 (NLT)
1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Write the word “Forgiveness” in the middle of the page and circle it. Think of all the benefits to forgiveness and write those around the circle. As specific memories from times you have been forgiven come to mind, write the names of the incidents and connect them to the circle. If names of people you need to forgive come to mind, add those as well. Add any additional thoughts about forgiveness (song lyrics, movie titles, books, etc.).
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 3: God forgives me
Memory verse
Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT)
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Write out today’s key verse on a piece of paper and take it with you to review throughout the day. Work through it phrase by phrase until you can recite it in its entirety. Write out any key thoughts you may have throughout the day.
Definition
Rescued:
1) To draw or snatch from danger, rescue, deliver. This is more with the meaning of drawing to oneself than merely rescuing from someone or something.
2) It forcefully portrays the gracious initiative and independent activity of God, the impotence and helplessness of man, and the contrast between the two modes of existence.
Sign Up
Subscribe to my mailing list:
Links
I was at an amusement park last summer, wearing shorts, a T-shirt, socks and sneakers—perfect, practical attire for a day on my feet. But when my daughters and their friends invited me to join them on “River Rapids,” I wished I had worn my quick-dri, mesh-lined bathing suit and flip-flops. But not wanting to miss creating a memory, I stepped into line, and started calculating my odds of staying dry. Since each raft held eight people, I figured 3-4 would get drenched, 2-3 would get wet and 1-2 would escape with nothing but a splash of spray hitting their faces and momentarily staining their shirts.
I could not have been more wrong. Read More…
Thursday, June 24th, 2010
Central Park West: Penthouse ‘A’
I wanted to jump off the roof of the building. I was 100 feet above the top of the tree line and aware that any leap would mean certain death, but a seemingly endless expanse of vibrant, green leaves created a hypnotic invitation to jump and bounce and run and play among their tree tops. I stood on the patio of Penthouse ‘A’ on Central Park West in a trance, in awe that a place of such beauty and quiet and inspiration existed in New York City. Read More…
Monday, June 14th, 2010
Life Isn’t Fair
Officer Rob is head and shoulders above the rest. He’s not a tall man, but he is a New York City police officer with the Mounted Unit, allowing him to look down on even the most vertically enhanced individuals from his vehicle of choice: a 4-year old golden brown Thoroughbred named Ginger. Officer Rob is a worthy representative of NY’s finest: he’s quick to say ‘hello’, he patrols with authority, and always agrees to a photo-op from interested onlookers. But Officer Rob lives in denial: he ignores the moments his horse leaves a hefty deposit on a sidewalk or street.
Friday, June 11th, 2010
A Prayer and a Knee to the Groin
Walking up Warburton Avenue in Yonkers, NY toward the school crossing guard is my first school memory. I was officially a “big boy.” Not only was I in first grade but I had my own house key and walked to and from school by myself. It was my coming of age and the beginning of a season of anxiety for my single mom who worked the morning shift as a hospital nurse. She taught me to get myself up and dressed, eat breakfast and make it to school on time. Although not on the pre-approved “To Do” list, I managed to sneak in some morning TV and enjoyed feeling powerful when I locked the door with my very own key. My mother, on the other hand, worried her entire shift until my 3:15PM phone call revealed I returned home safely.
Read More…
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
My Week…
Hello All,
Wow. What a week. Its been great, but I’ve got plenty of snapshots that make quite an album.
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Vines on Easter
I spent a few hours this week cutting and pulling down vines that appeared to be choking the life out of healthy trees. Upon closer inspection, however, the vines had killed the trees. What I thought were healthy trees because they bloomed last year was only an illusion: it was the vines that sprouted leaves last spring. I couldn’t help but think of Easter as I cut, pulled, and untangled vines from far too many trees. Easter Sunday is a reminder that despite the vines that attempt to weigh us down and suck the life out of us, Jesus ripped free of the vines. His resurrection is a permanent vine killer, forever rendering the vines in our lives powerless. Do you feel trapped by a vine or two this morning? Guess what? You don’t have to–Jesus has set us free!
Friday, January 8th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 5: God forgives me
Field trip
Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Think of a place you can go to that gives you a sense of awe of the grandeur of God.
- Along a river?
- Hiking on a trail?
- Where you can view a mountain range?
- A grass field?
- The top of a skyscraper?
- A park?
Read and re-read these verses several times and take the opportunity to thank God for who He is and all He has done in your life.
Think about it
What event or activity gives you the freedom to cheer and express yourself passionately? What would it be like to put that same enthusiasm and energy into living for God? Try it today—even if only for a few minutes.
Thursday, January 7th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 4: God forgives me
Word association
Psalm 32:1-2 (NLT)
1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Write the word “Forgiveness” in the middle of the page and circle it. Think of all the benefits to forgiveness and write those around the circle. As specific memories from times you have been forgiven come to mind, write the names of the incidents and connect them to the circle. If names of people you need to forgive come to mind, add those as well. Add any additional thoughts about forgiveness (song lyrics, movie titles, books, etc.).
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 3: God forgives me
Memory verse
Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT)
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Write out today’s key verse on a piece of paper and take it with you to review throughout the day. Work through it phrase by phrase until you can recite it in its entirety. Write out any key thoughts you may have throughout the day.
Definition
Rescued:
1) To draw or snatch from danger, rescue, deliver. This is more with the meaning of drawing to oneself than merely rescuing from someone or something.
2) It forcefully portrays the gracious initiative and independent activity of God, the impotence and helplessness of man, and the contrast between the two modes of existence.
Sign Up
Subscribe to my mailing list:
Links
I wanted to jump off the roof of the building. I was 100 feet above the top of the tree line and aware that any leap would mean certain death, but a seemingly endless expanse of vibrant, green leaves created a hypnotic invitation to jump and bounce and run and play among their tree tops. I stood on the patio of Penthouse ‘A’ on Central Park West in a trance, in awe that a place of such beauty and quiet and inspiration existed in New York City. Read More…
Monday, June 14th, 2010
Life Isn’t Fair
Officer Rob is head and shoulders above the rest. He’s not a tall man, but he is a New York City police officer with the Mounted Unit, allowing him to look down on even the most vertically enhanced individuals from his vehicle of choice: a 4-year old golden brown Thoroughbred named Ginger. Officer Rob is a worthy representative of NY’s finest: he’s quick to say ‘hello’, he patrols with authority, and always agrees to a photo-op from interested onlookers. But Officer Rob lives in denial: he ignores the moments his horse leaves a hefty deposit on a sidewalk or street.
Friday, June 11th, 2010
A Prayer and a Knee to the Groin
Walking up Warburton Avenue in Yonkers, NY toward the school crossing guard is my first school memory. I was officially a “big boy.” Not only was I in first grade but I had my own house key and walked to and from school by myself. It was my coming of age and the beginning of a season of anxiety for my single mom who worked the morning shift as a hospital nurse. She taught me to get myself up and dressed, eat breakfast and make it to school on time. Although not on the pre-approved “To Do” list, I managed to sneak in some morning TV and enjoyed feeling powerful when I locked the door with my very own key. My mother, on the other hand, worried her entire shift until my 3:15PM phone call revealed I returned home safely.
Read More…
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
My Week…
Hello All,
Wow. What a week. Its been great, but I’ve got plenty of snapshots that make quite an album.
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Vines on Easter
I spent a few hours this week cutting and pulling down vines that appeared to be choking the life out of healthy trees. Upon closer inspection, however, the vines had killed the trees. What I thought were healthy trees because they bloomed last year was only an illusion: it was the vines that sprouted leaves last spring. I couldn’t help but think of Easter as I cut, pulled, and untangled vines from far too many trees. Easter Sunday is a reminder that despite the vines that attempt to weigh us down and suck the life out of us, Jesus ripped free of the vines. His resurrection is a permanent vine killer, forever rendering the vines in our lives powerless. Do you feel trapped by a vine or two this morning? Guess what? You don’t have to–Jesus has set us free!
Friday, January 8th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 5: God forgives me
Field trip
Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Think of a place you can go to that gives you a sense of awe of the grandeur of God.
- Along a river?
- Hiking on a trail?
- Where you can view a mountain range?
- A grass field?
- The top of a skyscraper?
- A park?
Read and re-read these verses several times and take the opportunity to thank God for who He is and all He has done in your life.
Think about it
What event or activity gives you the freedom to cheer and express yourself passionately? What would it be like to put that same enthusiasm and energy into living for God? Try it today—even if only for a few minutes.
Thursday, January 7th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 4: God forgives me
Word association
Psalm 32:1-2 (NLT)
1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Write the word “Forgiveness” in the middle of the page and circle it. Think of all the benefits to forgiveness and write those around the circle. As specific memories from times you have been forgiven come to mind, write the names of the incidents and connect them to the circle. If names of people you need to forgive come to mind, add those as well. Add any additional thoughts about forgiveness (song lyrics, movie titles, books, etc.).
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 3: God forgives me
Memory verse
Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT)
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Write out today’s key verse on a piece of paper and take it with you to review throughout the day. Work through it phrase by phrase until you can recite it in its entirety. Write out any key thoughts you may have throughout the day.
Definition
Rescued:
1) To draw or snatch from danger, rescue, deliver. This is more with the meaning of drawing to oneself than merely rescuing from someone or something.
2) It forcefully portrays the gracious initiative and independent activity of God, the impotence and helplessness of man, and the contrast between the two modes of existence.
Sign Up
Subscribe to my mailing list:
Links
Officer Rob is head and shoulders above the rest. He’s not a tall man, but he is a New York City police officer with the Mounted Unit, allowing him to look down on even the most vertically enhanced individuals from his vehicle of choice: a 4-year old golden brown Thoroughbred named Ginger. Officer Rob is a worthy representative of NY’s finest: he’s quick to say ‘hello’, he patrols with authority, and always agrees to a photo-op from interested onlookers. But Officer Rob lives in denial: he ignores the moments his horse leaves a hefty deposit on a sidewalk or street.
Friday, June 11th, 2010
A Prayer and a Knee to the Groin
Walking up Warburton Avenue in Yonkers, NY toward the school crossing guard is my first school memory. I was officially a “big boy.” Not only was I in first grade but I had my own house key and walked to and from school by myself. It was my coming of age and the beginning of a season of anxiety for my single mom who worked the morning shift as a hospital nurse. She taught me to get myself up and dressed, eat breakfast and make it to school on time. Although not on the pre-approved “To Do” list, I managed to sneak in some morning TV and enjoyed feeling powerful when I locked the door with my very own key. My mother, on the other hand, worried her entire shift until my 3:15PM phone call revealed I returned home safely.
Read More…
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
My Week…
Hello All,
Wow. What a week. Its been great, but I’ve got plenty of snapshots that make quite an album.
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Vines on Easter
I spent a few hours this week cutting and pulling down vines that appeared to be choking the life out of healthy trees. Upon closer inspection, however, the vines had killed the trees. What I thought were healthy trees because they bloomed last year was only an illusion: it was the vines that sprouted leaves last spring. I couldn’t help but think of Easter as I cut, pulled, and untangled vines from far too many trees. Easter Sunday is a reminder that despite the vines that attempt to weigh us down and suck the life out of us, Jesus ripped free of the vines. His resurrection is a permanent vine killer, forever rendering the vines in our lives powerless. Do you feel trapped by a vine or two this morning? Guess what? You don’t have to–Jesus has set us free!
Friday, January 8th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 5: God forgives me
Field trip
Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Think of a place you can go to that gives you a sense of awe of the grandeur of God.
- Along a river?
- Hiking on a trail?
- Where you can view a mountain range?
- A grass field?
- The top of a skyscraper?
- A park?
Read and re-read these verses several times and take the opportunity to thank God for who He is and all He has done in your life.
Think about it
What event or activity gives you the freedom to cheer and express yourself passionately? What would it be like to put that same enthusiasm and energy into living for God? Try it today—even if only for a few minutes.
Thursday, January 7th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 4: God forgives me
Word association
Psalm 32:1-2 (NLT)
1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Write the word “Forgiveness” in the middle of the page and circle it. Think of all the benefits to forgiveness and write those around the circle. As specific memories from times you have been forgiven come to mind, write the names of the incidents and connect them to the circle. If names of people you need to forgive come to mind, add those as well. Add any additional thoughts about forgiveness (song lyrics, movie titles, books, etc.).
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 3: God forgives me
Memory verse
Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT)
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Write out today’s key verse on a piece of paper and take it with you to review throughout the day. Work through it phrase by phrase until you can recite it in its entirety. Write out any key thoughts you may have throughout the day.
Definition
Rescued:
1) To draw or snatch from danger, rescue, deliver. This is more with the meaning of drawing to oneself than merely rescuing from someone or something.
2) It forcefully portrays the gracious initiative and independent activity of God, the impotence and helplessness of man, and the contrast between the two modes of existence.
Walking up Warburton Avenue in Yonkers, NY toward the school crossing guard is my first school memory. I was officially a “big boy.” Not only was I in first grade but I had my own house key and walked to and from school by myself. It was my coming of age and the beginning of a season of anxiety for my single mom who worked the morning shift as a hospital nurse. She taught me to get myself up and dressed, eat breakfast and make it to school on time. Although not on the pre-approved “To Do” list, I managed to sneak in some morning TV and enjoyed feeling powerful when I locked the door with my very own key. My mother, on the other hand, worried her entire shift until my 3:15PM phone call revealed I returned home safely.
Read More…
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
My Week…
Hello All,
Wow. What a week. Its been great, but I’ve got plenty of snapshots that make quite an album.
Thursday, April 1st, 2010
Vines on Easter
I spent a few hours this week cutting and pulling down vines that appeared to be choking the life out of healthy trees. Upon closer inspection, however, the vines had killed the trees. What I thought were healthy trees because they bloomed last year was only an illusion: it was the vines that sprouted leaves last spring. I couldn’t help but think of Easter as I cut, pulled, and untangled vines from far too many trees. Easter Sunday is a reminder that despite the vines that attempt to weigh us down and suck the life out of us, Jesus ripped free of the vines. His resurrection is a permanent vine killer, forever rendering the vines in our lives powerless. Do you feel trapped by a vine or two this morning? Guess what? You don’t have to–Jesus has set us free!
Friday, January 8th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 5: God forgives me
Field trip
Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)
1 Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
Think of a place you can go to that gives you a sense of awe of the grandeur of God.
- Along a river?
- Hiking on a trail?
- Where you can view a mountain range?
- A grass field?
- The top of a skyscraper?
- A park?
Read and re-read these verses several times and take the opportunity to thank God for who He is and all He has done in your life.
Think about it
What event or activity gives you the freedom to cheer and express yourself passionately? What would it be like to put that same enthusiasm and energy into living for God? Try it today—even if only for a few minutes.
Thursday, January 7th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 4: God forgives me
Word association
Psalm 32:1-2 (NLT)
1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
Write the word “Forgiveness” in the middle of the page and circle it. Think of all the benefits to forgiveness and write those around the circle. As specific memories from times you have been forgiven come to mind, write the names of the incidents and connect them to the circle. If names of people you need to forgive come to mind, add those as well. Add any additional thoughts about forgiveness (song lyrics, movie titles, books, etc.).
Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
Week 3 / Day 3: God forgives me
Memory verse
Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT)
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Write out today’s key verse on a piece of paper and take it with you to review throughout the day. Work through it phrase by phrase until you can recite it in its entirety. Write out any key thoughts you may have throughout the day.
Definition
Rescued:
1) To draw or snatch from danger, rescue, deliver. This is more with the meaning of drawing to oneself than merely rescuing from someone or something.
2) It forcefully portrays the gracious initiative and independent activity of God, the impotence and helplessness of man, and the contrast between the two modes of existence.
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