Hebrews 7-10 The former covenant with God’s people — the Law — was a shadow.  Christ brings the new covenant, and these chapters of Hebrews spell out how Christ’s sacrifice on the cross atoned for our sins once and for all. Yet this atoning work of Christ does not mean that we can just act any old way we want to act.  We can’t keep on sinning and expect God to be pleased with us.  Consider this: 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24Let us think … Continue reading No trampling here, please

1 Peter; Hebrews 1-6 Last night my family put the moon to bed, so I skipped my reading and blog and am doing double duty again today.  It seems that the closer I get to the end of this Bible Reading Challenge, I’m doing that more and more…I think it has more to do with the busy time of year.  Yet I continue to march onward! The theme of 1 Peter is all about suffering.  I woke this morning with a sore neck (from watching the eclipse, I’m sure) and sore arms and shoulders.  Fibromyalgia flare ups are still happening … Continue reading Suffering with a soft heart

TItus When I came across this verse from Titus, Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. I thought about how I developed a “dirty mind” as a preteen.  My friends and I would turn every turn of phrase that anyone said into some sort of depraved joke.  We thought we were so grown up because all of a sudden we thought we were wiser than everyone around us. Just a little knowledge about corrupt concepts turned my thinking over to … Continue reading A guide to live by

Philippians; 1 Timothy I had a fantastic time with family over the past two days.  We celebrated an early Christmas with my side of the family — I wish I could fit all the love in a jar and open it up to just breathe in whenever I want.  To me, it smells like cookies and warm kids and coffee and peppermint all swirled together.  I gave my grandma extra hugs because I’m so thankful the Lord healed her of colon cancer.  I hugged my aunt extra because I’m so thankful the Lord healed her of leukemia.  He is faithful…and … Continue reading Unfinished and content

Colossians; Philemon; Ephesians From Colossians I picture a beautiful tree, rich with thick, shiny green leaves that provides a respite from the searing heat of a Texas August summer day: 6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. From Philemon I picture a gentle reconciliation as Paul writes to his friend Philemon and pleads with him to … Continue reading The Source of Inner Strength