Devotionals

When I was in school, we touched briefly on a concept in Psychology called “Cognitive Dissonance.” It has broad-ranging implications, but the basic idea is that, as people, we often hold contradictory ideas in our heads and act in ways to alleviate the dissonance or the differences between those ideas. The term “Cognitive Dissonance” is … Read more

One of the fun items that we have in the children’s ministry area uses different colored magnetic shapes. With these prismatic, translucent tiles, a myriad of structures can be built. The kids can build houses, horse stables, or Bible scenes. If they can dream it up, it can be built with the tiles. Like other … Read more

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” are words attributed to Irish novelist, Margaret Wolfe Hungerford, in her novel Molly Bawn. “Beautiful!” That word captures our response to a number of different experiences. There are times when that word might pass through our lips as we view a stunning visual like a sunset or … Read more

There are things each and every one of us gets used to that can seem strange to other people. I can easily get used to noise, especially if I am making it. I get so used to some noises that I cannot hear them until someone points them out to me. All people get used … Read more

When I am aware of my emotion and am able to express it, my prayers take on greater impact. I have found the writers of the Psalms to be helpful in expressing my feelings to God. They give me permission. I might even say that they evoke my emotions through the artistic elements of poetry. … Read more

It is one of the first songs that many of us learned about God. It is simple, yet it champions a core truth about God the Son. Its rhyming phrases lend to its simplicity. Have you guessed what it is? You’re right…Jesus Loves Me! Jesus loves me, this I know.For the Bible tells me so.Little … Read more

If you are like me, Easter is a very meaningful time. It is a time to reflect on my own sinfulness, to mourn the impact of my selfishness, and to celebrate in gratitude the sacrifice of Jesus on my behalf! I also love worshipping with my family and the reminder that I am made new … Read more

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow;Praise Him, all creatures here below;Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!Amen. The Doxology erupts from my lips this morning as I reflect on our time together as a church family over the weekend. The Spirit moved in our hearts and minds as we gathered … Read more

Do you know anyone whom you would consider to be a continual servant? These are the kind of people who are regularly meeting the needs of others and seldom looking for recognition. My Dad is one individual in my life who fits this description so well. He pours into his family and into others by … Read more

I have found as I have aged (and I’m almost thirty) that there is almost always more to a story than what I heard when I was younger. History is both more complicated and more interesting than I was taught in grade school. God’s Creation is magnificently intricate, and we don’t even understand our own … Read more