Excerpts

Let’s Walk Like Enoch

May we, like Enoch, spend quality time daily in God’s presence, with His Word, listening to His Holy Spirit.

Saint Brigid and Thresholds

Down through the ages, the wail of a woman in distress from delivery has been heard by many as the silence is broken.

Intentional Surrender

God waits patiently for our response; not withholding His love but never forcing mutual relationship.

The Promise

The Newborn King arrived just as prophecy did say, His mother laid the Sacred One upon the cattle’s hay.

You are Chosen

God’s work on planet Earth will not be complete without your enthusiasm and potential.

My Encounter with the Divine

I would have missed out on the greatest experience of my life if I hadn’t been sharing my heart with God and given Him something to respond to.

Wool of Deceit

The enemy has society wrapped in deceit; what some call victory is really defeat.

Captured

My life was distorted and full of compromise before I captured the fullness of life in Christ.

Used

This enemy brainwashes, but it’s not a cleansing kind; it’s contaminated, it’s twisted and justifies the mind.

Chosen Instrument

As snakes shed their covering to produce new growth, scales fell from his eyes, and he was filled with the Holy Ghost.

Transformed

Jesus is the Savior and the Lover of our souls!

Outstretched Arms

How wide would you open your arms if someone asks how much you love the Lord?

Guiding Light

The Light of the World has come to give us new life and He sends the Holy Spirit as our guiding light.

Corporate Christianity 

Cultures and systems that hijack God’s presence and prevent the Spirit from moving, keep God’s people immature and hinder them from rising into true sonship.

Let Me See the Blueprints

You must not foolishly believe that you can cast a quick glance at the Word of God and instantly know what it takes to build an exceptional life.

Love One Another

We hold the lost and unconverted to a biblical standard they know nothing about while at the same time violating the biblical standard we should know all about.

The Ugly Weed

Without even realizing it, I walked many miles of this journey with a disconnect between my head and my heart.

Waffles and Spaghetti

Men and women are hard-wired differently by their Creator. But different does not mean right or wrong. It just means different.

He Took the Stand

Jesus insured security the day He died upon a tree

Oh, what a Savior we have in Jesus Christ!

Just Not That Into You

I pray the distractions that once pushed You aside

will become less important in our daily lives

and that the things we choose to fill our days

will be things that please You and bring You praise

Love Letter

You anxiously await their response—

Will they care what you have to say?

A Suess Family Christmas

Joy is widely associated with Christmas, particularly because it is the ultimate source of this euphoric state. Our family has fully embraced it, celebrating this most sacred and world-altering day with abundance.

The Promise

The Newborn King arrived just as prophecy did say
His mother laid the Sacred One upon the cattle’s hay
As much as Mary longed to hold her newborn Son
she placed Him in a manger as a sign for everyone

Forcing Inspiration: Part 1

Inspiration is a creative urge that downloads somewhat spontaneously. It doesn’t grow like a muscle through hard work and patience.

My King: The Chalice of Tribute

‘Twas a time of the Knight. When quests and fables abound. When man fought to live and lived for conquest. A time of trolls and dragons. Such lore that stirred the heart to seek out the truth.

God Has His Hands On You

You may ask “Lord, why me?” or “Lord, why am I going through this?” Just as He trusted Job to go through, He trusts you, too!

You Can Handle It!

My brothers and my sisters, I may not know the full extent of your circumstances, your situation, or your storm, but God wants you to know that you can handle it!

Simply Being Home

Arriving home was always extra special when I was greeted at the door knowing that “absence makes
the heart grow fonder” on both sides.

How a Revolution Started With a Sleeping Bag

Shane Claiborne is a public speaker, social activist, and author. He strives to strip away all that culture has added to Christianity and get to the core of what following Jesus means.

Seek His Face

We discover the truest meaning of love
when we find the One who was sent from above
We are magnetically drawn to His grace and His peace
We’re enamored by the greatness of the One who sets us free

Crazy Amazing Love: 31 Pieces of Love

The concept of sin didn’t even exist yet in the heart or mind of man. Adam was complete. But God gave one simple specification to Adam: do not eat from this particular tree.

Selfless King

Jesus took the time to pray for us before He was betrayed
and then He sacrificed His holy life to take our sins away

The Puzzle

There were no gaps—Jesus filled in each space
His blood was shed so that sin could be forgiven and erased
His holy sacrifice was the piece enabling removal of our sin
Does your puzzle include Jesus? He included you in His!

Forgiveness

Do you need to extend forgiveness
to someone who has caused you harm?
Do you need to open up your heart?
Do you need to open up your arms?

Why St. Patrick Would Prefer a Three-Leaf Clover

Saint Patty’s Day is known all across America as another reason to celebrate and wear festive attire. But when the history of a holiday gets shoved to the side, its real meaning gets overlooked, too.

Strongholds

It’s when I finally ran to Him in my weakness 
that He strengthened and delivered me 
He parted the Red Sea for the Israelites
and He made an escape for me

Followers

His holy footsteps guide us to the Father’s throne
They illuminate the path that takes us safely home
Do you know the One who says, “Come, Follow Me?”
If not, I encourage you to accept Jesus as your Lord and King

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

I’ve known rivers:
I’ve known rivers ancient as the world and older than the
flow of human blood in human veins.

My soul has grown deep like the rivers.

He’s Coming Back

It may not be tomorrow, but it’s a fact He’s coming back
The folded cloth left in His tomb meant exactly that
The Master will return; the King is very near
Are you ready for the day when Jesus Christ appears?

A Year of Mama Jane’s Secret

Chad Norris published his second book Mama Jane’s Secret a year ago on February 13, 2018. And since then, the secret of friendship with God isn’t such a secret anymore.

He Loves Me

Jesus displayed the depth of His love
by taking our sins and making them His
Can you feel the love in His sacrifice?
There is no love greater than this

When Relief Feels Elusive

If you find yourself in a particularly busy season of life, I believe God will give you the grace to handle your responsibilities until the season is over.

Home Run

The Heaviest Hitter that has ever scored
will be announced with a trumpet’s horn
The Greatest Comeback there ever will be
is the Return of Christ, the King of all Kings

Lifetime Sentence

I’ve paid my debt to society
I’ve done the time for my crime
but so many people still hold this debt
with a lifetime sentence over my head

Exonerated

Justice declares that you are valued in His sight
as His heavenly court makes each of your wrongs right
Jesus is your Judge, your Jury, and your very Best Friend
He is Powerful, He is Magnificent—He is the Great I AM

Living with Infant Loss and Learning to Grieve

Jordan Tate’s Just Keep Breathing is one of the most brilliant and tragic books I have ever read. It is powerful in all its gravity. It is beautiful in all its honest pain. Just Keep Breathing will bring you to tears and then dry them with joy.

Restoring Identities With ‘The Dream of You’

The Dream of You is an account of Jo Saxton’s life; there are breathtaking highs, heart-wrenching lows, and melancholy middles. Through her experience, I got to see an unearthing of self, a growing into something beautiful, and an abandoning of old, damaging identities.

Hanging Around Joyful People: An Excerpt from Joy All Around Us

Joyful people are walking “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” mentors without even knowing it. Little things–even big things–don’t get them down or keep them down. Life surely comes with heartaches and challenges, but joyful people rebound quickly.

My Encounter with the Divine

Within minutes, and much to my surprise, I received an audible response to a prayer I had just prayed. My desire to be used for His glory and His Will became one—His presence surrounded me! The God of Creation spoke my name, acknowledged that He heard me, and promised that blessings would come.

Joy Under Our Nose: An Excerpt From Joy All Around Us

Joy produced by our sense of smell is as simple as the aroma of coffee steaming from our cup in the morning, a special meal waiting in the oven upon our arrival home, or the scent of our youngest child, freshly bathed and awaiting story time.