The arena of God’s love

The arena of God's love

When I was a child, I learned a song that was as memorable for the peculiarity of singing the scriptural citation—First John Four Seven and Eight–as for the poetry of its King James prose—and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. Decades later, as a Mennonite Mission Network worker in South Africa, […]

Live in hope

Live in hope

​4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear […]

God’s steadfast love

God's steadfast love

19 The thought of my affliction and my homelessness    is wormwood and gall!20 My soul continually thinks of it    and is bowed down within me.21 But this I call to mind,    and therefore I have hope:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,   his mercies never come to an end;23 they are new every morning;    great is your faithfulness. Photo by Vivek Chugh from […]

Find refuge in God

Find refuge in God

​1 You who live in the shelter of the Most High,    who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,[a]2 will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress;    my God, in whom I trust."3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler    and from the deadly pestilence;4 he will cover you with his pinions,    and under his wings you will […]

Pray for everyone

Pray for everyone

​1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires everyone to be […]

Teach me wisdom

Teach me wisdom

​You desire truth in the inward being;    therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

You have a choice

You have a choice

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live. Photo by Ben Earwicker Garrison. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle. 

Show hospitality to strangers

Show hospitality to strangers

​1 Let mutual love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Photo by Jon Carlson. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

Bless the Lord

Bless the Lord

​1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,    and all that is within me,    bless his holy name.2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,    and do not forget all his benefits—3 who forgives all your iniquity,    who heals all your diseases,4 who redeems your life from the pit,    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. Photo by Linda Shelly. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

Running the race

Running the race

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,[a] and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that […]

God’s love, our hope

God's love

​20 Our soul waits for the Lord;    he is our help and shield.21 Our heart is glad in him,    because we trust in his holy name.22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,    even as we hope in you. Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.

Be on your guard

Be on your guard

And he said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." Graphic design by Cynthia Friesen Coyle.