Matthew chapters 5-7 are some of the most daunting pages of the Bible: The Sermon on the Mount. It is here that Jesus tells us what being a Christ-follower looks like. We tend to find this instruction daunting because we misunderstand Jesus. He’s not telling...
We recently had something very exciting happen here at Samaritan’s Heart Mission Church (well, we found it exciting). We had our parking lot replaced. It had been in terrible condition for years, so it was exciting to see the old pavement broken up and removed...
Every so often, I see an HVAC service truck on one of my daily walking routes. It has the motto “no empty promises.” That’s a pretty strong statement to live up to. First, what is an empty promise? Simply put, it’s a promise that...
I have developed a strange fascination with the nests of stinging insects. Our neighbors had a huge hornet’s next under the eaves of their house that was nothing short of a work of art. I couldn’t help but admire the design, despite knowing what’s inside....
I would ask you to seriously consider the question posed in the title of this post. In fact, I would ask you to answer each question below, prayerfully contemplating each question and your answer before moving on to the next question: Am I a good person? Can...
One of my favorite expressions is “We are all a work in progress.” Most people who use it, however, don’t understand that it is literally true for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Someone is working on us: God. He...
Today is baptism Sunday at Samaritan’s Heart. Two sisters in Christ in our church family (and I) will enter Lake Michigan’s waters as they publicly acknowledge the surrender of their lives to Jesus. Whenever I’m having a conversation about Samaritan’s Heart with parents of young...
In her book “The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line," Retired Major General Mari K. Eder tells the stories of women who played a vital role in World War II, but received little to no acclaim for their efforts. One story is a bit different...
I recently had one of those “wait, what?” moments while reading Luke’s Gospel. It comes in Chapter 22: 39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He...
They Were Not Alone Samaritan’s Heart Mission Church kicked off 2024 (which now seems a lifetime ago) with the theme “you are not alone.” I recently read a devotional by author Paul Tripp that I believe speaks to that theme and serves as a good mid-year...