Month: July 2019

When he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:30 I’ve done a lot of stupid things, but a few of them really stand out. We once had a broken boatlift, which I decided to fix, alone, while it was still in the water. Grabbing my…
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Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. Matthew 14:29 When I was a kid, I got hit by a car while riding my bike. Or rather, I hit a parked car while riding my bike. I was pedaling along, watching everything but the road, when, BAM, I…
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After he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23 A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit India to see a Christian orphanage and church planting movement that we support financially. I believed in their mission, but at the time, I was still struggling with…
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Send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves. Matthew 14:15 When I see those around me struggling with self-destructive behavior, it’s easy to look down and use tough love as an excuse to do nothing. You got yourself into this mess. You can get yourself out. Getting involved with the lives…
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The king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison . . . Matthew 14:9-10 Recently, on a flight, I had the opportunity to witness the individual next to me make a series of poor choices which ultimately led…
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He did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58 Once, my idea of recovery was that God would magically change my appetite – while I was still using – and then my behavior would follow. When God didn’t do what I wanted, I blamed him. Maybe he didn’t care or…
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The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45-46 In my early attempts at recovery, I planned vacations, when I knew I could use for a couple of days and then return…
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The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. Matthew 13:38-39 In Christian circles, it’s not uncommon to hear someone tell of events that are just too amazing to be called coincidences.…
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The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants . . . Matthew 13:31-32 A couple years ago, I met a newly recovered heroin addict…
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This people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed . . . Matthew 13:15 I remember being terrified of sleeping in my grandparent’s basement when I was a kid. It was one big, unfinished space that made a lot of alien, ominous noises. My imagination manufactured…
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