Category: Forward Day By Day
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The Light By Which We See
John 8:12. “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’” When the sun sets and night comes, many people turn on the lights. When my wife and I leave home in the evening, she will Read more
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Ears Are a Gateway to the Heart
Psalm 78:1. “Hear my teaching, O my people; incline your ears to the words of my mouth.” Several years ago, I spent a summer participating in a pastoral care internship. As the summer progressed, I realized I was really doing an internship on learning to listen. I came to understand that listening is essential for Read more
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Growing Up
Luke 2:49. “[Jesus] said to them, ‘Why are you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” Growing up isn’t limited to children or a particular age group. Regardless of age, we are all in the process of growing up, and that is hard work. Ultimately, growing up Read more
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Where Do You Get That Living Water?
John 4:11. “The woman said to [Jesus], ‘Sir, you have no bucket and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?’” The Samaritan woman’s question about living water is not just a question; it is also a confession. She doesn’t have “living water” and doesn’t know where to get it. I know Read more
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The Things I Want
Psalm 23:1. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.” I have a pretty long wish list. I have places I want to go. I have things I want to do. I have dreams I want to come true. I have visions of who I want to be. I want. I suspect Read more
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Inside Out Living
Romans 2:29. “Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart— it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God.” One of the things I am learning about myself is that when I literalize the scriptures, theology, Read more
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Doing the Law
Romans 2:13. “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but the doers of the law who will be justified.” There is more to doing the law than simply following the rules. When I think of following the rules, I think about being compliant, meeting the minimum requirements Read more
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Getting Unstuck
John 5:8. “Jesus said to him, ‘Stand up, take your mat and walk.’” I sometimes need to get up and get going. At times, I have put my life on hold. I’ve pushed the pause button. I’ve filed my life in a folder labeled “Action Pending.” These moments mostly happen when I’m waiting for something Read more
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Prayer Begins When the Words End
Psalm 62:1. “For God alone my soul in silence waits; from him comes my salvation.” One Sunday, years ago, I knelt to pray before the liturgy began, as was my usual practice. I always had something to tell or ask God. This day, however, was different. I had no words. It wasn’t that I had Read more
Interrupting the Silence 