Relationships can be tough. The ones between siblings, spouses, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and offspring—all of them can run you ragged. And when things start to go south, you may ask yourself, “Now what? Do I just ‘get over it’?” “Do I reach out and express that I feel this way?” “Do we just go our separate ways?” I mulled over these options until this happened: it occurred to me that extending forgiveness is also an option. Getting over it, sharing my feelings, or Continue Reading
Change
Daniel’s name was changed to Belteshazzar. Hananiah’s name was changed to Shadrach. Mishael’s name was changed to Meshach. Azariah’s name was changed to Abenego. During Judah’s time in Babylonian captivity, Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon ordered these name changes in an effort to strip these noble men of their identity as members of the tribe of Judah (Daniel 1:7). Their new names suggested a change in status. Nebuchadnezzar’s ultimate goal was to shift the religious loyalty of Continue Reading
The Perks of a Past
I once heard it said that God uses us not despite our past but because of our past. We see this truth all throughout Scripture. Consider Peter. He was very impulsive and always had something to say. Peter is the one who got out of the boat, took his eyes off of Jesus, and began to sink while walking on the water (Matthew 14: 28-30). God used that aspect of Peter’s character to fuel him as he delivered one of the most important and foundational messages in Jerusalem on the Day of Continue Reading