Gabriel Azucena, who goes by the artist name GAWVI, is a Christian rapper whose popular song, “Fight for Me” features some honest lyrics about meeting the expectations of others. I was struggling with something similar to what GAWVI writes while approaching my final...
Growing up, I remember my grandmother would take my cousin and me to the nursing home weekly to visit our great-grandmother. We would see other members of the nursing home community as we walked in. They had the biggest smiles, and they didn’t mind accepting a hug. My...
1 Peter 4:12-13, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is...
1 Peter 4:10-11, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God...
1 John 4:19-21, “We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God...
I have scars. These are not just metaphorical scars. They tell a story of my journey down the road of self-hatred. I have them on my chest, my jawline, and my cheeks. These scars are from when I had severe acne when I was in high school and college. Acne, I hate that...
James 3:1, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." A couple of weeks ago I was asked to speak at chapel at the school my wife teaches kindergarten and first grade. The principal...
Christian books are easy to find. They can be found in used bookstores, new bookstores, or garage sales. But it takes wisdom, effort, and research to find the right ones which can be nourishment to your soul. The other day my wife and I were strolling through one of...
This past weekend my wife, myself, and a few others did an intensive membership class for the church we’ve been attending the past month and a half. The teaching pastor covered everything from a biblical understanding of the Gospel to how they practiced church...
Young men, aspire to be elders. 1 Timothy 3:1, “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” In the coming weeks, a lot of Christian college students will be moving into their dorms. Some will be headed out the door...
Seminary in many ways can distract the Christian from his daily need to meet with God. It is easy to get sucked into studying about God, getting our theology right, and neglecting our time with God. Many authors and bloggers have written about such a subject. But what...
As I am looking for a job here in Kansas City, I can’t help but reflect back on a job that God put in my life to sustain my wife and me until moving to the seminary. About a month ago I worked at a factory where I operated a machine that packages panty hose. I didn’t...
Luke 7:36-50 Before my wife and I started dating, we sat down with one another to discuss our motives in dating. I wanted to find someone I’d wind up marrying. Earlier in my college years, I tried to date, but I concluded that dating had my heart more than my devotion...
My wife and I try to read once we get into bed. We started out doing well in our Bible reading plan, but we have lost consistency in that area. My wife had a birthday a couple of months ago. Like most of her birthdays or holidays that deal with gift giving, I always...
1 Timothy 3:4-5, "He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?" If I neglect the menial tasks of caring for my household, how...