Like most Christian families, in our home we have made it a tradition to give thanks before meals. When our children were younger and all still lived at home, I would choose one of them to say the blessing. Usually it was a short prayer, very short, and most of the time the blessing was the same prayer each time. I also noticed that the younger children would often pray the same prayer as the older children. The substance and the length of the prayer was never really an issue with me, but I did want my children to understand that God provided for our meals and to learn to have a grateful heart for his provision. My hope was that the gratefulness for food would also spill over to every part of their lives. Continue reading
Intimacy
They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, while Moses went up to God. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”
Exodus 19:2-4 (ESV) Continue reading
Helmet of Salvation
. . . and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 (ESV) Continue reading
The Shield of Faith
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16 (ESV) Continue reading
His Excellent Greatness
Praise him for his mighty deeds; Praise him according to his excellent greatness! Psalm 150:2 (ESV) Continue reading
God’s Mercy
The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.
Psalm 145:9 (ESV) Continue reading
Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:14-15 (ESV) Continue reading
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness. Ephesians 6:14 (ESV) Continue reading