Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide:

“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you everyplace where you set your foot, as I promised Moses…As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous…Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or the left, that you may be successful wherever you go…Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-9

I’m guessing that the sun was shining that morning over three-thousand years ago—as it is this morning outside my window—as Joshua stood there on the banks of the Jordan River. Moses, the great servant of the Lord, had just passed from the scene, and Joshua has been selected by God to succeed Moses to lead the Israelites from this point forward into the Promised Land. (more…)

Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8: 35, 37-39 (NIV)

Sadly, it would seem that she didn’t believe either of those promises from God for her life. Despite the reality that God clearly gifted Whitney Houston with a voice as none other. A voice that lifted and inspired most of us who were blessed to hear it, to dream, to reach, and to hope in our own lives.

But not her. (more…)

Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 12: 6-7 (NIV)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

I was reminded of it again yesterday as the world watched the National Football League’s annual Super Bowl showcase and game. Super Bowl XLVI indeed lived up to all the hype and billing and was one for the ages, but it was not without the anxiety and uncertainty leading up to it for players and coaches, and which is a part of our lives in most every setting, wherever we find ourselves. (more…)

Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Mahatma Gandhi

So, how has the first month of the New Year named 2012 gone for you thus far?

Did you make any resolutions which are still intact? Did you make any which are hanging on by the slimmest of threads? Did you make any resolutions which have since fallen along the side of the roadway of best intentions? (more…)

Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.” Psalm 138:8 (NIV)

One month into the New Year with King David, and you and me.

Hold that thought for a moment, because first, I want you to do something for me, and for yourself.

Right where you are now, take a look at your fingertips—not just the chapped skin or chipped nails from the cold weather—but look closely at the whorls and lines on the inner surface of the last joint of your finger. We learned the truth in grade-school that our fingerprints are unique to each of us—no one else has the same pattern of whorls or lines. Now work your way down to the palms of your hands, looking closely at the configuration of lines and markings you see there. Stop for a moment and think about this truth—what you just saw is unique—no one else in the world, now or ever, has or had what you just saw. (more…)