The Sun Shines
Do you find yourself withholding love or rewards from people because you don’t like them?
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Thoughts by Bill Strom
Explore Scripture-based encouragement and practical Christian resources on this topic.
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47 articles
How Much Do Parents Give Up?
Are you “giving up” your life with the hope to be repaid, or are you willing to let that go? Lord, Help me pour into them things that matter.
We Are Not Consumed
When you pray, do you rant and shake your fist at God? Or do you sit quietly, assured of his faithful renewal even amidst turmoil?
We Are Not Consumed
When you pray, do you rant and shake your fist at God? Or do you sit quietly, assured of his faithful renewal even amidst turmoil?
I Wonder About Mary
What do you think was going through Mary’s head as delivery day approached? Could she ever have anticipated delivery in a barn?
Joy in the Midst
How might we find joy amidst this busy season or when pressures abound? Might we learn from Mary who submitted herself to God, aware that He had her best interests at heart?
Contentment in October
Where I live October is a transition month. By October summer is all put away. The lawnmower sits idle in the shed, and deck chairs lean against the back of the house. Annual flowers…
When Trusting God is Hard for the Abused
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4
If Hockey Banned Fighting
Take Action: The next time you are in a conflict situation, look for ways to defuse the situation through apology, listening, or walking away
The Joy of the Lord is My Christmas
We sometimes say Christmas is a Holy Day, but personally I forget that too often amidst the tinsel, TV, toys and boys. I forget that genuine joy comes from celebrating Emmanuel
Created, Lost, and Bought
The story is told of a young boy taken with model ship building and the sailing of his boats on the lake outside of town. After saving up quite a large sum from mowing…
Welcoming Gently
Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to show us a life worth imitating. May I bow in awe of His glory and from that place open my heart to people.
God Is HOLY
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty. God is awesome. He is also holy, another term far too misused or over used.
God is Creator, We the Created
I am convinced I can become bitter toward God if I believe two myths: 1) I deserve to be happy, and 2) God is in charge of making it so. In truth, God is…
Not Against Flesh and Blood
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”…
Finding the Good in Conflict
Conflict may be difficult, but good can come of it. Conflict is a part of life, and good-meaning people rub each other the wrong way routinely. The question is how we will deal with…
How Do We Pay Attention to God
Recently I chatted with experts in listening attentively and empathetically to callers who suffer from depression, loneliness, or various life hang-ups. I asked, “What does it mean to listen to God? More than that,…
A New Deal
So instead of God waiting for you to mess up, and we all mess up, he provided a way to forgive the mistakes and a Helper to guide your heart and mind to do…
What An Idiot
What do people need besides our critical comments? Dear God, Help me extend grace and patience to others just as I hope you will do towards me. Amen.
Unless a Seed Falls
unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:24
The Easy Yoke
When I was young I thought a godly life meant avoiding things that others in town enjoyed freely. I was on the outside looking in as my youthful peers spoke of their first cigarette,…
Caught Blue-Handed
Have you met people who refuse to deal with sin in their life, who cross their arms and huff “I’ve done nothing wrong!”?
Looking Down the Lane
Dear God, it is so easy to think that life without you is free, fun, and easy. Help me see that in You I find significance.