Singing into the Future
The first line of the final stanza. ”God of the coming years, through paths unknown we follow you. The past is past, we cannot change any of its triumphs or losses. We now face…
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Thoughts by Marilyn Ehle
Explore Scripture-based encouragement and practical Christian resources on this topic.
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289 articles
Keep On Keeping On
During the months of his wife’s pregnancy, Zechariah’s prayers were silent ones. He could only commune with his Heavenly Father in the stillness of his heart, but I believe his long years of faithful…
The Mystery of Christmas
The mystery of Christmas requires something we rational humans find most difficult: faith. Not some brain-numbing step into an abyss, but rather that which is described in the New Testament: “Faith is being sure…
Water from God’s Reservoir
Father God, your word refreshes and fills and invigorates me as I faithfully meditate on it. Thank you for its life giving strength.
The Look of Jesus
Devotional: THE LOOK OF JESUS. Often we cringe when we think God is looking on us. We transfer our own judgmental attitudes onto Him, finding it difficult or impossible to believe that His looks…
Slave Thinking
We who walk with Christ often experience this tendency toward slave thinking. We grow discouraged in the tough battle of addictions or grief or abuse or self-doubt.
No Private Rooms
Could it be that the rooms of my life closed off to God are locked because I haven’t sufficiently developed that same love and trust with my Heavenly Father?
Are We Meant to Be Happy?
“(Jesus said) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you…I am coming to you now…so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” Dear friend, God has…
Welcoming Strangers
"Was our friend an angel as described in the book of Hebrews? He didn’t look particularly angelic, but his presence brought blessing that we recall to this very day."
The Real God in the Midst of Real Pain
God did not rescue Jesus from the temptations of the Evil One. He gave Him power to resist. What do you do when you lose your dreams?
Lost Dreams
Have you ever had a dream die? Something you wanted to accomplish in life but “life” got in the way? it is God’s great pleasure to give us new dreams and fresh hopes. Jeremiah…
Buts, Excepts and Howevers
Do you say, . “I’ll follow, but…” "I’ll obey, however…” “I’ll speak, except…” ? The only One with no buts, excepts or howevers in His life was Jesus and He, living within us, promises…
Not What, But How
In recent months I've become painfully aware of acquaintances and close friends facing near-unspeakable tragedy. Their reactions have been as varied as their situations.
Our God Is an Awesome God?
How do we know the God we serve and say we believe in is an awesome God if we are never in a situation where we need an awesome God?
Squawking or Singing
What is it that turns my melodies of worship into shrill complaint or depressed moaning? Is it the stress of an overfull calendar?
When God Shuts the Door
God knows that instant gratification will spoil me for the best in life, that settling for second best will often cause heartache, that lack of self-discipline will make me soft instead of strong.
For Me or For Him?
We delude ourselves into thinking that our quiet times are primarily for our own benefit. We are intellectually aware that God is always with us, that His eye is not only on the sparrow…
Anointed but Waiting
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to trust you enough to wait. And to be aware whether your Spirit is whispering, “Go, stay or wait.”Was there a time in your life when God asked you to…
Seeing Like Jesus
Even Christians with dedicated “world vision” grow weary of the world’s needs. We quickly turn the magazine pages so as not to gaze too long on the sad face of yet another child with…
Turning Toward the Son
We must regularly and intentionally turn to the Son. Bask in his love, drink of his love, accept his love. Feed regularly on the nutrients from his Word, the Bible.
We’re Adopted
Influences, people, events, even abuse from the past leave scars. But God stands ready to provide all that is necessary to transform us into “new creatures.”
Life in the Furnace
What 'furnaces experiences' have you had? How did you find strength within them? How does solitude prepare you for daily life?