Restore Your glory, O LORD. Restore Your glory in the Church. May she shine with Your love and light in holiness. May she live for Jesus first and only. May she walk in step with the Holy Spirit because she lives in Spirit presence with Spirit purity in Spirit power. May she value the dignity of every person...created in Your image to reflect You. May she hold high the standard of the cross which ...  Read More

“I most certainly don’t want anyone to die! This is what the LORD God says. Change your ways, and live!”‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭18‬:‭32‬ ‭CEB‬As I read Ezekiel 18 this morning, it hit differently. It felt perhaps like the first time I’ve really read and considered the weight of the words. It is a master class on responsible grace.Starting with verse 4: God says, “All lives are mine; the life of the parent and...  Read More

As a parent and grandparent, there are moments that You make me keenly aware of my influence over my 'first parish' (my family). While I know that my eating sour grapes will not set my children's teeth on edge (Ezekiel 18:2 - everyone is judged for their own sin), I just want to avoid eating those grapes. For while You are right and just, Father, You still designed the family to have influence fro...  Read More

What a question! "Has God forgotten to be merciful?" (Psalm 77:9) Though it may feel that way at times, this we know: because of His great love we are not consumed, His mercies never fail (Lamentations 3:22). Indeed, He Who can never forget us has engraved our names on the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:16). How amazing! May we never take this great love for granted, nor Your abundant mercies, O Lord...  Read More

Wherever we go, O Lord, You are a sanctuary for us. Whatever the reason for our going, even Your discipline, You are a safe and holy place for our retreat and refreshment (Ezekiel 11:16). Teach us, O Lord, to dwell in the sanctuary that is You. Give us that undivided heart You promised by Your Spirit (Ezekiel 11:19-20). Remove any stony remains, any hardness of heart toward the things You love and...  Read More

The world in which we live is in for a devastating shock, O Lord, for the standard they use against everyone else, while excusing themselves, is the measure by which they shall be judged. That will be their eternal end. Help us, O Lord, not to be smug. For, though we have been declared not guilty in Your judgment through the blood of Christ applied, this is only by grace. Instead, may our hearts b...  Read More