You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12 The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is the world’s largest parade. For many people, watching this parade is as important as having turkey on Thanksgiving! Did you know we have been celebrating life with parades since 3000 BC? In the Message version of the Bible, this verse reads, “The mountains and the hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant…

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—for understanding proverbs and parables the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:1-7 What is the stupidest thing you have ever done? Ok, I am not going to tell you mine either, I get it. We have all done things…

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42 Does hospitality come…

 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seeds fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seeds fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Mark 4:3-8 Preparing the…

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 How would you describe the year 2020? As I consider the things I wrote about, dreamt about, and made plans for in January, the beginning of the year feels like a million years ago. It is almost as if 2020 sucked us into a time warp and transported us to a place and time which feels foreign. Think back to your New Years’ resolutions, your “word of the year,” the dreams you had at the start of a new year, a new decade. How have they played out? In the first devotion for…

Today’s devotion comes from my most recent book, A Warrior of Peace. As we plan out delectable meals, organize fantastic celebrations, and gather with our family and friends, I thought we could prepare our hearts to be hospitable to all we visit and entertain. When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ Luke 10:5. It was a beautiful basket, brimming with good and thoughtful gifts. My mouth watered at the thought of enjoying the chocolates, filling my new coffee mug with a fresh coffee flavor, and kicking my feet up as I perused the coupons to all the local favorites. I was grateful for the neighborly person…

“You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”  Matthew 5:13 Do you think Christians are boring?  Can you name three people who you believe live exciting lives? What is the most exciting thing you have ever done? Humdrum, boring, lifeless, and dull are words used to describe rice cakes, tax returns, and slow Wi-Fi.  These are not the words to describe the Christian life.  God calls us to be “the salt of the earth.” The ones who represent and give flavor to…