Scripture: John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Thought for the Day: Take a moment to ponder these words from Charles Dickens: “The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a
Scripture: Romans 6:7 For whoever has died is freed from sin. Thought for the Day: Each of us has received blessings we did not seek. We have found strength when our own reservoir was empty. We have experienced new life when we felt trapped in the tomb. Grace is a gift, and it comes again and again to set us free from all that would bind us to
Scripture: 1st Chronicles 16:34 O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever. Thought for the Day: I recently purchased Anne Lamott’s book, Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers. It’s a great book, and I was shocked how quickly I found myself at the end…almost disappointed that there wasn’t more. As you can guess, one of the prayers she finds
Scripture: Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and God rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. Thought for the Day: Someone asked me not long ago what name I wanted to be called. Anytime someone asks that question, I pause because too many thoughts go through my mind. She was asking if I
Scripture: Colossians 2:12 …when you were buried with Christ in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. Thought for the Day: Today, Mike Hansen, our property guru here at Cypress Creek Christian Church, started some important work inside the Forum. He tore out the baptistry that is usually hidden under a false floor at the
Scripture: Genesis 3:24 The Lord God drove out the man; and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim, and a sword flaming and turning to guard the way to the tree of life. Thought for the Day: It’s interesting how the language of being ‘east’ is more than a direction in the book of Genesis. The brokenness of the world is symbolized by
Scripture: 1st Peter 1:21 Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. Thought for the Day: Recycling an old Devotional: Some of the most powerful voices of the faith come from those places where injustice and suffering are so great. I was recently rereading the book, “Cry
Scripture: James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Thought for the Day: I just finished rereading Rob Bell’s book, What We Talk About When We Talk About God. Toward the end, he made a comment that resonated with me in light of my recent tummy troubles.
Scripture: Jeremiah 1:6-8 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to
Scripture: Romans 8:24-25 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Thought for the Day: I was taken by this quote from Paul Hawken, “When asked if I am pessimistic or optimistic about the future, my answer is always