It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of My holy name. Ezekiel 36:22 (NIV) In my earnestness to pray for things, I all too quickly forget the most significant reason why God chooses to grant answers. Yes, He loves me. Yes, His loving-kindness knows no bounds. Yes, He’s compassionate, the God of comfort. And I believe He delights in answering prayers, the heart of a father who is excited for a child to open a gift. But

Early in the morning, David left the flock with a shepherd, loaded up and set out…I Samuel 17:20 (NIV) I’ve read the familiar passage of David and Goliath countless times, but just this week I zeroed in on a couple elements I’d overlooked. Following his father Jesse’s directive to bring food and supplies to the camp of David’s older brothers who faced war against the Philistine’s, David first left his flock in the care of a shepherd. I shudder to consider the outcome if he’d

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 (NIV) So here’s what I want you to do…Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life — and place it before God as an offering. Romans 12:1 (the Message) I’m in the middle of re-writing a draft of what will become the first of a three-part in

Jesus told them a parable that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1 Nothing provokes my inner Rocky Balboa faster than the phrase, “It’s too late.” Just ask my husband. “I think we should return this and get our money back,” I say. “Naw. It’s too late,” he’ll say. And off to the store I go, receipt in hand. Running late for the start of a movie… “But if we leave now, we’ll get to the theatre just as the previews have ended,” I say with sunny and determined dispo

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine… to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 The death of Jesus Christ. Yes, it happened. All four Gospels give account of this historic event, recognized as Good Friday. NOTE: As a child I puzzled over what was so ‘good’ about the death of the kind, gentle-faced and clearly innocent carpenter man, but, trust me, it was truly a g

“May they (Believers) also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent Me.” John 17:21 Even before they were His followers, Jesus prayed for those who would believe in His message (the one His disciples were entrusted to share). Here’s what He asked God the Father: “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me and I am in You.” John 17:21 I’ve hosted a Moms in Prayer group in my home for the past 6 years. (www.momsinprayer.org) I also attend a week

Holy Father, protect them (disciples) by the power of your name — the name you gave me — John 17:11a Mary. My name serves, in part, to identify me. Add my middle, maiden and married name–Mary Elizabeth Albers Felkins — and it distinguishes me from among the countless other ‘Mary’s’ in the world. Distinguished or not, calling my name might get you nothing more than a head turn and inquisitive look. Or a smile – especially if you’re offering me a Coke Zero or Diet Dr. Pepper. B

I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:36b I participate in a prison ministry called Forgiven Prison Ministry (http://www.forgivenministry.org). It was founded by Scottie Barnes several years ago and is headquartered in the foothills of North Carolina. Scottie grew up as the daughter of an inmate. Her father eventually came to Christ while in prison. Because of her story, she’s passionate about seeing incarcerated men and women reconcile with their children, des