Sometime during their stay in Bethany, Jesus and his disciples are guests in the home of "Simon the Leper" - a follower of Jesus who had felt His healing touch firsthand. While Jesus and the other guests are reclining at the table to eat, a woman approaches Jesus and her extraordinary act of devotion stirs controversy. Read the story, then follow the guide.

Crowds are gathered around Jesus as He begins to teach inside the temple courts. Knowing His time is at hand, Jesus delivers a pointed message, captured in Matthew 21-25. Read slowly this small portion of His teaching below, re-read it if you need to, then follow the guide to reflect, respond, and pray!

As we begin our journey of Holy Week together, we encounter Jesus inside the temple courts the Monday after Palm Sunday as chaos unfolds. Slowly read the account below, re-read it if you want, then follow the guide to reflect, respond, and pray!

Being a wee little man myself, I identify with my proportionally incorrect buddy Zacchaeus. I've come to grips with being short, even when I have to use a stool to get something off the top shelf. You'll also never see me lose my temper in a bagel shop due to being teased about my height (google if you don't get the reference)…

Scripture doesn't tell us what happened to the woman caught in adultery. We don't know if this encounter with Jesus changed her infidelity to devotion, lust to true love, and her sin to a sincere desire to know the one who said, "I do not judge you." You have to believe this encounter shook her to her core…

The story of Zacchaeus is familiar to many of us who grew up in the Church. Some of you are humming that Vacation Bible School song as we speak. But, before we dive in, take a moment to ask God to open your eyes to something new in this account. No matter how many times we’ve read a piece of Scripture, God can reveal more of His heart to us as we come back and reread it….

I apologize if I seem distracted during this devotional; my cell phone sitting next to me won't stop dinging. Notifications of text messages from my daughter asking if we can go to Island's for dollar tacos are going off in the background…

It boggles my mind that there have been 30 seasons of Dancing with the Stars. But, then again, I'm one of the reasons for the rating success of a show. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I must confess I tune into this show from time to time…

Just in case anyone is wondering, it is indeed possible to be a proud father while at the same time experiencing feelings of guilt. Let me take a moment to explain. My oldest daughter, Madison, is 17, and, at times, she has a better grasp of the Gospel than her old man…

Matthew witnessed some incredible moments throughout his account of Jesus, but the first couple of chapters take readers on such a journey. We get an eyewitness account of the moments before Jesus officially stepped into his ministry on earth…

In the book of Acts, we get a snapshot of the beautiful community found within the early church. This community of believers lived as a family ought to: they ate together, had deep conversations, and shared their possessions. They held nothing back—they willingly and generously gave their time and resources with the love of Christ in their hearts.

I wasn’t brave enough to try out for the cheerleading team in high school. But I did muster the courage to try out for the drill team. Even though the drill team felt more achievable, when I actually made the team, I was shocked…

Anyone who has had a toddler, babysat a toddler, or watched a toddler in action has probably heard the phrase, "I can do it myself!" All of a sudden, these little people who have been, up to this point, entirely dependent for every little thing realize, "Hey, I am a whole separate person! Will you look at me!"…

Do you remember some of the growing pains you went through when you started your walk with Jesus? I know that is not a fun question to think through…

Our house is beginning to show its age and "character." One thing after another is breaking, needing repair, or demanding our attention. As soon as we fix an issue, something else pops up…

We've heard a lot of "the church is not a building," "the people are the church," and "the church never ends" language since March 2020, when the pandemic halted regular gatherings as a church inside the walls of a building…

I have always been a big fan of Romans 12. Reading it helps remind me that I'm just a little itsy-bitsy piece of the body of Christ that is being sewn together in Jesus to bring glory to our Father in Heaven. Instead of worrying about another person's gifts, it challenges me to pour my energy into how I steward the talents God graciously gives me…

Much like snowflakes, no two people are exactly alike. Being a father, I see this truth play out in my girls, Madi and Paige. One is a morning person who is always on time; the other sleeps in, rushing to get out the door…

Shame-driven Christian communities are a turn-off to believers and non-believers alike. So, why do those Fathered by the Lord often turn away from regular church attendance? I believe it is due, in part, to the fact that we tend to "call out" one another's sin without inviting Christ's gentleness and grace into the conversation…

What comes to mind when you read verses in the Bible about fearing the Lord? Do you think of punishment, banishment, or judgment? If our God is a God of love, none of these thoughts would fit His character….