About 20 years ago, I first became familiar with Henry Blackaby's incredible book Experiencing God. It is a powerful book and study tool. So powerful, in fact, that it kind of scared me at times. But that's a story for a different post. One of the most impactful observations in that book is Blackaby’s call…
Roomies
It's August, so it's county fair season in the American Great Plains. My three-year-old grandson had never been to the fair, so on what must have been the hottest evening of the year, we shepherded our novice fair-goer through the animal barns at the Johnson County Fair in Gardner, Kansas. First, the chickens. The chickens…
Wisdom, the Hard Way
When my soul is required of me, I want to be rich towards God.
Busy, Busy, Busy
What is the most difficult of God's commandments to keep in the 21st Century? No, I'm not talking about the Ten that God handed down on Mt. Zion. They're all plenty hard to keep, some harder than others, but they're not what I'm thinking of here. This is one of the most basic one of…
Thinking About Thinking: Why Take Your Thoughts Captive?
So you've heard the Apostle Paul's admonition to take your thoughts captive. And you've also heard the world's siren call to let your thoughts run free, and do whatever you want. So why should you choose to bring your thought life in line with God’s Word? It’s simply this: Because God’s Son came to Earth…
Sunday Perspectives: Compact Creativity
Here’s to the makers of American decorative signs, who express complete thoughts of wit, humor, and inspiration in the smallest possible spaces. Finally, someone really gets me. Don’t ask me how few. Here, have some more potato salad... ‘Nuff said there. Just ask my 14-week old puppy! And speaking of the pup, here she is!…
Sunday Perspectives
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, don’t be discouraged, for the Lord God will be with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9 Gratefully, 2020 will soon be over. So, as we “go” into 2021, take Joshua 1:9 with you as one of God’s promises for the new year. Yes, 2020 was rough,…
Sunday Perspective
Having a contentment issue? Think about Psalm 16:5-6: LORD, you have assigned to me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. To me, that means if God doesn't want something for me, then I don't…
Conversation Starters
On a back road in Southern Illinois, heading home for a Memorial Day visit, I saw these words on a church sign in Thompsonville, Illinois: Jesus is God's selfie. I love clever church signs as much as the next guy. And I understand the desire to engage the culture "where it's at." As long as…
May I Have This Dance
Has the weight of just a thought ever taken your breath away? Happened to me just this morning. Maybe it's the fact that my daughter's wedding is now less than two months away, and she was in town this past weekend for her first bridal shower. Maybe it's this fact that this afternoon, my wife…
Mike G. Smith 