Author Archives: asimpleguy

This week, I read Psalm 95, and these verses stood out to me: “Do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, as you did that day at Massah in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested me; they tried me, though they had seen what I did.” -Psalm 95:8–9 These words are a warning—andContinue reading “Remembering God’s Faithfulness”

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” -Colossians 3:17 One of the easiest things for us to do as Christians is to divide our lives into different compartments. There is our church life—Sunday mornings, worship, prayer,Continue reading “One Life to Live”

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” -Proverbs 12:15 We live in a world where there is no shortage of advice. Turn on the television, scroll through social media, listen to a podcast, or spend five minutes on the internet and you can find someone willing to tellContinue reading “Who Are We Taking Advice From?”

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” – Psalm 103:1-2 One of the things I’ve noticed about life is how easy it is to remember our problems while forgetting God’s promises. We replay conversations that didn’t go well, we dwellContinue reading “Remembering God’s Goodness”

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”—Matthew 6:34 How much of today’s energy are we spending replaying yesterday’s mistakes or worrying about tomorrow’s problems? If we’re honest, probably more than we’d like to admit. Worry has a way of stealing today. ItContinue reading “Redirecting Our Focus”

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  –Psalm 34:18 One of the realities of living in a fallen world is that none of us escapes heartache. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a difficult diagnosis, broken relationships, financial struggles, disappointment, or simply the weight ofContinue reading “A God Who Draws Near”

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” –Colossians 4:5-6 One of the things I say often is, “Sometimes we have to earn the right to be heard.” Now,Continue reading “Always Full of Grace”

As our nation celebrates its 250th birthday tomorrow, many of us will gather with family and friends to enjoy barbecues, parades, fireworks, and the many blessings we often take for granted. It’s an opportunity to reflect with gratitude on the freedoms we enjoy and to remember the countless men and women who have sacrificed toContinue reading “Citizens of Two Kingdoms”

In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul says: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” That’s a pretty bold statement. And I think it challenges us to ask an important question: Could I honestly tell someone to follow my example? When Paul made this statement, He wasn’t claiming to be perfect. In fact, he wasContinue reading “Being An Example”

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” -Proverbs 1:5  This week, I had the privilege of watching my son walk across the stage and receive his Master’s degree from the University of Oregon in Curriculum and Teaching. It was a proud moment for our family. After nearlyContinue reading “A Life of Learning”