Hope in Spite of Suffering

While people are more frequently reminded as they get older that things wear down and waste away, Christians can forget in their daily life that what we labor and strive for is not for this world but the next. We build up castles for ourselves when the Lord has promised us the world. We make …

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Falling into the Slough of Despond

Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk they drew near to a very miry slough, that was in the midst of the plain; and they, being heedless, did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of the slough was Despond. Here, therefore, they wallowed for a time, …

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All Nations, Tribes, and Tongues

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all …

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When Your Calling is Home

"You are not here to get your 'Mrs.' degree." It was my first week at college and I was in a "freshman seminar" class (which was as  pointless as it was a waste of time). The professor spoke these words to her new students to make sure that they knew one thing: by the time …

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Withering off the Vine

 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch …

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