Rise Up and Walk

Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”—John 5:8

If you’re anything like me, getting up in the morning can be a challenge. Maybe you sleep hard, and it takes the banging of metal trash can lids to get you going. Or maybe you—like me—struggle with insomnia. But most of us are able to get up out of bed (more…)

Bad News, Good News

“But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, as He said.”—Matthew 28:5-6

Everywhere we turn these days, we’re surrounded by bad news. As of this writing, 89,773 people have died worldwide from COVID-19. Deaths in the United States alone amount to (more…)

When Your Dreams Die

Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, “Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said (more…)

In a Perfect World

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is (more…)

Prayer and Anointing: Bringing My Chronic Insomnia to Christ

Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.—James 5:14

A pastor ushered me into a conference room where I found a group of faithful men huddled in prayer. The Holy Spirit had a palpable presence in that room (more…)