Tonia Woolever 
In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Mark 1:35 (NASB) What would Jesus do?, we used to ask. Verses like this one tell us plainly, so I always give them special attention and place. Anything which …
The first time I fasted seven days was a challenge, and a surprise.
A surprise because I didn’t know going in that after the first three days, that gnawing hunger stops coming in waves. The science says this phenomena happens because your body, seeing that you aren’t going to offer it food, turns to your fat stores and burns them for energy. I truly did not crave food those last few days, which left me with a lovely sense of rest.
In The Wisdom Series, I identified being a lover as the fifth pillar of strength Wisdom wants to build in your heart (according to Proverbs 9:1.) In fact, we could sum up the main agenda of the Spirit of Wisdom as: He wants to train your heart, child of God, how to love like He …
At the ripe age of nine, I was a member of a secret club. It was very small, consisting of five third graders. (Or six, depending on who had favor with our ringleader on any given day.) Of course, getting into the secret club was a coup in itself, signaling that you belonged and you …
A familiar parable Jesus told is found in the gospel of Luke. It is usually referred to as the parable of the prodigal son, but I think a better name would be the parable of the unknown father. Why give it a new name? Because the main point of the story is actually about the …
Is it really okay to expect and seek an intimate father-child relationship with The Lord Almighty?
For some, it is a bridge too far. This might be because of the doctrines of their faith house. However, many just can’t figure out how to reconcile honoring God as The Lord Almighty while snuggling close to Him as Abba, Daddy, in the secret place.
The Apostle Paul prayed the most tender prayer over you: For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may …
If I alone testify about Myself, My testimony is not true. There is another who testifies of Me, and I know that the testimony which He gives about Me is true. John 5:31-32 (NASB) As I read these words in John’s gospel this morning, my mind flooded with memories of all the good opinions of …
Have you noticed? The world is singing!
As I write this, we find ourselves in the serious grip of a pandemic of COVID. Social media is filled with videos this past week. Of people fighting over toilet paper — and of people singing in large stores about the awesomeness of God. A friend of mine, who has led worship for Christians for years, posted a video of herself still worshiping in her living room, and inviting us to join her. Even the quarantined folks in Italy are singing to one another from their balconies.
What is going on? The Spirit is stirring. He is always stirring, but usually mankind is not so visibly united in sharing their response to something that is confronting everyone alike.
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
Psalm 48:9
How the world can change in just a few days!
As I write this, the whole world is uniting in a fight against a common enemy — the COVID-19 virus. Anxiety and information swirl around, and questions. Like, What will happen to us all? To the world? Where is God in all this?
