love – Page 4 – 300 words a day

especially not after them

Is it better to say “no” and then do what you are asked or is it better to say “yes” and then not get around to it? That’s the heart of a “two brothers” story that Jesus tells. Their dad asks them to work in the vineyard. One argues, one agrees. One goes, one doesn’t. […]

by Jon Swanson

Life is short

[First Friday guest post from Paul Merrill] My mom died in June. She was a month shy of 80. Her life was long and full, by most standards. Psalm 39:4 says: Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered – how fleeting my life is. […]

by Jon Swanson

grinding them down

Jesus was concerned about little children. He said that the road to greatness in the kingdom of heaven ran closer to the playground than the temple courts. And then, after telling the disciples to learn from children, Jesus got graphic: “If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,” Jesus […]

by Jon Swanson

a new week

“Each morning, remind yourself that, for whatever reason, God loves you.” That’s what I told a few hundred people on Sunday. On Mother’s Day, I preached. I wanted to have some simple application from Titus 2. I wanted to walk out with a simple list of doable actions that reflect what Paul tells Titus about […]

by Jon Swanson

worst case

I often think about the worst that could happen. It is a form of optimism, I suppose. If I think of the worst thing that could happen, and it doesn’t, which is most likely, that is a good thing. Unfortunately, the worst that could happen often dissuades us from following Jesus. Matthew 10:34-39 is a […]