risingwiththeson

Rise Above with Gratitude

I’ve been feeling under the weather lately (tis the season, after all). Last weekend, I was too tired and weak to even want to get out of bed. But as I lay there, looking at my phone, a recent photo of Lucas which my brother had shared that week came up. When you’ve seen himContinueContinue reading “Rise Above with Gratitude”

A Ministry Outside of Church Walls

When my nephews were born three months prematurely, we found ourselves making daily visits to the hospital. Little did we know that along the way, we were also going to encounter other parents just as much in need of prayer and support. My brother and his wife made friends with many of the parents inContinueContinue reading “A Ministry Outside of Church Walls”

Where is the Glory?

She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”’ (1 Samuel 4:21-22 NIV) The ark of God was symbolicContinueContinue reading “Where is the Glory?”

Avoid Shortcuts

For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, “They’re yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they’re yours.” (Matthew 4:8-9) This might sound shockingContinueContinue reading “Avoid Shortcuts”

Are You Intimidated by the Devil?

Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind]. (1 John 4:4 AMP) We were out on the playground with theContinueContinue reading “Are You Intimidated by the Devil?”

Staying Calm in the Storm

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:35-36 NIV) Ever noticed how calm Jesus was during times of tragedy? The story ofContinueContinue reading “Staying Calm in the Storm”

Don’t Delay Your Healing

There’s an interesting story in John chapter 5 about a man who was sick for 38 years. When Jesus met him, He asked him if he wanted to get well. But the man began to tell Jesus how many people had been getting ahead of him to get healed. So Jesus simply told him toContinueContinue reading “Don’t Delay Your Healing”

Phony Christians

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miraclesContinueContinue reading “Phony Christians”

Everyone’s Worth Melting For

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18 NASV) In Disney’s Frozen, Elsa unintentionally freezes her sister Anna’s heart. When the evil Prince Hans leaves Anna to die slowly in the cold, Olaf, the snowman, comes to herContinueContinue reading “Everyone’s Worth Melting For”

It is the Lord!

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” (John 21:7 NIV) When the resurrected Jesus appeared again to His disciples, by the Sea of Galilee, He was recognized by the miraculous catch of fish. Just a few years earlier, they had witnessed a similar miracle (Luke 5:1-11), so John couldn’tContinueContinue reading “It is the Lord!”