"Pilgrim" Book Review

God has blessed Ruth Chou Simons with incredible talent, not only as an artist, but also in distinctly communicating God's amazing love for us. As I was reading her new book, "Pilgrim," I could hardly wait to turn each page to see the next beautiful work of art. 

I think we all struggle with grasping the fact that we are made righteous through the finished work of Christ on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). Ruth shares the truth of The Gospel with clarity and encourages us to keep our eyes on Jesus. "Perhaps you've tried to outrun lack and limitation with your own resources. Take heart, friend. God desires for you to rediscover, or realize for the first time, that He alone is your sustainer." (Pilgrim, page 150)

"Pilgrim" is a phenomenal book and I hope that you will take the time to read it. It will encourage your heart, challenge your thinking, and nourish your soul.

Walk by Faith

I was recently talking to someone who was struggling with adversity. They were convinced that God was punishing them for a past sin. I was reminded of my own shortcomings and the fact that we have to be intentional about keeping our minds on what is "true and right." (Philippians 4:8)

2 Corinthians 5:7 says "For we walk by faith, not by sight." That sounds simple, but it takes constant reminders from God's Word for the reality of that verse to permeate our thoughts. If we are constantly dwelling on our past mistakes, we are walking by sight and will consequently live in a state of discouragement. 

The Truth is that we are "the righteousness of God in Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:21) And when it comes to our sins, God has removed them "as far as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:12) In other words, He doesn't even see them anymore. When He looks at us, He sees His precious child who has been washed clean with the Blood of the Lamb. "For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17)

Walking by faith involves a constant renewal of our minds. And it reaps a reward of knowing God's will for our lives. What more could we ask for? "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 12:2

My Big Brother, Tom

My biological brother, Glenn, died at birth, so I never had the blessing of knowing him. But somehow, I imagine that he would have been a lot like Tom Green...an endearing mix of annoying older brother with wise confidant and encourager. Tom and Sherry are precious friends and have walked with me through so many phases of life. I would even go so far as to say that their prayers and encouragement saved me during some of the darkest days of my life. For that I am eternally grateful.
God gave Tom amazing insight into the Word of God and he shared it with so much clarity. I was privileged to sit under Tom's teaching ministry for many years in South Florida. I was raised in a very performance-oriented home and had a skewed concept of God's expectations. I could never measure up to my own expectations, let alone God's. But hearing the Truth of how Jesus lived a sinless life for me, because I could never do it on my own was enlightening. The realization that He had to become a man and die a cruel death...taking the punishment for my sin and making me whole and blameless before God seems obvious now, but was a new revelation 40 years ago. I had never known such freedom and began to understand why Jesus said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)
And so to my big brother, Tom Green, I will always appreciate the amazing gift of your friendship, but most of all, I am grateful that you shared the Truth of The Gospel with me in a way that changed my life forever. I know that Jesus is welcoming you with open arms saying, "Well done, good and faithful servant."