Tag Archive for: faith

ODJ: vulnerable
David was commended by God as “a man after My own heart” (Acts 13:22). But when I think of David, two significant events surface: when he took down Goliath (1 Samuel 17:32-50), and when he committed adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-5). One showed David’s victorious faith; the other his notorious sin and defeat.
Because David had been undefeated for the past 20 years, he was
Because David had been undefeated for the past 20 years, he was

ODJ: true fulfilment
How many times have you, as I have, delved into sin—addiction, sexual impropriety, gossip, pride, unbridled anger, slothfulness and more—in an attempt to mask the pain of life? It’s so easy to respond to emptiness, disappointment or hurt by turning away from God’s commands.
We find, however, that sin never leads to the peace or lasting fulfilment we crave. Instead, as we take thing
We find, however, that sin never leads to the peace or lasting fulfilment we crave. Instead, as we take thing

ODJ: the King’s speech
The film The King’s Speech is based on the true story of England’s King George VI. After his brother abdicated the throne in the late 1930s, the new king enlisted the help of an unconventional speech therapist to overcome his problem with stuttering. Together they worked to find the king’s clear voice and his ability to deliver a stirring speech that his nation could stand behind as

ODB: Take Time To Ponder
Parents love to remember the developmental milestones of their children. They will record in a baby book when their little ones first roll over, then crawl, and take their first steps. Often they will take photographs and save baby clothing to bring back the memories of those precious experiences.According to Luke 2:19, Mary, the mother of Jesus, kept a baby book of sorts—in her heart. She treas

ODJ: in the end
As I looked at the goldfish crisp on the floor of my kitchen, I reminisced about the tiny hands of my children and an earlier season in life. Though the fallen crisp was the result of a recent forage, the image made me realise how quickly time passes. As I dealt with sleepless nights, teething babies and potty training, I would have been hard-pressed to believe that the end was soon in sight. The

ODJ: greater than our shame
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God is greater than our shame. Because Saul failed to realise this, his life ended tragically. The Israelites were engaged in a fierce battle and suffered defeat at the hands of the Philistines on Mt. Gilboa. That day the Philistines killed Saul’s three sons and wounded him. Humiliation, torture and death were likely to follow his capture. Unable to endure the shame, Saul committed suicide.

ODJ: not being a “kidult”
In 2005, two teenagers started TheRebelution.com website to encourage fellow young people to exceed low expectations and to do “hard things”. Citing 1 Timothy 4:12, one of its founders said, “As young people we are called to be exemplary in all areas of life. [But] our generation is falling incredibly short of that calling. Instead of serving as the launching pad of life, the teen years are

ODB: Snapping, Snarling Thoughts
Many years ago, my father and I hiked through Big Bend in Texas. It’s a national park now, but in those days it was rough country.One night we were rolling out our sleeping bags when a couple with a dog asked if they could camp nearby. We welcomed their company and turned in for the night. They tethered their dog to a stake beside their tent.Some hours later my father nudged me awake and turned

ODJ: how we know
My sons are picking up on the way TV advertisers play games with viewers, twisting statistics and making outrageous claims. I fear it won’t be long before my boys become jaded and are slow to trust. Many of us struggle with this in our faith:How can I believe anything at all? How can I trust what God says?
The apostle Paul spoke directly to this concern, telling the Colossians th
The apostle Paul spoke directly to this concern, telling the Colossians th
