by A.O Joel | Apr 8, 2017 | All Posts
The soldiers heard him yell, “it is finished”. And then, he gave up the ghost. The light of the world was dead. Darkness ensued. Heavens looked away. Hell slides into celebration mode. Demons in hell hugged and kissed. The devil popped champagne with his horde. Christ...
by A.O Joel | Apr 1, 2017 | All Posts
After a little hesitation, she abruptly dashed forward with a certain urgency. She seemed wild as a bear robbed of her cub. As she charged to the aid of her wounded son, he was already sinking under the weight of the cross he bore. Flashes and memories of his early...
by A.O Joel | Mar 25, 2017 | All Posts
As a young boy, walking alone through dark alleys in my neighborhood, I remember how Psalm 23 served as my companion. As I recite this psalm, I would feel a surge of courage. The type you have when you have an adult holding your hands through those unlighted alleys....
by A.O Joel | Mar 17, 2017 | All Posts
In the Garden of Eden, the serpent tapped into Adam and Eve’s desire to be like God to deceive them into disobedience. He crossed his heart and promised them, “You shall not surely die. But your eyes will be opened and you shall be like God.” The wall of Babel was...
by A.O Joel | Mar 10, 2017 | All Posts
Still childless at 100, God made the Abrahams a promise. On a star-studded night, God pointed to the heavens and solemnly swore to them, “I will give you children as plenty as the stars of heaven”. He laughed! And she laughed! He laughed till he could no longer stand...
by A.O Joel | Mar 3, 2017 | All Posts
We always look for springtime as a refreshing time of year when we transition from the cold winter months and into the blooming of God’s nature. The grass begins to grow and the wildlife starts to stir again. Of course, this year is no different. But, spiritually...
by A.O Joel | Feb 22, 2017 | All Posts
Spring of 2014 I bought a young and happy cherry tree from the nursery. Her green leaves show the amount of care she received at the nursery. From day one, I intended maintaining that same level of care in her new home in my garden. I planted my tree and gave her so...
by A.O Joel | Feb 14, 2017 | All Posts
Forbidden. Scandalous. Unthinkable. These words describe God’s love for you. If you are not scandalized by these bible verses, then you have not taken them literally and seriously enough. God’s love is not a parable. It is as real as God is. He honors His words above...
by A.O Joel | Feb 3, 2017 | All Posts
We were almost lost in the middle of the Pacific. We almost capsized in those doldrums. Robert Anderson picture from red bull adventure stories Ships sailed the oceans long before they were equipped with hydraulic motors. They leave the safety of the harbor with...
by A.O Joel | Jan 15, 2017 | All Posts
Give up on time traveling, renounce the habit of doing things tomorrow. Who in the world gets anything done today when they have 365 fabulous days flashing ahead of them? We all fall victim of time traveling! So many days, so many options and the one day that appeals...