Focus Ministries

06/14/2026

On this Sabbath Day, may you find some space for Selah...

06/12/2026

"The Lord is good, therefore all that He does must be good, no matter how it looks....and I can wait for His explanation (Hannah Whitall Smith)." Just to add - The Lord doesn't have to explain Himself to me, He is God, after all; but, One Eternal Day, we will see all things as in a mirror clearly, so there must be some sort of knowing, or explanation, I think.

06/11/2026

On the heels of last week's post ), I ran into this quote by Oswald Chambers (sorry, you'll have to click on the link to read it). I know his writings well, having devoured and re-read many of them. But, I missed the part about the romance as we hear the Lord's voice. Take a look at the deeper meaning of his intent here, and find yourself enjoying the romance of life in Christ Jesus:

On the heels of last week's blogpost, I ran across this quote (above) from Oswald Chambers. If you missed last week's post, you can read ...

06/04/2026

I've been pondering two words this week that have shown up quite often in my Old Testament readings.

"God said..."

To be fair, sometimes it's recorded, "The LORD said..."

But, "a rose by any other name" (right?).

I've read those two phrases so many times through the first half of the Scriptures, I checked to see how often (the word-nerd in me wanted, no needed, to know).

My ESV records 1645 times (and, of course that doesn't count when pronouns are used or other ways to address God).

My point:

God spoke then.

A LOT!

He speaks now.

And, He has not fallen silent. Are we listening? (More here:)

I've read those two phrases so many times through the first half of the Scriptures, I checked to see how often (the word-nerd in me wanted, no needed, to know).

05/28/2026

After weeks and weeks of zeroing in on one topic, it feels awkward and unnatural to switch gears. But, shift it is...
I'm currently Praying Through the Bible (not just reading it through over this year, but doing so with the intention of praying for the generation coming after us). This thought keeps surfacing: The Lord loves honest praying... A few thoughts on that today, "To Kiss God's Lips..."

That’s the only way to begin this week’s blog post. After weeks and weeks of zeroing in on one topic, it feels awkward and unnatural ...

05/21/2026

Seemed only fitting to close out that series I've worked on since February (what it looks like to live between two worlds as Holy Oddballs) with a little Every-Moment-Holy-type-prayer. There is something about a liturgy that puts words into your heart that you don't quite know how to express otherwise. So, I'm lingering a little bit longer in what it means to be an "elect exile" before starting a new series next week. Find the last post of this series right here:

As mentioned before, I like routines, checklists, order and structure. I've learned life doesn't always flow this way, but certain predicta...

05/14/2026

The end. I'm so grateful for the way Peter closes his first letter.
He has chosen his most encouraging and tender words to leave for us, his Holy Oddballs. As I've studied through the book of 1 Peter over the last several months, I have noted that Peter's challenge is not an easy one. He's admitting, in fact, this call is down right difficult.

His ask is for the recipients of his letter to live set apart (between two worlds - this one and the coming Kingdom), to be different (social misfits), and his only assurance is that they can be certain of suffering. And, so, the question that sits heavy on my heart - perhaps yours, as well:

Am I going to be OK?

More here:

And after a little while, the God of all Grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strength...

05/07/2026

In the last chapter of 1 Peter, the apostle of Jesus offers a statement that feels a little bit like an invitation, but also a quiet rebellion: Cast your cares on Him, because He cares for you... Do you see how upside down this is (which makes it perfect for Holy Oddballs)? Everything the world tells us is just the opposite... You can read more about what that looks like here:

Little by little, I'm working my way through the first letter Peter wrote to elect exiles, sanctified sojourners, peculiar people....holy od...

04/30/2026

FACT:
God is fervently, ardently calling His Holy Oddballs to step up and be selfless shepherds--shepherdesses, too. Good shepherds that follow in the footsteps of the Savior. Apprentices to the Chief Shepherd, learning His ways day in and day out. In fact, Peter uses the word: exhort (as in knee-bending-begging) for Jesus-followers to step up... More here in this week's blog:

FACT: God is fervently, ardently calling His Holy Oddballs to step up and be selfless shepherds--shepherdesses, too. Good shepherds that ...