Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will … Continue reading You Cannot Have Jesus And Your Own Way, Too
Author: MFranseen
"I do not sit down at my desk to put into verse something that is already clear in my mind. If it were clear in my mind, I should have no incentive or need to write about it. We do not write in order to be understood; we write in order to understand." C.S. Lewis
Books I Enjoyed In 2019
It's hard for me to capture all my thoughts and feelings about every book I read in 2019. I read too many to cover in one post and chose those that particularly stood out to me for one reason or another. I don't necessarily agree with everything set forth in these books, but believed they … Continue reading Books I Enjoyed In 2019
Will It Be A Happy New Year?
“Happy New Year!” It’s the refrain repeated across social media, among friends and family, and even offered to total strangers as one year rolls into the next. We long to be happy and live in a happy world. We wish it for ourselves and for those we love. A new year feels like a new … Continue reading Will It Be A Happy New Year?
If You’re Hurting, Christmas Is For You
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 A holiday such as Christmas can be particularly difficult following a deep loss, heavy grief, stinging disappointment, or season of struggle. There are gifts to purchase and wrap, parties to attend, cards to mail, … Continue reading If You’re Hurting, Christmas Is For You
God Came To Man
God Came to Man Marcella Franseen O blessed wretch am I! For me, God came to die. Holy baby born of Mary, My sin to one day carry. No palatial room for He Who spoke the world to be. Only a manger for His bed Where lowly animals have fed. O the thorny crown … Continue reading God Came To Man
Three Ways To Grow In Contentment In A Disappointing World
Do you want great wealth? 1 Timothy tells us great wealth doesn't come from adding more money or material possessions to our lives, but in living for God and being content. As Christians, I think we understand the call to live godly lives, even if we struggle to do so consistently, but contentment seems to … Continue reading Three Ways To Grow In Contentment In A Disappointing World
Good Works: The Breath Of Faith (James 2:14-26)
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you … Continue reading Good Works: The Breath Of Faith (James 2:14-26)
The Discovery Of Hoarded Fetal Remains Highlights Post-Abortion Grief
On September 12, 2019, the family of deceased abortionist Ulrich "George" Klopfer discovered fetal remains stored in his garage. Klopfer was a hoarder. Apparently, the items he hoarded included the body parts of babies killed in abortions he performed. Klopfer resided in Illinois but practiced as an abortionist in Indiana before losing his medical license … Continue reading The Discovery Of Hoarded Fetal Remains Highlights Post-Abortion Grief
Faith And Favoritism Cannot Coexist: James 2:1-13
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention … Continue reading Faith And Favoritism Cannot Coexist: James 2:1-13
No One Chased Fireflies This Summer
Today is our last day of summer vacation; tomorrow begins a new school year. We're ready. Clothes are laid out, pencils are sharpened, backpacks are full of new books and clean paper. The anticipation of a fresh year buzzes between us like static electricity. You can feel the energy in the air. It was a … Continue reading No One Chased Fireflies This Summer
