John Woodward

Although our family has not been too caught up in the fitness craze, we did acquire some exercise equipment. But one contraption I have use is a “rebounder”. The would-be athlete can jog in place on this miniature trampoline, rebounding up and down. Evidently this motion has some additional health benefits–stimulating the body’s lymph system.[1]…

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.’ ” (Psalm 91:1,2). These days there are so many threats to our security. Globally, there is…

The Age Old Search Back in 323 B.C. Alexander the Great ruled an empire that stretched from Greece and Egypt in the west to upper India in the east. This man seems to have epitomized the search for significance. Alexander was told by his mother that he was a descendant of Achilles, so he learned…

In Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserables,” the main character had a life-changing experience of forgiveness. After finally being released following 19 years in a chain gang, Jean Valjean stole some silver from a kind bishop who took the risk of offering him hospitality for the night. Valjean was caught and arrested. Instead of condemning the thief,…

The hymn by Henry Van Dyke beautifully expresses the importance of having a merry heart: Joyful, Joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love, Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill…

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thess. 5:23,24). Paul’s prayer for personal holiness for believers in 1 Thessalonians 5:23,24 focuses…

A friend wrote to me: “Regarding the Exchanged Life, have you thought about how easy it might be to sort of slip over the line into performance again? I’m struggling there again. I know Christ does the living through me as I yield to Him, but the times that it is flesh and not Christ…

A radical change of personal perspective has been coined “a paradigm shift.” Leadership consultant, Steven Covey, explains this concept:”The term paradigm shift was introduced by Thomas Kuhn in his highly influential landmark book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Kuhn shows how almost every significant break-through in the field of scientific endeavor is first a break…

There is a wonderful interrelationship between the Holy Spirit and Christ’s work on Calvary’s cross. Jesus Christ’s example This connection of the Spirit and Calvary is seen in Christ’s example. When the Lord Jesus was baptized in the Jordan, identifying Himself with fallen man, then the Holy Spirit descended upon Him (Matt. 3:13-17). Jesus was…