by Don Freeman | Oct 18, 2025 | Devotional
As Jesus prepared to go public with his ministry, he needed followers to train. Against all approved leadership protocol, he chose for himself twelve anti-heroes, individuals conspicuously lacking in heroic qualities. What did he discern upon meeting these men? Was it...
by Don Freeman | Oct 16, 2025 | Devotional
One step at a time. That’s a familiar motto. It applies to so many things beyond just encouraging a baby to walk (although each one of those early, wobbly steps is momentous and to be celebrated). Professional and Olympic athletes make crazy sacrifices to achieve...
by Don Freeman | Oct 14, 2025 | Devotional
It was not on the radar screen of my life. In fact, it was on the ‘no way’ list of my life. That idea continued blissfully unaltered for 35 years. It was what others did, what others took care of, what others found joy and delight in doing. But not me. Nope. So, God...
by Don Freeman | Oct 11, 2025 | Devotional
Few words of Scripture cause more heart-stirring than the final ones in Matthew’s Gospel when Jesus tells his disciples to ‘go and make disciples of all the nations.’ And he gives this order based not on the sinless perfection or spiritual maturity of his disciples...
by Don Freeman | Oct 9, 2025 | Devotional
In much of today’s society, a ‘thumbs up,’ a ‘check mark,’ or a ‘heart’ emoji, stands in as a ‘like,’ denoting a follower/friend. Based on this as a measure, there are people with thousands upon thousands of ‘friends.’ Granted, they’ve not met the vast majority, and...
by Don Freeman | Oct 7, 2025 | Devotional
Do you ever hear yourself saying something unscripted, unrehearsed, that surprises you? I mean, not in an open-mouth-insert-foot kind of way, and not in a bring-all-conversation-to-an-awkward-halt kind of way? I’m thinking of something that is more than just...
by Don Freeman | Oct 4, 2025 | Devotional
One thing we all have in common is that we purchase insurance: home, car, health, travel, etc. Other than the premiums we need to keep current, these all represent slightly annoying outlays of cash; that is, until there’s a flood in the house, a car accident, a sudden...
by Don Freeman | Sep 27, 2025 | Devotional
We were up and about before the birds Monday morning preparing for a 6:30 AM taxi ride to the airport. As we were plenty ahead of schedule, there was time for a leisurely coffee and croissant before boarding our 9:15 AM flight to Lyon, France. We deplaned outside in...
by Chris Mabey | Sep 25, 2025 | Devotional
Living by the natural order of another, truer world We have had the poetic insights of David, the propitious prophecies of Isaiah and the dazzling dreams of Daniel. Now, Jesus radically redefines kingdom: a place not defended by armies and patrolled by border guards,...
by Don Freeman | Sep 20, 2025 | Devotional
Each morning, on our 15-minute walk to the Vineyard Church here, we join others on their way to school and work; moms and kids, teens on scooters, more on bikes and motorbikes, trucks making deliveries, and the occasional taxi (all of which are the same distinctive...
