It’s not always easy to trust God, because sometimes, He changes things. And often, His changes aren’t what you had in mind. Friday morning, my eight year old son woke up sick. You could see it in his eyes, but the sore throat and throwing up were also enormous clues that, even as a Read More
Posts by Chips Ross
Toward Greater Love
I stood at our kitchen sink, cleaning away scuzz from repairing a bathroom sink. I was tired at the end of the day, wishing the repair project was done so that I could be in bed. My mind wandered to what was coming next. Tonight had been a ministry night at church, which I had Read More
A Window of Grace
If you were to ask me – right now – ‘hey Chips, how are you doing? How’s life going for you?’, I’d give you a very positive response: ‘My family and I are healthy; we’ve just enjoyed a wonderful Christmas time with extended family. My wife and I have put together a few goals to Read More
A Premature Celebration of Faith?
You’re holding a baby eight days old. So tiny, so cute. Maybe the little one is peacefully asleep. Maybe eyes are wide open, taking in new sights and sounds. In Luke 2:25-35, the very old Simeon holds Jesus, all of eight days old, and celebrates God’s victory. It seems like a very premature celebration! As Read More
A Treasured Interuption
It’s a quiet night at your house, and you are enjoying the rest. Suddenly, a group of strangers arrive at your door, really excited about something. How would you react? Do you invite them in? Do you try to end it as soon as possible? Would you see them as part of what God is Read More
Seeing Jesus through the eyes of faith
Jesus has a good many interesting titles. He is King of kings, wonderful counselor, the Lion of Judah. But as we celebrate His first coming to earth this Christmas, it’s fascinating to note that He came in humble manner. In fact, Isaiah 53:2 promised that He would not be attractive, majestic, or much to look Read More
The Gospel of Isaiah 53
The Word of God is not intended to entertain. Now, I like being entertained. It’s easy, it’s comfortable, it makes me feel good. But in reading Isaiah 53 this morning, my response was not one of being entertained. Instead, I was speechless and humbled. Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Read More
Even A Perfect Man Needs Help
It’s 9:30 at night, and our garage door won’t come down. Yes, I know – first world problems. I’ve tried everything I know, but no success. No progress. I’m reading online articles, my wife is watching videos, but again, no success. We turn to our old standby – calling my father in law. If he Read More
Encouragement for Stormy Nights
It was a dark and stormy night, with the wind howling and the ocean waves rising high. Despair had set in to the crew and passengers aboard the ship. They were lost at sea, and at the mercy of a storm. It had already been two weeks without relief. In such a difficult moment, the Read More
The Good of Waiting
I sometimes wonder in our day of fast food and technology if we’ve lost the virtue of waiting. I see in myself how often I do not like to wait – whether for traffic, for my kids, for a line in the store. And if I’m not being impatient with the waiting, then I’m distracting Read More