The Inkers Pen

"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." Mark 10:15 KJV Step into the world of a child, and suddenly the ordinary becomes the enchanted extraordinary. You'll see kingdoms rise from couch cushions, ballerinas twirl across the room, soldiers march into castles armed with nothing more than cardboard swords and boundless imagination. Their joy is a fountain, flowing and bubbling without hesitation, without shame. I confess—I've been there. I used to fill a wheelbarrow with rubber ducks, add water, and proudly declared I was training dolphins for Sea World. And from the towering heights of my puppy's doghouse (our very own Mt. Everest), I practiced bird calling and even tossed out a yodel or two. In those moments, my world was limitless, and my heart was as free as the cotton candy clouds above me. Imagine yourself reaching for God with that same abandon—no tongue-tied prayers, no rehearsed words ... just music rising from the soul without a script. You see, God doesn’t require performance; He desires presence. He longs to walk inside your thoughts and cradle your dreams, to know your inner child wants Him and only Him. That’s the kind of love He craves—a devotion unclouded by fear of critics or cynics, a surrender untethered from self-consciousness. As the verse reads: "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein" (Mark 10:15 KJV). Beloved, do not let your older child silence your inner child. Allow your spirit to rise and soar among the cotton candy clouds. Heavenly Father, Childlike faith is the doorway to Your kingdom and is easier said than done. Teach me to lay down pride and hesitation and come to you with simple trust. Quiet the critics and cynics in my mind, and clothe me in the freedom of a child who simply delights in worshiping You. In Jesus name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks 1. Are you holding back parts of your heart from the One who already knows you completely? 2. When was the last time you felt free in God's presence? God doesn’t require performance; He desires presence.~~LM

"And it was right and proper that God, who made everything for his own glory, should allow Jesus to suffer, for in doing this he was bringing vast multitudes of God’s people to heaven; for his suffering made Jesus a perfect Leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation" (Hebrews 2:10 TLB). Sometimes life can feel like a rickety rope bridge swaying over a canyon of chaos. Storms howling, planks creaking, and we're clutching the ropes wondering why we ever left the safety of our home. In these moments, it’s natural to ask: Does God really understand my mess? I mean, sure—He’s omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. He's the Holder of all the “omnis.” But does He get what it’s like to slog through rush hour traffic while having an existential crisis over reheated leftovers? Does He understand what it feels like to sit beside a hospital bed, or to bury a dream—or worse, a loved one? Does God, from His throne in the heavens, feel the gut punch of grief or the slow burn of anxiety? Yes … yes, He does. You see, Jesus didn’t just peek over heaven’s edge and shout encouraging things from above—He crossed the canyon. He walked the bridge, plank by plank, storm by storm, not just as our Savior but as our trailblazer. He became human … "And it was right and proper that God, who made everything for his own glory, should allow Jesus to suffer, for in doing this he was bringing vast multitudes of God’s people to heaven; for his suffering made Jesus a perfect Leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation" (Hebrews 2:10 TLB). Dear friend, Jesus became the bridge. Not a quaint little footbridge, either—think suspension bridge, gold-plated with grace and reinforced with suffering. He spans the impossible distance between our broken world and God’s wholeness, between our worst day and His perfect love. Jesus knows how fear gnaws at us in the dark. He’s felt exhaustion press down like a boulder. He’s cried, bled, been betrayed, and buried. And because of all that, He doesn’t just understand what we're going through—he’s able to carry us across that bridge. Safely. Surely. Lovingly. So if you’re standing on the edge today, staring into the vastness between where you are and where you want to be, remember this: the bridge has already been built. The Holder of the "omnis" is waiting for you—arms open, eyes kind, and a smile full of sincerity and welcome. That's our God. Isn’t He wonderful? Heavenly Father, When the storms of life howl and the planks beneath my feet creak, help me remember you are limitless in power. I thank you. Father, for your son, Jesus—who understands my every hurt, my every pain. He's my bridge and his presence is the assurance I need to walk through the chaos and stand on the other side. In Jesus' name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks Where in your life do you feel like you're standing on a shaky bridge? How does it change my view of God to know Jesus fully understands my pain? "He's the Holder of the “omnis.” ~~LM

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 And just like that another camp season comes to an end. A season full of sunburns and salvation stories, bug bites and Bible verses, soggy socks and sacred moments, fun times and forever memories. Counselors and staff have walked through more than just the woody trails this summer—they’ve walked with campers full of questions, middle schoolers filled with midnight energy, teens full of snacks and snark. But … they survived. They endured the blazing heat, the one-too-many rainy days, and yes, the spiritual highs and midweek sugar crashes. And through it all, God showed up. Again and again and again. This verse ... “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV) ... reminds us that everything—yes, even wiping ice cream off the picnic tables, sweeping french fries into a dustpan, standing at the dishwasher all day, or sorting through mountains of wet clothes to find a lost sock for a crying child—can be done to the glory of God. You see, it’s not just the big chapel moments or the powerful campfire confessions. Nope. It’s leading worship songs for the fiftieth time, teaching memory verses with sun in your eyes, watching the go-karts circle the track for hours on end. It’s hooking a child into the safety harness at the zipline, or embracing and calming a homesick camper with a Gatorade and a prayer. Whatever your position, each moment matters. Why? Because they give glory to God. Because if you did these moments in love and pointed one camper just a little closer to Jesus—it mattered. It glorified our Savior. You, precious one, stepped into the shoes of a faithful servant who fought the good fight, who finished the course, who kept the faith. So, as the camp season comes to an end, take heart and remember: Every bug bite, every Bible study, every belly laugh counted! You served with your heart, you gave it your all—and you did it to glorify God. Heavenly Father, Thank You for showing up in the highs and the lows of this season. Thank You for every camper, every moment of laughter, every tough conversation, every salvation, and every quiet whisper of Your Spirit. Help me to remember: whether I eat or drink, or whatever I do, may I do it all for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks 1. What moment stands out as the one that made you feel like you really made a difference? 2. How can I carry this camp-season faith into my everyday life?

“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 NKJV Welcome to camp season—the time when s’mores multiply, bug spray becomes cologne, SPF 50 becomes your second skin, the zip lines zip, go-karts race, and just like that you are responsible for the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of a dozen kids. (No pressure, right?) Parents drop off their children, and for one full week, Jesus becomes the number one topic. But let’s be real: some days you'll feel like you're standing in a thick forest, wrapped in fog so dense you can’t see the next step. Between homesick first-timers, Gatorade-fueled campers on the move, and your own exhaustion, the path ahead may feel murky. That’s when Psalm 119:105 glows like a flashlight in your pocket: “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” You see, God’s Word won’t always give you the full map—but it gives you enough light for the next faithful step. And sometimes? That step looks like patience. Or grace. Or just knowing when to hand out a snack and say a prayer. Some days, your faith will shine bright—like a bonfire lighting the way to the Chapel in the Woods. Other days, it might feel like a flickering candle in the wind. But even a flicker challenges the darkness. Why? Because God is the keeper of your flame. He’s steady, even when you’re not. Let's step into Paul’s sandals for a minute. His life wasn’t all mountaintop moments. In fact it was more like a long hike with blisters and storms. God didn’t give Paul a spiritual fast-pass or zap him with a divine upgrade. Nope. He shaped him—day by day, step by step. Just like God's shaping you. So, to all the counselors, leaders, kitchen crew, day camp workers, lifeguards, behind-the-scenes maintenance heroes, games/utility legends, clipboard-wielding secretaries, craft-maker, videographer, and the nurse—whatever your role—remember this: God doesn’t expect you to light up the whole forest. He only wants you to hold the lamp, trust the light, and keep walking. When you feel like you're day is running on prayers, cling to this promise: “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:3). This summer, let God's Word be your guide, and through all the chaos, joy, noise, laughter, and quiet moments— remember His light is always enough. Heavenly Father, Thank You for calling me into this wild, wonderful, sometimes chaotic adventure called camp. I admit—there are days when I feel like I’m running on empty, covered in bug spray and sunscreen, trying to remember where I left my Bible and my coffee. But You, Lord, never lose track of me. Ever. I thank You for being the light in the fog, the whisper in the noise. You are faithful. You are near. And Your light is always enough. In Jesus, name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks When the day gets tough and you're walking through fog, how might God be asking you to trust Him for taking your next step? Are you carrying the pressure to be everything for everyone, or are you letting God be the source of the light while you hold the lamp?

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 NKJV We’ve all taken a swim inside a tidal wave of chaos. You're looking for help, but no one has an answer. The electrified stress you’re dealing with is problematic. Devices won’t sync. Music won’t play. Anxieties rise. Your eyes scan the room for help, and the countdown continues toward the zero mark. Surely someone can help, someone knows something. An observer in the background stands with arms crossed—silent, calm, watching. They had the knowledge to bring peace into the chaos … but did not. Instead of stepping in, they stepped back. Not only did they withhold help—they smirked at the frantic attempts to fix what they themselves could’ve handled. They allowed the pressure to rise. They let people sink under the weight of failure. And sadly, they enjoyed it. Then, for whatever reason, the observer decided to “save the day.” His action looked like a rescue. It felt like grace. But it wasn’t. It was manipulation in disguise. A cruel game of withholding help for the sake of what? … personal control? Spite? The "save" may have looked like success in the end, but something much deeper was lost in the process: Integrity. Our Jesus calls us to be something better, to do better. When we withhold help that could ease someone’s burden, when we watch others struggle just for spite, we aren’t walking in love. Nope. We’re walking in pride; we’re trolling with hate. You see, integrity isn’t measured by what we do when eyes are on us—it’s measured by what we do when no one expects anything. Jesus wants us to do good. In fact, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17 NKJV). Dear friend, this devotion isn’t about the chaos—it’s about the heart. Jesus didn’t watch from a distance while we floundered in the undertow of a tidal wave’s chaos. No. He dove in. He gave everything—even His life—so we wouldn’t drown alone. Let’s be like that. Let’s be people of integrity. People who serve, who step forward and help with a full heart of love and kindness. Heavenly Father, Help me to always see others through your eyes. When problems arise, may I always respond with love, humility, and integrity. If spite rears its ugly head, teach me to serve from the heart, to help when there is a need. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Spritual Sparks Have you ever withheld help when you knew you could’ve made a difference? What held you back—and what might Jesus be inviting you to do differently next time?

"But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one." 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NKJV What does the word faithful mean to you? Does it mean family and friends? Do you think of your dog? Cat? Maybe the ancient geyser “Old Faithful” erupts inside your brain? (No pun intended;-) Anyhow, here's Google's definition of faithful: being loyal, true, and reliable, particularly in relationships or when adhering to promises, duties, or obligations. As I read the definition, God and all His promises came to mind. I thought of Jesus walking out of the tomb, Lazarus coming to life, and the woman at the well. Let's not forget about the apostle Paul. This man stayed loyal and true toward God throughout his entire prison term—and God's faithfulness never failed him once. Think about it: there's a double-sided faithfulness going on here or in layman's term: God had Paul's back, and Paul had God's back. I love the imagery of God guarding Paul's back, standing as his shield on the battlefield. I can see Paul charging forward, sword drawn—not of steel, but of Spirit—preaching God's Word with divine protection. In 2 Thessalonians 3:3, Paul says, “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” That's not just a feel-good fortune cookie quote. No. Those words were written by Paul, a promise etched in eternity. Paul also testifies, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” (1 Timothy 1:12 NKJV). God didn't choose Paul because he had it all together—lest we forget Saul. He chose Paul because our God is faithful to strengthen and empower the willing. You see, God always has your back. Dear friend, faithfulness isn't about perfection. It's about presence. It's about showing up like Old Faithful— constant, regular, and maybe even a little dramatic sometimes. But also, steady and dependable, and handing your whole heart over to God. You don't have to be flawless for God to guard your back—only faithful ... and just like Old Faithful erupting on cue, our God always arrives on time with grace, strength, and protection. Heavenly Father, Thank You for always showing up—for guarding my heart, my back, and my calling. Strengthen me to return that faithfulness, not perfectly, but persistently. Teach me to be steady in my love, loyal in my service, and bold in my trust. Help me be like Old Faithful—reliable, ready, and rooted in You. In Jesus' name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks Think of a time when God "had your back." What did that look like, and how did it shape your faith to have His back?

“He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28:6 KJV As the first rays of dawn pierce through night’s veil, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary (Matthew 28:1 KJV) make their way to Jesus’ tomb. The air is thick with dew and sorrow, and their hearts are heavy with grief. They carry the silent echoes of a lost love. Each step is slow, as if their souls are afraid of what they may or may not find. As they approach the tomb, Heaven shakes the earth and the ground trembles beneath their feet. A radiant angel descends, bright as lightning, clad in a robe as pure as freshly fallen snow. He rolls away the stone—not with effort, but with authority—and sits atop it, as though to say: The door to eternity now stands open and death lies dethroned. The women freeze in a storm of confusion and awe. Grief still clings, but something new flickers. As they peer inside the tomb—eyes wide, breath held—a spark of wonder ignites. The tomb. Empty. Desperation grips their gaze as the angel speaks words that turn the world upside down: “He is not here, for he has risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:6 KJV). The stone slab on which Jesus laid, now a vacant space where eternity broke through time. The unthinkable made real! Death—rewritten by Love. Resurrection doesn’t just challenge faith. It invites us into a divine mystery—where God’s promises soar beyond all human doubt. You see, in a world obsessed with proof and logic, Matthew 28:6 is where the tangible embraces the Divine, where darkness bows before the light, where faith trusts a God who doesn’t just break rules—He breaks graves. This Easter as we kneel at the cross, weep at the tomb, and rise with the resurrection, let’s thank the two Marys. Despite their heartbreak, they showed up when all seemed lost. They found our Savior didn't just destroy death—He conquered it. Through His victory, we find redemption, rebirth, restoration. We find life without expiration. We find ... resurrection reality. Beloved, Jesus is alive. He is risen indeed. Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of eternal life, for the empty tomb, and for the hope resurrection brings. In moments of doubt or fear, remind me that Love conquers death and that mercy owns the final word. Lord, shape my heart to reflect Jesus' peace, grace, and joy. Teach me to share Jesus' love in all I do and to carry Your light throughout this broken world. In Jesus' name. Amen.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV Daylight Saving Time arrives this Sunday—a dreaded morning when we all lose an hour of sleep. We wake up feeling as if we've stepped onto a treadmill spinning at full speed. Our alarms blare like sirens of betrayal, coffee feels as weak as a toddler's handshake, and church pews have a mysterious number of missing members. I remember last year's time change all too well. For some reason I went to bed knowing the clocks would spring ahead but woke up in the morning blissfully unaware … until I glanced at the clock on my nightstand. Panic hit me like a bucket of ice water. I had exactly fourteen minutes to be somewhere that took twenty minutes to drive to. Could I make it? Probably not. Maybe? My math was not mathing. I threw on my clothes with the grace of a raccoon in a laundry basket, grabbed a cup of coffee but forgot the cream, then sprinted to the car—only to realize my gas tank was running on hope and a prayer. By the time I arrived—breathless and questioning my life choices—I realized I wasn’t the only one frazzled. Two of my friends looked like their alarm clocks attacked them. The lost hour can be such a menace, right? Seriously, what happens to that lost hour? Does it fall into a Daylight Saving Time black hole for misplaced time? Maybe it's floating on a cosmic lost-and-found cloud? No one knows. What I do know: Time ultimately belongs to God. He owns it. He created it. So, even as our man-made clocks spring ahead, I'd like to believe God simply snatches the lost hour out of the thin air, tosses it into the night sky, and creates a shining new star—untouched, unbothered, and twinkling for all to see. So, as we adjust to the panicked grogginess of spring's disappearing hour, rest assured time is never really lost. No, not at all. Dear friend, it simply twinkles throughout the universe, reminding us: " To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV). Heavenly Father, When the seasonal hour springs ahead, help me remember that Your timing is always perfect and there is a purpose for everything under heaven. May I always trust that You are in control of every second of our life and may the twinkle of time remind me that nothing is ever truly lost when it rests in Your hands. In Jesus' name. Amen. Spiritual Sparks Just as God placed the rainbow in the sky as a sign of His promise, spend a few moments reading these verses about stars and God’s sovereignty over time: Matthew 2:2 – "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him." (NKJV) Interpretation-->The Star of Bethlehem led the wise men to Jesus, showing God's perfect guidance and timing. Psalm 147:4 – " He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name." (NKJV) Interpretation--> God numbers and names each star, just as He is in control of every moment of our lives. Job 38:7 – "When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?" (NKJV) Interpretation-->The morning stars sang as God laid the foundations of the world—time itself is His creation. Revelation 22:16 – "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." (NKJV) Interpretation--> Jesus, the Bright Morning Star, is our ultimate reminder that God reigns over time and eternity.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV Issues. We all have them. Money issues, work issues, food issues, people issues… and then there’s the back—an issue with a personality as moody as a junkyard dog with trust issues. Ah, the back. That one body part that seems to have signed a secret agreement with gravity to make life miserable. I’ve been fighting back issues for a while now. Some days, it’s just an annoying ache. Some days, I sprint up the steps with a basketful of laundry. Other days, I map out each step, like I'm navigating a minefield. Anyone who’s dealt with back pain will tell you—it’s awful. No sugarcoating it. But hey, life is life. We adjust. We cope. We figure it out. The good news? We don’t have to figure it out alone. God helps us "get by." No. Nix that—He more than helps us "get by." He walks with us through the pain, whether it's physical, emotional, or spiritual. Whatever path we experience for the day—whether it's a tough conversation, an aching body, or the never-ending struggle of keeping it all together—He’s there. You see, life is a lesson. Or maybe it’s a test. Either way, before the lesson or the test, there’s always a trial. And trials? Well, we either fight them, fear them, or learn from them. Jesus knew all about trials. I often think about him spending 40 days and 40 nights in the wilderness, tempted by Satan at his weakest moment. No food. No company. Just him—head bowed, hands folded in prayer, kneeling at the edge of despair, exhausted, hungry, and wondering how much more he could bear. It’s almost surprising He didn’t just throw up His hands and say, "You know what? I’m out. Beam me up, Father." But He didn’t. Instead, Jesus relied on prayer. Constant, intimate, desperate prayer. Day and night, night and day, he sought His Father’s strength. He prayed for endurance, for protection, for the ability to walk out of that wilderness stronger than when He walked in. So, yeah, life is hard. Life has issues—big ones. But Jesus had issues too. He faced trials. He endured suffering. But one thing He never did? Doubt. He kept His connection with God open, knowing that all He had to do was: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7 NKJV) Precious one, whatever your issue—whether it’s your back, your bank account, your home life, or just trying to make it through the day—remember: Jesus gets it. And God’s got you. Heavenly Father, Thank You for always having our backs, even through life's toughest trials. Help us to trust in Your presence and guidance. Strengthen us, relieve our burdens, and remind us that with You, we are never alone. In Jesus' name. Amen. SPIRITUAL SPARKS What lessons can I learn from Jesus' perseverance and reliance on prayer during His trials in the wilderness? How can I remind myself that God understand my struggles is always there to support and lift me up?