Author Archives: chuckkralikauthor

What an older woman taught me about Jesus Listen to my podcast of this devotion here. “Come near to God and he will come near to you…” (James 4:8, NIV). I dated young. I was but ten years old, a dashing adolescent male in the fourth grade, going about my day-to-day business when I gotContinue reading “Going Steady”

My dad could fix anything, almost. Listen to my podcast of this devotion here. “…having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; (Jesus) has taken it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14, NIV). From my childhood perspective, my dad could fix anything.  A carpenter by tradeContinue reading “Hammer and Nails”

Perspective, wisdom, and the changing nature of faith “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” (1 Corinthians 13:11, NIV) God in far-away places To say that my childhood view ofContinue reading “All Grown Up, Mostly”

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins…” (Ephesians 2:1, NIV). There are many expressions used to describe death. The more polite and appropriate ones include “at rest” and “departed”. Among the more insensitive are “pushing up daisies”, “bought the farm”, and “six feet under”. One of the expressions for death IContinue reading “Dead as a Doornail”

“…to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21, NIV). In his bestselling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen R. Covey offers several best practices of leadership. Principles such as “Be Proactive”, “Begin With the End in Mind”, and “Sharpen the Saw” instruct the reader on how to excel inContinue reading “To Live and To Die”

“…(Jesus said), ‘the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you’” (John 14:26, NIV). This March will mark the five-year anniversary of my dad’s passing, and I can honestly say that there’s not a dayContinue reading “Never Alone”

“(Jesus said,) ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’” (Matthew 11:28, NIV).  As a kid, I had this reoccurring dream, a nightmare really. I don’t remember many of the details. What I do recall is that I’m standing beside a large body of water. As each ofContinue reading “Stress Blobs and Burdens”

“He says, ‘Be still and know that I am God…’” (Psalm 46:10, NIV). I have often longed to hear the voice of God, if for no other reason than to confirm what I already know – that he is real, that he is present, and that he cares for me.  Perhaps his voice is deafenedContinue reading “The God of Silence”

“…when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman…” (Galatians 4:4, NIV). Of all the players in the Christmas story, Jesus takes top billing. He is Immanuel – God With Us, the Savior given for all mankind. It seemed such a passive act, simply being birthed into the world.Continue reading “The Characters of Christmas: Jesus”

“(Herod) sent (the Magi) to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him’” (Matthew 2:8, NIV). The Biblical writers of the Christmas narrative offer a sharp contrast between those who would honor the newborn JesusContinue reading “The Characters of Christmas: Herod and the Magi”