Proof that you love someone / Love and Marriage

“The proof that you love someone is not that you have warm affectionate feelings toward them. The proof is in your actions, your words and your sacrifice, your willingness to give the best of yourself and your willingness to get nothing in return.” ~Katherine Walden Love is not always a warm and cushy feeling that …

Search Me O God

“Search Me O God” song and video by Bill Hutzel I had recently just become unemployed following the attack of 9/11, and was understandably anxious, desperately wanting to make sense of both the war on our country, and wanting to find gainful employment again. And so I became very introspective when things turned topsy-turvy on …

Journaling to Hear God

When I began journaling, almost a year ago now, it was for the purpose of recording God’s Word to me during a stormy period in my life, not to mention that Storm Sandy was also making havoc on the North East Coast.  Out of nothing else to do at that time, I needed a diversion; …

Victory through praise

Often times it is we who hinder God’s solution to our problems through disobedience to God and unbelief.   So what then can we do to release God’s power over our circumstances?   Merlin Carothers is a well know Christian author who has written numerous books on praise.  He shared in his book “Prison to Praise” …

Prayer of David

God knows us intimately.  He knows our deepest desires and thoughts.  He knows our concerns and fears.  The other day I was reading Psalm 25.  It was timely for me, because I needed to trust in God for something.  Then during Sunday worship service at my church, I felt God speak to my heart.   “Bill, …

Better is sorrow than laughter

In Ecclesiastes 7:3, it says “Better is sorrow than laughter, For by the sadness of the face the heart becometh better.” (Youngs Literal Translation).  The New American Standard Bible says “Sorrow is better than laughter, For when a face is sad a heart may be happy”. I don’t believe that Solomon was saying that laughter …

What if prayers for healing are not answered with a “yes”?

The Story of Zac Smith This is the touching story of Zac Smith who served God for a majority of his life. After being diagnosed with cancer, he was confused and thought he was being punished. Turning to Jesus, his confusion changed to hope and confidence that God had a plan. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOfb5A-i1oc&w=560&h=315]

Cresting the Wave

“For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea and its waves roar (the Lord of hosts is His name).” – Isaiah 51:15 NAS. This is the God Almighty, all powerful, the great “I Am” expressed in Isaiah 51:15.   I used to love walking the beach in Bay Head, New Jersey in …

Embracing Conflict and Suffering

None of us likes conflict, but it is part and parcel with life.   With conflict, often there is suffering.  Conflict can be anything from a disagreement with someone to a struggle of the mind, to a spiritual battle. Failed relationships, businesses that crash, spiritual warfare, are just some of the types of conflict that so …