by Mike Costanzo | May 9, 2023 | Devotion, Faith, Reflections
What kinds of things in life do you enjoy? What brings you joy, happiness, or pleasure? What delights you, brings a smile to your face, makes you wish it would never end? I think that for most of us, delicious gourmet food or refreshing beverages rank pretty high on...
by Mike Costanzo | Dec 25, 2021 | Devotion, Reflections
Every year, everyone asks my kids if they’ve been good this year. Why? Because, as the legend goes, if they’ve been good then they’ll get presents. Not only that, but the presents-to-goodness ratio is directly proportionate, so the more goodness, the more presents...
by Mike Costanzo | Feb 9, 2013 | Devotion, Reflections
Death. Nobody really likes to talk about it. And for good reason; it’s a raw, gritty topic that throbs with the pain of past losses, the fear of future losses, and the threat of the ultimate loss—ourselves. Even for Christians, who believe that death is...
by Mike Costanzo | Sep 17, 2012 | Devotion, Faith, Reflections
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.1 In the version of the Bible I read, the New Testament talks a lot about the “flesh”—that is, my sinful nature, the part of me that is hell-bent and always wanting to do...
by Mike Costanzo | May 24, 2012 | Devotion, Reflections
One of the things about my seminary experience that changed me for good was the opportunity to take introductory Greek and Hebrew classes. While I am no scholar and unfit to accurately translate anything not written by the apostle John on my own, I have nonetheless...
by Mike Costanzo | Apr 8, 2012 | Devotion, Faith, Reflections
This morning in church my pastor said something profound: Why don’t Christians make more of Easter? He didn’t mean it in a guilt-inducing, shame-on-you sort of way; that doesn’t help anybody. But he had a good point: on Christmas we give gifts and...
by Mike Costanzo | Apr 1, 2012 | Devotion, Faith, Reflections
Oftentimes when God says, “No,” to something we really want, it’s hard to believe that His heart toward us is tender and loving and that He delights to give us good things (Psalm 107:9). But He has been teaching me recently that sometimes when He...
by Mike Costanzo | Mar 30, 2012 | Devotion, Faith, Reflections
I’m reminded tonight that of all the things I put my time and energy into, only two will remain: people and the Bible. People last forever. Whether in Heaven or in Hell, I believe we all have a permanent, everlasting existence. Thus, my time spent with people is...
by Mike Costanzo | Mar 21, 2011 | Devotion, Disaster, Missions
These have been some crazy days…initially I was hoping to blog every day before the trip, but that got blown out of the water because God’s plans have been so much bigger than ours! The team I’m with is now officially 8 people, and in only 6 days God...
by Mike Costanzo | Mar 15, 2011 | Devotion, Disaster
May the floods that they so much dread make blessings break upon their head. -John Piper On March 11, 2011, the dreaded tsunamis swept away hope and life, leaving death and ruin in its wake. The water that swept them forward was dirty and dark, and carried the...
by Mike Costanzo | Sep 7, 2008 | Artwork, Devotion
Have you ever wondered what the Bible would look like if the most common 150 words were ranked, made into different sizes, and arranged together in a huge ‘word cloud’? Well, I hadn’t either until my sister Lisa introduced me to Wordle.net. If you...
by Jen Costanzo | Sep 21, 2007 | Devotion, Japanese Food, Jen
Yesterday, I discovered a new piece of fruit at the grocery store. It has a beautiful periwinkle, lavender smooth skin. It has no smell. It tastes a little like watermelon — full of little seeds. But rather than being crisp and juicy, it’s slightly...
by Mike Costanzo | Apr 8, 2007 | Devotion, Faith, Holidays/Special Events
Happy Easterfrom Japan!!! This morning we celebrate the ressurection of the Lord, who suffered, died, was buried, and then on the third day rose again–and all for us! This morning, our whole team gathered at 6 am, walked to the top of a big hill, and had a time...
by Mike Costanzo | Apr 7, 2007 | Devotion, Faith, Holidays/Special Events
O Come and Mourn with Me Awhile O come and mourn with me awhile, O come ye to the Savior’s side O come, together let us mourn, Jesus our Lord is crucified. Seven times He spake seven words of love; And all three hours His silence cried For mercy on the souls of...
by Jen Costanzo | Mar 23, 2007 | Devotion, Faith, Jen
Being constant. Faithful in prayer. Expectant to see God’s answer. Hearing no news of change. But still praying. If I cannot catch “the sound of noise of rain” long before the rain falls, and, going to some hilltop of the spirit, as near...
by Jen Costanzo | Mar 1, 2007 | Devotion, Jen
Have you ever read a book that felt like it was written just for you? By someone who was looking over your shoulder and penning words just as you needed to read them? I am finishing up a book just like this. I started reading it over Christmas vacation, and it has...
by Mike Costanzo | Dec 10, 2006 | Artwork, Devotion, Jen
For many, many years now, Jen has dreamed of one day writing and illustrating her own original children’s book. In fact, ever since we started dating back in 2000, both of us have been waiting for the day when Jen would finally have the time and energy to...
by Mike Costanzo | Jul 21, 2006 | Devotion, Moving
It’s all about You Jesus, And all this is for You. For Your glory and Your fame. It’s not about me. As if you should do things my way. You alone are God, And I surrender to Your ways. From Jesus Lover of My Soul by Paul Oakley It’s not about me...
by Jen Costanzo | Jul 6, 2006 | Devotion, Friends
Mike introduced me to a Chris Rice song this spring that I can’t get out of my mind. We usually listen to it while we’re driving (granted, usually 55) — but it captures the craziness that we’re about to embrace in the soon-coming future....
