Step by Step - Danny Woodall

"Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, "Do you see anything?" And he looked up and said, "I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around." Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly.” Mark 8:23-25

My wife suffered verbal and sexual abuse as a child. To make matters worse, the abuser claimed to be a Christian. I’ve spent hours listening to her tell about her pain, and we’ve talked with a counselor for guidance. It wasn’t until I read the story about the blind man seeing men as trees that I started to understand more about my wife’s problem.

Jesus asked the man what he saw, he didn’t tell him what he should see. I learned not to tell my wife how she should feel, or give her sugar-coated answers. Jesus took the man outside of the city, away from the distractions of the streets. Today society has plenty of advice about abuse, from pointing fingers to the revenge themed Lifetime movies. What we need isn’t the clamor of the world, but time to focus on Jesus for the proper healing.

My wife learned forgiveness, and she’s started the healing process. If I’m not careful, today’s microwave mentality can carry into my walk with Christ. While I would love for all of her problems to disappear in one simple prayer, I realize it will take time. Over the years, I’ve seen the anger and hurt subside. Through the power and grace of God, my wife is becoming a survivor instead of a victim.

Healing comes in stages. While we rejoice with the cripples, it’s easy to overlook other miracles by Jesus. Our mountains will be cast into the sea, sometimes by an earthquake, but sometimes through steady erosion. Christ looks intently at our needs and we can trust Him to supply the healing. When I look intently I am restored.

Do you seek healing? Trust and have the faith of the blind man. Allow the Father to renew and restore.

Danny Woodall lives in Port Neches, TX. He and his wife have three children. He has a monthly column in the Christian Online Magazine, and has written for LifeWay’s Essential Connections and Bible Express magazines. This past year he contributed to Daily Devotions for Writers. He and his wife, Arlene, work with the fourth grade Sunday school.

Texas Grass Fight - By Danny Woodall

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” - Philippians 4:11

On November 26, 1835, one of the most interesting battles of the Texas Revolution took place. Most know about the Alamo, but few know of the Texas Grass Fight.

The Texas army was near San Antonio, when a scout spotted a Mexican mule train. The scout, convinced the mule train was carrying silver to the Mexican garrison, attacked the group. After a brief battle, the Mexicans retreated, leaving their cargo behind. The Texans were eager to seize their loot. Much to their dismay, the bags were full of straw.

It is easy to smile at the Texans, and understand their disappointment. They fought hard, risking their lives for bags of straw. I often do the same in my Christian walk. In the pursuit of contentment, I chase after things I think will make my life better. It might be a new book, class, or gadget. Once I have it, I realize that it is not unique and the search continues for the elusive bags of silver.

Paul discovered the secret to contentment, is in Christ, and in Christ alone. Contentment is not to be confused with complacency. It is not a live and let live attitude. Contentment comes in understanding Christ knows what is best for us, and trusting him to lead our lives.

When I depend on what the world has to offer, I become self-centered, instead of Christ-centered. My mistake is depending on material things. Placing Christ in the center of my life, attending church, reading my Bible and praying keeps everything in place. I already have Christ; I don’t have to run after something else. Failing to do so prevents my growth in Christ

The Texans won the war without capturing the silver. We can overcome Satan without falling for his traps. There is no need to chase the bags of straw the world offers. Christ is all we need. He can calm the troubled seas of our lives. As Christians, we know him as our Savior, but we need to know him as our Prince of Peace.


Danny Woodall lives in Port Neches, TX. He and his wife have three children. He has a monthly column in the Christian Online Magazine, and has written for LifeWay’s Essential Connections and Bible Express magazines. This past year he contributed to Daily Devotions for Writers. He and his wife, Arlene, work with the fourth grade Sunday school.

Life’s Hurricanes - Danny Woodall

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” Matthew 7:24-25

Located a few miles east of Galveston, Texas, Crystal Beach is a collection of beach cabins on one side of the road, and a couple of businesses on the other. In September of 2008, Hurricane Ike destroyed almost every cabin. My wife's cousin sent us pictures of their beach cabin; it was a pile of rumble. The cabin, once sturdy, had withstood storms off the gulf. To rebuild they will have to follow strict regulations. The aerial views of Crystal Beach showed the trail of destruction caused by the hurricane, an awesome reminder of the Sermon on the Mount.

Building my life on the solid foundation of Christ, involves more than singing religious songs or quoting memory verses. It’s putting the teachings of Christ into action. Riding around with a truckload of building material will not help the people of Crystal Beach to rebuild, anymore than a brief feel-good moment will helps me when I have to deal with the storms of life. Both take time and effort.

The rebuilding process at Crystal Beach consists of laying a strong foundation, unloading the material, and putting it together. The manual labor was grueling and the bodies of men were put to the test, but by rebuilding on solid ground the reassurance of safety was in sight.

Building our life around Christ involves action. On Wednesday night, my wife and I sometimes sit with Barbara—a doctor by profession, she brings a notebook with her Bible. My Bible is full of notes scribbled on church bulletins and offering envelopes, not as organized as the doctor’s, but still helpful. There are nuggets in the Sunday and Wednesday night messages. Then I try to work these truths into my day-to-day living. I’m still working on the slow to anger part.

The teachings of the Bible provide a strong framework to build my life on. Both men were builders, and both heard the words of Jesus, but only one heeded His words.

Build your life on the solid rock of Christ and you will be able to withstand the storms of life. Saved by grace, but fortified by God’s Word and obedience.

Danny Woodall lives in Port Neches, TX. He and his wife have three children. He has a monthly column in the Christian Online Magazine, and has written for LifeWay’s Essential Connections and Bible Express magazines. This past year he contributed to Daily Devotions for Writers. He and his wife, Arlene, work with the fourth grade Sunday school.

Searching for Keys - Danny Woodall

“ I will place the key of the House of David on his shoulder; what he opens, no one can close; what he closes, no one can open.” Isaiah 22:22

At one time I took care of the visitors clubhouse for the Beaumont Golden Gators, an affiliate of the San Diego Padres, at a time when corked bats were preferred over steroids. The ballplayers enjoyed pulling pranks, especially on inexperienced batboys. Their favorite trick was to ask a new batboy if he had the key to the batter’s box. Poor kid would search high and low, until they told him it was only a prank. Everyone laughed and moved on.

The Devil has a ring of imaginary keys. Many have fallen for the lie that all roads lead to Heaven. Many search for the key to happiness through material wealth or social prestige. If we listen to the siren call of the world, we will begin to believe sin doesn’t matter and that a special knowledge or experience is what is important. The batboys were so eager to please the ballplayers, they failed to use common sense.

In my eagerness to get along with others, I can compromise my witness. I know that Christ is the key to life, but sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking I am self-sufficient. The early Christians didn’t listen to the world by tending to Christianity one day a week. Nor was Christianity considered their job—it was their life. Only when I develop the passion they possessed for Christ, will I see my world change.

The batboys were red-faced for a few minutes before the embarrassment and anger passed, but they got over it. In the mad house of the minor leagues, I saw the dreams of players realized and broken.

The team moved on to Kansas, and my summers returned to normal. Through all of the changes at the end of the day, I still turn to my Bible to help me make sense of the world. Only by studying the Bible and praying can I know what is real. If I stay grounded in God’s word, I will not waste my time looking for Satan’s fake keys. There is not a magical key to Heaven, only Jesus Christ.

Danny Woodall lives in Port Neches, TX. He and his wife have three children. He has a monthly column in the Christian Online Magazine, and has written for LifeWay’s Essential Connections and Bible Express magazines. This past year he contributed to Daily Devotions for Writers. He and his wife, Arlene, work with the fourth grade Sunday school.

Rollover Pass - Danny Woodall

"Your heart must not be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.” John 14:1

The ship’s captain stared into the darkness; the waters reflected the stars on the moonless night. At dawn, they would sail into Galveston Bay. He peered over the side of the ship and saw three men unloading barrels into a rowboat. The captain was careful not to unload too much and raise suspicion. Once the cargo was loaded, the men headed toward a strip of land a few miles east of Galveston. There they unloaded the cargo, and rolled the barrels to waiting wagons. Their shipment would travel to points beyond, avoiding the tariffs at the Galveston’s docks. This path once used for contraband is now a popular fishing spot, Rollover Pass, Texas.

I share one thing in common with these men who lived almost two hundred years ago. Instead of material goods, I often try to hide my spiritual baggage. Satan loves to focus my mind on my problems. The car note is due, and payday is a week away. Then there is the unexpected trip to the doctor. A troubled mind zaps my spiritual strength and my faith begins to fade.

On Sunday morning, I get ready for church, and leave a barrel of disappointment at home. Inside the church, I become the “Cheerful Christian” with a bad case of spiritual heartburn. I hear the words of the songs, but my mind wanders. The preacher keeps my attention for a couple of minutes, and then I begin to dwell on my troubles. I sit in speechless anxiety as I offer God the motions of worship.

Where is Christ is all of this? He is waiting for us to come to him with all of our problems, waiting for us to unload all of our unwanted cargo at the foot of the cross. In our focus on salvation we overlook the fact that the cross is for believers as well as non-believers, it is by his stripes we our healed. Christ is always there for us, we only have to give him permission to start the healing process, focus our thoughts on Him and His ways. Once we come to the cross, he will unload the unwanted baggage, and start loading our minds with barrels full of love, sacks full of faith, along with bags of hope. Then we can sail the troubled waters of life with confidence.

Danny Woodall lives in Port Neches, TX. He and his wife have three children. He has a monthly column in the Christian Online Magazine, and has written for LifeWay’s Essential Connections and Bible Express magazines. This past year he contributed to Daily Devotions for Writers. He and his wife, Arlene, work with the fourth grade Sunday school.

Freight Train of Blessings -- Danny Woodall

"Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table." Psalms 128:1-3

It is late at night and I hurry home to get the children in bed, in the morning there is work and school. I go down a dark street to save a few miles, turn the corner, and see the flashing red lights and hear the dinging bells of a railroad crossing. In the shadows I see a freight train rolling across the street.

The little voices from the back seat asked, “How long Daddy?”

My wife whispers “Didn’t have to come this way.”

“We could count the cars,” I said. But the kids already knew how to count. Then it hit me. Why not count our blessings. Give the numbers a meaning. We assigned a blessing to each car and before we knew it, the train had passed so we could continue our trek home. Over five years later, my youngest son still reminds me to count our blessings when we’re stopped by a train.

I learned a lesson that night. Why should it take a freight train to get me to stop and count my blessings? After all God had done for the Israelites, they forgot Him. Was I in danger of becoming like them?

Talk about being run over with a train, I was. This temporary inconvenience helped me realize I needed to use my blessings to draw closer to God rather than letting my blessings separate me from the Father.

My job provides well for my family which is a source of my love and comfort. Still, there isn’t a cosmic law that says God has to bless us. He does so because He loves us.

Give God the glory. Turn to Him and He will bless you. Don’t wait for the rumble of a freight train to count your blessings.

Learn the lesson of the freight train.

Danny Woodall lives in Port Neches, TX. He and his wife have three children. He has a monthly column in the Christian Online Magazine, and has written for LifeWay’s Essential Connections and Bible Express magazines. This past year he contributed to Daily Devotions for Writers. He and his wife, Arlene, work with the fourth grade Sunday school.

Silent Wings -- Danny Woodall

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. " Col. 1:9-10


Five hours before the Allied troops hit the beaches of Normandy, glider pilots flew troops and supplies behind enemy lines. Gliders were towed by a cargo plane, and flew at low altitude over the English Channel. Once across the water, the pilots maneuvered the planes to increase altitude and avoid hitting trees. After clearing the trees, the gliders were cut loose to fly over the coastal areas of France. Crossing the English Channel caused many flights to be like a foggy roller coaster ride. After an unusually rough landing, they placed supplies and gave reinforcement to the men landing on the beaches. The exploits of these brave men are included in The Silent Wings Museum located near Lubbock, Texas.

For Christians, this world is like being behind enemy lines. God has given us our own supply package; it’s called the Bible. The truths that are found within its pages will provide strength to get us through the day. They aren’t spiritual facts for us to use in Bible Trivia, but knowledge we can use to live in the manner worthy of Christ.

In the book of James we find that we’re to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. When I have to deal with problems at work it doesn’t matter if I have a quick come back or a smart answer. I should listen and rely on the Holy Spirit to help me act as I should, so those around me will see Christ.

Your daily Bible reading is not just a spiritual exercise routine, but a source of spiritual strength. Let the words of the Bible guide your life, and be a witness for Christ.

Like the Allied troops were able to advance because of the supplies planted by the glider pilots, we will gain strength from God’s Word. In this way, we will advance the cause of Christ.




Danny Woodall lives in Port Neches, TX. He and his wife have three children. He has a monthly column in the Christian Online Magazine, and has written for LifeWay’s Essential Connections and Bible Express magazines. This past year he contributed to Daily Devotions for Writers. He and his wife, Arlene, work with the fourth grade Sunday school.