I remember feeling more than ready to close the calendar on 2007 and welcome in a New Year. Each January 1st arrives with hopes, plans, and goals. But the first few months of the new year were equally hard . . . so much so that our friends started calling us the “high maintenance prayer…
I can’t believe we’ve come to the end of The Faith Project. I’ll never come to the end of learning and growing . . . but this week closes out my year of digging deep and writing about twelve themes I believe are important parts of a life of faith. Freedom Love Wisdom Prayer Humility Patience Stillness…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. A little less than two weeks until Christmas but in many households joy-filled wonderful is not filling the air. I’ve heard from a number of people who feel there is not enough time, money, or energy to see them through to the end of the year. They’re exhausted…
It’s the last month of The Faith Project. I can hardly believe it. We’ve taken a close look at Freedom in Christ, Love, Wisdom, Prayer, Humility, Patience, Stillness, Goodness, Peace, Worship, and Gratitude. Let’s end the year with Joy. Joy that goes deep into the heart and soul dwelling in the presence of God Himself. Here…
I sometimes wonder if we might not have a distorted view of Jesus. If we mold Him into who we think He is or who we want Him to be not who He really is. There are people want a warm and fuzzy Jesus. Someone who overlooks sin and makes them feel good about themselves. Others…
Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NCV) Really? Whatever happens? When I was curled up in the fetal position broken and feeling like I’d never feel happy again giving thanks was not a priority. Slowly, I began finding reasons to be thankful ….
Do you ever need a little extra inspiration to jumpstart feelings of thankfulness? I do. Some days are just hard and as I look around it’s hard to feel thankful in the midst of so much chaos and confusion. But there is always a reason to be thankful. Always. God is great. He is…
I’m not proud of this… I’ve had too many times in my life when all I could focus on was the problem. Like the eight years we struggled with secondary infertility, or when Rev was so sick, or when I allowed a problem with a child to consume my thoughts. And if I sat here for…
Why do you worship God? Seriously, stop for a minute and think about it . . . why do you worship God? Do you worship Him because… You were brought up that way? The Bible tells says you should? You like getting together with like-minded people? It’s good for your children? You don’t know it…
I googled Why Should You Worship When You Don’t Feel Like it and wasn’t surprised to find millions of possibilities. What I did find interesting was that most of the things listed on the early pages had to do with not feeling like going to church. And I get it. That’s an issue. But we’ve…
I walk outside in the morning and lift my eyes. Trees blow in the breeze as clouds drift across the sky. Birds sing as squirrels and chipmunks scurry and I stop for just a moment to watch my little world and worship the Creator. The One who alone is worthy of my praise. Then I…
My favorite definition for the word worship is… Offering your entire life . . . your everyday, ordinary, sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life. It’s as much attitude as action! Do you ever get confused by Jesus’ words about worshipping in spirit and truth? “But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will…
I’ve been reading through Leviticus and Numbers lately. I know. Who reads through Leviticus and Numbers? Obedience. Worship. Lists. Rules. Count this group. Assign this task. Offer that sacrifice. And we can’t help but wonder why? What is the message of these two hard to read and harder to process Old Testament books? In Leviticus,…
In response to Satan offering Him everything in the world for His worship, Jesus replied, ” Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only Him. Matthew 4:10 Who is this God you and I worship? The “I AM.” The One who…
You’re wonderful! Yes, you! But if you’re like me, you’ve already thought of a dozen ways to disagree those words. I never think of myself as wonderful. Most of the time I go straight to the superficial . . . to appearances. And all I see are imperfections. I started treatment for acne last week. Seriously,…
Do you believe God is who He says He is? Do you believe He is the “I Am”? I know it takes strong faith to have big peace . . . especially when life is hard. But strong faith in anything that isn’t true or able to keep promises might make us feel better but…
This is for you, the one hurting with silent grief. The one whose life has been altered by a loss or event that’s left you feeling broken and alone. You can’t talk about it. There are reasons known only to you. You see people grieving openly and you envy the love, support, and understanding they receive….
We have an Early Alert System in our community. An automated system that calls to let us know when a potentially dangerous storm is coming. I wonder if you and I would like an Early Alert System for our lives? Something that would let us know when we are about to be hit by a big…
I’m excited to dig deep into peace this month. If you’d known me a little over a decade ago, you’d have said I was the last person in the world who should be talking about peace. I was diagnosed with high anxiety depression, living in a constant state of agitation and worry. Peace always seemed like it was just…
Peace – that tranquil feeling that flits in for occasional moments and then disappears for far too long . . . everyone wants it but few have it. I crave calm. No thrill seeker here. I want peace in my relationships and peace in my heart and mind. But even as we talk about wanting…
“Grief is such a weird, uncontrollable beast. You never know when or where or how it’s going to pop up and demand its due.” Rev leaned over the upstairs banister and read those words to me the other night from A Dream So Big, by Steve Peifer. As he shared the words above, tears dripped down…
