This is easily the longest article I’ve ever written. Check out the next few sentences and you’ll see why.
A while back someone asked me to define my “life verse.”
I suppose if I HAD to choose a single passage I’d pick Romans 8:28.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
100 Significant Scriptures Read More »
Abba, You are so amazing. Your love for us in nothing short of incredible. Thank You for touching us and for filling us with Your Spirit. Thank You for considering us worth saving. You could have allowed rebellious mankind to stay separated from You for eternity, but instead, You made a way for us to run into Your throne room. You made a way for us to be cleansed. I praise You and thank You for that.
Abba, You have children who are facing losses…losses of loved ones, losses of homes, losses of jobs. Please comfort them, Abba, and help them to remember that You care for all of Your creation…from the tiniest of creatures we are unable to even see to the crown of Your creation…mankind. Please bring reconciliation where it is needed. Bring forgiveness. Bring Your healing Shalom.
Prayer for Those Who Have Suffered Loss or Need Healing Read More »
Do you consider yourself an optimist? Why (or why not)?
I’m doing a talk this week for an Optimist Club, so I’m thinking about optimism. I did a little research to find out what optimism is, where it originates, why some folks have it and some don’t.
Frankly, for much of my life I was a confirmed pessimist. I not only saw the glass as half-empty, but I was certain it was leaking and eventually would be completely dry.
I was the second person in this exchange.
Optimist:”This is the best of all possible worlds.”
Pessimist: “If that’s the case, then things can never get any better.”
The Half Empty Glass Is Leaking Read More »
But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves,
not having been baptized by John. Luke 7:30, NASB
We hear a lot about the importance of “purpose-driven lives,” but is it enough to follow any purpose… or does it matter whose purpose we choose to follow?
The above verse in Luke tells us that the Pharisees and lawyers rejected God’s purpose for their lives. Why? Because they hadn’t been baptized by John. What does that have to do with it?
Learning God’s Purpose for Your Life Read More »
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister…This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil. Romans 12:9-11
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:9-10 NRS
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to… the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
When a neighbor lost her husband two years ago, many comforted her.
Those who had lost a loved one were able to comfort her with the comfort they had received from God.
Grief Share is a support group for those who have lost a loved one.
The facilitators and small group leaders have all experienced at least one significant loss.
They first went to Grief Share for the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort to comfort them.
The God of All Comfort: Grief Share Read More »
I recently heard a surprising, thought-provoking response to that question. A critique group gathered to practice their public speaking skills. They challenged each other to do a two-minute impromptu talk answering the question, “Who is your hero?”
The last speaker began with an attention-grabbing opening line: I am my hero.
Sounds a bit self-centered, doesn’t it? I wondered immediately whether the guy had trouble getting his big head through the door.
But his explanation made a lot of sense. He’s right, and I really admire the unique look at a common question. Based on his thoughts, here’s my take on myself as my own hero.
I will strengthen thee. Isaiah 41:10
God has a strong reserve with which to discharge this power; for He is able to do all things. Until you can drain dry the ocean of omnipotence, until you can break into pieces the towering mountains of almighty strength, you never need fear.
Do You Question God’s Strength and Ability to Help You? Read More »
The holiday blues refers to specific feelings and symptoms that can mimic depression such as:
Conquering the Holiday Blues Read More »
My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26
The older I get, the more I become aware of my own frailties. When we’re young, particularly if we’ve been blessed with good health and strength, we fall into the trap of thinking we’re invincible: someone else may step into the street and get mowed down by a truck; someone else might get cancer and die before their thirtieth birthday; someone else may drop dead of a heart attack in the middle of shooting hoops with friends. But not us.
When We are No Longer Invincible Read More »
