As Christmas draws ever closer, we turn to the theme of joy. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the … Continue reading Praying Scripture – 12/18/2019
Sometimes we live in between the places of plea and praise in the lament psalms. We have taken our circumstances to God, expressing them with brutal honesty. That doesn’t mean God has changed our situation or even our perspective yet. Sometimes we’re stuck waiting for Him to act. Sometimes it can even feel like we’re … Continue reading Life In Between: Engaging in Spiritual Disciplines
This week in the U.S. we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. While it can serve as a much needed reminder to be thankful, sometimes it just serves as an opportunity to get together, eat way too much food, and (if you're so inclined) watch parades and football. God calls us to much more, though. He calls … Continue reading Praying Scripture – 11/27/2019
Handle with Care Be careful what you ask for! I’m guessing you’ve heard the saying. If you’re a parent, you may have even uttered it. That saying reminds me of something similar a wise person once said to me: Be careful what you pray for. If you ask God for patience, He will certainly answer. … Continue reading Being Too Careful in What You Pray For
What is driving our choices and actions? Are we acting out of fear or out of love? 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. … Continue reading Praying Scripture – 11/13/2019
Sometimes we're on the mountaintop in our walk with God, facing an exhilarating view of how He is working in our lives and in His church. But sometimes we're in the fiery furnace. These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by … Continue reading Praying Scripture – 11/6/2019
Community isn’t just about what we get out of it. It’s about how we journey together.
Reach out to those people that haven’t been around in a while. Don’t just show up for them when it’s convenient. Show up when you are able. Reaching out to those who are struggling is often inconvenient. Sometimes it’s downright difficult and painful. But sometimes loving our neighbor means showing up when they can’t.
As I continue reflecting on my last post, I keep going back to these verses from Hebrews: 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you … Continue reading Praying Scripture – 10/23/2019
When we are suffering—or even just struggling—we are not to do it alone. We celebrate together. We mourn together. We struggle together. We emerge from the wilderness surrounded by those who've helped carry our burdens. And through it all, we help others carry theirs too.
Life Beyond #Blessed 