I was not an avid reader as a child like Dad. He had numerous books going simultaneously. I was always amazed by the wide variety of subjects he read. I, on the other hand, had a difficult time even finishing a book. And there were many times I peeked ahead to find out how things … Continue reading Convinced
(There is) one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:6). A good part of my life I had a certain picture in mind of God and what He was like. He was sitting on His throne and really far away. This heavenly Father (with maybe … Continue reading The Father is God
What comes to mind when you think about the Holy Spirit? For some, they picture the Spirit of God as a type of force or power to tap into in order to see God do big things. Personally, for a long time, the Holy Spirit was the most mysterious of the Godhead, since I heard … Continue reading The Spirit is God
There has been a lot of ground covered over the last four posts and I want to attempt to put it altogether. Just as I started -- if someone asks me about the Trinity, instead of looking puzzled and sidestepping the question, I would like to answer with what I do understand. There is mystery, … Continue reading The Trinity: Unity and Diversity
Hope. What do you need hope for right now? I imagine we can each easily call something to mind for which we need hope. Or, we can anticipate the times that will come when finding hope will be a challenge. As I continue from Psalm 23 in Need Peace, this last part has given me … Continue reading Need Hope?
One thing I wish was a constant in life is peace. On a superficial level, I just wish it wasn’t so busy during this season (and every season) of the year. I have to fight for moments of stillness and reflection. That sounds peaceful, right? Fight for peace! On a deeper level I think we … Continue reading Need Peace?
Life is crazy. I just expect this time of year to be this way. There is the shopping, the decorating, the bombardment of emails, the hosting, the baking... Unfortunately, often the Christmas season equals busy. To sidestep this I have been turning Psalm 23 over in my mind. Yes it is familiar, but timeless and … Continue reading Need Rest?
I like the ring of this phrase- "made marvelous." Maybe because "marvelous" is not a customary part of my vocabulary, or maybe because marvelous is just a good sounding word, I like it. This morning I read these two words and became curious. What about you? I want to know, what was "made marvelous?" It … Continue reading Made Marvelous
Updated note: This was written before many of the challenging issues that followed 2018. I realize how much I don't know still. I am also reminded that the heart of this post is still true for all my relationships. Being a learner of others, hearing others, and listening is always a good place to start. … Continue reading Questions for Pursuing Diversity
Think about when you are most satisfied. Something important to you makes you feel good or happy. Yet this may not be the thing that actually satisfies our soul. We need "soul satisfying." Soul Satisfying The satisfied life is a content life. Content does not equal happy, but rather it is a full life with … Continue reading The Beauty of Surrender: the Satisfied Life
Part 2 in the Satisfied Life-Practically, in our everyday life we often treat God like a distant relative, or He is "up there" somewhere. We go for periods of time without talking to Him, consulting Him or thanking Him. We have more of a contractual relationship; if we do our part, He will reward or do … Continue reading Confession, the Gateway to the Satisfied Life
What are you depending on? My conversations with others (and in my own head) of late have included this question. Or, I could say it this way, "What am I counting or relying on day-to-day to bring me satisfaction, fulfillment, rest, or reprieve?" As I reflect on this, I can see how much I anticipate … Continue reading What am I Depending on to be Satisfied?
Making a decision can often feel weighty, kind of like the scene towards the end of the movie, The Last Crusade, when Indian Jones must decide which cup is Christ’s cup. The knight says, “Choose wisely.” For one choice leads to life and the other, to destruction. How do you choose? Decision-making can be agonizing! … Continue reading Decisions, Decisions: How to decide?
God seeks our lowliness. He desires it -- earnestly wanting it for us. Not because He is a God who wishes to crush us or takes pleasure in our unhappiness, no it is for the exact opposite. Because of His great love for us, He desires our lowliness. Becoming Like a Child Another way of … Continue reading The Aroma of Lowliness
I have a small painting from China of an apple harvest. The painting is dotted with lots of red round juicy apples and of workers diligently picking and packing the apples. The apples are plentiful and the workers are harvesting. I have thought how odd the picture would be if the harvesters were instead, sitting … Continue reading Following Jesus will send us places. Yikes, but where?
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