I'm reading a great book on how to understand your dog. The author is intelligent, so she uses big words. Are you ready for one? Anthropomorphism. The word describes what we do when we attribute human characteristics to non-human beings or things. My new, big word nagged at me as a shift occurred in my heart this past week. I was reading...
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Years ago, a friend and I were lamenting over our overwhelming "to-do lists" when she said something that, to this day, I still think about. She said, "The thing I keep reminding myself of is this… I'm an infinite being, and my to-do lists are finite. Somehow that helps me keep things in perspective." We are infinite beings! Even though the lists,...
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Stillness is often synonymous with quiet. When we are still we are experiencing a complete lack of movement, or change of position. How ironic. Because I could testify that in moments of my stillness God has moved mountains. Mountains of doubt. Mountains of fear. Mountains of confusion. Mountains of unforgiveness. Pick a mountain and my God has moved it when I am still. My position changes from...
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I have been engaged in a silent war this summer. A bi-weekly standoff between me and a grove of dying trees. You see, I have to mow the grass that resides under these trees every other week. But before I can mow, I need to pick up sticks. May I say, it isn’t anything like the game of Pick-Up Sticks...
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I’m not sure why I keep landing in Thessalonians lately. These letters were written to encourage believers who were "fighting the good fight." Despite persecution, they clung to their faith. Paul wrote to them to praise them for their spiritual maturity and encourage them to continue. There's much to be gained when studying biblical heroes like Moses and David. But what...
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I wonder, can constant obedience, like unceasing prayer, become as natural and continuous as breathing? If that sounds like a tall order it is! But the good news is that we are not the ones to fulfill it. Psalm 119:88 says, “In Your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word.” Strong’s Concordance has amazing things to tell...
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I recently read this verse: “Pray without ceasing…”1 Thessalonian 5:16 The hamster on the wheel in my brain started its spin. What does it look like to pray without ceasing? Is it even possible? A medium dive into this took me down several paths. Namely–– Why do we pray? How do we pray? Who enables us to pray? What makes prayer powerful? Years ago, a portion...
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In recent years, Jesus has liberated me from thinking I'm responsible for outcomes. So today, I hold outcomes far more loosely. I think I was trying to play God in those early years (without meaning to). If I reach out to this person, I bet this may happen! If I help this family member, I bet this will be the result! If/Then...
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Context is everything as is perception. Both can be game changers when it comes to giving thanks. The book of Thessalonians was written to people who were being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, its author, wanted his readers to know they could live (or die) with HOPE. Jesus rose from the grave and they could look...
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“Humility is the perfect quietness of heart. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and...
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