I wasn’t prepared for the phone call. Jay, a friend I hadn’t talked to since high school, had just heard that an innocent little girl in town was raped and murdered…
“Where’s your God in this? Why didn’t He do something?”
Tired of Liking Worry?
Tossing and turning, I’m tired of being gentle on worry, tired of claiming something as mine that Christ clearly came to take. What is it about the human psyche that insists on sifting through crud? Are we that controlling, untrusting and forgetful? Can be. I admit I am sometimes. Even today. In my down, unguarded moments. A friend of worry. Sorry, Lord. I choose to trust you today. Here I am. Remembering who You are. Abba, Daddy, Doctor, Counselor, teacher, eternal best friend… Do you hear me, God? I said I’m tired of worry. I know you hate it too …
Are You a Fast Forgiver?
Someone once told me, “Never pray God makes you a good forgiver. He’ll bless you with a ton of practice opportunities!” And you know what? They were right. Forgiveness isn’t for cowards. It’s for those who want to be like Christ. I’m a fast forgiver, but (confession time), I’m also a fast pick-up-the-offenser! How do you let it go? By practicing. You need to keep letting it go whenever you “accidentally” pick it up. The voice of offense comes from the evil one, the “accuser”. The minute you hear it, you declare, “No! I choose to forgive as Christ forgives …
When God’s Not Fair!
When I was in college I dated a guy who told me he was less blessed than the rest of the world and that God had somehow overlooked him. Have you felt overlooked by God ~ like you missed the blessing, the promotion, the girlfriend, the health, the wealth, the dream? I believe God would say, “Don’t believe the lies. I’m your all-sufficient one. Open your eyes. I’ll take care of you. Trust Me. I have only My best in mind for you!” In blessing us with kids, God shows us His perspective on comparison. Parents know their kids are …
Jesus and Your Cell Phone
How many times has someone tried to call you and your phone was dead? Worse yet, how many times have you tried calling someone and their phone was dead? It’s easy to ignore the warning beeps, let your phone slip past its last notch into sudden deadness. How many times do we ignore God’s beeps and warnings? We scurry here and there, hardly uttering a word to the King other than, “please make the light turn green,” and we wonder why we’re empty and dry. Someone please give me a boost! There’s only one thing we can always do when we’re …
The Comfort of Gentleness
Ever noticed how gentleness is related to power? When we see a lion cub nestling against its mother, we don’t say, “what a gentle cub.” We reserve that for the long-toothed, big-pawed lioness cleaning her cub. “What a gentle mother.” We admire her strength because it’s under control. God knows the fruit of gentleness shows His strength in us. He says, “let your gentleness be evident to all.” (Phil 4:5) Does He say that because He wants to be evident in us? Why else does He want us to practice gentleness? Because He’s love. He cares about how we treat …
Hearing God
Even before we say “yes” to God, we hear His Spirit woo and whisper us near. Listen as He reminds us how to thrive in our listening adventure. Devour My Word, the Bible, your well-spring of foundational truth. Approach it thirsty, humbly, empty, letting its water wash your spirit, shape your desires. Mine its gold until it becomes you, infusing you with hope, clothing you with quiet confidence and captivating brilliance. Learn discernment by paying attention to My inner warnings and promptings. “Don’t touch that; don’t go there; yes, do that, take this path.” Learn to view narrow restrictions as …
De-stressing
If anyone had reason to worry or panic it was holocaust survivor, Corrie ten Boom; but she held her peace because she needed it to face her impossible challenges. So do we. Life is hard, time is short, people need us. We need peace. Worry’s tough to kick because it clings under the pretense that it’s actually doing something (other than leaching our strength.) People spend big bucks on stress management, but Jesus gives us the keys: Be eternity-minded. Adjust your perception to match Mine. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me… My yoke is easy, and My …
Business, Busyness, & Big, Brave Dreams!
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
Faith Lift
Every step toward Christ kills a doubt. Theodore Cuyler