Robert Reed says this: “I have everything I need for joy.” Everything. But here’s the backstory. He was born with an illness that resulted in his hands and feet being twisted. He can’t brush his teeth by himself. Or comb his hair. Or bathe himself. But that didn’t stop him from graduating high school, or … Continue reading Everything you need for joy
On your face
I like to be practical. That’s because we can wrongly think of faith as something theoretical which is somehow disconnected from our daily lives. But it shouldn’t be. So I spend a lot of time thinking about things we can do on a daily basis that reinforce the daily reality of our beliefs. One of … Continue reading On your face
Perpetuating the illusion
Life isn’t about what your circumstances are, but who you become despite your circumstances. That’s something I’ve been sharing with you this week. As a part of that we’ve spent time with Romans 5:3-4 (ESV) where Paul says that “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” But then in verse 5 … Continue reading Perpetuating the illusion
Keep going
Yesterday I talked about difficult circumstances and how they can contribute to your spiritual growth and maturity as a person. Now don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t wish difficulty on someone. And I don’t think that every problem we face is good. But if we shift our perspective, I think we can open ourselves to … Continue reading Keep going
The #1 factor for spiritual growth?
I think the number one factor that contributes to your spiritual growth and to your maturity as a person is... Difficult circumstances. Granted, I don’t have any data to back that up. But that’s what I think after talking to hundreds of people, reading hundreds of books, and from my own personal experience. First, difficult … Continue reading The #1 factor for spiritual growth?
A daytime disconnect?
Many people feel “disconnected” to God from 9 to 5. Generally speaking, that’s when you’re at school, or at work, or going about the random tasks of life. (I realize that some of you work shift work but just go with me on this one.) Maybe you feel it’s hard to feel close to God … Continue reading A daytime disconnect?
Time to juggle up the playlist?
If you’ve been following along with the Up! devotional this week you’ve probably caught on to the fact that I’m talking about how wildly impressionable we humans are. People say that children are sponges. But so are adults! (We’re just better at hiding it.) I read a study that said we’re more likely to trust … Continue reading Time to juggle up the playlist?
A companion of fools suffers harm
Lately I’ve been thinking about how wildly impressionable we humans are. It’s not always a bad thing, but I think it really is the truth. One study I read suggested that you’re more likely to have warm and favourable thoughts toward someone you’re talking to if you’re holding a warm drink at the same time. … Continue reading A companion of fools suffers harm
Sin is progressive
“Sin is progressive.” That’s what doctor Rosaria Butterfield writes in her book The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert. “That is, while sin does not stay contained by type or trope, if ignored, excused, or enjoyed, sin grows and spreads like poison ivy.” When it comes to sin, we often we employ the ostrich strategy. … Continue reading Sin is progressive
Why we’re sponges
If you put a sponge in murky water for three minutes, and then take it out and squeeze it, what is going to come out? Murky water. And if you put another sponge in pure, clear water for three minutes, and then take it out and squeeze it, what is going to come out? Pure, clear water. … Continue reading Why we’re sponges
