Do you want to persevere through this challenging chapter of life? If so, James 5 provides some powerful and down-to-earth How-To’s. Amongst other things he says, “Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged” (verse 9). Perhaps his first-century audience was in the habit of moaning and groaning against each … Continue reading Undermining your own goldmine
The Up Devo
When you don’t FEEL close to God
“Pastor, I believe in Jesus and I’m trying to serve God. But I don’t always feel close to him. Is there something wrong with me?” I’ve been asked some version of this question a few different times. Even though the individual is a believer, they wonder if there’s something wrong with them because they don’t … Continue reading When you don’t FEEL close to God
People of patience sleep on it
1 Corinthians 13 is well-known for its profound description of love. There is so much wisdom jam-packed into that one short chapter that many of the words get leap-frogged and passed over. So let’s pause for a moment on these three: “Love is patient…” (verse 4) Here’s a very practical application about how to be loving … Continue reading People of patience sleep on it
What’s valuable when the Titanic is sinking
There’s a story from when the Titanic was going down. A wealthy woman from first class was fortunate enough to be put into one of the lifeboats. Just before she got in she ran back to her room to grab something. She ran PAST her expensive jewelry and grabbed three oranges instead. But why? Because … Continue reading What’s valuable when the Titanic is sinking
The more you stare at the problem
When troublesome thoughts wedge their way into your brain, it’s hard to dislodge them. They sit there unwelcome—kind of like a smelly squatter who refuses to leave your house and even claims that it somehow belongs to him! Lysa TerKeurst is the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries. She says, “The more you stare at the … Continue reading The more you stare at the problem
The size of the fight in the dog
Welcome to today. It’s going to be a bit different than yesterday. And probably different than tomorrow. Hopefully you’ll experience some good things today. A laugh, a favourite meal, or something meaningful to do in God’s service. But you’ll probably also experience something difficult, won’t you? A tear, a tough decision, a pain that won’t … Continue reading The size of the fight in the dog
The baggage of bitterness
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32). There’s a medieval story about two monks. They came to a choppy river that was very fast moving, but … Continue reading The baggage of bitterness
You: The cultural observer
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). Yesterday we talked about the idea that friending the world means un-friending God. (If you missed it, or if that statement leaves you scratching your head, you can review it here.) Sociologist Robert Bellah says … Continue reading You: The cultural observer
Friending the world and un-friending God
In James 4:4, people who have been unfaithful to God get a firm talking-to: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” Wow. Whatever being a “friend of the world” means, it’s … Continue reading Friending the world and un-friending God
The work of remembering
Today is Remembrance Day in Canada. It’s a day to remember and honour those who fought and died in the horrors of war, paying the ultimate sacrifice. I think we need to acknowledge that remembering takes work. We live in a time when we’re very “in the moment.” Many people venerate all things here-and-now and … Continue reading The work of remembering
