Something a lot of people enjoy at this time of year is getting together with friends and family. But let’s be honest. There's also a lot of people who DON’T enjoy that part of the holidays! Why? Because certain people can drive us crazy. Some have attitudes, habits and opinions that drive us up the wall! … Continue reading What if it was something annoying within ourselves?
The Up Devo
Enjoying things without owning them
As far as I can tell, Jesus didn’t own very much. The Gospels don’t tell us anything about a storage unit for his overflow belongings. As I write this I’m aware that in comparison to him I have a lot of stuff. I have a house and a car in the driveway. I have a room full … Continue reading Enjoying things without owning them
One habit to live more simply
I love simplicity. And I love things that go along with the idea of simplicity—things like sincerity and practicality. Maybe I really like simplicity because I know that (a) life can get complicated, and (b) I find it very hard to achieve! Writing to the Corinthians Paul says that “we behaved in the world with … Continue reading One habit to live more simply
When we refuse to silence ourselves
A lot of us want to hear from God. We want a word of direction or some understanding or the living waters of encouragement. But how many of us are willing to create some quiet space in our lives to listen? When Jesus is teaching in Matthew 11:15 he says, “He who has ears to … Continue reading When we refuse to silence ourselves
When your faith becomes a punching bag
“You know that Jesus wasn’t a real person, right? You know he was just based on ancient myths, right?” That’s what a friend said to me in university. And do you want to know how I replied? It was a REALLY profound response that made them stop in their tracks, change their mind, and immediately … Continue reading When your faith becomes a punching bag
“I just don’t see God working in my life”
Over the years I’ve spoken with some people who have told me something like this: “I just don’t see God working in my life.” Because of that, they stop looking, and they stop expecting him to be working in their lives. So let me offer some advice: When you do the work of God, you … Continue reading “I just don’t see God working in my life”
Hurting trumps busyness
Writer, speaker and scientist Alister McGrath says that “To love God entails loving what God loves.” So who does God love? God loves the emotionally needy. God loves the braggart. God loves the one we overlook. God loves the forgotten. God loves those who are struggling. 1 John 3:18 says, “let us not love with words or … Continue reading Hurting trumps busyness
The battle plan
Psalm 95:1 says, “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” It’s no secret that I like statements of truth which are clear, practical, and to-the-point. I came across one of these recently by author and speaker Lysa TerKeurst. Here it is: “My … Continue reading The battle plan
In the shadow of a stingy God?
Theologian Kosuke Koyama once said in a speech that “every Christian must decide whether we serve a stingy God or a generous God.” I wasn’t in the audience when he said that. But my guess is that he was talking about how our understanding of God impacts how we treat other people. If we think … Continue reading In the shadow of a stingy God?
Turn holidays into holy days with this prayer
The word “holiday” comes from the phrase “holy day.” The idea with holy days is that they're set apart from the normal hustle and bustle of everyday life to help us celebrate, focus on, and learn from something godly and exceptional. Christmas is a holy day. But when we treat it as a “holiday” it doesn’t … Continue reading Turn holidays into holy days with this prayer
