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?
daily devo
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
The defining moment of your story?
Gerald Sittser was a professor at Whitworth University who was in a horrible car crash. He was hit by a drunk driver. Amazingly he walked out of the car with no major injuries. But he wasn’t the only one in his car. His mother was in the car, but didn’t walk out. She was killed. … Continue reading The defining moment of your story?
The truth about what you casually say
What do you believe? Really? Not what you SAY you believe, but what you ACTUALLY believe? Sometimes you’ll hear it said that how you spend your time and energy is the true measure of your true beliefs. Why? Because it’s a practical demonstration of your actual priorities. But today I’d like to suggest something else: What … Continue reading The truth about what you casually say
The words that are inspired inspire
Have you ever played Scrabble? The idea is simple: Make words for points, and whoever gets the most points wins. But issues can arise when someone puts a word on the board that the other player doesn’t recognize. If challenged it has to be looked up in an agreed-upon dictionary. The word only stays if it’s … Continue reading The words that are inspired inspire
God’s heart?
Have you ever heard someone say, “Hey, I know you’re going through a tough time, but don’t worry: God won’t give you more than you can handle.” It’s often well-intentioned. And some people think it’s from the Bible. (It’s not.) A part of the reason this expression concerns me is because I think it misleads … Continue reading God’s heart?
Integrity — no matter what
In 1985 a tornado ripped through Barrie, Ontario—the city where I live. Just recently I was told about something that happened in the midst of that wicked storm. A Mennonite person saw a dollar on the sidewalk and returned it to City Hall. So if anyone had lost it they would be able to find … Continue reading Integrity — no matter what
