There are a lot of stories of about people over-relying on, or misusing, the GPS units in their vehicles. In England a big rainfall made the police close a road. The river went over the banks, making it impassable. But every day for two weeks at least one car drove past the warning sign and right … Continue reading Our coordinate, route & destination for peace
love
When you cannot direct the winds
When people go through a tough time in life, they sometimes lash out at the people they care about most. After a hard day, in a period of anxious uncertainty, or during a year of gut-wrenching decision-making, we can blame, shame or yell at the people in our own boat—after all, they’re the ones close … Continue reading When you cannot direct the winds
For when you can’t see the fruits of your labour
Yesterday we talked about leaving a legacy of love with your life. It’s a big topic, I know. And it can be discouraging—especially when you think you keep missing the mark and never see any results. You read the Bible, pray, try to love others in your own small way, but wonder if any of … Continue reading For when you can’t see the fruits of your labour
It’s hard to do it if you don’t know it
Some things are so obvious that we miss them, even when they’re staring us in the face. That’s certainly the case when it comes to leaving a legacy of love with our lives. For those of us who follow Jesus, we certainly want love to be a part of our legacy. After all, in Mark … Continue reading It’s hard to do it if you don’t know it
Why your love outlasts you
In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus describes four responses to God’s word—three lead to nothing, and the fourth to everything. People in this last category “hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown” (Mark 4:20). Wow! That’s definitely something to shoot for! But … Continue reading Why your love outlasts you
The Faith “Authenticator”
Apparently there are “authenticators” in major league baseball. I recently heard about it on sports radio. Baseball teams like the Blue Jays, Astros or Yankees (or whoever), employ these authenticators at games to authenticate what was actually used in a game. It makes sense. After all, the baseballs, bats and other equipment that is used … Continue reading The Faith “Authenticator”
Like a wounded coyote backed into a corner? Um, no.
This week I’ve been sharing some thoughts about facing trouble and persecution for your faith. Maybe this idea is new to you, maybe even bothersome. But even though we usually think of persecuted Christians as people in desperate situations on the other side of the world, it’s going to be an increasing issue here in … Continue reading Like a wounded coyote backed into a corner? Um, no.
The power of being useful
A lot of people struggle with their purpose in life. It’s a complicated issue, but one of the reasons people struggle is because they’re not sure if God exists. Historian Carl L. Becker said that humans must be looked at as “little more than a chance deposit on the surface of the world, carelessly thrown … Continue reading The power of being useful
The furniture of our lives
This is what Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Recently I was reading a word by John Chrysostom that is over 1600 years old. It’s a beautiful commentary on … Continue reading The furniture of our lives
But what does the Spirit actually DO?
This week I’m answering some questions about the Holy Spirit. So far we’ve talked about whether the Spirit is an “it” or a “who,” on whether the Spirit makes you “feel” different, and what holiness means. Here’s today’s question: What does the Spirit actually DO? After all, if the Holy Spirit dwells inside of us … Continue reading But what does the Spirit actually DO?