In the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Newt Scamander tells people not to worry. In response, one of the characters says, “Tell me, has anyone ever believed you when you told them not to worry?” He replies: “My philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice.”* Isn’t that great? Worry is a … Continue reading Worrying means you suffer twice
prayer
God resurrected the tree
There was a church by an African village who met under a tree. A local witch doctor put curse on the tree and it died. So what did the church do? They had a prayer meeting. What did they pray for? Did they pray for solace or to find another location? Did they pray that … Continue reading God resurrected the tree
Motives, prayer and invisible momentum
Hello! After four weeks of vacation The Up Devotional is back with your one-minute daily shot of soul espresso! In the fictional movie Bruce Almighty, Bruce is played by actor Jim Carrey. He has the unique opportunity to do God’s job for a while. He wants to be nice to everyone so he says Yes … Continue reading Motives, prayer and invisible momentum
Calling on the name of the Lord
The writer of Psalm 116 had experienced trauma—the “griefs of the grave,” as it is stated in the Geneva Bible translation. Whatever his particular affliction, he had called out to God for help, and received it! In gratitude and thanksgiving he said he would “call on the name of the LORD” (verse 13). We’ve heard … Continue reading Calling on the name of the Lord
Garth Brooks, un-answered prayers, and the will of God
There is a song by country music icon Garth Brooks. In it, he sings about how, at a football game, he and his wife ran into his “old high school flame.” Years earlier when he was in high school he had prayed so hard that God “would make her mine.” As we listen to the … Continue reading Garth Brooks, un-answered prayers, and the will of God
To unbosom the soul
Near the end of The Saints’ Everlasting Rest, Richard Baxter says that we live in a “vain, vexatious world.”* Can I get an Amen! He talks about how hard it can be to live in this world, and also how soul-satisfying it can be to talk to a best friend. Some you have a best … Continue reading To unbosom the soul
Regardless of our circumstances
What if some of our prayers were somehow misdirected? What if, instead of seeking God’s will within us, our prayers were always focused on lesser things? After facing dangerous opposition, what did the disciples pray for in Acts 4:23-31? Did they pray for a day at the spa, or for their persecutors to take a … Continue reading Regardless of our circumstances
Being alert with God
When a pilot gets into the cockpit I think it’s important that he or she isn’t drunk, dizzy or dozy. There are times when alertness is very important! Imagine writing a final exam, suiting up for a playoff game, or making a big presentation at work and being asleep at the switch. Another time that … Continue reading Being alert with God
Praying out loud
“Praying is just so hard.”“I always lose my focus.”“I don’t know what to say.” As a child of God there are times when praying is easy. There are also times, perhaps, when it’s not. In The Up Devotional I often provide you with ideas that I think are practical and down-to-earth. They are intended to … Continue reading Praying out loud
Pray attention
“pray continually…” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) “Pray attention” is a phrase coined by Ross Lockhart in his book Beyond Snakes and Shamrocks.* Ross is the intelligent, energetic, and mission-focused Dean of St. Andrew’s Hall at the Vancouver School of Theology. Plus, he can rock a bowtie like nobody else I know! Here’s how he explains it: … Continue reading Pray attention
