Imagine we’re playing a football game, but we can’t see an opponent. So we obviously think the game is going to be pretty easy. But as it begins we keep running into invisible roadblocks and frustrations. This makes us scratch our heads. Why isn’t this easier? But then someone tells us that we’ve been misinformed: … Continue reading The Devil’s Achilles heel
prayer
Hearing back from God
Have you ever talked to someone… and they just sit there in silence, never saying anything back? It ends the conversation pretty quickly. Silence tends to make you think that the other person isn’t listening, or doesn’t care. That’s how a lot of people feel about prayer. Since they tend to do all the talking … Continue reading Hearing back from God
Just do it for Jesus
Well, I'm pretty excited. Today this devotional is being published as a book! It’s called “Up! – 313 Devotionals To Help You Start Your Day in a Biblical, Relevant Way.” (See the links below.) I started “Up!” in 2015. I had been thinking about a writing a devotional for a while. And I liked the … Continue reading Just do it for Jesus
The more prosperous and educated we are
When you read through the New Testament healing stories, you start to see some patterns. One is that the people who come to Jesus for help are desperate. Another is that they are convinced he can actually do something about their situation. For example, in Matthew 9:18 a respectable synagogue leader kneels before Jesus in … Continue reading The more prosperous and educated we are
For your pastor and spiritual leaders
When I was growing up, do you want to know who I NEVER prayed for?—my coaches, teachers, Sunday School teachers or pastor. It was an insane oversight. Granted, I was just a kid. But they had a huge impact on me. And as far as I can remember, I never prayed for them. So today … Continue reading For your pastor and spiritual leaders
You talk to God. But do you also listen?
Talking to God is one thing. But what about listening? What if God was trying to communicate with you but you just weren't paying attention...
When I pray, “coincidences” happen…
William Temple was an English bishop known for many things including his teaching and writing. A few years ago I came across something he said that has really stuck with me. “When I pray, coincidences happen. When I don’t, they don’t.” Today’s devotional is not overly complicated. My point is (a) that the supposed “coincidences” … Continue reading When I pray, “coincidences” happen…
On your face
I like to be practical. That’s because we can wrongly think of faith as something theoretical which is somehow disconnected from our daily lives. But it shouldn’t be. So I spend a lot of time thinking about things we can do on a daily basis that reinforce the daily reality of our beliefs. One of … Continue reading On your face
Against the noise
I once went on a monastic-style retreat. There was a lot of silence. I mean, a lot. Other people seemed to instantly enter into a state of relaxation and calm. But for me it didn't come so easy. When I tried to calm my mind and enter a time of Christian meditation or prayer, things … Continue reading Against the noise
For Humboldt
Last Friday, a Junior hockey team in Saskatchewan, Canada called the Humboldt Broncos got into a massive bus accident. 15 people died, 13 of them were players. When I heard about it, I was shocked, and then sad—for the horror of it all, for the loss of life, and for the families and friends whose … Continue reading For Humboldt
