There’s a compelling passage in 2 Chronicles 32:31 about a king named Hezekiah. It says that “God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart.” Many things happened when Hezekiah was king. But in this verse we’re told that God “withdrew” from him. It was a … Continue reading When you don’t FEEL God’s presence
presence of God
What a flame is to dynamite
After summarizing some research on self-esteem, John Ortberg describes an internal question that a lot of people ask when approaching a challenge: “When you face a difficult situation, do you approach it, take action, and face it head on, or do you avoid it, wimp out, and run and hide?” When you face a difficult … Continue reading What a flame is to dynamite
What if it wasn’t a coincidence?
When you look up “coincidence” at dictionary.com here’s what you find: Coincidence. Noun. a striking occurrence of two or more events at one time apparently by mere chance. It’s like being in New York, saying to your friend that you miss so-and-so from back home, then bumping into that person you just mentioned 10 seconds … Continue reading What if it wasn’t a coincidence?
Your Magic Toeshoes
Alongside literary giants like Shakespeare and Tolstoy are the Berenstain Bears. (Maybe that’s a stretch, but just go with me on this one.) In one of their timeless classics we learn about The Magic Toeshoes. Basically, a young bear wants to be a ballerina. But her toes are wobbly. So an old ballet master takes pity … Continue reading Your Magic Toeshoes
The Up Devotional 