Unfortunately, because we get bombarded by stories of trauma and travesty on a daily basis, we’re at risk of desensitization. Seeing commercials about suffering children used to be alarming. Now they’re “normal.” Hearing about disasters or shootings used to be rare. Now they seem to be commonplace. Nearly every grocery store line I go through … Continue reading Desensitized
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Love is…
Everyone loves the idea of love. I'm not necessarily talking about romantic love (although what I'm about to say applies to that too), but love in general. Who's ever heard of someone saying they don’t like love, or that love is bad? Since it’s so widely venerated and used, it’s a word that can easily … Continue reading Love is…
If not you, who?
The thing that happens when people gather on Sunday is called a “worship service.” It’s often at a building, but not always. Recently on vacation (in a very warm climate!) we gathered in a circle on the beach. Psalm 66:2 says, “sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!” That’s what we did … Continue reading If not you, who?
It’s easy to throw in the towel (but don’t)
Have you noticed? The world is troubled. There are political tensions, there is a lot of anxiety, and depression is increasing. Plus, many people suffer from a ‘crisis of purpose’ and whether or not there is any greater meaning to their lives. Because of all that it’s easy to just throw in the towel—to just … Continue reading It’s easy to throw in the towel (but don’t)
“I just don’t see God working in my life”
Over the years I’ve spoken with some people who have told me something like this: “I just don’t see God working in my life.” Because of that, they stop looking, and they stop expecting him to be working in their lives. So let me offer some advice: When you do the work of God, you … Continue reading “I just don’t see God working in my life”
The beggar and the King
Elisabeth Elliot tells us a story about a beggar and a King. A beggar was sitting at the side of the street with his hat outstretched asking for money. Then he noticed that the King himself was coming, complete with his whole entourage. This was his lucky day! How could the King refuse to give … Continue reading The beggar and the King
When you KNOW what’s important…
In yesterday’s devotional I talked about resisting the holiday hurricane. The holidays can seem like a storm that sweeps us away. It can get incredibly busy, expensive, shallow and stressful—dislodging us from our sensible moorings in a bluster of candy cane flavoured insanity. In light of this, one way to resist the storm and make your … Continue reading When you KNOW what’s important…
Resisting the Holly Jolly Hurricane
I think something is broken about Christmas. Not in terms of what it means, but in how we celebrate it. Do you find Christmas too busy, expensive, shallow or stressful? If so, you may be getting sucked into the Holly Jolly Hurricane that starts to blow every December, carrying all of us away from our … Continue reading Resisting the Holly Jolly Hurricane
If you’re not giving up something
You probably think you're a fairly "giving person." But if you don't do this, you're probably not. (With thanks to the widow's offering.)
Pour yourself into what’s in front of you
In World War Two, Viktor Frankl found himself in a Nazi concentration camp. His book Man's Search for Meaning recounts many of the terrible things he endured. But he also talks about how you can find meaning even in horrible situations. Here’s an example. Some of Frankl’s fellow prisoners had figured out a way to escape. … Continue reading Pour yourself into what’s in front of you
