When someone says you should “shine your light,” what comes to mind? -Helping someone in need? -Talking about Jesus? -Doing your best? What about being honest about how dependent you are on God? If he’s our Teacher, then it follows that we need teaching. If he’s our Healer, then it follows that we need healing. … Continue reading Honest about how dependent you are
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Good guilt?
In Psalm 38:4 David said, “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.” Can you relate? Feeling guilty is no fun. But let’s explore whether some guilt can actually be a good thing. First, there is Loud Guilt. It’s that guilt you feel when you’ve clearly done something wrong. Maybe you’ve … Continue reading Good guilt?
Cheerleading envy, losing the farm, and Jesus
This week I’ve been talking about how spiritually RICH we are because of our identity in Jesus and all the eternal and spiritual blessings he gives us. It’s good to ruminate on this perspective-shifting fact because our society spins and weaves a different story: that material things are more important than spiritual things. I heard … Continue reading Cheerleading envy, losing the farm, and Jesus
Having it all
Yesterday I highlighted something that can rob us of our contentment: always being reminded of what others have (but we don’t). We can sometimes feel bitter when think other people have better stuff, better experiences, better relationships, and better everything. But when you focus on what you DO have you’re less likely to be downcast … Continue reading Having it all
Being a spiritual billionaire
Something that robs us of our contentment is always being reminded of what others have (but we don’t). It has to do with envy, which Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung describes as “feeling bitter when others have it better.”* Can you relate? Come on, be honest. We can sometimes feel bitter when think other people have better … Continue reading Being a spiritual billionaire
Blending in and fading away
You’re right. Your faith in Jesus makes you stand out. You’re different. To some degree, you will also suffer for it. Your reputation will suffer, you may miss out on certain opportunities, people will exclude you, you’ll get criticized… Because of that, it can be tempting to play down or ignore your faith—in part, or … Continue reading Blending in and fading away
Becoming less busy
“Busyness” is a strange thing these days. On one hand, some people subconsciously take pride in telling others they’re “busy” because it projects the idea that they’re important. When one person asks another how they’re doing they often reply, “Good—busy, but good,” when in reality they’re no more busy than everyone else—but it just seems … Continue reading Becoming less busy
That same God
Check this out: --“And God said, ‘Let there be light’…” (Genesis 1:3) --“The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country…” (Genesis 12:1) --“God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” (Exodus 3:4) --“Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm…” (Job 38:1) --“Then [Isaiah] heard the voice of the … Continue reading That same God
A licence plate or a message from God?
Frederick Buechner was upset about his daughter’s illness. If you’ve ever worried about a sick child maybe you can relate to that gut-wrenching reality. He was sitting at the side of the road parked in his car depressed and afraid. All of a sudden, another car came up from behind him as if out of nowhere … Continue reading A licence plate or a message from God?
The Triangle of Discernment
Have you ever asked God for sign? After all, life overflows with difficult decisions, ambiguous pathways, and sundry uncertainties. That’s why asking God for some kind of clarity or confirmation can be so enticing! There’s good news: God has already given us direction about how to clarify his will for our lives. Let me suggest … Continue reading The Triangle of Discernment
