Browsed by
Author: Mari-Anna Stålnacke @flowingfaith

Spiritual Strength Training, Anyone?

Spiritual Strength Training, Anyone?

Comments 2 comments

Why on earth would we need spiritual strength training? The Merriam-Webster dictionary tells us that few definitions of strength are capacity for exertion or endurance, power to resist force, and power of resisting attack. These are all qualities needed in spiritual life. Because life is no picnic. It is a life-or-death fight. We need to be ready. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And…

Read More Read More

The Vine and the Branches

The Vine and the Branches

Comments 6 comments

The metaphor of the vine and the branches is very powerful. It emphasizes the importance of being organically connected to God. It reminds us that our aliveness is totally dependent on God’s grace. It gives us a chance to be part of God’s kingdom work here and now. “Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to…

Read More Read More

Prayer Is Practical

Prayer Is Practical

Comments 1 comment

Last week our seven year old son said something after the Lord’s Prayer that I have been thinking ever since. It was nothing earth-shattering but profoundly true nonetheless. He said that the Lord’s Prayer was a practical prayer. Indeed! I just had never thought about it that way. Jesus wanted us to pray practical prayers. “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you…

Read More Read More

The Big Five of the Holy Spirit

The Big Five of the Holy Spirit

Comments 2 comments

What’s the big deal of the Holy Spirit? Why do we need the Holy Ghost? Why should we be excited about the Spirit of God? I’ve collected here my big five reasons why the Holy Spirit is an essential part of spiritual life. 1) The Holy Spirit is a person. For real. The Holy Spirit is not just an abstract thought or impersonal wind. The Holy Spirit is a person who hears, speaks, feels and thinks. The Holy Spirit loves,…

Read More Read More

The Living Word

The Living Word

Comments 7 comments

Today I found a Bible verse that felt brand new to me. I’ve read the Bible and especially the New Testament many times. Still I find something new all the time. It is because the Bible is the Living Word of God which means God speaks through it. When we prayerfully approach the Bible and ask the Holy Spirit to open our spiritual eyes to see what needs to be seen, God will speak to us. And this does not…

Read More Read More

Strength in Weakness

Strength in Weakness

Comments 11 comments

Where are you? Are you ashamed, addicted, alienated? Or are you trapped, anxious or defeated? Or powerless, hopeless or frustrated? I have good news for you. You don’t have to be stuck in the mud. You can be accepted, valued and loved. You can be healed, strengthened and empowered. You can overcome. Not on your own. But by God’s grace. The only way of letting go of weaknesses is surrendering them to Jesus. Self-help does not work. Believe me, I have…

Read More Read More

Be Fruitful for Christ

Be Fruitful for Christ

Comments 4 comments

I’ve never felt comfortable writing a Mother’s Day post. And even this is mostly an unlikely one. I have a wonderful mom (love you!) and I love being a mom. But my heart goes out for anyone who would (have) like(d) to be a mom and isn’t. I don’t feel comfortable boasting about my blessings. (But we are certainly encouraged to count our blessings). The only thing I want to boast about is God’s grace. And that is the best…

Read More Read More

The Blessings of the Ascension Day

The Blessings of the Ascension Day

Comments 6 comments

What’s the point of Ascension Day? (Other than getting a day off in Europe?) Why would we be excited about following the cloud? Why would be excited about Jesus leaving us? Let’s find out. He [Jesus] told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria,…

Read More Read More

Jesus Is the Answer

Jesus Is the Answer

Comments 12 comments

Life is extremely messy and complicated. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. How could we live abundantly in the midst of everyday chaos? The answer is not the most popular in this self-centered world. Yet the answer remains the same and -what’s most important- the answer really works. Jesus is the answer to the messiness of life. Jesus is the answer to the chaos of life. Jesus is the answer for everything. I was reading John 8 this morning and was…

Read More Read More

Does Prayer work?

Does Prayer work?

Comments 2 comments

Do you believe in the power of prayer? Or do you think that Jesus promised too much for us? He told his disciples that God will give them whatever they ask in Jesus’ name. And, yet, we don’t get everything we ask, right? Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete….

Read More Read More

RSS
Follow by Email
Facebook
Twitter