Sometimes we frown on our lives because they are too plain or small to our liking. Like big and bold would somehow be the only acceptable way to live. I disagree. One’s rowdiness, or even successfulness, does not necessarily produce a meaningful life. And the amount of attention you get does not tell the value of your life. Because your value comes from the Lord, not from the size of your following or popularity. The world might differ but little is…
Beauty – how do you define it? It’s a hard task, isn’t it? Beauty is much more than just loveliness. In some ways, I think, we can intuitively sense beauty is something other-worldly or heavenly. Maybe a better question would be: how does encountering beauty make you feel? Or what or who does beauty remind you of? These questions would lead you more towards the source of beauty. God is the source of all beauty In the matters of beauty I’ve…
Do you want to grow in your faith? I think that is what we all want. But we might not want what it takes to make it happen. We’d like to get the benefits of a mature faith but we’re not willing to sacrifice for it. Or we’re not ready to wait for years while obediently keeping on doing what’s required. Craving instant gratification is an enemy of spiritual growth for sure. So is pampering yourself in comfort. Unsuspected enemies…
Often we have big why questions when horrible things happen. But that question does not help us to deal with disasters. Because we can’t understand why certain things happen. Some of the evil things are caused by humans, directly or indirectly. But there are a lot of mysterious, inexplicable suffering in the world too. Whatever the cause of the current suffering is, taking it all in is taxing. Then it’s just time to lean on God, trust Him for seeing…
The first day of Lent and Valentine’s Day do not collide that often. It creates an interesting situation this year. Valentine’s Day is full of chocolate and feasting. Ash Wednesday invites us to repentance and fasting. How can we combine Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day, fasting and feasting? Or do we need to choose one over other? Let’s find out. Fasting and Feasting Both fasting and feasting are part of Christian life. There is time for both. But the question…
Sometimes we forget how big of a gift and privilege grace really is. We easily take it granted because it was given freely to us. And we forget how amazing it is that God – who is holy and almighty – does everything to make it possible for sinners to come to him. It’s grace from start to finish. It’s his idea and it’s his power that makes it happen. But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave…
Sometimes you hear people saying there’s no way of knowing that we really need Jesus for eternal life. They don’t believe that whoever has Jesus has life because it does not make sense to them. But to me, it does not make sense to refuse Jesus. If you’re one of these people or know someone who could benefit from knowing the answer to this dilemma, may I suggest reading a few verses from the first letter of John? According to John,…
What does Amen mean? Is it just a way to end a prayer or does it mean something more? Amen means ‘so be it’ or ‘truly’ and it is very appropriate to end one’s prayer with an Amen. But it can also be said after a statement that is true. Very often you hear people shout Amen when they agree with the speaker. It’s like stating ‘Amen to that’ or I agree with that. However, we should never say Amen…
Often I tell people to collect Bible verses to quickly remind them of God’s goodness in a time of need. Because when you’re feeling distressed you don’t have much energy to dig deep. Then it’s a huge blessing to have a first aid kit for weary pilgrims handy. Your own collection of special Bible verses that you know work time after time. Make sticky notes, type notes on your smartphone, collect them in a beautiful box or memorize them. Whatever…
The core element of faith is surrender. Some people don’t think so but Jesus told his disciples that all who want to come after him must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow him. That is what faith is all about: surrender. And not just once but daily. Because there’s always something new to surrender. As A.W. Tozer has said, “Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ.”…
