Each year I approach lent a bit differently. Some years I have given up sweets for lent. Some years I have given up or taken on a habit. Last year I decided to not to do anything. In fact I ended my relatively healthy regime for Lent. Just because I could. I know God was smiling on me. This year I had none particular plans. But somehow I got a tummy bug and involuntary 24h fast right before lent. Divine…
God cares about sin with fiery passion. Sin kills. We are all doomed. But this is not the end of the story. We are called back to God! We are called to repent! To turn around from our sinful ways. To turn back to God and embrace his ways. Because God has better things in store for us. God has prepared a path back to his presence in Christ Jesus. Because of Jesus we can by repenting our sins be…
Are you afraid or anxious about future? Many of us are but there is no need to. Because our future is in God’s hands. Like William Carey has said “The future is as bright as the promises of God”. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. (Jer. 29:11, MSG) That sounds too easy for some people. They want to…
Happy Melodic Monday, everyone! It’s time to refuse! It’s time to refuse to stay unchanged. It’s time to refuse to just stand and watch. It is time to get inspired by Josh Wilson‘s song I Refuse. Listen & be blessed! Sometimes I, I just want to close my eyes And act like everyone’s alright When I know they’re not. This world needs God But it’s easier to stand and watch. I could pray a prayer and just move on Like…
Today we are blessed by a treat from a published author Lynn Coulter. Here’s an excerpt from her latest book Little Mercies: Celebrating God’s Everyday Grace and Goodness published this month by B&H Books! Read, enjoy & be blessed! ““The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works” (Psa. 145:9, KJV) You’ve probably heard what the Psalmist said about a happy life: “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and…
“Prayer wonderfully clears the vision; steadies the nerves; defines duty; stiffens the purpose; sweetens and strengthens the spirit. ~SDGordon This quote made a Twitter friend ask: “How can I then pray effectively?” A good question. Prayer really is the key to communicate with God Almighty. Because by prayer we become what God has called us to be. Over and over again we need to be re-focused on God. It is a human tendency to concentrate on our own stuff. But…
Psalm 118 (The Message, emphasis mine) Thank God because he’s good, because his love never quits. Tell the world, Israel, “His love never quits.” And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world, “His love never quits.” And you who fear God, join in, “His love never quits.” 5-16 Pushed to the wall, I called to God; from the wide open spaces, he answered. God‘s now at my side and I’m not afraid; who would dare lay a hand on me?…
A BOOK REVIEW ofTHE WORDS OF JESUS: A Gospel of the Sayings of Our Lord with Reflections by Phyllis Tickle(Jossey-Bass, 2009) Phyllis Tickle, founding editor of the religion department at Publishers Weekly, has done qualitative analysis of the words of Jesus in the book THE WORDS OF JESUS: A Gospel of the Sayings of Our Lord with Reflections by Phyllis Tickle. She divided all the sayings from the gospels and the first chapter of Acts into five different groups: The…
Last May my father died with a smile on his face. The dying process had been surprisingly beautiful. It felt good to sit by him. Eternity was so near. At his funeral I said that I am an orphan but not fatherless. This thought process might need a little explaining. There are two reasons why I feel this way. First, a child of such a loving father is never fatherless, even after his death. His strong love will carry me…
