My last speaking engagement for this spring was last Thursday and when I got into my car I spontaneously started singing a traditional summer hymn. The hymn usually marks the beginning of summer for us. Maybe I just turned off my brain or something because I forgot to blog last Friday. I’ve been blogging for years now and never before missed a post when scheduled. Interestingly, I did not even notice it until I started to write today’s post. Friends,…
Downsizing seems to be a big trend these days. I find it delightful that people are starting to think less is more. So far people have been wanting more and more stuff (like stuff could ever bring real happiness). But I really do think less is more. Not only when it comes to material things but also when it comes to spirituality. So less is more in spirituality also. Hence, the recipe for fulfilling life is simple: Less junk, more…
I openly admit that I love reading the Bible, I believe it’s the living Word of God. People often tell me that they don’t have time to read the Bible. But I think anyone can commit to reading a verse (or two) every day. It won’t even take a minute to do it. Yet, it has an eternal impact on our lives. It reminds us what is important and what is not. Let me give you an example. Just reading today’s verse of…
It is quite a faith journey to learn to celebrate your weaknesses. Celebrating is not our first response to our weaknesses. But that’s what the saints who have gone before us have taught us. First, the apostle Paul and then many others. Watchman Nee summed it up this way “Outside of Christ, I am weak; in Christ, I am strong.” We truly are weak in ourselves but so strong in Christ. Hence, we don’t need to hide our weaknesses but…
The resurrection story never gets old: it holds the miracle of salvation. I love hearing it again and again, according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and all them in different translations. Because there is always something to catch my attention anew, always something to stir in my heart. This time I realized the stone was rolled away for you and me. Not for Jesus. He did not need it to be rolled away, he had already risen. The stone for rolled…
How is your faith doing? Are you excited about your salvation and eager to work with Jesus? Or are you rushing around like crazy without any chance to slow down to spend time with Jesus? And losing your interest in faith stuff in the process? Let me tell you: it doesn’t have to be that way. Do not settle for a mediocre version of faith. With the words of John Ortberg “For many of us the great danger is not…
If we insist we are the makers of our own happiness, we fool ourselves. It might take decades for us to discover the truth: our happiness depends on God. As long as we deny the fact that our well-being depends on God, we are sidetracked. Often we get frustrated and stressed out when nothing makes sense and there’s no purpose to live for. But it all changes when we get to know God. Because our happiness does not depend on…
Today, I was moved by this blessing found at the end of Paul’s letter to the Romans. This is what I want to me personally but also for you and every single person on this earth. We all need to get to know the God of hope and then live in that hope. Because that’s God will for us. God wants us to overflow with hope. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you…
My heart is full of gratitude today. There’s so much grace that it will never run out. God’s got it covered, hallelujah. We are so blessed to have a loving God who has so much grace that it covers all our sins. We only need to run to Jesus. Hallelujah! So much grace is also a beautiful song written by Jonathan David Helser and Ed Cash. It reminds us of Jesus and what he did to give us so much…
Did you know that you are fashioned for faith and not for fear? Sometimes we tend to think faith takes more out of you that worry or misery. Other times you hear people saying it’s not natural to have faith. How come? God created us to interact with him. His people are fashioned for faith, not for fear. That’s why I was thrilled to find this quote by E. Stanley Jones. It reflects beautifully the purposes of God. You are…
