This year the season of Lent seems to start a little earlier than usual or am I the only one who is a bit surprised? Nonetheless, I find this season of preparation a huge blessing. We need it to truly appreciate the tremendousness of Easter once it rolls around. And maybe we could stop worrying so much. God’s got this. Paul David Tripp tweeted today “The story of redemption is historical proof of the unstoppable sovereignty of God. In a…
How on earth do I think we could still live with great expectations when the world is distressed for so many reasons? That is a million-dollar question, don’t you think? How can we live hope-filled lives when life as we know seems to be just a memory? Let’s find out the answer. Peter guides us this way: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through…
This is a year when we need good news for a change. The whole year has been packed with bad news, so we need some good news for sure. But the truth is, we can’t make them happen. Just like shepherds, we are in dark and we are afraid. Thankfully, God has some major good news for us too. And embracing the good news brings great joy. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over…
What an odd year it has been. A lot of loneliness, confusion, and frustration along the way. And now we are doomed to have a stripped-down Christmas. But hey, Christmas itself has not been canceled. The reason for the season will always be there even though the familiar traditions or gatherings are canceled or stripped down. And in some odd way, a stripped-down Christmas forces us to see what’s really essential about Christmas. We all have our favorite Christmas traditions…
November is a hard month in the northern hemisphere. As days are getting shorter and shorter, it seems our moods are getting darker and darker. It feels like all the weight in the world is on our very own weak shoulders. Will this last forever or is there a way forward? We are in desperate need of hope. Is there any left? Actually, my friend, there is plenty of hope for people who walk in darkness. Nevertheless, that time of…
I often talk about life with God because living with God gives your life colors. Often I have struggled to convey to you how to do it in real life and then God provided a perfect teachable moment last week. My family was deeply disappointed with the canceled year in Africa as I wrote in my previous blog post. This experience allowed me to re-experience what it is to process your life with God. When your life is turned upside…
This is just a sweet, little note to encourage you in the middle of your hardships. Believe me, this too shall pass. It might not feel like it and even not look like it but it’s true. Even the Bible tells us so: Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. (Isaiah 9:1, NLT,*) If we keep on seeking God and turning to him, this time of darkness will turn into light. This will not go…
Today I was thinking about God’s goodness. How God has chosen us in Christ even before he made the world. He prepared salvation for us through Jesus so we could be united with him. Amazing. The fact is, we bring nothing to the table except our sin and need to be rescued. Jesus brings everything, all the spiritual blessings, all the good things and then some. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed…
At the beginning of a new year, we’re all looking for direction. What should I do with my life? What paths should I take this year? Finding the right direction is especially hard if we feel we are living in a perpetual fog. What to do then? How to find direction when you’re lost? Let’s find out. As Christians, we know who is our guide: Jesus. Hence we need to turn to him for guidance. Believingly. We need to believe…
This post is for you who have already cried out to God for years for help but the obstacles won’t budge, difficulties keep piling up, you’re feeling worse and thinking you just can’t cope anymore. How to persevere when you’re at the end of your rope, you ask. Let’s try to find some morsels of hope for you to keep on keeping on. First of all, you need to know you’re not alone, God has not abandoned you, he is…
