We all want to blossom and flourish, right? Maybe the desire to do so is especially evident in the deep of winter. After frozen months, we’re ready to see some color, also in our own lives. How then could we blossom and flourish? What should we do to live colorful and fulfilling lives? You won’t get a detailed to-do list if that’s what you were thinking. Instead, you’re just encouraged to abiding in Christ. He will take care of the…
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…
Epiphany is one of my favorite holy days. The pressure of Christmas celebrations is over, now it is time to join the wise men worshiping Jesus and bringing him the best we have to offer. This calls for some reflection and self-evaluation, don’t you think? It is also great time to plan how we want to spend this new year. How about doing it with the mind of Christ? Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose,…
What’s the big deal about Christmas anyway? Why do we celebrate a baby born 2000 years ago? The birth of Jesus changed history and the future for all who believe. It’s not news that a baby will become a king, it happens all the time. But it is news when a king becomes a newborn baby. It’s the Christmas miracle. And that’s what God did for us so he could show us how much he loves and cares for us….
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…
Singing Hosanna on the first Advent Sunday is a must. This year, due to Covid-19, I did so at home while virtually attending the service. Nonetheless, it is a powerful experience. It is good to cry for help with the body of Christ. Especially this year, don’t you think? We do need help. Hence our expectations for Jesus are high. Hosanna could be translated as “Please, save us” or “Please, help us”. The crowd welcoming Jesus to Jerusalem was enthusiastic,…
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…
Do you know how to handle envy? Feeling jealous is not necessarily a bad thing, it can tell us what we need or want. We just need to know what to do with it. When we give our envy to God, he gets the chance to create something positive out of it. Yesterday I was envious of Moses’ friendship with God as I read about it. The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. (Exodus 33:11,…
I find reading the Bible is essential for all believers because it serves as a mirror for us. Otherwise, we could easily think we’re on the right path while in reality wandering aimlessly in the wrong direction. It’s scarily easy to wander away. Best intentions do not help when we follow our own whims instead of God’s plan for us. It’s time to check your idols. Without the Bible, we’d be lost faster than we can imagine. We might think…
