I have two Eugene Peterson quotes to challenge you today if you’re getting too comfortable in your life. Sure, Jesus came to comfort the afflicted. But he also came to afflict the comfortable. God wants you to be alive and active. So here we go with the words of Eugene Peterson: What a waste it would be to take these short, precious, eternity-charged years that we are given and squander them in cocktail chatter when we can be, like Jeremiah,…
Too often these days the name of Jesus does not evoke reverence and awe in us. We take Jesus granted or don’t recognise the amazing things Jesus really brings into our lives. We are ignorant of treasures hidden in Jesus. What could be so amazing about Jesus? First of all, through Jesus we get to know God Almighty. There’s no other way to God than Jesus. But even that’s not all, folks! We are called to personally know Christ. And…
Are you in need of help? But are you too embarrassed or too proud to ask for help? Or do you think no one can ever understand what you’re going through so why bother? I hear you. Being vulnerable and weak is not fun. But denying our need for help does no good for anyone. That way we don’t get the help we’d need but we also deny others the blessing to help us. And we’d all miss God’s hand…
Do you rush around like crazy? Trying this and trying that? And nothing really comes together anyhow? Have you thought about asking God in what you’re doing? Have you thought about beginning with a prayer? Or – this is even a wilder thought – have you thought about laying down your own agenda asking God what and when and how he would like you to proceed? Because that is how to build a beautiful life. Unless the Lord builds the house,…
Would you like to become spiritually mature? I bet you do. I have very good news and very bad news. Let’s tackle the bad first. There are no shortcuts available. There’s no magic pill to take away the spiritual fat. There’s no fast track to skip the long lines of the obedience school. But here’s the very good news: spiritual maturity happens by grace when we stick to Jesus day in, day out. But grow in the grace and knowledge…
Are you blaming God for your difficulties? Or are you angry at God for letting you suffer? I have news for you. It’s natural but not Biblical to think life, even for a follower of Christ, should be smooth sailing. The Bible does not promise life without difficulties or give an exempt for suffering. Actually, we are promised quite the opposite. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have[perfect] peace. In the world you have…
God decided long, long time ago that he wants to adopt you into his family through Christ. God also decided that he wants you to be the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. God wants you to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by Jesus. All this is said so beautifully in the Message version of the letter to Ephesians: How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s…
It has been news to me that still, 2000 years after Jesus walked on this green earth, people don’t know the difference between religion and faith. Actually, I am shocked to realize again and again that people still think Christianity is about following rules instead of following Christ. Is this news to you? Boy, do I have good news for you! For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually…
Do you feel small? It’s not necessarily a bad thing. Especially, if you remember feeling small before the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is awesome that God Almighty loves us as we are. We are small but God cares and even wants to form a deep connection with each and everyone of us. When I look up at your skies, at what your fingers made— the moon and the stars that you set firmly in place— what…
Are you feeling right now that God is way too silent or, at least, the connection is static at its best? Don’t worry. Help is near. God is near. Even when God feels distant. As Frederich Buechner has said “There is no event so commonplace but that God is present within it, always hiddenly, always leaving you room to recognize Him or not recognize Him, but all the more fascinatingly because of that, all the more compellingly and hauntingly.” There…
