What do you do when you are crushed? How do you react to devastating news? How do you cope in the midst of uncertainties? Your answer defines your way of living. What we do when a catastrophe strikes makes us or breaks us. One of the most important life skills is to know how to handle hardships. Mary DeMuth points us into the right direction in her new book The Wall Around Your Heart “So in whatever circumstance we walk,…
Worrying seems natural to many of us. Worrying might even seem like the only way to go. But, let me tell you, it doesn’t have to be so. There is a way to say goodbye to worries. But it’s nothing we can make happen. But Jesus can. Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming…
The Bible says that eternal life lies in knowing God. There must be something really special about knowing God. How can we do that? We can’t do it without Jesus. But Jesus died for us so we could know God. If we receive this gift of grace, we are free to get to know God. Other religions teach that we need to first become good to approach God. But Christianity boldly proclaims that all we need is Jesus. Jesus looked…
Last week our seven year old son said something after the Lord’s Prayer that I have been thinking ever since. It was nothing earth-shattering but profoundly true nonetheless. He said that the Lord’s Prayer was a practical prayer. Indeed! I just had never thought about it that way. Jesus wanted us to pray practical prayers. “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you…
Do you believe in the power of prayer? Or do you think that Jesus promised too much for us? He told his disciples that God will give them whatever they ask in Jesus’ name. And, yet, we don’t get everything we ask, right? Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete….
We come to you, Lord, knowing that you love us no matter of what. That’s why we dare to come to you, knowing that you will help us. We put our hearts and souls in your hand. Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record. Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry. I know how bad I’ve been; my sins are staring me down. (Psalm 51:1-3, MSG) We ask for grace to…
This time of year is a very fun but busy time in our household: a couple of birthdays plus Valentine’s Day. As I have been thinking about gifts I’ve come to this conclusion: The best gift to yourself, to others, and to God is to be present. Nothing compares to it. And God is the best example of this. Nothing compares to God’s presence in our lives. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out…
It’s Ash Wednesday. Time to remember that we are dust. Time to turn back to God and eternal things. Time to let go and let God cleanse our inner beings. Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean, scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don’t look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me,…
Have you changed a lot in the last 10 years? I bet you have. So have I. Do you think you will change as much in the future? According to a research people tend not to believe they will change that much in the future. But they will and we will. Change is inevitable. But we can decide into what direction we will change: God-ward or away from God. Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a…
Do you know how to draw strength from God? Do you know how to spiritually feed yourself? You see, God is not a theory. God is an indwelling power in the lives of Christians. But we do need to invite Jesus to reign in our lives. How do we do that? 1) By talking to God in prayer, telling him in our own words that we want his help, his strength, his joy. By surrendering to God, letting him know…
