I watched the movie Sound of Freedom and was overwhelmed by the personal sacrifice of one man to keep a promise to a Dad whose two children had been kidnapped into the world of child trafficking. It made me think of the power of one inspired person who believes in a mission or purpose. It made me want to, even more, live out my life purpose. The movie is about the dark side of the world of child trafficking and …
Author: Bill Stark
One day while at a lake, I saw a family of ducks waddle around a little beach and then get into the water. As they started paddling in the lake, I saw order emerge – a nice clean column of ducks with Mom and Dad up front. I doubt it was by oldest or tallest, but it was definitely orderly. I’m not sure how this natural orderliness came about. But, I think it has the stamp of God on it. …
A Most Horrific State On a recent trip I ran into an old friend who had experienced some challenges with his health and family. In a wearisome tone he accepted his plight….a life without much zeal, purpose or hope. I heard things like, “What can you say?”…..”I don’t know…”…..”It is what it is…” There he was….a wandering, broken life in a broken world. I felt both loss and emptiness as I drove away. It saddens me that depression and …
One fall day a few months ago, while sitting outside, I felt a cool faint breeze brush across my face. It was portending the winter to come. It was gentle and comforting. In that brief moment, I felt something else. I suspect it was God’s presence. I was stunned into stillness to ponder my rest in Him….to slow down my hurried life and just be with Him. I pray you and I both have more and more of those moments. …
I recently went to a silent retreat for a weekend. Once there, I noticed it was taking quite some time for my body and soul to unwind and slow down. Both finally matched the restful, tranquil and sacred place where I was. Why did it take so long for my body and soul to wind down? Like a car at 160 miles an hour, it took time to literally slow down my thoughts, the pace of my walking and my …
But now I am coming to You; and I am saying these things while I am in the world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them. I have given them Your word and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. John 17: 13-14 There are times when we want to escape this nasty, trouble-filled world. Yet, we must stay. But just “staying” is not enough. …
I get pretty wrapped up in this earthy life of day-to-day. I sometimes can act like this is it. That life begins and ends here in my small world. I also sometimes forget the wonderful things God has for me in this here and now on earth. Things He has uniquely equipped and designed me to do. Maybe it’s just to use my optimism to uplift someone at the grocery store or to talk to be compassionate to a friend …
Sometimes I tend to hold back and stay in a comfortable place sort of oblivious to God. But my heart wants to move beyond that safe place and toward Him. I had a vision that I was in a room and the wall represented safety and the middle of the room represented the mysterious unknown place where God’s heart was. Will I stay by the wall and clutch it for safety or will I run toward Him in the mysterious …
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20 (NIV) When we’re young we’re full of vim and vigor. We think we can do anything. Then, as we get older we find out that we can’t do life very well in our own wisdom. As …
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV) I have lived …