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. …
Category: Heart
It’s impossible to fully put into words God’s love. It’s so wide and deep and unnatural from a human perspective. Yet, in a way, God’s love is quite simple and tangible. You can see it a neighbor’s kindness….in a heart-felt thank you….in someone going out of their way to help another who is hurting. Of course we know: God is love….and when He is present in others hearts, we see His love shine through in astounding ways. I was led …
For many years I trusted God but resisted His pull for my whole heart. I would (and still can) so easily turn from God to pursue my own way. It was as though some days I was living life on a razors’ edge – a non-committal place, yet a place of tremendous peril. In this poem I try to convey the two sides – the pain and darkness of turning away and the light and joy of being …
As a parent, you love your child or children in a way that is nearly impossible to explain. Even the love we have for family pets is hard to fathom and put into words. There’s a feeling we simply can’t explain fully…it’s a deep abiding connection to a person or beloved animal combined with our intense care and love for them. What do you feel for your child, friend or family pet as you read these phrases? I love you deeply …
“Therefore, my God, I give thanks and praise Your glorious name. All things come from You, and I can only give You what comes from Your hand” – 1 Chronicles 29:14 The world tells us to always own things, not rent. We all know, renting is not wise financially for the long-term. Some people can’t afford to own things, like furniture, due to the need for a large sum of money at the time of purchase, so they rent instead. …
I was at a local County Fire & Rescue Department recently conducting training when everyone’s radios began to squawk with alarms. Two fire captains launched into action and left what I thought was quite valuable training! 😉 A call had gone out for a house fire. Not too soon later they returned to the training and shared that the call was a “false alarm”. Someone mistook the smoke and flames from a controlled burn for a house fire. …
There’s always that one person that says “let go and let God” right when you are in the middle of a hyper-stressful situation of your life….when you’re trying to do whatever you can to resolve something that seems on the edge of disaster. But, “let go and let God” sounds a bit too passive for us Americans. My friend Blake said recently that “culture constantly communicates and reinforces the idea that we must be the hero and that failure is …
In reading Psalm 119 I noticed the phrase “whole heart” referenced several times. With my whole heart have I sought thee: Oh let me not wander from thy commandments. Psalm 119:10 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Psalm 119: 34 I entreated thy favor with my whole heart: Be merciful unto me according to thy word. Psalm 119: 58 The world around us is a powerful force that lures us …
One day a little boy excitedly hopped on his new bike to join his friends when all of a sudden the chain came off. He tried to fix it but couldn’t. He didn’t know that the nut holding the tire on was loose, making the chain perpetually loose. He was so desperate to ride he borrowed his sister’s bike, but was soon felt defeated having to ride a bike with pink tassels hanging from the handlebars. So, he sat on the sidewalk and sulked watching …
Back in the spring I drove to north Georgia with my son Will to see an old friend. As is common in that area, there was a stream running alongside the road kicking up mesmerizing white water. It was clear that the power of the moving water had cut a path through the rocks and earth. When applied over time, water can have significant effect on the landscape. Jesus, the living water, can cut a path through our hearts and souls in a similar way. Hardened crusty places …