A dear friend who I grew up with had a major stroke a few days ago. He's in ICU and recovering slowly. Yet, in the midst of their family's pain, I hear a calm, thankful confidence in their Facebook posts. By what means does this concerned yet rejoicing tone exist? - In our broken world, we all suffer pain and loss....some small, some big. Relationships will be broken, food will be scarce, friends will have strokes, bank …
Category: Prayer
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 …
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 …
Because the heart is the center of our motivations it’s really important for us to listen to our heart – especially in times of stress, hurt or big decisions. It may be that we have heart motivations that need to be challenged or it may be that God is well pleased with our heart. Our heart gets messages from the world/our flesh and from the Spirit of God. Of the over 750 verses in the Bible related to the heart, at least 19 …
My brother Jim is a really great cook. He’s so good he was on NBC’s cooking show Food Fighters and won against some nationally known chefs. So, I had a question for him about the heart. I’ve been thinking about the fact that when we don’t pay attention to our hearts they sometimes become hardened and tasteless, like a hard piece of steak lacking the flavor and tenderness. Jim said, “I think about how you can take a very tough piece of meat, like brisket or …
When our hearts are humble toward God and others, they’re open to truth. Yet, when we believe our own wisdom (pride) is sufficient for the issues of life, our hearts become closed. Humility and pride determine the openness of our heart. Do you want the eyes of your heart open to His truth, grace and forgiveness? Do you want the eyes (of your heart) focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to …
In my last blog, we looked at the definition of the heart, the need to be sensitive to our heart and we considered how to live from our heart. In this part 2 to the heart, we’ll examine how western culture values the mind and we’ll ask the question as to whether the heart is good. The Wonder and Dominance of the Mind In the western world, we tend to emphasize the mind over the heart. Think of the esteem we give to institutions of higher …
From the verse Proverbs 4:23 it’s easy to grasp that the heart is preeminently important. “Above all else, guard your heart, for from it flow all the issues of life“ The heart is a hard thing to put into words and is surely mysterious. While the heart muscle in our chest cavity is easy to describe, the other heart, our ‘inner self’, is significantly harder to capture. Since we lead lives filled with desires, emotions, intentions, willful action, rational thoughts and whispering dreams, we might want …
“Above all else, guard your heart, for from it flow all the issues of life“. – Proverbs 4:23 Last week, we looked at the idea that our heart is the most important part of who we are and that we need to be sensitive to it and guard it. While the world elevates and encourages us to operate from our mind, the Bible says that it’s the heart that’s truly at the center of our being – the true source of all life. …
The 23rd Psalm is possibly the best-known chapter of the Bible. It’s only 6 verses and 109 words yet for thousands of years it’s provided penetrating comfort to hurting and worried people around the world. In just the first five words, “the Lord is my Shepherd”, there is a profusion of strength and hope. The Amplified Bible extends beyond the word “shepherd” to describe the role of the shepherd… …to feed, guide and shield me. And He does all of …