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 …
Category: Stress
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 In the midst of great pain and anguish, life can be quite difficult. Pressures from others, from day-to-day existence and challenges within us can squeeze the life out of us and steal our joy. But, the peace and love of God is more powerful than any life event and …
We live in a world where we can enjoy beauty, laughter, wonderful weather and bounty one day and the next day face evil, darkness, pain, doubt and heavy burdens. Yet, in either case, we all have the promise of the nearness of God. I’ve often considered God’s presence a bit like The Matrix. I’m in the ‘ordinary’ world, yet I know another world is just a thought away. I thank God that He is indeed with me and He is …
A few weeks ago, before I turned 59, I wrote this poem about how striving for achievement and goals can weigh us down...or better put, weigh me down. The sense I had was that I still have work to do to surrender my goals, plans and my very days to Him...to trust Him. Not sure if you can relate, but I know I want to continue my journey toward complete freedom, where I can trust Him more and more …
There’s a lot being written about the CoronaVirus….how to thrive in quarantine, how to do social distancing, what the latest statistics are, what’s shut down, etc. But I want to invite you to go inward and examine your heart and how this new environment has affected your motives and heart. As I reflect, it has certainly forced me to look inward at my heart. First, my heart feels frustrated and a bit out of control. Not so …
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin (a falling away, lapse, slip, false step, trespass, sin) you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”Galatians 6:1-2 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I …
Nature sometimes shouts about God. While enjoying this lake at a retreat recently, I noticed something quite simple and wonderful. When the water was calm, the surface nearly perfectly reflected the beauty of the shoreline. If the shoreline represents God, we want to reflect Him, just as this water reflects the trees. When our souls are at peace, filled with His joy, the life of Christ comes through us so clearly. So all of us who have had that …
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. – Psalm 103:19 (NASB) When the King of England died in 1952, his daughter Elizabeth was thrust onto the world stage as Queen of the United Kingdom. In the Netflix series “The Crown” the Queen’s grandmother writes Elizabeth a powerful letter as she prepares to become Queen. In the letter she says: I have seen three great monarchies brought down through their failure to separate …
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12 (ESV) ~~~ At most equestrian events, you ride your well-trained horse as fast and as well as you can. You give it your best to earn the blue ribbon. But at certain collegiate equestrian events, the rules are quite different. Rather than riding your own horse, you …
In my last blog, I suggested that to let go and let God did not mean we were to just stop doing any activity and wait for some mysterious force to solve all our problems. Letting go and letting God is more about letting go of our will, expected outcomes, dreams, impulses, grand ideas, plans and even our very lives. To the modern world the idea of relinquishing control of any part of our lives sounds foolish. If you’re not …