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Several years ago, when I was working for the Christian Broadcasting Network as a Web writer, I wrote an article challenging Christians to think positively when the situation looks like the exact opposite.
And here I am again, ready to say the same thing: What’s right with your life?
Sure, we all know what is wrong. Our minds go there faster than we can type in a Google search. Our boss isn’t right. Our finances aren’t right. Our relationships aren’t right. Heck, everything is just all wrong!
Or is it? Read the rest of this entry »
Oh the joys of a really good, meat-filled sandwich—now there is a satisfying meal. And places like Subway have been making it their claim to fame for years.
But try separating those two foods, so that you eat only bread in the morning and only meat at night. Not quite the same thing, is it? And it gets worse if this diet continues for days, even months.
Now imagine that the bread you eat when you arise is the same white flaky stuff. It kind of looks like frost and it’s sweet, but it’s definitely some kind of grain, although you really can’t put your finger on what kind. The best way to think about it is to put it in today’s breakfast cereal terms: It’s like Frosted Flakes. But even such a sugary daily dose of dry cereal can get old after a while.
Stranger things have happened in real life. Let’s look back. . .way back. Read the rest of this entry »
Since I have been out in the desert, there have been some Bible verses that have really been speaking to my soul. It seems God is teaching me something about the hard ground of people’s hearts and the importance of the life-giving nature of the Lord in a desolate place.
I like to hike on weekends to this peak not far from where I live to unwind and enjoy God’s beautiful backyard before the weather gets too hot.
And on this one particular Saturday afternoon, one verse really came to mind as I was trying to find sure footing on the way down the steep, rocky mountain. Instinctively, I knew to look for sections where there were immovable rocks, rather than trying to put all my weight on shifting pebbles and loose rocks. Read the rest of this entry »
Perspective is a funny thing.
We cry out to God to get us out of the sameness we have slipped into. We want desperately to leave the old behind, say good-bye to the past, and walk into our new season. And then, when the opportunity comes and we walk through the door into something completely new, we can sometimes falter. We want our old life back! Read the rest of this entry »
Why is it we can get all teary-eyed when we see two wonderful people pledge to love each other through good times and bad at a traditional wedding ceremony – with these famous last words, “For richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health” – yet somehow we often don’t translate those same vows to the relationship we are meant to have with our Bridegroom Jesus in our walk of faith?
When things go wrong, instead of sticking it out or standing up for our Beloved, we tend to blame, pull away, and throw in the towel. We think, Yes, Lord, I will follow You no matter what. But when sickness comes and stays for a prolonged season, we can often distance ourselves from the One who can truly help us. Read the rest of this entry »
God has a way of surprising us, doesn’t He?
Just when you think you know why He has called you to go somewhere and do a certain predetermined thing, God comes in with His own agenda. It can be arresting, certainly, especially for those of us who would consider ourselves planners. It also can be delightful – enough to bring tears of thanksgiving when we let God have His way with us.
I had one of those moments recently while attending the CLASS Christian Writers Conference out at the (Holy) Ghost Ranch, in Abiquiu, New Mexico, as a workshop leader and as one of the singers on the nightly worship team, led by the beautiful and talented Melodie Griffin. Read the rest of this entry »
I have been thinking a lot about Old Testament Abraham and his original call from God when he was called Abram. It’s written done in the book of Genesis chapter 12.
“The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1, NIV).
What follows is God’s famous promise to make Abraham into a great nation: what many biblical scholars refer to as the Abrahamic covenant.
Abraham’s response is simple: “So Abram left, as the LORD had told him . . . ” (Genesis 12:4, NIV).
When we read this Scripture passage, we can quickly forget that God left out a lot of details about Abram’s transition– that is, until we are facing our own call to a new land. Read the rest of this entry »
