Proverbs 18 warns us that our mouths can bring life or they can bring death. I’ve been challenged a lot lately to break down my thoughts that I might discern what is really in my heart. I’ve been accused of sowing seeds of discord within the church by challenging perspectives on modesty, idolatry, authority, childrearing, and health. We are to be messengers of life both by encouraging one another in righteousness and by obliterating deception (Heb 4:12-13, Ps 149:4-6, Eph... Read more
Because your body is God’s temple, you should treat it with care and concern. This means many things — not just that you should eat properly. It means that you should be careful to get enough rest and exercise. You should learn how to handle stressful situations in a way that doesn’t cause harm to your body. For as long as God gives you health, and in whatever way He does so, you should thankfully seek to be a good... Read more
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.” Psalm 46:1-3 In addition to your prayers, here are some other ways to help Oklahoma tornado victims: 1. Donate to the United Way of Central Oklahoma. The non-profit already helps fund disaster relief efforts in that area, and their May Tornado Fund is being marked specifically for... Read more
In our day, just as people find it difficult to say “sorry,” so they find it difficult to say “thank you.” And often, when people do say “thank you,” other people find it difficult to accept. We live in a society where we are all supposed to be self-sufficient, and everything done for others is a kind of a business deal. We have done our best to squeeze out the much richer, gentler, more powerful human interaction where someone acts... Read more
Family life thrives on thoughtful listening. We show respect for others when we listen. Listening says: “I value you and what you are saying; I value it so highly that I will do whatever I can to facilitate your communication. I believe that the time taken to listen is a good investment. I will listen and find joy in understanding the meaning and intent of your words.” Active listening strengthens relationships. Wives, children, and husbands long to be understood. What... Read more
It’s not that I don’t trust Him for certain things — like my eternal home with Him; it’s just that when it comes down to my everyday life, I frequently act as though I can handle difficult circumstances better than He can….the word trust means more then just “believing.” It means that you must put your confidence in Him; you must rely wholly upon Him. In the vernacular we might say, “Put all your eggs in one basket” — His... Read more
The glory of Christ is not revealed in spectacular show of success, in people who get everything right all the time. People like that, as we know, can sometimes be a pain in the neck. The church reveals the glory of Christ through suffering and shame as much as through what the world counts as success.” – NT Wright in Reflecting the Glory Read more
“The grace of God turns out to be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Jesus is socially disruptive; his radical grace disrupts social situations. And we don’t like the church to be disrupted. We regard marginalized people in the church as “a problem” to be “handled”. Involvement with people, especially the marginalized, begins with a profound grasp of God’s grace. Often our instincts are to keep our distance. But the Son of God ate with them. He’s not embarrassed by them. He lets... Read more
Tomorrow it will be my baby’s first birthday. Tomorrow will mark one year since having kicked hyperemesis gravidarum’s ugly behind once and for all. The battle was fought and, by God’s grace won, but I still continue to learn from it. There are lingering residual side effects, but lately that has only served to remind me to rely on Christ more. I am physically stronger than I’ve been in years, I’ve even packed on a little over 10lbs since my... Read more
Because of hardship, we see that we can be brave. Because of hardship, we learn to have backbones. Because of hardship, we are able to work amicably with people we don’t agree with, or we can shake hands in disagreement and walk away. Because of hardship—and our ability to navigate through it—we become men. http://www.artofmanliness.com/2013/04/08/every-mans-call-to-defiant-gratefulness-book-giveaway/ Read more
Mere Breath
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