Over the years I’ve been confronted with the difficult truth about Hell as it pertains to unbelievers. The argument goes that if God (and His Christ) are loving and good, He wouldn’t “send” people to Hell. Now, we realize as Christians that Jesus and our Father don’t “send” people to Hell. Even so, for me […]
The sincerest form of flattery
I recently told The Lord I wanted to be just like Him, and asked Him for His help in doing so. He’s a good, good Father, so as we chatted, rather than showing me where I’d fallen short of reflecting His glory, He allowed me to recall ways I’ve already been “behaving well”. In my […]
Considering thorns
I asked the Lord three times to take it away from me. He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me. I receive joy when I am weak. I receive joy […]
I’ve heard…
I’ve heard…A woman forgets the pain of childbirth after the child arrives because she’s consumed by joy. You, like me, may not have been pregnant to know for sure, but it’s the same in hard seasons. They SUCK when actively experiencing scenarios that make up the dark season as a whole. On the other side, […]
Defense
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, […]
His Name’s Sake
“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake.” -1 John 2:12 We’re loved so much that our Father sacrificed His only Son, and His Son agreed we were worth the suffering. Out of this love Jesus didn’t come to condemn, but to cleanse us of every unrighteousness. […]
Pain, a very good teacher
I heard a woman I respect, and clearly on the conservative side say softly the other day, “Pain, it’s a very good teacher, you know.” She was speaking of children and their upbringing often being a battle of wills. Children need discipline and consequence in the home to mature. They need to be given a […]
We all worship something.
We all worship something. It’s how we were made. Worship is a spiritual act, no doubt, although it’s made manifest in how we live our lives, so it’s often mis-perceived as something else. Some are more obvious than others (drug addiction, for example), but food addiction is the same hurting spirit made manifest in a […]
Could it be?
Believers are consistently called to exercise gratitude. We are made in the Likeness of Christ and therefore God. Does this mean that Jesus could be grateful when we see Him? When we desire to be in relationship with Him? When we return His infinite love the very best way these human vessels know how? When […]
Relief
I sit here day’s end, crawling into bed and removing my socks for a hopefully restful slumber. It’s March in Northern Michigan. The weather can’t decide what it wants to do, and my well-cared for foot even so told me it would appreciate a good scratching. I’d only moments before been thanking Jesus for allowing me […]