The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable. – Brennan Manning I heard a sermon series several years ago, created by Andy Stanley, proclaiming Jesus to be irresistible (truth). It’s humanity’s actions, specifically those of believers, that […]
He said v. We said
It’s pretty easy to fall into legalism and judgment, which almost always results in condemnation; of self, others, or both. A little reminder today of who said what…and perhaps consideration for who you want to be listening for. Our righteousness is as filthy rags? -Isaiah Chief of sinners? Retched man? -Paul You brood of vipers! […]
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, […]
“Who told you that?”
Speaking with a new artsy friend recently, I said I could NOT draw. Her eyes got big and she intently noted that many people believed things about themselves because someone TOLD them a lie about themselves that they then unfortunately choose to believe. She’s not wrong. I pondered what she’d said for several days, knowing […]
His presence
“When I am here, I forget clocks and bells, and all the things that occupy me while I’m being Dutch.” -Dragons in the Waters, Madeline L’Engle While I’m not Dutch and don’t pretend to be, the wistful nature of the above statement had this book on rewind for several minutes. I wasn’t sure why it […]
Mercy v. Grace
So often I find myself thanking God for His mercy and grace, paired together as I express my gratitude for both. Mercy and grace are similar in that they’re both loving manifestations, but they are different. Perhaps you’ve heard it said, “Grace is receiving what you don’t deserve, mercy is not receiving what you do.” […]
He is
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” -John 15:5 He is always the vine. I am always the branch, as are you. We are created to bear much fruit, a task we can […]
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, […]
Resurrection
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. -Colossians 3:1 It’s Sunday. He is risen indeed! There is MUCH to be celebrated today. Even as I anticipate the celebration I’ll be attending, I recognize that many don’t celebrate for […]
Soul Siblings
In prayer this morning, I was struck more than usual regarding our “sibling” status with Jesus. Christ is a lot of things, and one that I pass over frequently is Brother. I meditated on how the “two” of us lived inside me, and how crazy cool that was, if mysterious. I thought it was even […]