Falling. An inevitable and critical aspect of “trying”. So many have fallen after making great efforts, and are so discouraged, they never get up and try again. Yet falling is a part of the process. If it weren’t an expected part of the human experience, God wouldn’t have had to send Jesus. The world might, […]
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. -Ephesians 6:12 KJV Ever heard, typically in a church setting, and I paraphrase, “Man, your life sucks right now because the Devil is after you! He knows […]
People pleasing. Makes me shudder thinking about it because it’s been an absolutely exhausting part of my existence. 43 as I type this and I’m tired. But I’m also, for the first time in quite some time, excited. My Father has been walking me through a tough season, and is showing me parts of myself […]
I’ve talked before about King David, and that despite being described as “a man after God’s heart”, one of the mightiest kings in scripture was also an adulterer and a murderer. But it didn’t change his place in God’s sight. I’ve written before about focusing on the good, the love, serving well, because if you’re […]
“A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” – Mark 6:4 The passage goes on to say that He could do no mighty work there and marveled at their disbelief. The Son of God was walking among them and of ALL the communities in […]
Taking her by the hand He said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” – Mark 6:41 In my Word today, this passage was last to land, and it landed hard. I’m processing how it makes me feel, such a mixture and lacking clarity. Even so it feels personal; […]
Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. -Matt 18: 3-4 Track with me here. It is good to want to please your Heavenly Father. Praising and glorifying Him is literally our #1 job, […]
“I have told you these things that in me you may have peace. In this life you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33 We shouldn’t be surprised when we experience hard things. As Matthew 5:45 reminds us, “rain falls on the just and the unjust”. Whether we know, […]
In the first two chapters of The Gospel According to Mark, the word “immediately” is used eight times, to describe eight different events. When John had baptized Jesus, he went to the wilderness immediately. The disciples He called went with Him immediately. Illness, demons, they fled immediately. Yes, Jesus leads us on a faith journey […]
“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins- and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.” Mark 2:22 Refining. Discipline. Sifting. Let’s be honest, obedience can be really, really hard. I found myself wondering recently why […]