Earlier today I was reflecting on some of the unlikely ways God conforms us to the image of His dear Son — and some of the unlikely tools He chooses to use to work that conformation in us (and maybe even through us from time to time). I asked my dear mother in law if she’d send me the quotes she was sharing with me as we talked about God’s work in our lives — I’ll share them with you when she sends them. I’ve been sincerely amazed at the ways God works His will and His purposes in my…
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The Day Luther Died By Jonathan Parnell | Feb 18, 2013 12:00 am In Germany 467 years ago, in a small, backwater town called Eisleben, the shaking hand of a dying man scribbled this simple line: We are beggars. This is true. Martin Luther died on February 18, 1546. These last words of weakness echoed the life-changing truth he’d unearthed in the Scriptures: we don’t bring anything to the table of our justification. Jesus truly died for the ungodly. Luther came to understand that if we are to be accepted by God, we need a perfect righteousness we can’t produce…
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Seize the moment to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ the Lord. Our nation may have gone over the moral cliff and it seems that doors of opportunity to spread the gospel have been closed. Large numbers of individuals may have rejected God’s moral law, they may, in fact, reject you and the message of the gospel — but the doors are not closed. The darker the night, the brighter the light of one candle. Will you seize the moment and share the Light of the gospel to a dark and sin laden world? You have the life God has…
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I hope you’ll take time to listen to the following video clips — a three part series, foundational to both marriage and Christianity… about a God who is passionate and full of life. And the Bible: the greatest love story ever written… God created marriage and He is passionate… Unless we have this life and this passion, we’re not an accurate reflection of our God who created these emotions and marriage and romance and love. Sometimes we see Jesus as a great Saviour, but do we see Him as a great role model? Regarding your marriage… Francis Chan says, “…It’s…
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A beautiful image is brought to my mind as I think of… a patient woman. Conversely, what an ugly image is brought to mind at the thought of an impatient woman. It takes me no time to bring up recollections of impatience (on my part or on the part of another). But what I seek is for ready responses of patience – patient thoughts, patient replies to requests, patient understanding. So beautiful is the woman who patiently waits, patiently listens, patiently answers, patiently watches, patiently prays. I long for this peaceable fruit of righteousness. Though there are times my actions…
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Hey… how’s your day going? Anybody ask you that yet today? What’s going on in the theater of your mind today? I hope you’ll be encouraged on many levels today. I can’t pinpoint the thing that drew me to remembering this today — to humming this song (The “Sunscreen” song… a piece attributed to Baz Luhrman that he used by permission, originally written by Mary Schmich). If it’s too loud, turn down your speakers… the intent here is not to blare some rappy tune but I hope a few of these life-experience tidbits of advice might be of some encouragement…
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I’ve been working through a workbook to a book I read a number of years ago — Nancy Leigh DeMoss’s Lies Women Believe and now, the corresponding workbook. I’ll be writing more on this. So, I’ve been rereading some things I read years ago and marveled that I’m still dealing with several of the same struggles. Interestingly, it’s part of what’s gotten me to work on habits, thought patterns and more. I’d been wanting to work through/eliminate the struggles, but it’s always too daunting to revisit painful areas of life or, realizing how little progress I’ve made and the why’s…
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It’s sure hard to change habits, isn’t it?!?! Habits are so engrained in us that sometimes probably often times we think we’re never ever going to change — our flesh is selfish!! We often think maybe we just need more will power or more self control. Have you thought this, too? I sure have… I’ve thought that after all this time, I sure ought to be____________, or I sure ought to have done__________; but I’m not and/or I haven’t. I know I have desire, I have ability, I have resources… and then I think on “will-power” – you know, the…
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For the month of October (and surely, I pray, beyond) I’m determined to love every day. Now, that could read: I’m determined to love every day or I’m determined to love every day. I’m conscious of this double meaning or double intent and, therefore, have decided to aim to graciously pass through/live in/focus on living each day of this month on purpose. I had come across an article, then a book and then a radio program (surely not be accident — and by the third time I could see this) keying in on the phrase: Love is a choice. For…
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May I suggest…. A gardener’s journal… or a summer log… a season’s log… I’m making one of these so that I can keep a running log of what’s going on in the garden — and what’s *supposed* to be going on ~wink~ in the garden. As an example… my entries are including what’s being picked now, what I need to do as far as clean-up, storage, etc., etc. I’m dividing a simple notebook into sections — a section for an overview of our yard/garden (what’s planted where) and a basic timeline for maintenance. In this way, I can see when…