Sometimes only one choice is best when you feel you must act now
Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed with meetings and decisions, I realize I must do one thing to escape the trap of the urgent.
Choosing my focus will lighten my load and allow my life to flourish
Jesus shows the perfect balance between the Law and compassion. Sometimes the most religious fail to follow his example.
Sunday review: July 12-17
Summertime . . . and the reading is easy! But sometimes a different schedule interrupts our devotional routine. If you missed a post this week, these quotes may remind you to check it out!
How we can, and why we should, embrace our everyday powerlessness
My own life experience has been a path toward admitting and then deciding how to cope with my powerlessness. So Dean’s advice about the subject resonated with me deeply.
The task Jesus gives us will always be exactly the perfect size
Jesus has in mind a burden for us to put on our shoulders. But this is not a problem, because it’s exactly the right fit.
Of all the words coming at you today, how to choose what’s best
The Scrabble fanatic and British actor Gyles Brandreth has estimated that we speak 860,351,500 words in a lifetime. I have no idea how Mr. Brandreth got to his conclusion or if he’s right, but it got me thinking about all the words and ideas we hear just in a day. We forget most of them, so how do we choose what we’ll try remember?
How should we feel when it seems clear, “There isn’t enough”?
Elisha’s servants had the same question as Jesus’ disciples. God’s provision in their predicament can encourage us when their question is ours, too.
Three ways Jehoshaphat’s example can help you in the next pandemic
Of all the Bible heroes, Jehoshaphat helped me most during the pandemic with a plan I tried to follow and demonstrate.
Why seeking recognition is almost always a losing proposition
It happens almost every day. Someone deserves the recognition that I deserved, too. But the teaching of Scripture shows what we should seek before honor.
Sunday review: July 5-10
Among many helpful themes trickling through this week’s posts is this: Whatever you’re facing today, God can handle. Be encouraged to lay it in his hands as you remember what’s written here.
Happiness is not the best goal. For believers there’s something better
Are you happy? That’s likely not the first question to worry about, because God has promised something better.
Three tips for weeding your garden, and other untended places
When it comes to weeding, I’m afraid my thoughts go faster to the devil than to God. Thoughts from a summertime gardener.
‘How long will this limping continue?’ Elijah’s question for today
With unsure footing, they were—and sometimes we are—caught in the space of both/and.
Jesus repeated John’s revolutionary message then—and for us
It’s a simple message, really, but if “revolution” means “change,” it’s truly the most revolutionary message of all.
Doing it yourself has some advantages, but it comes with consequences
If you’ve had some success, you. may start believing you did it yourself. You may start forgetting how much you need God daily.
Maybe we’re supposed to extend the Kingdom more than defend the cause
After thinking about the psalmist’s outcry to God, I decided I, like him, have a troubling tendency to tell God how to do his work.
This is the time to take a breath and then seek some perspective
Most of the time I can ignore criticism, but the enemy knows when I’m tired, I’m vulnerable to the negativity. But I don’t have to give in to it!
Sunday review: June 28—July 3
It’s the Fourth of July! Be sure and read yesterday’s post, linked here. Or follow any of these links for an uplifting beginning to your new week.
Praying “God, bless America!” It’s more than a song or a sentiment
“God Bless America,” made famous by Kate Smith decades ago, really is a prayer, not a national anthem. Let’s pray the prayer this Independence Day.
What to do when you find yourself stuck in the land of between
When I find myself stuck between my problems and my weaknesses, I do well to imitate King Asa.