We must make the connection between how we see ourselves and how we will approach life. If we see ourselves as bad, insignificant, inferior, or targets of God’s wrath, we will never feel as if we can trust God to equip us, bless us, or use us. But if we see ourselves as the chosen […]
God’s Glorious Gifts
God’s Glorious Gifts
Have you ever wondered what God is like, only to look up at a starry sky and sense that there’s your answer? As you look at those twinkling constellations, do you have any doubt that God is absolutely brilliant? Or maybe you noticed an abundance of golden daffodils growing alongside the highway and realized, Oh, God […]
God’s Christmas Gift to You
God’s Christmas Gift to You
God often reveals Himself to me through His world on my daily walks. I’ve always sensed His presence whenever I’m in the outdoors, but several years ago I began feeling as if He was truly walking beside me each time, almost as if He was there in the flesh, holding my hand and conversing with […]
The Reason Behind Burnout
The Reason Behind Burnout
We can tap dance our way through this world, but God sees the “why” behind our tap dance. As creative and inspiring as my youth ministry efforts may have been, much of it was done out of selfish ambition, a desire to further my own kingdom. I liked that the kids thought I was cool. […]
God Knows Our Pain
God Knows Our Pain
Rather than recognizing God as such an extravagant lover, many people see Him as a harsh, impossible-to-please, judgmental disciplinarian. I have a Jewish friend who, when I mentioned how fascinated I was with Jewish history and how they are God’s chosen people, she retorted, “Chosen? For what? Misery?” Have the Jewish people suffered misery? Anyone […]
More Than We Can Imagine
More Than We Can Imagine
I walked downstairs to my office and laundry room one afternoon, noticing that someone had left the dryer door open with a load of towels still unfolded inside. Since I lean toward perfectionism, I couldn’t just sit down and concentrate on the work I needed to do knowing that a load of towels was sitting there. […]
The Pain of Waiting Patiently
The Pain of Waiting Patiently
As we are waiting [for God to deliver His dreams through us], we will more than likely gain many spiritual stretch marks. Birthing God’s dreams may stretch your faith, your finances, and your relationships with family and friends. Remember that God doesn’t call us to do things that we can accomplish in our own strength. […]
Experiencing Intimacy With God
Experiencing Intimacy With God
Only Adam and Eve experienced intimacy with God to the extent that God intended, walking and talking with Him in the beautiful garden He created for their enjoyment. But because of their disobedience and the resulting Fall of humankind, no one since the Garden of Eden has enjoyed such fellowship. We are incomplete, imperfect, and […]
How The Story Ends
How The Story Ends
While we all enjoy different types of stories — comedies, mysteries, romances, dramas, and thrillers — we all crave the same thing. We all want the story to have a happy ending. Perhaps not the cheesy “and they all lived happily ever after” or pie-in-the-sky type of ending, but a conclusion that leaves us with […]