The Purpose of Sorrow

When sorrow comes under the power of divine grace, it works out a manifold ministry in our lives. Sorrow reveals unknown depths in the soul and unknown capabilities of experience and service. Gay, trifling people are always shallow, and never suspect the little meanness in their nature. Sorrow is God's plowshare that turns up and subsoils the depths of the soul, that it may yield richer harvests.

Streams in the Desert, January 20

Growing in grace through Christ centeredness

There are several external signals that indicate a believer is growing in his relationship with God. A greater faith, deeper humility, and a willingness to accept insecurity are all indicators a Christian is walking with God. But one other important indicator is the Christ centeredness found in a believer's life.

While the term "Christ centeredness" can refer to a variety of characteristics in a believer's life, it is a desire for the Savior that best defines Christ centeredness. A Christ centered believer desires to...

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When Jesus Is Near

When Jesus is near, all is well and nothing seems difficult. When he is absent, all is hard. When Jesus does not speak within, all other comfort is empty, but if he says only a word, it brings great consolation.

The Imitation of Christ, Thomas A Kempis

Taking Risks For God

Although the Holy Spirit is the great agent of change in a believer's life, a follower of Christ is partly responsible for making sure that he is maturing and growing in grace. There are several exterior indicators in a believer's life which signify he is growing in his walk with Christ. 

One indicator is a person's faith in God. All of God's followers begin their journey with him by taking a step of faith and believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and trusting him as Savior. But over time, as a believer grows in his relationship with Christ, his faith in God should be increasing as well. This can be seen in a believer's willingness to...

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God's Promises

Every one of God's promises is backed by the golden reserves of the bank of heaven, with God watching over His word to perform it. If we stand before the 'plenty' of God's great riches, our amazement is more at the grace of God which enables us to be channels of all His love and goodness.

Plenty For Everyone, Corrie Ten Boom 

A Steadfast Spirit

The more recollected a man is, and the more simple of heart he becomes, the easier he understands sublime things, for he receives the light of knowledge from above. The pure, simple, and steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does them all for the honor of God. And since he enjoys interior peace, he seeks no selfish end in anything. What, indeed, gives more trouble and affliction than uncontrolled desires of the heart?

The Imitation of Christ, Thomas A Kempis

Growing In Grace

As children of God, believers are called to grow and mature in their faith. It is a life long journey often consisting of three steps forward followed by two steps back. Nonetheless, a believer's walk with God should be marked by gradual forward motion. 

While only God knows each man's heart, there are exterior indicators that reveal if a believer is growing in God and in his grace. One test is...

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Peace With Others

Once a person knows that God has forgiven and accepted him and will keep him right to the end of his life and then receive him into heaven to be with his Lord forever, he can enjoy peace with himself (if God has forgiven you, you have to forgive yourself!), and he can also be at peace with his situation. This will lead to peace with his fellow men. The deepest cause of tension between people is their own inner lack of peace. We denigrate and crush others because we feel insecure and discontented ourselves. When Jesus gives peace within, our attitude to others changes completely.

In His Presence, JI Packer

Connected to God

The holidays are my favorite time of year and in preparation, I have made my shopping lists, placed food orders, and am knocking projects off my to do list. I feel ready for a house full of people and food this week.

On the other hand, I am also very tired. I have been waking up in the mornings wiped out and feel that way all during the day. But the truth is that I am a more than just tired. I am irritable and impatient and about things that should not cause me to be irritable or impatient. 

I wish I could blame all my irritability and impatience on some of the other stressful things going on in my life, like sick relatives and long work hours, but deep down I know that it is just me being an unpleasant and selfish version of myself. 

It is the me I am when...

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In sanctification, the one who has been born again deliberately gives up his right to himself to Jesus Christ, and identifies himself entirely with God's ministry to others.

My Utmost For His Highest, June 10

Staleness is an indication that something in our lives is out of step.

My Utmost For His Highest, January 20

Sit Walk Stand

The Christian life consists of sitting with Christ, walking by him and standing in him. We begin our spiritual life by resting in the finished work of the Lord Jesus. That rest is the source of our strength for a consistent and unfaltering walk in the world. And at the end of a grueling warfare with the hosts of darkness we are found standing with him at last in triumphant possession of the field.

Sit Walk Stand, Watchman Nee

Suffering For Christ

With good reason, then ought you to be willing to suffer a little for Christ since many suffer much more for the world. Realize that you must live a dying life; the more a man dies to himself, the more he begins to live unto God.

The Imitation of Christ, Thomas A Kempis

Radio City Christmas Spectacular

With Halloween over, the holiday season is now upon us and there is nothing I look forward to more during this time of year than the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, which is coming to the Fox Theater in Atlanta November 19 - December 6. 

A wonderful event for the entire family, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular features the world famous Rockettes, as well as...

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Our Expectations

Our expectations are our greatest obstacle to union with God in the present moment. It is Jesus who writes all the lines, all the words, and all the letters of our lives. Do I really know what is best for me? My vision is so shortsighted, my horizon so limited. Surrender is a practical application of confession - what we pray each day in the Lord's prayer, "Thy will be done." Abandonment is the triumph of trust in our lives.

The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus, Brennan Manning

Jon Gosselin: A man of many women and many faiths

Jon Gosselin has rediscovered his Jewish roots. In a recent interview with ParentDish.com, Jon discussed his girlfriend Hailey Glassman and claimed to be half Jewish. "Hailey is Jewish. Everyone in my life now is Jewish, my attorney. I love it. I am now half Jewish and half Korean."

As a fan of Jon and Kate Plus Eight, I can't help but remember the many references on the show by the Gosselins to their Christian faith. There were the bible verses taped to the walls of their home and the episodes chronicling them attending church as a family. Several of their daughter's middle names are even fruits of the Holy Spirit. 

Throughout the first four seasons, Jon and Kate appeared to be committed Christians. Their marriage wasn't perfect (anyone could see that) and their life wasn't perfect. It was full of stress and tension, but also joy and happiness, which is part of what made Jon and Kate so popular. They seemed to be like the rest of us...

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Laboring in Prayer

There is nothing thrilling about a laboring person's work, but it is the laboring person who makes the ideas of the genius possible. And it is the laboring saint who makes the ideas of his Master possible. When you labor at prayer, from God's perspective there are always results. What an astonishment it will be to see, once the veil is finally lifted, all the souls that have been reaped by you, simply because you have been in the habit of taking your orders from Jesus Christ.

My Utmost For His Highest, October 17

Dare To Discipline

Dare to Discipline, the famous parenting book by James Dobson, is a book I have avoided reading for the past few years. Many other parent friends even highly recommended it and yet I still did not want to read it. Because it was written by a such a well-known conservative christian leader, I imagined it would be extremely conservative in message with a strong emphasis on strict disciple and corporal punishment and I simply did not want to read another christian parenting book like that.

But then Dare to Discipline was recommended to me again recently by a dear friend who I trust about parenting issues. Since I owned a copy of the book already, I figured I should at least skim it. After reading the first two chapters, I was hooked. Turns out, Dare to Discipline is one of the best parenting books I have read so far.

Dare to Discipline is full of common sense advice and emphasizes discipline with grace instead of punishment. Filled with real life stories, Dr. Dobson explains his parenting philosophy formulated from years of working in the medical field with families and children. Each chapter addresses a specific parenting issue and contains a question and answer section to help readers better understand what they are learning. As a result, parents can easily adopt Dr. Dobson's methods and create a plan for their own home. 

With over 3.5 million copies sold, Dare to Discipline is an excellent resource that teaches practical parenting tips and helps families to create solid foundations in their relationships, so they can face the future with joy and anticipation instead of fear or dread. 

 

The Importance Of Allowing A Child To Say No, At Times

"No." A child's favorite word. It may not be their first word, but eventually it becomes their most frequently used word. From the time a child learns to speak, it seems as though the word no is uttered more than any other.

All parents deal with hearing the word no differently. In some homes, it is not allowed to be spoken and results in a scolding. Some parents overlook the word no and try to negotiate a child into compliance. Other parents try to evaluate the child's tone of voice that accompanies the no being spoken in order to discern their child's attitude and the appropriate parental response.

Whatever a parent's philosophy about the word no, it is important to allow a child to say no at times...

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Jesus and Friendship

When Jesus talked to his disciples, he didn't give long discourses on friendship. He demonstrated friendship by being available, compassionate, self - sacrificing, and tender. His chosen friends responded! Yes, he called them to accountability; He rebuked them when they were wrong. But when He was finished, they still felt cherished by him. What a picture - another of His gifts to us - to be treasured, to be emulated.

We need not set out in search of a friend. Rather, we must simply set out to be the friend Christ modeled - anticipating the needs of others, wearing ourselves out at giving. Jesus dies doing it. The rewards are infinite and joyous!

A Gentle Spirit, September 28

Book Review: The Gentle Spirit Devotional

I was browsing in a christian bookstore one day and found a book entitled A Gentle Spirit. A 365 day devotional book, I was surprised to see it only cost $4.99. I scanned the description on the back and recognized some of the names of the contributing writers. Why not buy it, I thought? It only cost five dollars. If I didn't like it, I would not be out much money.

Turns out that was one of the best five dollars I have ever spent. A Gentle Spirit is a lovely book that seeks to help christian women grow deeper in their faith in Christ. It also shows them, in an encouraging and simple way, how to imitate Christ and understand how living connected to him can impact all the areas of their lives for good.

A Gentle Spirit is an excellent devotional book, with contributions from Ruth Bell, Patsy Clairmont, Sheila Walsh, Joni Erickson Tada, Elisabeth Elliot, Corrie Ten Boom, and many other well known christian women. I have read it for several years, and even now it still continues to challenge and change me. If you are looking for a great devotional book, A Gentle Spirit will not disappoint. 

The tenth commandment: Why shouldn't we covet?

"You shall not covet," is the tenth commandment God gives to Moses at Mt. Sinai. In this commandment, God's emphasis shifts away from man's actions and instead focuses on his attitudes and motives. By prohibiting covetousness, God reveals that he does not want it to be a motive for action found in the hearts of his followers.

 

This is because desires motivated by greed and covetousness are sinful and the opposite of godly qualities like peace and contentment. Contentment is important to God because...

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The ninth commandment: "You shall not bear false witness"

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor," is the ninth commandment given to Moses by God at Mt. Sinai. In this command, bearing false witness refers to anything that is untrue or insincere which may create false ideas about our neighbors. It also includes exaggerations and half-truths that hurt and damage others.

 

God gives this command to Moses because...

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The command "Thou Shall Not Steal" is about more than unlawfully taking physical objects

"You shall not steal," is the eighth commandment given by God to Moses at Mt. Sinai. In the Bible, stealing is defined as depriving another person of what is rightly his. This command is necessary because man is sinful and as a result tempted to steal at times. Stealing occurs because fallen man always wants more than he or the others around him have. 

But there are other forms of stealing than just the taking of a physical object or possession from someone else. One common area of theft in modern life is the theft of time...

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The Lord's Purpose

Our Lord's purpose is not the development of a person - His purpose is to make a person exactly like himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what he pours through us that really counts. God's purpose is not simply to make us into plump, beautiful grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us.

My Utmost For His Highest, September 2

Learning to love our children the way they need to be loved

There is a prayer I find myself praying over and over again. I pray it in the mornings after my child has gone to school and I have a quiet house all to myself. I sometimes pray it in the evenings when I put my child to bed and hug her goodnight. I always pray it late at night, when I creep in her room to check on her and take a minute to watch her sleeping. I pray that God would show me how she needs to be loved, and that He would help me to love her in the way she needs.

We all, adults and children alike, have a love language that we speak, and we feel most loved when someone...

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Book Review: Gabriel Allon spy series by Daniel Silva

For those of you out there who are big readers, and even if you are not, I have discovered an awesome series of books that I absolutely cannot put down. They are the Gabriel Allon spy novels by Daniel Silva. 

I happened to pick one up that was lying around a beach house I was staying at recently. Since then, I have been reading them non-stop. Last week, I loaned the first two to my father-in-law. He read and returned them to me within four days. He now has my copies of the next five books in the series. 

To say the least, Daniel Silva is an excellent writer. His stories are compelling, but not overly complicated or too simplistic. And his plot lines are unique, because they are based on actual past historical events and how those events now affect the decisions of his characters. The characters in the novels are very provocative as well, with Israeli spy Gabriel Allon being the star. 

If you are looking for a new novel that has a great story, with the added benefit that you will actually learn some history as you read, then Daniel Silva's books are for you. I recommend starting with The Kill Artist. Once you being reading it, you won't stop until you have read all nine books in the series. They are just that good.   

Book Review: Safe People

Have you ever been wounded by someone that you trusted or thought was your friend? Have you ever been in a relationship or friendship where you gave your best and only received the worst in return? If so, the book Safe People is for you. Written by Henry Could and John Townsend, the authors of the book Boundaries, Safe People is an excellent resource for people seeking advice about developing and maintaining healthy relationships. 

Safe People begins by explaining the 20 traits of unsafe people. It also helps its readers...

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The Fruit of Holy Obedience

The fruit of holy obedience are many. But two are so closely linked together that they can scarcely be treated separately. They are a passion for personal holiness and a sense of utter humility. God in flames the soul with a craving for absolute purity. But He, in His glorious otherness, empties us of ourselves in order that He may become all.

A Testament of Devotion, Thomas A Kelly. 

God's Glorious Harmony

We once saw a man draw some black dots. We looked and could make nothing of them but an irregular assemblage of black dots. Then he drew a few lines, put in a few rests, then a clef at the beginning, and we saw these black dots were musical notes... There are many black dots and black spots in our lives, and we cannot understand why they are there or why God permitted them to come. But if we let God come into our lives, and adjust the dots in the proper way, and draw the lines He wants, and separate this from that, and put in the rests at the proper places; out of the black dots and spots in our lives He will make a glorious harmony. Let us not hinder Him in this glorious work!

Streams in the Desert, July 23

The seventh commandment is about more than not cheating

"You shall not commit adultery," (Exodus 20:14) is the seventh commandment God gives to Moses at Mt. Sinai. This commandment prohibits the act of sex by a married person with anyone other than their spouse. The adultery addressed in this commandment is different than the act of fornication, which is defined as sex between single people and also prohibited by God. The seventh commandment refers to adultery as it relates to married couples.

By stating this command so clearly, God forces his followers to face the fact that...

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There is more to the command "You shall not murder" than the taking of another man's life

"You shall not murder," (Exodus 20:13) is the sixth commandment God gives to Moses at Mt. Sinai. The principle behind this commandment is that human life is holy, because it is a gift from God. This commandment defines murder as the malicious and unlawful killing of another man who has been made in God's image. 

Life is precious in God's sight. He alone creates it and ends it according to his will and plan. Because of this...

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How the commandment "Honor Thy Father and Mother" reveals God's love for family

"Honor Thy Father and Mother," (Exodus 20:12) is the fifth commandment God gives to Moses at Mt. Sinai. This commandment is significant because it reveals the importance of family to God. Since God is Jesus' Heavenly Father, he is also father to all those who profess faith in and follow his Son. Family life is important to God because he himself is a father and loves all his children dearly.

As a result, family life is part of God's plan for the world and for most individuals. It serves as the basic societal and spiritual unit of society. In societies and nations where family life is deteriorating...

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Keeping The Sabbath Holy

"Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy," (Exodus 20:8) is the fourth commandment given by God to Moses at Mt. Sinai. In our culture, Sunday is usually referred to as the Sabbath Day. Sometimes we think of it as a day of rest, but more often than not, we use it as a day to catch up on chores or work or errands before the work week begins again, with possibly church and some leisure activities squeezed in. Yet, we are commanded to keep it holy, but how?

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Not taking the Lord's name in vain

"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain," (Exodus 20:7) is the third commandment given by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Often when we hear this command, we assume it prohibits using God's name as a swear word, which it does, because to do so would be the opposite of worshiping and honoring God. 

But this command is about more than just bad language or using God's name in vain... 

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Following the second commandment: Is our image of God accurate or idolatry?

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth below," (Exodus 20:4) is the second commandment that God gives to Moses on Mt. Sinai. This commandment forbids creating and worshiping idols or images. 

But if we look deeper, this commandment is also addressing our own personal image of God. Believers and non-believers alike have a tendency to create an idea of God in their minds that, while partially true, may not be biblically accurate. If the image of God that we create in our imagination is the one we worship, could that be a form of idolatry?  

Read More Here.

How do we obey the first commandment?

The 10 Commandments were given by God as a blueprint for his children on how human life should be lived. When giving the 10 Commandments to Moses on Mt. Sinai, God did not start lightly or ease him into them. Instead, the first commandment sets the tone for all the others that follow. God tells Moses, "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3) But what does it truly mean to have nothing before God in our life?

 

When I think of the first commandment...

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Losing Our Children's Literature Heritage

I have just learned about the new law banning all children's books printed before 1985 because they may be unsafe and lead to lead poisoning. All ideological and political positions aside, how absurd. Vintage children's books are unsafe for children? Right.

The heartbreaking thing is that none of these books can now be sold, and will be disposed of as trash. A wealth of literature and reading material that would be wonderful for children to read will be destroyed. Books that are out of print will be lost forever if they happen to be published before 1985. And the effect of small book dealers and libraries will be tremendous. Many wonderful and charming books will be removed and lost from our local libraries forever. 

There are many books that I loved as child which are now out of print that I look for in thrift and antique stores. No longer. These books are so dangerous and toxic that the government must step in and keep them away from our children, and in the process it will destroy our nation's long heritage of children's literature. 

The Ugandan American Partnership Organization

Have you ever felt like the world was too big and you were too small to make a difference? Have you ever thought that you were just one person, so what could you do to significantly help others?

Brittany Merrill, a local Atlanta woman, proves that even one person can make a difference. While teaching literature in the summer of 2004 in Uganda, she had the opportunity to travel to nearby villages. Brittany met local people and learned of their struggles to provide for the many orphans in their country. Based on this experience, she founded the Ugandan American Partnership Organization. 

Read More Here.

Not Affecting Wisdom

The more you know and the better you understand, the more severely you will be judged, unless your life is also the more holy. Do not be proud, therefore, because of your learning or skill. Rather, fear because of the talent given you. If you think you know many things and understand them well enough, realize at the same time that there is much you do not know. Hence, do not affect wisdom, but admit your ignorance.

The Imitation of Christ, Thomas A Kempis

Are the 10 Commandments relevant today?

One of the most well-known passages of the Old Testament is the 10 Commandments. Many of us learned about the 10 Commandments in Sunday school children, but can you think of a time, as an adult, when you heard a sermon or received instruction on the 10 Commandments? It makes one wonder if the 10 Commandments really matter very much anymore. Do they matter in our daily Christian life, or did Jesus, his words, and his teachings push aside the 10 Commandments and make them insignificant?

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Growing In Humility

The Gospels are full of stories about Jesus and the remarkable and selfless humility he demonstrated in his life, toward God and his fellow man. As followers of Christ, we are to imitate Christ and his humility and follow his lead. But how do we know if humility is increasingly present in our life? If we feel confident that we are growing in humility or think humility to be one of our strong points, then we are probably not as humble as we believe ourselves to be. So, how do we know if we are truly growing in humility?

 

Read More Here.

A Hunger For Humility

Christian believers are called to be imitators of Christ. One quality that marked Jesus' life in its entirety was his humility. The Scriptures describe him as being gentle and humble of heart. 

 

But humility is something that is in short supply these days, even among Christians. We often get so upset and angry over the smallest trifles in our daily lives, particularly when we feel that our person or reputation is being impugned in the slightest way. But Jesus showed us a better way...

Continue reading Here.

Book Review: In God's Presence by J.I. Packer

I have been reading In God's Presence by J.I. Packer this year. Packer is most well known for his timeless work Knowing God. He has authored countless books, and was named by Time magazine one of the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America. Packer is an excellent writer, but I think he is so influential because he has the unique ability to simplify complex theological issues so they are understandable to the average lay person. 

 

His devotional book, In God's Presence, accomplishes exactly this. Packer tackles what it means, over 365 days, to be a member of the family of God. The daily readings are full of Packer's brilliant insights and formatted so that readers are able to better comprehend a piece of biblical or theological truth, before moving onto the next day's reading. Each daily devotional includes a prayer as well as meditation questions to spur the reader on to deeper thinking about the topic of the day.

 

As Packer himself has said, "As a writer, part of my job is to case the world of scholarship, like a woman bargain-hunting, to find what would be worthwhile for the thoughtful layman to know." In God's Presence is well written and full of logical and practical biblical truths to help followers of Christ grow in their walk with God. 

The Secrets Of Spiritual Joy

The Scriptures tell us to "Rejoice in the Lord always." The word rejoice is synonymous with joy, so the bible means that we are to have joy in the Lord always. But what is joy exactly? Joy is not about having a cheerful disposition or a life that is always full of fun and laughter. Instead, joy is a state of being in which contentment reigns. And God has revealed that there are sources of spiritual joy accessible to all His children.

The first source of joy is loving God. Our love for God is possible because...

Read More Here.

Rooted In God

It is good for us to have trials and troubles at times, for they often remind us that we are on probation and ought not to hope in any worldly thing. It is good for us to sometimes to suffer contradiction, to be misjudged by men, even though we do well and mean well. These things help us to be humble and shield us from vainglory. When to all outward appearances men give us no credit, when they do not think well of us, then we are more inclined to seek God, who sees our hearts. Therefore, a man ought to root himself so firmly in God that he will not need the consolations of men. 

The Imitation Of Christ, Thomas A Kempis

How do we make our homes spiritually healthy places?

A few days ago I hit the one year mark of living in my current home. A year ago I was unpacking boxes after an 18 month long process of trying to sell my previous house. 

 

During that year and a half, I experienced some great disappointment, like when the first contract fell through just days before the closing date. My family and I waited for almost an entire year before we received another offer, and most days I wondered why God was making us wait so long.  

 

But God had some lessons to teach me during that period of waiting...

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Going Into The Great Depths Of God

If you yourself do not cut the lines that tie you to the dock, God will have to use a storm to sever them and send you out to sea. Put everything in your life afloat upon God, going out to sea on the great swelling tide of His purpose, and your eyes will be opened. If you believe in Jesus, you are not to spend all your time in calm waters just inside the harbor, full of joy, but always tied to the dock. You have to get out past the harbor into the great depths of God, and begin to know things for yourself - begin to have spiritual discernment.

My Utmost For His Highest, June 8

I want God's light to shine from me, but I am not sure it does. Will it ever?

I have been taking some time recently to reflect on the topics I have written on lately. Usually, the topics I write on are things that God is currently teaching me, which often makes it a challenge to write in the third person. Third person makes it sound as though I am an authority on what I am writing, when really God is challenging me and working on me about my writing topics.

 

One issue I have been reflecting on this week comes from my article, The defining characteristics of Christ's church. I describe how people in Christ's church are to be full of joy and radiate God's presence. Since I wrote that article, I have been thinking, "Do I radiate God's presence, and am I really full of joy?"

 

I can fairly confidently answer "no" to both of those questions....

Read More Here.

Too often I take the Cross for granted. But why?

The cross of Jesus Christ was a remarkable event in history. Sometimes, when I think about the cross, I take it for granted because it is part of the story of Jesus that I know so well. But every once in awhile, when I stop and think about the significance of the cross, and the magnitude of what God did for me on the cross, I am stunned.

 

From the very beginning of history, God had a problem...

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What characteristics define Christ's church?

Following Jesus is not an individual experience. When a person comes to Christ, following repentance for his sins and a profession of faith in God's Son, he enters into a new family and community, also known as the church. In this community, all the members are surrendered to God and acknowledge his lordship over their lives. But what did Jesus say his church should look like? What defining characteristics should mark the lives of the people in the church?

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What is a true disciple of Jesus like?

What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? Webster defines the word disciple as "one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another." People who follow Jesus are to do more than just confess their faith in Him. Christians who follows Jesus are to be His present day disciples, just like the twelve disciples in the Gospels. But what characteristics mark the lives of true disciples of Jesus?

Read More Here....

The Importance Of Imitating Jesus

Christ's followers are called to be imitators of Him. But some christians' ideas about imitating Jesus seem to include some very un-Jesus like behavior. They are angry and condemning and self-righteous which can turn non-believers away from the Gospel message. But is this how Jesus was? What does the Bible say about Jesus and the ways in which His followers are to imitate Him? 

Read More Here...

What makes Jesus so different?

Jesus was a revolutionary figure. Not in a political or military sense, but He was revolutionary in a religious sense. Yet many people view Jesus as divisive, condemning, and judgmental. But is this how He truly was or just how some people imagine Him to be? Could someone so unattractive have changed the religious landscape of the world so dramatically? Probably not. What was it that made Jesus irresistable to so many people throughout the centuries and enabled His teachings take root?         

Continue reading here...

Meditating vs. brooding

Many people, christian and non-christian alike, are brooders. Usually the term brood has a negative connotation attached to it because often people brood in selfish ways. As they selfishly brood, people indulge in ugly and unattractive thoughts and feelings toward another person or situation. 

But brooding can be beneficial. If it is done to analyze problems, discover solutions to difficult situations, or create positive strategies, brooding can be a healthy activity. And just as healthy brooding is important in a person's life so also christian brooding is important in a christian's life. This is because christian brooding is another term for meditation, which is a vital element in a believer's relationship with God...

Continue Reading Here.

The Humble Man

It is the humble man who God protects and liberates; it is the humble whom He loves and consoles. To the humble He turns and upon them bestows great grace, that after their humiliation He may raise them up to glory. He reveals His secrets to the humble, and with kind invitation bids them come to Him. Thus, the humble man enjoys peace in the midst of many vexations, because his trust is in God, not in the world. Hence, you must not think that you have made any progress until you look upon yourself as inferior to all others.

The Imitation of Christ, Thomas A Kempis

Money In The New Testament

It is no surprise in these difficult economic times that the topic of money is constantly being discussed. With unemployment at almost 10%, and with many families and individuals struggling, everyone is talking about money. Talk show hosts, news anchors, analyst, and politicians all have an opinion on how the American people should save, use, spend, or invest their money.

But did you know that Jesus discussed money more than any other topic in the New Testament? He did not discuss where to invest or how much to save, but he did repeatedly explain why money is important. According to Jesus, money is important because how it is used is an indicator of... Read More Here.

The Fruit Of Love

Only the Holy Spirit can create in us the kind of love toward our Savior that will overflow in imaginative sympathy and practical helpfulness toward his people. Only the Holy Spirit can train us in love....

In God's Presence, March 3

Surviving The Cross

Nothing ever survives the Cross but what is wholly of God in Christ. God never asks us to do anything we can do. He asks us to live a life which we can never live and to do a work which we can never do. Yet, by His grace, we are living it and doing it. The life we live is the life Christ lived in the power of God, and the work we do is the work of Christ carried on through us by His Spirit whom we obey. Self is the only obstruction to that life and to that work.

Sit Walk Stand, Watchman Nee

A Christ-like Vocation

Everybody has a vocation to some form of life work. But behind that and deeper than that, everybody has a vocation to be a person, to be fully and deeply a human being, to be Christ-like. And the second is more important than the first. It is more important to be a great person than a great teacher, butcher, or candlestick maker. And if the only chance of succeeding in the second is to fail in the first, the failure, from God's point of view, is fruitful.

The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus, Brennan Manning

Scared: A Novel At The Edge Of The World

Scared, the new novel by Tom Davis, follows the merging life paths of two people separated by age, skin color, and continents who are unexpectedly brought together by God's hand.

Stuart Daniels, an award winning New York Times photographer, is haunted by his most famous photo taken during a rebel attack on a village in the Congo. The violent image disturbes him so deeply.... Continue reading here.

Taking The Lowest Place

Always take the lowest place and the highest will be given to you, for the highest cannot exist apart from the lowest. The saints who are greatest before God are those who consider themselves the least, and the more humble they are within themselves, so much more glorious they are. Since they do not desire vain glory, they are full of truth and heavenly glory. Being established and strengthened in God, they can by no means be proud. They attribute to God whatever good they have received; they seek no glory from one another but only that which comes from God alone. They desire above all things that He be praised in themselves and in all His saints - this is their constant purpose.

The Imitation Of Christ, Thomas A Kempis.

The Penalty of Sin

One of the penalties of sin is our acceptance of it. It is not only God who punishes for sin, but sin establishes itself in the sinner and takes its toll. No struggling or praying will enable you to stop doing certain things, and the penalty of sin is that you gradually get used to it, until you finally come to the place where you no longer even realize that it is sin. No, power, except the Holy Spirit, can change or prevent the inherit consequences of sin.

My Utmost For His Highest, March 16.

Our Body For Christ

Christ has no body on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ's compassion for the world is to love out; yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good; and your are the hands with which He is to bless us now.

St. Teresa of Avila

Feed The Forgotten

How can we creatively find ways to give food to these families who are hungry and weak? Thanks to Children's Hope Chest we can all take part in bringing meals to people who desperately need them - what a great way to spend a weekend! We get to Feed The Forgotten.

I know...there may be many of you out there like me who have already given financially to this and other projects and are feeling like there might not be much left to give. But since we can provide a meal for only $.14 for someone in Uganda I suggest we swap something we have planned for this weekend in order to feed these precious, hungry people. Are you in? Here are some ideas:

Who has plans to go out for lunch or dinner? Would you consider swapping your meal to Feed The Forgotten. Get this: The $30 dinner that you swap can provide 214 meals for Ugandans! (When you swap your meal please remember to note "Feed The Forgotten" in the notes section.)

Who is planning on shopping for new summer clothes? Would you consider swapping one of your items to put food in the bellies of hungry people? Giving up that $25 shirt will provide 179 meals for people in Uganda!

Whose children are anxious to do their first lemonade stand of the year? How about talking to your kids about swapping their profits from the lemonade they sell to Feed The Forgotten? One $.75 lemonade can feed 5 children a meal. What a great way to show your children that they CAN do something too!!

Who is planning on paying a babysitter so you can go out this weekend? How about swapping babysitting services with a friend so that you both can donate the money you saved to Feed The Forgotten? A $40 savings in babysitting can provide285 meals for Ugandans!!

Who is looking forward to that Saturday morning coffee at the coffee shop? How about swapping your $4.00 coffee drink for 29 meals for hungry people? It doesn't take much!

Who has plans to catch a movie this weekend? How about swapping one movie ticket (about $9.50) for 68 meals?? Hard to believe that sacrificing one movie can give so many people food!

Who is planning a trip to the local ice cream shop? How about swapping your $10 ice cream visit to fill up 71 peoplewith a meal?

We CAN do something and we can do it together this weekend! When you give (being sure to identify "Feed the Forgotten" in the notes section) please pray for these people who are suffering and have such tangible needs. It's humbling that God chooses to use US to be His hands and feet. These people will NOT be forgotten this weekend!!

$0.14 will provide 1 meal
$2.86 will feed someone for 20 days
$1 will feed a family
$20 will feed a family for 20 days

YOU can Make a Difference

*Originally posted by Brandi

Stand In The Door

When Charles Spurgeon was once asked if the heathen who had never heard the Gospel would be saved, his reply is reputed to be, 'Will you be saved when you do not bring them the Gospel?' What a responsibility we have to every creature in every place: even the unexpected.

Plenty For Everyone, Corrie Ten Boom

'Stand in the door' means that we must be obedient and go where God tells us, whether it be a call to the mission field or a call to work for Him at home. He can use us only when we are in the place where he wants us to be.

Plenty For Everyone, Corrie Ten Boom

Change Agents For Christ

You and I are not meant to act like pre-resurrection disciples, racked with fear, doubt, and timidity. We are post-resurrection disciples, and if we are to live like post-resurrection disciples, everything in our lives must change. The question for us is whether we are willing to make that commitment - to live and act differently, and to repair the hole in our own gospel. If we are, then God will use us as parts of His amazing plan to change the world. 

But becoming this kind of disciple, one who is determined to be the gospel to the the world around him, involves intentional decision. It doesn't just happen. Any of us who have ever been on a diet or embarked on an exercise regimen know that fitness and weight loss don't just happen. They require us to make a choice and then change our behaviors in deliberate ways - it cannot be "business as usual." And it's not easy. The same is true of discipleship. We won't really become change agents for Christ just by going to church every Sunday. We will have to make some "on purpose" life choices and then change our priorities and behavior. Only then can God transform us and use us to change the world. 

The Hole In Our Gospel, Rich Stearns

Taking Up Our Cross

Jesus never explained the "why" of suffering... He simply made it the indispensable condition for discipleship. Never once did Jesus ask those who wanted to join the company of His friends if they were chaste, honest, sober, or respectable. Never once did He attempt to charm anyone to His service with fair promises of happiness. On the contrary, with uncompromising honesty, He said, "If anyone will come after Me, let him take up his cross daily. And whoever does not take up his cross daily (not weekly or monthly) and come after Me cannot be My disciple."

The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus, Brennan Manning

The Atlanta Examiner

Just recently, at the end of 2008, I was laid off from the non-profit I worked for. I was a bit sad because I had been with the organization for 5 years. I also had a baby during that time, so I was really okay with leaving and being at home for awhile with my little one.

As the new year came and went, I realized that it was time for me to pursue my dream of being a writer. I wasn't sure how to do that at first, so I launched this blog with the plan to work on ideas and articles and post them here. I would then see if I could get them published elsewhere so I could start working as a freelance writer. 

I knew that if I didn't start actually writing, I would never be a writer. 

So, I am really excited to share that I have landed my first writing job! I will be working with The Atlanta Examiner as their Christian Living Examiner. I will be writing at least three articles a week about christian living. My first article is already up, so I hope you will check it out as well as my other work in the future as I write for them week in and week out. 

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to stop by this blog and read my work. And thank you in advance for reading my work with The Atlanta Examiner. I appreciate your support, feedback, and comments so much.

Walking In The Ways Of God

As iron cast into fire loses its rust and becomes glowing white, so he who turns completely to God is stripped of his sluggishness and changed into a new man. When a man begins to grow lax, he fears a little toil and welcomes external comfort, but when he begins perfectly to conquer himself and to walk bravely in the ways of God, then he thinks those things less difficult which he thought so hard before.

The Imitation Of Christ, Thomas A Kempis

Sorry Again!

I have been laid out by strep throat. My head might explode too. Posts will resume next week. Have a great holiday weekend!

Sorry!

I apologize for the lack of posts this week. We had a bit of a medical scare, which you can read about here. Posting will resume and be more regular.

Love Through Discipline

I should look within and remember how wonderfully He has dealt with me. The knowledge that God has loved me beyond all limits will compel me to go into the world to love others in the same way. I may get irritated because I have to live with an unusually difficult person. But just think how disagreeable I have been with God! Am I prepared to be identified so closely with the Lord Jesus that His life and His sweetness will be continually poured out though me? Neither natural love nor God's divine love will remain and grow in me unless it is nurtured. Love is spontaneous, but it has to be maintained through discipline.

My Utmost For His Highest, May 11

Affection For God

As Mother's Day was coming to a close last Sunday, we went to our church's evening worship service. It is a service I have really grown to love, because the crowd is smaller, the nursery is practically empty, the band is not quite so loud, and I feel like I can get myself to a place where I can worship the Lord.

The band leader prayed at the end of the set, and one thing he said really caught my attention. He said, "God, we give you our love, our faith, and our affection. Amen."

His use of the word affection has really made me think this week about how I feel toward God.

There are the standard ways we, as Christians, feel about God or at least are supposed to feel toward God. We most likely feel love and gratitude and thankfulness toward God and all He has done for us through Jesus Christ. We probably also feel some type of reverence for our Creator as the Sovereign God of the universe who controls all the details of our lives.

But affection? Are we supposed to feel affection for God? The Great Judge who will one day separate the wheat from the chaff? If we love God isn't that enough?

Maybe it is. But affection is different than love. Affection is a fondness and a sincere liking of someone or something for who they are.

I have lots of affection in my heart for my dog, who is always happy to see me. I have affection for my child's schoolmates who are all so little and chubby and huggable.

Often affection and love go hand in hand. In addition to feeling affection for my faithful dog, I also love her. The same is true for my family and most of the people I consider my friends. I love them and have a great deal of affection for them. I like who they are and enjoy spending time with them.

But sometimes there is affection without love. Truthfully, I don't really feel great love for all my daughters friends because I simply do not know them very well. They are all so cute and sweet, but overpowering love is not a feeling I have towards them.

Other times, we feel love but no affection for some of the people. Maybe it is certain family members or friends where the relationships have soured and are no longer working. We love these people, and would never want anything bad or tragic to happen to them, but we do not feel much if any affection.

As it relates to my relationship with God, there is no doubt that I love Him. I am grateful for all He has done for me, and have given my life over to serve Him because I love Him.

But do I have affection for God? Do I like Him for who He is as He is describes in the Bible. Am I fond of Him, His character, and therefore want to spend more time with Him and build a better relationship, like I do with other humans that I am fond of?

I can look back and see periods in my life when I had no affection for God at all. For many months following my mother's sudden death, I was not fond of God and did not like Him. I was mad at Him and unable to talk, listen or pray to Him. My anger sometimes morphed into bitterness so that I could not even open my mouth to sing at church.

That was many years ago, and God healed my heart of the pain left by the loss of my mother. I love Him still, but do I have affection for Him?

I do not have the answers yet. But as I search my heart, I realize now that having affection for God in my heart is something I need to pray for. I hope and pray that as I grow in my relationship with God that He would increase not only my love but also my affection for Him. And out of that affection grows a desire to spend more time with Him, listen to Him, and obey Him so that one day my life would be hidden with Christ in God.

Deny Thyself

To many the saying, "Deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow Me," (Matt 16:24) seems hard, but it will be much harder to hear that final word: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire." (Matt 25:41) Those who hear the word of the cross and follow it willingly now, need not fear that they will hear of eternal damnation on the day of judgement. This sign of the cross will be in the heavens when the Lord comes to judge. Then all the servants of the cross, who during life made themselves one with the Crucified, will draw near with great trust to Christ, the judge.

The Imitation Of Christ, Thomas A Kempis

The Five Silent Years of Corrie Ten Boom

The quotes from Friday and Monday made me think of a good book I read a long time ago, The Five Silent Years Of Corrie Ten Boom. I am a little surprised that it is still in print, because it is a fairly old book. 

It chronicles the end of Corrie's life when she had been disabled by a stroke and yet how she still had a powerful ministry even though she was limited physically and was unable to communicate verbally. If you are ever feeling discouraged or down about your circumstances and not sure where God is leading you, just know that God knows you inside and out and knows what is best for you. It may not make sense, but He is still there, leading you and loving you, working behind the scenes in ways you cannot even imagine. He has a plan for each of our lives, and "though He slay me, I will trust in Him."

*If you have never read The Hiding Place which is Corrie Ten Boom's autobiography about her family hiding Jews in their home from the Nazis and then her imprisonment in several concentration camps, you are missing out. It is an awesome book.

Perseverance

Perseverance means more than endurance - more than simply holding on until the end. A saint's life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain; and every once in awhile the saint says, "I can't take it any more." Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God's hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15)

My Utmost For His Highest, May 8

Shining and Burning

Shining is always costly. Light comes only at the cost of that which it produces. An unlit candle does no shining. Burning must come before shining. We cannot be of great use to others without cost to ourselves. Burning suggests suffering. We shrink from pain.

We are apt to feel that we are doing the greatest good in the world when we are strong, and able for active duty, and when the heart and hands are full of kindly service.

When we are consumed with pain; when our activities have been dropped, we feel that we are no longer of use, that we are not doing anything.

But, if we are patient and submissive, it is almost certain that we are a greater blessing to the world in our time of suffering and pain than we were in the days when we through we were doing the most of our work. We are burning now, and shining because we are burning.

Steams In The Desert, March 26

Poverty Of Spirit

To practice poverty of spirit calls us not to take offense or be supersensitive to criticism. The majority of hurts in our lives, the endless massaging of the latest bruise to our wounded ego, feelings of anger, grudges, resentment and bitterness come from our refusal to embrace our abject poverty, our obsession with our rights, our need for esteem in the eyes of others. If I follow the counsel of Jesus and take the last place, I won't be shocked when others put me there too.

The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus, Brennan Manning

In God's Underground

I just finished reading In God's Underground, by Richard Wurmbrand. My friend Mary Wills recommended it to me, and it was a good read. The book is about a pastor in Romania around the 1940's-1960's who is imprisoned under the new Communist regime for not pledging allegiance to the state and for preaching about Christ. He was imprisoned for 15 of the 20 years the book covers. 

Mr. Wurmbrand suffered a great deal of torture, and describes what a mess the Communist system is. But he persevered and used his time in prison to witness to other inmates, particularly the communists who were atheists. There is a good bit of practical advice, common sense, and helpful apologetics in the book, and it is a great story. I recommend reading it.

Growth In Grace

Growth in grace is something that is required of us all... Growth in grace cannot be measured in the way that physical growth can, but it can be and often will be tested. Whether we have been growing or not will be revealed by our response to times of crisis and unexpected pressure. The more we have grown, the steadier we shall stand, and the more resolutely we shall obey.

Growth in grace does not take place at the same speed in every life, nor produce the same experiences, because each of us is different. However, the goal is the same for us all - that we shall bear the full fruit of the Spirit in our lives and become fully like our Master.

In God's Presence, April 11

More Compassionate Consumerism

To continue the discussion about compassionate consumerism, my dear friend Laurie turned me on to a fair trade website, Trade As One, that is all about compassionate comsumerism. Check it out because they have some cool stuff.

Compassionate Consumerism

I have been thinking lately about compassionate consumerism. Don't confuse that with compassionate conservatism. Two totally separate things there.

Compassionate consumerism is the idea that it is possible to consume and purchase items in a way that is sensitive and compassionate towards the people who actually make the products.

Honestly, this is not a topic that I have dwelt upon much before. I live in America and in a culture that encourages consumerism. Why is that? Because if we continually buy a product then more of it will need to be produced which will require more workers and therefore more jobs will be created, etc. We are encouraged to earn earn earn so we can buy buy buy because that leads to more jobs. When the economy is down, the government sends "stimulus" checks so we can go out and purchase more stuff. Our whole economic system is built around people having purchasing power.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am a consumer just like most everyone else. I enjoy shopping and spending money on things I like and enjoy. I believe capitalism is the best possibly economic system because it has lifted more people out of poverty and provided more prosperity than any other system in the history of the world. It is not a perfect system, but it is in my opinion the best choice around.

But maybe instead of purchasing items just for the sake of keeping the system going we could take a step back and really think about how we are using our money. Our money is valuable. It represents our hard work and our time away from our families. Money provides the things we need to survive and live and enjoy life. And money is something billions of people in this world do not have much of. Many of us enjoy having an adequate amount of money or even an excess amount of money, while others have so little money they cannot afford to eat.

So with that in mind, what if we were a little more thoughtful about our spending? What if we looked for small ways in which we could make the money we spend every day go farther so it benefits more people than just ourselves?

One small attempt I have made this year is to try and purchase all of my gifts for other people at charity events. I attended a school charity event last night and looked for items to give to others for birthdays and Christmas. The check I wrote was partly tax-deductible, part of the proceeds benefited the school, and the seller of the item still made money. It was a win/win situation for everyone involved. Instead of just going to a store and buying jewelry, the money I spent went a little further and also helping the school.

What are things that we need on a regular basis, like coffee or other food items, that we could buy from a company that puts part of their revenues back into the development of the community where their product is harvested?

What if we skipped one lunch a week, which would normally cost us $5-10, or gave up one Starbucks coffee a week, and used that money to support a child ($35/month) which would provide them food, water, education, and community through an organization like Compassion International or World Vision?

These are just some initial ideas to help get you thinking and jump started. It is easy to make small changes in our budgets and in our purchasing habits so that our money goes a little bit father. Together we really can make a difference in the lives of people who need help through compassionate consumerism.


Below will be a list in progress of companies and products that benefit those in need. Please let me know of any you have discovered that should be on this list...

Trade As One Trade As One allows you to give unique, high-quality gifts to family and friends— while giving hope and income to the poor. Through gifts and everyday purchases, you can use your spending power to make the world more fair. That's what it means to trade as one.

Toms Shoes One For One. Buy one pair of shoes and Toms gives a pair away to a child in need. Their goal for 2009 is to give away 300,000 pairs of shoes. These would make great baby gifts, or children's birthday gifts.

Gap Product Red A division of The Gap in which half of the proceeds go to fight the AIDS Crisis in Africa. The clothes are really comfortable and durable (I have two shirts) and great for working out or casual wear.

Gobena Coffee Great gourmet coffee, delivered to your door, and all of the profits are reinvested into the lives of orphans as the company builds group homes for Ethiopian children. We all drink coffee, why not buy it from a company that will help children in need?

Saint's Coffee A small batch, micro-roaster offering fresh, fragrant, and organic coffees. One third of net profits from every sale are invested into organizations helping children.