Peace On Earth Starts With You & Me
Peace at Christmastime? Every year I struggle with the ironic phrase. The phrase “peace on Earth, good will to men” up to now stuck in my craw a tad. Why? It sounds so “pie in the sky.” This year I realized a Bible verse in Luke and a misconception stemming from show biz are to blame. A tweaked, parphrased recitation we hear in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” differs greatly from the verse found in Luke 2:14. The actual biblical text states that the angel and a multitude of others praised God saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. Linus…
Praying Systematically for Leaders and Issues of Our Time
Election Day is indeed behind us. Those who participated in the democratic process voted by mail or in person. Recounting in some races is well underway. It may take weeks or months before we know outcomes. In the meantime, complaining, criticizing, dissing candidates and issues remain ongoing. In fact, criticism has never been more in vogue or more prolific than it is in today’s culture. That’s why it’s now more important than ever for Christians to be praying systematically for leaders and issues of our time. Whether expressed on social media or on Yelp, forums replete with discrediting individuals or groups are plentiful and popular. Meanwhile, agitated parties on opposing…
God’s Sovereign Power and Bestowed Authority
As autumn descends, leaves fall gracefully to the ground. Each one “submits” to the next stage of its existence as a compost for new things to come. Of course, this isn’t a conscious decision for the leaves. They bend to the call of nature. But for humans, change and rebirth present differently. Because ur holy submission involves full engagement of heart and mind. And as we choose to submit, we humbly give ourselves to God. So, effectively positioned, we then stand in God’s sovereign power and bestowed authority. Identifying the Origin of Divine Power Indeed, this act of submission we may choose is far less automatic than that of a…
- God at Work, The Side Door Devotional, The Trap Door Devotional, The Vault Door, The Vault Door Devotional
Transform Your Emotional Pain into Spiritual Gain
Volatile emotions can fuel my “superpower” of passion. But it can also infuse the kryptonite that could easily take me down. It is indeed ironic that both can occur simultaneously in some situations. Properly directed, God-given passions can motivate and move others. But out of control emotions easily derail and take us down and out faster than a speeding bullet. Fortunately, there is hope for me – and for you, too, if you struggle in this area. We can set our intention to balance the scales. The key to achieving this equilibrium involves channeling what we feel. Join me in this endeavor. Transform Your Emotional Pain into Spiritual Gain. …
The Underbelly of Evil: Let’s Trust God To Fight For Us!
I bought a new thatch doormat in Paris a while back. It was very thick, dense and sturdy. I loved it. Even though it was slightly too small for my entryway, I overlooked its shortcomings because I was so enamored with it. After all, it was so tres French! But weeks later, when it came time to tidy up the porch, I lifted up the mat. To my horror, I discovered a haven of refuse. Underneath, assorted dead bugs, dirt and decomposed leaves proliferated under my otherwise stylish souvenir. Part of me was sorry I’d flipped it over at all. But sadly we can’t ignore filth forever, even if we…
Overcoming Self Doubt & Showing Up For God
I ran hurdles back in high school track and field. Defined, hurdles are upright frames arranged in a series over which athletes must jump. Ten of these formidable obstacles stand between every runner and their desired finish line. Hurdles range in height from 27 to 42 inches depending on the age and sex of the runner. When I encounter of any kind obstacles in my life, I run for the hills. Or aimlessly circle around them. Indeed, I’m quite adept at avoidance, a true artful dodger. Recently, my life resembles an unending hurdle field. As a result, I started to question my resolve, calling and really everything I’ve been working…
- God at Work, His GPS For Your SOS, temptation, The Side Door Devotional, The Trap Door Devotional, The Vault Door Devotional
God’s Triple Play for a Hundreth Sheep
I’m not much of a baseball fan but I know a triple play when I see one. Especially when I see it played out in my own life. God has worked in painful yet amazing ways in and through me in the last three years. He orchestrated a miracle. Let me share with you God’s triple play for a hundreth sheep. My Strikeout Back in the summer of 2019, I allowed myself to get into a perilous situation by not standing my ground with a misguided friend on something she wanted us both to do. I knew was wrong for me but allowed myself to get sucked into it…
- God at Work, The Side Door Devotional, The Trap Door Devotional, The Vault Door Devotional, Uncategorized
God’s Word for Me in 2022? Onward!
God’s word for me in 2022? Onward! Ok, so you may not have a “word for yourself.” But it’s a thing… Spiritual scribes like me spend time meditating and often choose a word for the new year. Last year I chose the word “focus.” I did indeed improve my focus (cataract surgery notwithstanding) and considered that and other clarifying activities to be a personal victory in 2021. As I contemplated all the hoops, hurdles and obstacles of 2021, I finally honed in and chose “onward” for 2022. I moved through a door of “knowns” and into seemingly unlit territory. But a funny thing happened on the way to that first…
Coming Back to the Heart of Christmas
When I wrote “The Perfect Christmas” meditation 15 years ago, my objective was to de-emphasize the pressure of an idyllic, curated holiday. The goal? To make peace with my reality and peel back the Hallmark veneer and meet baby Jesus face to face “unplugged.” That meant a shift within me. In my heart I thought it was a “one and done” kind of thing. Yet once again I feel yet another shift from the brisk winds of change. I’m coming back to the heart of Christmas in a way I didn’t realize I needed to do. All this month, I’ve been thinking about the praise song “The Heart of Worship”…
Laying Key Building Blocks: Our Firm Foundation In Christ
Max, my autistic son, lives on Altura Street. Translated, the street name means “most high.” I love that the “most high God” watches over Max there. But his abode is not without its problems. In turnkey condition when we bought it, it’s now plagued with cracks. They pop up on walls, floors, and even in the dirt in the front yard. In thinking about cracks, I’m prompted to take inventory of cracks in my own life. I want to make sure I’m laying key building blocks. Our firm foundation in Christ is the most important real estate you and I will ever possess. And I want to make sure I’m…
