Talk to Me
“Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” (John 16:24 NKJV) Don’t you love it when God suddenly illumines the eyes of your heart to see something old in a new way? He does this often, but I find myself needing continual reminders that this is certainly what He is good at and wants to do. Recently, I have been asking God why I haven’t been experiencing joy the way I ought to, and I believe that part of it relates to how I have not been viewing my prayer as a means to work on the relationship, just like any other human...
Read MoreLiving Toward Glory
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV) By the time this article is posted, I will have just turned 40. Ordinarily, I am not a huge fan of making a big deal about my birthday, not because I don’t think it’s important, but I don’t typically celebrate in a big way. However, turning 40 has put me into a reflective mode whereby I have been thinking a lot lately about… death. Now before you think this sounds morbid or depressing, please let me explain myself. As you are probably very...
Read MoreOffering a Contrite Heart
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17 ESV) It feels so difficult to say this, but lately I have been feeling very burned out. Emotionally, spiritually, and physically. I know we all go through this, and I think this is one of my seasons. For the past several months, our family has been taking care of my Grandmother in her home, who has moved to hospice status due to her terminal cancer diagnosis. Therefore, we are there to support her while she lives out her final days. My grandmother’s wish was that her closest...
Read MoreToo Hard for God?
“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14a ESV) Is anything too hard for the Lord? Here we are, another season later, another round of searching for our lead pastor, and we have just announced one who will be coming to candidate in July! Even now, we do not know for certain if this candidate will be the right one, but we do know that God is leading Creekside to exactly the right person, at the right time for our next season. God is good! I shake my head at how many times I have become anxious and worried during this entire process. I have continued to pray throughout the process,...
Read MoreA Humble Mind
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8 ESV) I have a confession. I have had a tendency in my life to obsess over people whom I have personally deemed to be “intelligent.” I would scour the internet, magazines, quotes and books to try and glean the intelligence of folks who I thought “had arrived” in life. There is nothing inherently wrong with this, as there are reasons these people got to where they are, but I had it all wrong. I thought that there was one type of intelligence that really mattered most. News flash...
Read MoreMaster of Distraction
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 ESV) One of my favorite TV shows of late is a series called Outlander. Claire, a World War II nurse, travels back in time to 1743 Scotland, builds a new life among the Scottish Highlanders, and marries a Scotsman, Jamie Fraser. In the most recent episode, Jamie and Claire flee to Paris to escape the price on Jamie’s head for killing his archenemy, evil Black Jack Randall. Claire finds out from one of Black Jack Randall’s relatives that he is actually not dead. She...
Read MoreCore Strength
“Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, and so that you may live long in the land the LORD swore to your ancestors to give to them and their descendants, a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Deuteronomy 11:8-9) I admit that within the last several months, I have not been diligent about exercise. Too much time at work, on the computer and not making exercise a priority has taken its toll on my body. Recently, I decided to make it a priority and take a...
Read MoreThe One I Love
“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” (Matthew 8:26) Recently, I attended a Third Day concert with Lynn (for those unfamiliar, they are a band formed back in the early 90’s ages ago). I have to say, I really like that band. Maybe it’s that good old Southern Rock I feel in my bones. Or, the fact that the scripture in their music often speaks to my soul, and I recall it while I am singing the words. One of my favorite songs entitled, “The One I...
Read MoreWhat If There Is More Power?
“So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zechariah 4:6) The Holy Spirit has been on my mind a lot lately. In fact, I think the Holy Spirit is prompting me to think about the Holy Spirit! Based on my understanding of the Spirit, I think of Him as someone who lives within me, someone who intercedes for me in prayer, someone who comforts, guides, anoints, and is the power of God. But I can’t say I am typically Holy-Spirit driven. Recently, I have had several...
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