Category: Faith
-
Three Signposts to Help You Stay on the Narrow Way
While rereading Pilgrim’s Progress, it struck me how simple were the instructions given to the main character, Christian. Just stay on the narrow way. Go straight. Yet time and again, Christian strays or is tempted to veer. The arguments for taking another path are often compelling and plausible. The same is true for us. No…
-
Can God-Given Dreams Die?
There are moments where the thought that I could die anytime at all strikes me silly. I’m not worried about where I’m going. I believe God’s Word in 2 Timothy 4:18–He will deliver me safely into His Kingdom. My (foolish!) concern? I worry that I might die before I get to finish particular reading, study, and…
-
Uncovering Ulterior Motives
Sometimes our motives are obvious. Other times, we have ulterior motives guiding us, affecting our decision-making and discernment. For me, guilt is often an ulterior motive. Back in school, every time the teacher reprimanded the whole class for bad behavior instead of singling someone out, I was sure it was all my fault. Even now,…
-
To The Wanna-Know-It-Alls
“I don’t know.” You say it when someone asks you to do something and you aren’t sure how to answer. The words are uttered in annoyance by kids everywhere as parents inquire about homework, grades, and missing toys. “…Anymore” is tagged on when tragedies strike and we’re left in shock. Feelings of doubt, loss, vulnerability,…
-
When Your Definition of Perfection Is Too Small
“You can never do anything all the way right.” It’s a line I wrote sarcastically while joking with a friend. The trouble is, it stuck with me and my perfectionist ways. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” backs up the notion (Romans 3:23) But those of us bent toward perfectionism…
-
View From A Mountaintop
What is it about mountains? Moses met with God there. The Samaritans and Jews argued over which one people should worship on. People have called them holy. Jesus went up them to pray. We marvel at photos of them, take vacations to climb them, and even use them in reference to the best points of…
-
3 Biblical Responses to Others’ Struggles
Jesus’ words are clear: “in this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). We expect it. Often, though, we wish that “you” wasn’t so all-inclusive. It can be harder to watch those we love struggle than it is to suffer ourselves. We don’t always know how to help. During the holiday season of 2020, this…
-
Our Hope Is Built On Nothing Less Than…
I laugh at the memes featuring people peeking out from behind their doors, wild-eyed, saying, “what chapter of Revelation are we doing today?” I’ve chuckled at stoic, cynical jokes about bracing ourselves for the last few months of 2020- a year that seems doomed. Humor is good. Laughter helps. But in case, like me, you…
-
What’s in Your Closet?
For years, I walked around with holy socks. As in, socks with gaping holes in them. At first, it was because money was tight. Over time, it was just what I was used to (and I’m a creature of habit.) Even after someone gifted me new, thick, soft socks, I still wore the old ones….
-
God’s Creative Answers to Prayer
A sweet friend of mine recently commented that God’s creativity is amazing- not just in nature but in the ways He does things, the ways He answers prayer. This is a picture of that. Over the years, I’ve prayed for a mentor. For deep friendships. For opportunities to encourage others in Christ. For my compulsion…