I love my church. But I'll be the first to admit, I don't always feel like going to services. It's a part of my life, though, and it's a commitment that I'm going to stick with. Similar to getting out the door to the gym, the hardest part is over once I'm there.
Read MoreWonder is a word that is synonymous with other words such as surprised, awe-filled and inexplicable. It's a beautiful thing to keep your sense of wonder at the world around you. I'm sure that's one of the many reasons I'm so drawn to G.K. Chesterton's writings. He was a man that was filled with wonder. The Ethics of Elfland, a chapter within his book, Orthodoxy, is a prime example. I've pulled out some of my favorite quotes on wonder from this chapter of G.K. Chesterton's book, to give you a taste.
Read MoreHave you ever felt forgotten and abandoned?
There is a whole society of people that stands with you, bearing the weight of loneliness and shame, fear and isolation.
It’s AD 60 and Paul is sitting in the corner of a Roman prison, writing the book of Ephesians to the new community of Christians in Ephesus. The book of Ephesians is about our identity in Christ – our adoption, redemption and hope.
Read MoreHey, Sweet Friend...
I’m writing to let you know that we’ve missed YOU in our fellowship!
We really have! No, we haven’t called or checked on you like we should have. I’m really sorry for this.
We’ve not been as sensitive as we should have been. We’ve dropped the ball in our follow through. We’ve failed you in our outreach.
But, I’m reaching out to you now – today. I really hope it’s not too late.
I want to invite you to come back to church.
Read MoreI'm happy to welcome Lori Schumaker, who writes at Searching for Moments, to share with you today as part of the Summer Sizzle Blog Hop. Lori is a precious and dear friend who has what seems to be an endless supply of compassion. She loves people and she loves pointing them to Jesus. I believe her words will be as much a blessing to you as they were to me.
Read MoreOn this particular day I sit in the silence and let the wave just crash over me. If it was an actual wave it’d be enough to drown me but it’s not that type of wave.
It’s a wave of overwhelm that floods my soul.
It threatens to pull me out to the deep if I don’t find something to cling to. It wants to drag me to the place where fears overtake and hope gets washed away.
Read MoreFear grips tightly. I‘ve known the daily struggle to throw off the chains of fear. I’ve learned to pray through these times. I focus my mind on that which is true and of good report. I meditate on scriptures, which remind me to trust in the Lord with all my heart- and my faith is made stronger. Fear is replaced with peace.
Read MoreMy newest printable journal, 31 Days: New Beginnings, is a packed full of beautiful quote graphics and scriptures that celebrate new beginnings. The arrival of spring and the celebration of Easter is a good time to ponder the gift of new life that Christians have been given, through grace, because of Jesus.
The Delight in Doctrine series that Melanie have been publishing on Wednesdays is on hiatus for one week. In the meantime, I'm excited to share a resource that's closely related, something I've been working on for you! I have a new printable journal called, 31 Days of Scripture: The Character of God. It's a free gift for you, my way of letting you know how much I love and appreciate you.
Read More