Category Archives: Encouragement
Discovering Delight
“How do you sense God delighting in you?” That was the question, and I had no answer. Somebody asked me that several years ago, and I’ve been pondering it ever since. How do I experience God delighting in me? I … Continue reading
The Center
You are not the center of the universe. I mean that as an encouragement. Seriously. I’m not saying you act like you’re better than anyone. What I see is that you sometimes take the weight of the responsibility of the … Continue reading
The Scalpel of the Spirit
Dear Jesus, I am convicted, pierced, humbled before you today, but not destroyed or condemned… Reflecting on one of my failings recently, I was frustrated with myself. I imagined picking up a metaphorical 2×4 to smack myself upside my metaphorical … Continue reading
In the Clamor
Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:15-16 This is a familiar … Continue reading
Letter to a True Friend
You are the most authentic person I know, and in being so, you bring glory to God. God is the God of Truth, and you honor and glorify Him in your relentless pursuit of truth and in your relationship with … Continue reading
Anchor
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure… Hebrews 6:19 What is an anchor? Isn’t it something heavy? Something solid? We often think of “hope” as something wishful, airy, without much substance – like a … Continue reading
Juggling
One of my least favorite responsibilities in my family is making the summer plans and buying plane tickets. It used to be simple when my kids were little, involving one trip to visit my parents. As the kids got older, … Continue reading
Rejected
I know an adopted child who is currently grappling with the pain of feeling rejected by her birth mom. This cuts deep to her identity and sense of value, threatening her sense of worth. As I was praying for her, … Continue reading
Dark Christmas
A friend of mine is in a dark place this Christmas. As we talked about not wanting to have to “put on the jingle bells” and pretend smiles, I was reminded again that the first Christmas was not about shopping, … Continue reading
Have you ever been mad at God?
A friend of mine is going through a significantly painful life situation that begs the question, “Is it OK to be mad at God?” I’ve heard a theologically convincing “No, because then you’re claiming you can judge God.” However, where … Continue reading
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