All in Spiritual Growth
Once my daughter and a friend of hers got into a little disagreement. As I asked the girls what the problem was, each girl began telling her side of the story . . . simultaneously. When they realized that neither was backing down, each girl spoke louder and louder. My son was standing right beside me, and his observation was, "That's too many words!" I laughed and had to agree.
All dressed up in your virtues? Looking for the perfect place to go to shower love on everyone? Look no further than your daily routines. Wherever you go, you live worthy of the Lord by working at whatever you do with all your heart. Now isn’t that just too simple?
Yesterday Paul left me contemplating the vice grip of self and the need to put to death—to mortify—my earthly nature. And today, his solution—change my wardrobe? Hmm.
Paul’s prayer for my being filled with the knowledge of God’s will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9) has challenged me, ladies, to read on for the specifics. Paul is not one to leave his readers hanging for long. If he’s noticed a problem, he’s sure to venture a solution.
Ladies, don’t you just love the apostle Paul’s flair for the dramatic? In this truly classic letter to his friends in Colosse, he first thanks God for their stellar reputation of faith and love based on eternal hope (Colossians 1:5). He then hits them squarely between the eyes with the enormous challenge of living worthy of the Lord in order to please him in every way.
We never heard a sound and there was no visible evidence left behind. My newly planted marigolds had mysteriously been stripped of all their foliage. My flowerbed looked like rows of lemon lollipops—flowers on bare stalks. Within days, the vibrant blossoms withered. Their source of life had been consumed. I stood dumbstruck. By the time I figured out what happened it was too late.
My friend was having difficulties getting her 7-year-old daughter up and ready for school in the mornings. After repeatedly asking her daughter to do her morning routine, she decided she had enough.
Once my daughter and a friend of hers got into a little disagreement. As I asked the girls what the problem was, each girl began telling her side of the story . . . simultaneously.
The other day I was taking off my jewelry, and I must have pulled too hard on my ring. It flew off the end of my finger when I pulled it over my knuckle. I heard it hit the carpet.
For the past two fall seasons, I’ve experienced severely dry eyes. Raw, irritated and red. Most of the time I just want to close them.
The first casualty of relegating the Old Testament to the back burner of our theology, is the importance and centrality of the Creation account.
I have friends who like to scuba dive. They put on their equipment and plunge into a different world under the sea. The sea isn’t an environment suited to man naturally. However, with the right equipment, it is possible to breathe and explore fascinating things God has created.
Trust weighs heavy on my heart this year. Where to begin? My growing up years did not lack for trust. I felt secure and confident in my family, with friends, at school, in sports.
My friend was having trouble getting her 7-year-old daughter up and ready for school in the mornings. After repeatedly asking her daughter to do her morning routine, she decided she had enough.
The other day I was taking off my jewelry, and I must have pulled too hard on my ring. It flew off the end of my finger when I pulled it over my knuckle.
I remember getting some parenting advice as a newlywed — four years before we would have children.
As my friend got ready for her garage sale, she found one lonely ski glove. Who needs one ski glove?
These Bible stories aren’t new. Yet I’m amazed at how practical they are for us today — no matter our location or stage of life.
“Well, what did He say? What did He say your name was? Tell me, tell me, tell me!”
