A much younger friend works out with me to help me improve my health. She regularly reminds me that I “pace myself” when I’m doing any given physical challenge. While she would like for me to exert myself fully throughout, instead I start slowly and gradually increase my effort. She says I hold back.
Have you ever had a conversation that helped you reframe a current circumstance? Recently my husband’s comments about a difficult situation provided me much-needed perspective.
After we’d discussed the situation for what seemed like the forty-second time, he said, “This gives us an opportunity to trust the Lord.”
They tried everything they could to reduce her fever. Witch hazel. An ice bath. They knew a doctor was the best decision to save their daughter’s life. With no phone and no vehicle, they did the only thing they could.
“Run as fast as you can to the doctor’s house. Ask him to come with his medicine kit. Whatever you do, don’t stop running!”
I cannot be good on my own or explain spiritual truth on my own … I need help.
It is freeing to admit that … I need help.
What moves you?
I mean … moves you to action … compels you to do something.
Anger? Injustice? Anger can motivate.
Can you hear God?
At times, even as God’s child it can be hard to hear Him.
Do you know what God’s Word says?
There is hope … even in the impossible.
Is there something that you face today that seems impossible and hopeless?
Have you heard … it’s 100% cancer? I have.
Have you lost someone close to you? I have.
Have you heard … something overwhelming, something you didn’t want to hear?
In those moments, what do you do? Where do you turn?
One of the fun adventures I got to enjoy with my daughters as a Girl Scout Troop Leader was our camping trips. We had many opportunities to camp in a scout’s backyard, camp by the lake, and even camp at SeaWorld in San Antonio. On each of these trips, one of the most essential items to have was a flashlight.
My girls loved playing hide and seek when they were younger. The thrill of finding the perfect hiding sport with the hope of outsmarting the seeker created a fun game for the whole family. Hide and Seek may be a fun game to play with family or friends, but we can never play it with God.
My husband and I had invited several of our neighbors over for dinner. Glancing around the dinner table this verse came to my mind.
My Grandmother had a funny way with words in order to get her point across. Some of her favorite sayings were: “This is how the cow ate the corn”, as she grabbed your knee to get your attention, “Well, shoot a monkey,” when things did not go her way, and “A little bird told me,” when she was curious about something she had heard.
Israel was faced with impossible odds when they looked at what was before them in the land of Canaan. God promised them this land, but seeing what they were up against was beyond their comfort zone and physical capabilities.
You are a living stone. In the previous verse, Peter said Jesus is a living stone. You are being compared to Jesus! Wow!
You are being built into a spiritual temple. The architect and builder are none other than God himself! He promises to complete the project.
My son wants me to cut his hair. This is surprising. He likes his hair long. It’s not just long, but ponytail long. He could play a convincing role as Jesus. He does have beautiful hair. It is thick and shiny and wavy.
John Loss (J.L.) Hancock was a rifle marksman in the United States Marine Corp (USMC). He faithfully served his country in World War II. In the Battle of Tarawa, J. L. Hancock, along with many fellow Marines and Sailors, gave the ultimate sacrifice on November 22, 1943.
A squirrel caught my eye at the park. It nibbled on kernel after kernel of corn, undeterred by people jogging by or children squealing on the playground.
Walking in the yard, I heard the rumblings of thunder. My heart leapt with anticipation and admiration as my focus shifted heavenward. Thunder reminds me of God and his awe-inspiring greatness.
If you read through Psalms 77, you will find that the psalmist was in a tough spot, in deep distress. He opened his heart to the Lord, and he was honest about how he was feeling. Then he turned his attention to what the Lord had done. He remembered God’s goodness and His mercy.
This verse is so comforting to us. We know that our God is good, and He works all things for our good. BUT . . . we also must remember that our good may include struggles and pain. Our good may be walking through that tough thing.
