The book of Acts, in some ways, seems like a spiritual free-for-all that is the sequel of the ministry of Jesus on this earth. Jesus was really intentional about giving guidelines for the “what’s” of life and ministry, but not always the “how’s.” So we see the apostles learning as they go and gradually discovering… Read more »
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the… Read more »
Clarity and SurrenderJust this past week, I gratefully snagged the opportunity to travel down to Southern California to visit an old friend of mine. As always, I packed last minute and only later discovered all the things I could have used to better suit my experience. Small things, such as pajamas (who doesn’t want to… Read more »
Ezekiel 36:25-27 (NIV) I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a… Read more »
Jonah and The Whale is arguably one of the most criticized stories in the Bible. And, seldom does anyone remember anything about Jonah past his three days in the belly of a beast and something about a rowdy group of Ninevites. “Poor Jonah,” we’d say. “That dude spent three days in a whale.” At a… Read more »
“’My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am… Read more »
Before the curse, God gave humans the gift of work out of love for His “very good” creation (Genesis 3). Adam and Eve worked out of selfless love for God to “subdue it and have dominion” over it’s creatures. It was good thing. Back then, work was pleasurable and easily glorifying to God. However, after… Read more »
For the last forty-five minutes, Gungor’s “Beautiful Things” has been on repeat. Every time I listen to it, I hear something that I don’t remember hearing earlier. As I type, “you make beautiful things out of the dust” sticks out. Genesis 2:7 (NIV) says, “Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of… Read more »
My job as a server at a restaurant has its benefits but it also has its challenges. One of the bigger challenges is that money concerns are very in your face. One of the ways this is manifested is in tipping out the people I work with that support the job I do: the bussers,… Read more »
Act In Faith and Be Courageous
Scripture: Joshua 1:9 (NIV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Matthew 14:27-29 (NIV) 27 “But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ 28 ‘Lord, if it’s… Read more »
Oftentimes I take a step back and wonder what is wrong with me. Will I ever be able to live free from anxiety and worry? Coming from a family of alcoholism, drug addiction, and co-dependency, the Lord has brought me a long way. Through counseling and pouring myself out before God in reading and prayer,… Read more »
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10,14-18 (NIV) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition… Read more »