God Loves You…

Yesterday, a friend emailed me the following ”failed gospel tract:”

Ain’t it the truth?!
It all depends on how you define “wonderful plan,” doesn’t it?

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Compelled by Love

… Still recovering from my 15-month ordeal (see the last post, below). Who knew I could sleep so much?
Now, on to a more spiritual topic.
I wrote a while ago about the sense that Jesus is calling me to greater intimacy, a call, I realize, that at some level I am afraid to follow.
I think one aspect of [...]

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Son of Hamas Meets Son of God

A friend told me about a pretty amazing story yesterday: the son of a Hamas leader has converted to Christianity, renouncing his past.
Here’s a link to an interview with this young man: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,402483,00.html
I’d read the story instead of watching the very short videos.

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Bargaining with God (Who, Me?)

I never thought I was the kind of person who would get mad at God when things got tough, who would think she deserved better. 
But, here I am.
Two guys who’ve influenced me greatly say the following about this subject:
If, like the elder brother [in the parable of the 'prodigal son'], you seek to control God through your obedience, then [...]

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The Contradiction of Christmas

Isn’t it amazing that so many people celebrate the birth of Jesus, yet reject Jesus himself? How weird is that? Even those who  accept Jesus might unwittingly reject the Jesus of the Bible:
·      The Jesus of the Bible was born in a stable, not a 6 BR house with 3.5 baths
·      The Jesus of the [...]

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There’s Adultery Among Us

Our small group had a discussion about idolatry a while back.
We are studying a great book about Revelation: Discipleship on the Edge by Darrell W. Johnson. Johnson points out how the book of Revelation reflects the Biblical theme that the church is the bride of Christ. Our group discussed Johnson’s point that every time we [...]

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Ok, Ok… I’ll Be Grateful Already

Isn’t it the case that when you least expect it, some verse of Scripture jumps up and bites you? Like this one:
Do not be anxious about anything [who, me, anxious?!], but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Philippians 4: 6
Ok, ok. I’ll do it. I’ll pray with thanksgiving [...]

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The Job, the Interview, & the Cross

So, here’s where we are at.
I am pretty much at the end of my tether re my job. I often start the day with “I hate my job.” However, after having read the Bible each AM (a few months ago, after my doubting phase, it was the only thing I knew I needed to do regularly), [...]

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Buy The Prodigal God Now!

…and tell me what you think.
I’ve been out of town, but the first chance I have to get the book, I will.  I just bought the book and started reading it: you should, too!
Check it out at Amazon or on its own website.
Having heard several sermons by author Tim Keller on the subject, I can [...]

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Longing for the End

Ooooh. That sounds ominous!
I e-wrote this to a friend today:
One thing really encouraged me from a Tim Keller sermon on Hebrews recently [(our small group is studying Hebrews and listening to the sermons, too)]. I long so much for [my husband] to get “fixed,” for life to improve (sometimes these days I ONLY want pain relief and could care less about sanctification [...]

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A Poem That Really Moves Me

Holy Sonnets XIV  (by John Donne, pictured below)
 
BATTER my heart, three person’d God; for, you
As yet but knocke, breathe, shine, and seeke to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o’erthrow mee, ‘and bend
Your force, to breake, blowe, burn and make me new.
I, like an usurpt towne, to’another due,
Labour to’admit you, but Oh, to no end,
Reason [...]

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Clay Aiken: Articles Juxtaposed

Interesting juxtaposition:
In a Christianity Today article, Clay Aiken talks about his deep Christian faith.
In an article to be revealed in People magazine tomorrow, he says:
“Yes, I’m Gay.” The cover also has the quote: “I cannot raise a child to lie or hide things.”
Comments?

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What About the Bible?

I was over at the blog of a Christian writer.
He shared a letter from a Jewish friend who had a Christian wife. It was sweet letter sharing the love the couple has despite the difference in their faiths. Everyone left kind and encouraging comments.
‘Til me.
Well, my comment wasn’t unkind. I asked if the wife was a Christian before [...]

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Delivered: Don’t Forget It!

I must sound like the most bitter hag on the planet, considering my spate of blogs on anger, doubt, frustration with church, etc., etc., etc.
So, I’m going to turn the tables tonight and exercise my thanksgiving muscle.
You know what God said about remembering. To keep from turning into wearisome whiners, those Israelites were supposed to [...]

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Walking Down Forgiveness Lane

I realized this week that I have yet to forgive some people, maybe a bunch of people, maybe the whole church…
I think I need to talk a long walk down forgiveness lane.
Two things happened to bring up the bitterness churning below, out of sight, mostly out of mind.
I attended a retreat and met a parishioner from my [...]

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