Posts with the tag “glory”

There is much that distracts and pulls our attention from the things that matter most. How do we combat the encroaching concerns of life that threaten to overwhelm our proper focus? As Paul is wrapping up his letter of thanks and encouragement to the Philippians,   Read More

Do you have a hard time orienting your life in the present to the realities promised by God? Even though we are able to imagine future outcomes, we are often overwhelmed by besetting issues and problems. And in many ways dealing with what is in front of us is a healthy way to live. Didn’t Jesus say, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”(Matthew 6:34)?  Read More

I think this morning was perfect. The rain came last night and we opened our windows to let in the fresh air. As I woke, the sun played lightly on my cheek and I could hear the wind gently blowing in the trees around my house. The temperature was cool, but not cold, and everything smelled fresh and new.  Read More

When I was a high school freshman I went to a church camp and they had a belly flop contest. I was one of the finalist and went for my last dive. At that moment, I had to weigh the risks between pain and glory. So I jumped as high as I could on the diving board, grabbed both my ankles and splatted on the water with a sickening SLAP! I screamed under the water at the pain and my chest was a bright red for the rest of the day, but I won the contest! I thought the risk was worth the glory, the applause of others.  Read More

Many days I live as if God is a “fill in the blanks” deity. I push and strain to do all I can and then miraculously, magically, providentially God honors work and settles the details I did not have time, energy, or resources to finish. A knick of time God. This is a lie. It is an immature view of God and a proud egotistically view of self. The truth is we need help. We are dependent on God.  Read More