Do you ever wonder why we pray? I mean, God is love, he’s all knowing, he’s sovereign, omni-everything, right? So… why should I reiterate what he already knows, especially since he also knows what comes next? Yes. So have I. In fact, I often wonder all of that while I am praying. It happens when…
Tag: Jesus
Opposite World
I’m different. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. I know we’re all unique. (And since unique means ‘one of a kind’, well then, how can there be a ‘different’—since there is no ‘normal’, nor ‘standard’?) But I’m really different. It’s quite nearly every single thing that could possible be ‘different’. Allow me…
Empathy
Earlier this week I told the story here of how one thought led to another, leading me to the interesting conclusion that we are so self-focused that even when we are actually thinking of others we are thinking of self. Incredible, and brilliantly designed by our Creator, I might add. Another thought that has been…
Others
It’s really funny how much we think of ourselves. Even when we’re trying to think of others. This morning I was thinking of Jesus’ words, “Treat other people the way you want to be treated,” and how often I have misrepresented those, even to myself—even though I don’t mean to misrepresent them. I think that…
More of You and of Me Less
There’s a song. It’s a song that I wrote. The words actually seem a bit out of order: “More of you and of me less…” (Sometimes when you write songs, the words fit better when they’re “out of order”.) But the words are still true. (If you have time, or can listen while you read—or…
Rest
Rest is currently the word reverberating through various sectors of my life. That usually means I should listen. I am reading through the Old Testament—slowly but surely—and currently find myself musing through the prophesies (and historical context content) of Isaiah, son of Amoz. There are many utterances and proclamations of doom and destruction for all…
Trust
A while back, I was having a conversation with a friend about the centrality of trust to Jesus’ teaching in the gospels, and Scripture as a whole. It seems to be a foundational principal of Kingdom thinking. We were discussing the various tenets of faith, and trust, and belief, and as we hashed it out…
The Blame Game
Deep within the heart of mankind is a hesitancy, if not an outright refusal to accept responsibility. Some of us are able to work up the courage on occasion, but generally our first (and second, and third) response is to point the finger at someone else. Yesterday a friend told me a story he had…
Christianity, or Jesus? (Aren’t They the Same?)
Our family is currently making our way through the book of Luke together. We’re taking our time, but I do enjoy reading in larger chunks, so we will often read what might be the subject of an entire series of sermons in one sitting. Tonight, we read through the fifteenth chapter: the three stories of…
Christmas All Year Round?
We’re getting really, really close to Christmas Day. Have you noticed? Throngs of folks out picking up gifts for everyone they love—and maybe some they don’t—all hoping that the recipient will feel the love held for them by the giver through the gift chosen and given. It’s kinda fun, actually. (Except for the “throngs” part….