Sometimes God takes us through some very uncomfortable things. I’m not talking about major stuff like death of a loved one or major illness or other loss. He takes us through those too, and they’re pretty awful. I’m talking about ongoing trials, low-level stressors. Things we don’t necessarily talk much about. But things that are…
Reflections
My Simple Faith
I have a simple faith. There’s nothing particularly complicated about it. It’s pretty straightforward. I believe in God. I believe He created the heavens and the earth. He created everything. That’s just the way it is. The more we study the world around us, the more we see how exactly designed it is. God created…
God’s Ways Are Not Mine
O Lord, Thou are my God; I will exalt Thee, I will give thanks to Thy name; For Thou hast worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness (Isaiah 25:1). God is faithful. His ways are not my ways so sometimes it doesn’t feel like He’s all that faithful. From my perspective, from my…
When I’m Called To Something Difficult
God doesn’t mess around. He literally told Isaiah to go around naked for three years. And barefoot. I find the naked part a little more noteworthy, but both though. Naked and barefoot. Three years. “Go and loosen the sackcloth from your hips, and take your shoes off your feet.” And he did so, going naked…
God is Always With Me
God is always with us. He’s always with me. He is the God of my salvation. He is the rock of my refuge. And He’s always with me. God is with me whether I’m full of faith or full of doubt. He’s my salvation either way. He gave me my faith. He knows what I’m…
God Has Brought Me Here
God is faithful. I know it. I preach it. I proclaim it. I know He directs my steps, so I know He’s led me here, to this place, to this time. I know that if He has led me, then He has a purpose. He has a good reason for bringing me to this spot…
Waiting and Praising
I’m a little frustrated right now. Frustrated with waiting. It’s hard to praise the Lord in a season of waiting, yet that’s all there is to do right now. And it’s hard to connect with Him when I can’t get my mind off the wondering how this season will end. I’m waiting for one thing…
The Creator is With Me
…Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 12:6 NASB). The Lord is great in my midst. Absolutely. He speaks to me, sorts out my days, directs my steps, leads me. He fellowships with me. And He’s the Holy One of Israel. He’s the Creator of the heavens and earth. Of everything.…
Jesus Does Not Look at the Outward
When Jesus walked this earth, He did not judge by what He saw and He did not judge by what He heard. He did not judge by outward appearances. If He had, I wonder what His disciples might have looked like. I wonder if they would have been a mish-mash of rogues, working class laborers,…
Things That Chasten Us
The Lord is able to do all things. He can do more than we ask or imagine. In fact, sometimes He does not only what we haven’t asked for, but what we would have specifically asked Him not to do had we thought He’d do that. And sometimes, those things that He does that we’d…