When I was young, my mother and I would play Scrabble. It was a weekly, if not sometimes daily, game we would engage in to spend time together and pass the time. As we played, my vocabulary and spelling skills would improve, and you could see the evidence of this in the way I spoke… Continue reading From Scrabble to Spiritual Growth: The Power of Sharpening Relationship
God is the ultimate creator, the One who created all things from nothing and from whom all creativity flows (Genesis 1:1-31). Through Jesus, God’s word made flesh, all things were created (John 1:14). If we want to be creative in our lives or in anything we do, or if we need to come up with… Continue reading Drawing Near to God: The Source of All Creativity
Are you able to take joy and sing thanksgiving in your trials? We all struggle to find the bright side in difficult situations, but what if we could find joy even in life's valleys? God's word tells us we can, not through our own willpower, but by relying on God, our ultimate source of strength… Continue reading Finding Joy in Trials: Strength Through Weakness
Time in the Wilderness, A Time to Prepare. Time in the wilderness is a time when God prepares your heart to be a creature fit for heaven. In Numbers, we see that God tells the Israelites that they are to wander the wilderness for forty years because of their unbelief. God was waiting for those… Continue reading Lessons from the Wilderness: Find God’s Rest
The music blared from an old iPod. Suddenly, I was back in the year 2002. I had found the closest thing to a time machine. When rummaging through the abundance of things we store in the basement, I came across an iPod full of music from my childhood. It filled me with the feeling of… Continue reading Staying Focused on God through Remembrance
If a murder came to you and asked you to follow him, because God told him to lead you out of captivity, would you do it? You would at least think twice about it, but this is exactly the situation the Israelites find themselves in in Exodus (Exodus 4:18-31). This week, I have been reading… Continue reading Journey through Exodus
An old Amish saying states “ Trade expectation for appreciation and the world changes instantly”. This saying made me think of the verse in 1 Corinthians 15 that says “So, dear brothers and sisters, be strong and unmoveable, Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is… Continue reading Shifting Perspective: Finding Joy Through Serving God Enthusiastically
Sharing in His suffering Sometimes suffering for Jesus as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 4 looks like the persecution that the 1st century Christians suffered and so many brothers and sisters suffer all around the globe today. However, I have struggled with what this means for me and others who live in the West who… Continue reading Participating in Christ’s Suffering: Understanding and Embracing Pain
Have you ever felt yourself running on empty? Becoming easily angered, frustrated, or overly emotional? In my life, I have found that when I begin to feel this way I begin to live according to my flesh more and live by the spirit less. I am less loving, patient, grace-filled, and compassionate among other things. … Continue reading Recentering on God: How Setting Boundaries Helps You Live a Spirit-Filled Life
“The echoes of those who came before span the chasm between here and heaven calling to something bigger.” Emily Bybee This quote above came to my mind as I contemplated my Bible study lesson for the week. In Bible study, we’re discussing pursuing your purpose and the calling that God has placed on your life.… Continue reading Unveiling Spiritual Heritage: Pursuing Eternal Impact
More Of Jesus Please 