Category: Spiritual Growth
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Consider the Lilies…
Easter lilies are undeniably beautiful, lovely, and very fragrant. On Easter Sunday, they often adorn our churches for obvious reasons. You see them in the foyers, on the stage, in the windows, and beside the church pews. One Easter Sunday, the Easter lilies taught me a valuable lesson, though it might not be what you…
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Grace
Like love, my view on grace has evolved significantly over the years. As I journey through life, experiencing and observing, I find myself in need of grace more and more. Life becomes increasingly complex and grey, but God’s grace brings clarity and simplicity. We recognize that it is only through God’s grace that we receive…
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Powerless but Powerful
I’ve never considered myself weak. Not that I thought I was some kind of super strong, amazing saint. For most of my life, if I set my mind to do or not do something, I could muster enough willpower to follow through on my decision. Whether it was related to health, spiritual matters, or other…
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Trust and Surrender
Recently, I watched a movie called “The War Room,” and it brought me to my knees. I had been exhausted, trying to fight the battles in my life alone. I searched for solutions, and when I did pray, it was to ask for resolution in the way I thought God should provide it. With each…
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Who Do You Say I Am? Part 2
Earlier I have written about who Jesus is to me. I was inspired by the question asked in scripture where Jesus said “who do you say I am” and also by the message my pastor was sharing. Initially, my first thoughts were he’s my friend, my provider, my hiding place or refuge, my anchor, and…
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The Unpacked Boxes
The boxes sat packed in my garage for three months. I avoided them. I told myself that it was because I was busy. That was partially true, I was quite busy. However the whole truth was that I was avoiding the boxes because of what they held. They were memorabilia boxes that held the remnants…
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I Want It My Way
I was struggling and frustrated with my daughter’s behavior when I had an epiphany. She was doing exactly what I do, kind of. There I was, all worked up and feeling completely justified in my frustration and anger towards her, when I realized I am not any better than she. She would ask me a…
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A Deeper Look at Self-Reflection
I recently wrote about self-reflection. Essentially the importance of going to the Lord and asking him to test us, try us, and see if there is an area of our lives that we need him to change, to lay aside our excuses and be transformed. There are a few points of clarification though that I…
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Self-Reflection
I was talking with my friend the other day. I’m not sure why I did it, but I began to question him. I called him out on a certain behavior or choice he had been making. He responded defensively with an explanation as to why he made that choice. This would normally be where I…
Devotions For Real Life 