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Engaging in a Prickly World
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV It seems the world is a bit prickly lately. Perhaps this is my observation and it only applies to southwest Michigan, but for some reason, I’m thinking it’s endemic. Plenty of confounding reasons for humans to be wound a little tighter than days past, so many in fact, I am not even going to list them. You can find them for yourself by typing the letters “Daily News” into your favorite search engine. It is possible to avoid…
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Maintaining A Perspective of Hope; Multi-Generational Sowing
“For here the saying holds true, One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered their labor.” John 4:37-38 Inhabitants of the free world stopped and gasped this week, breathing through their social media outlets with a call for prayer. A shattered republic standing in a pool of blood, blood from centuries of humans battling for the right to rule and the blood of foreign men and women dressed in battle fatigues, fighting for something. Something sometimes defined, sometimes not. My heart broke for strong, intelligent, steadfast women, children, a generation of young people who…
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The Great Interruption; Encountering Jesus Christ
As he (Saul) neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord,” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:3-6 Saul’s (soon to be Paul) blinding encounter with Jesus Christ may be the most prominent encounter story recorded in the Bible. Saul is en route to Damascus, comrades and letter bag in tow. He is intent on deterring the radical Jesus…
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Sacred Stories; Perseverance and Hope
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked for us. Hebrews 12:1 The words to Nightbirde’s (Jane Marczewski) chart climbing hit, “It’s ok, it’s ok, it’s ok, it’s ok, if you’re lost, we’re all a little lost and it’s alright”, roll through bringing relief like thunder from a summer storm. Her stunning smile carries a story and a sacred song, “the voice we all need to hear right now”. An admission of hopeful questions and acceptance that not all answers are meant for…
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An Invitation to Join a Kingdom Advancing
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 I envision the kingdom of God advancing, strong men on wild beasts brandishing their swords as they push time forward, ever expanding a kingdom that will know no end, making the way for Christ followers from all of eternity to join them at some designated point in time to live and reign forever. I am envisioning a Braveheart remake, enhanced with all of the cinematic advancements that have been made over the last 16 years. What I read in the word of God doesn’t quite align with my thoughts. The kingdom of God came…
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Is the Abundant Life for You?
The dismantling of our checkbox list reveals itself to be the pathway to abundance. I thought it was a lie. A smiley face to put on for Sunday morning, to tack on for Bible Study. Abundant life, what does this even mean? A checkbox list of accomplishments, acquisitions, firsts. Checked boxes of fleeting satisfaction chalking up to nothing. The pursuit of more that leaves a trail of nothing but next. Sounds a bit like Solomon’s rant in the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon, the man of great wisdom. Solomon, the man of great wealth, of women too numerous to count, the one who finally built the temple. Was his life not…
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Boundary Lines and Obedience ; Living your Best Life
LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:5-6 They make it, finally, to the Promised Land. Joshua leads the way after a chorus of reminders from Moses and the LORD God to be strong and courageous, to not be afraid, to remember and to know. Joshua was not a battle novice, many years before he had gallantly fought the Amalekites (Exodus 17) with a ragamuffin army under the prayers of one somewhat elderly man whose arms were held high by the strength of two…
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A Girl, Her Mom, and a Map; What to do When You’re Headed Someplace You’ve Never Been
Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. Joshua 3:4 May I have a map, please? A paper one. The kind that unfolds wide, and then never quite folds back to its original tidy state. It is not uncommon for me to purchase a map, or two, before traveling to a new place. I want to know where I am going in the context of where I am. I want to trace the driving route before my plane touches the ground. I want my biggest navigation hurdle to be finding my way out of the rental car parking lot (which is, by…
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Sustainable Shoes; Longing for a New Pair
The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him. Deuteronomy 13:4-5 Time stretches and flies simultaneously. Hazy, it seems I have lived this day before, this pattern. Seems like these feet have been walking this same dusty path for days that have run into years, counting steps and turning over miles. Circling. They wore the same shoes for forty years. A commentary on the quality of God’s provision? Or…
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Kingdoms Falling; A Look at Peter
Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before Me; your throne will be established forever. 2 Samuel 7:17 The Twelve are the closest followers of Jesus Christ while His human feet stir dust on this planet. Men whom Jesus calls, grants authority over demons (Matthew 10:2), appoints (Mark 3:16), designates as apostles (Luke 6:14) and chooses (John 6:70). They walk in step with Him, watch Him, listen to Him, eat with Him, learn from Him. They do life together as Jesus carries out His earthly ministry. The Twelve are a band of hooligans consisting of fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, brothers, tradesmen, tough guys from tough places, led…
