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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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Praying; When the Rain Comes Down
I do not know much about God and prayer, but I have come to believe, over the past twenty-five years, that there’s something to be said about keeping prayer simple. Help. Thanks. Wow. Anne Lamott – Help. Thanks. Wow. The Three Essential Prayers Help. Thanks. Wow. That’s all I’ve got. Turns out it’s enough. Anne Lamott happens to be one of my favorites. Eclectic, authentic, raw, and true, she gives it to us straight. Somedays all we’ve got is help, thanks, wow. It is raining in West Michigan. Raining, not just today, but what seems to be everyday, for a long run of days. The weather forecast hints this will…
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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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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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Be Still; The Ever Powerful Presence of God
See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and His arm rules for Him. See, His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him. Isaiah 40:10 The earth is abuzz with spring, birdsong has been calling forth the morning since before dawn. There are whitecaps on the lake across the road, small waves awakened by the wind. Chainsaws are humming in the distance, clearing what winter has left behind. Children are playing, shouting, pups are claiming their boundary lines. The world is loud on this typically quiet goes nowhere street. I sit as the morning sun hits my face, bombarded with the noise, trying to discern what is what, wondering…
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Discipleship; More than You can Ask or Imagine
As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said. “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. When He had gone a little farther, He saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with hired men and followed Him. Mark 1:16-20 The beauty of being a disciple of Jesus Christ is its simplicity. Before time was yet time, He…
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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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Hide and Seek; Stepping into the Storm
I said, “You are my servant”, I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:9-10 Like a spring storm that quietly begins to rumble in the distance, doubt rolls in ever so subtly winding itself around this thing called faith. Uneasiness sets in, joy and peace crumble, questions that have long been answered emerge like unwanted shoots firing through my mind. Faith is a shield (Ephesians 6:16) and my shield is down, flaming arrows…
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God’s Good and Very Good
Long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 2 Peter 3:5-6 We scramble on all fours, claiming the granite rock first with a hand and then a foot, breathing hard but steady. The sun is warm, the air is cool. We turn to see what has been left behind, to measure how far we have come. It is a majestic sight, set against blue sky mottled with small clouds. We watch for rocks worn smooth by hands and feet that have already ascended the path. Anna has…
