The last two years has been a pile-on of difficult, trying, desperately sad, and draining circumstances. About a year ago, I began searching for a healthy escape, an outlet, that was not going to be dangerous to my health, my spiritual growth, or my family. Sometime in the Spring, I saw an announcement on Facebook... Continue Reading →
Jesus Is Not In A Panic But We Often Are
I thought 2017 was a tough year for me and many of the people I work with but 2018 has already been marked by one report of bad news after another. I have that same sinking, weak, and impotent feeling I had last summer when my Dad died. My knees seem to constantly be in... Continue Reading →
The Four Words That Are About To Turn Your World Upside Down
We are about to enter the Do Not Be Afraid season. Everywhere you turn in the Christmas story is someone being told to not be afraid. Mary is told to not be afraid, Joseph is told to not be afraid, and then the Shepherds are told to not be afraid. What was going on that... Continue Reading →
Fear #4 – More Responsibility
One of the basic rules of life is that with age comes more responsibility. I am more aware of this on this particular day because it is my birthday. Just as physical growth brings more responsibility, so does spiritual growth. When I get closer to God I realize more of my own failings and how... Continue Reading →
Changing Ourselves Can Be Frightful
My oldest daughter is convinced that she is a "germaphobe". She is in that pre-teen age range that starts to obsess over identity. All of those labels that are so stereotypical of school start to surface during this time. So, my daughter has chosen "germaphobe" as her identity. I am sure she will graduate to... Continue Reading →
Is Following Christ No Fun?
The second thing that many Christians fear when they become more devoted in their faith is that they will lose the things that bring enjoyment to their life. What people don't understand is that God knows better than we do what brings us enjoyment. He has our best interests at heart and if we will... Continue Reading →
Fearing Spiritual Failure
I have always been a terrible swimmer. Two years ago, I tried to remedy my poor swimming status by sheer practice. I failed miserably. I seemed to be attacking the water rather than gliding through it. One lap down was a chore that left me out of breath and hurting. I was frustrated and annoyed... Continue Reading →
How Fear Is Keeping You From the Spiritual Life You Want
Christians are living in a state of fear which leads to frustration. We know that our lives can be full of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. We have seen glimpses of it in our lives and in the people around us but fear keeps us stagnant. I believe that there are four things that... Continue Reading →