St. Francis is a hero of mine. Below is a prayer attributed to him. Whether or not he wrote it, the prayer perfectly describes the way we are meant to function by the life of Love Himself. *** Make me a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring your love. Where there…
Category: The cross
C U L8er
I’ve got some family visiting so I’m going to take a 10-ish day break from blogging. Please read past posts, booklets I’ve posted, or check out some of the awesome blogs I follow. A word before I go: Yesterday, I was meditating on verses that talk about the blood of Jesus cleansing us from sin….
To Judge or Not to Judge (Part 3)
In part one we found that judging is appropriate when the source of a judgment is God and not self. Part two suggested ways we might know whether a judgment is from God. Knowing whether a judgment is from God or not is a good start but it isn’t the whole picture. We can know…
To Judge or Not to Judge (Part 2)
Previously, we explored the subject of judging and the confusion it can cause. We discovered that judging in itself isn’t wrong but that it does matter who the source of a judgment is. If God is the source, we are called to express that judgment. If self is the source, our judgment is wrong. The…
Be Faithful until Death
“Be faithful until death” (Rev. 2:10). Jesus said this to the church at Smyrna. Its members were suffering financial loss, imprisonment, public accusation, and in some cases death. This verse has renewed for me what is the deepest call in the Christian life: to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23)….
Crossroads
We’re familiar with the rich young ruler who approached Jesus about salvation. He went away sad because Jesus told him to sell everything he had, give it to the poor, and follow (Mark 10:17-22). This is the same call Jesus gives His disciples in Luke 9:23–“If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny…
Worth
Only one is of ultimate worth–God–because He gave with no thought for Himself. He gave knowing full well how much He would suffer, and He gave anyway. No one has ever done that. That is why I love and worship Jesus alone. And if His selfless love is manifest through me in even the smallest…
God Bless Us, Everyone!
As I’ve written elsewhere, A Christmas Carol is a favorite holiday story in our house. To many, it’s a familiar tale. Scrooge is a selfish, old miser. Financial gain is his one great love. He thinks little of the poor and even comments that they should die to “decrease the surplus population.” (Uh…WOW). Scrooge’s heart…
Despising the Lamb: Contempt for Christ in First Samuel
Painting by Johnny Mays, Nationalight Ministries Several years ago, the Lord drew me to the book of First Samuel. Through the stories in First Samuel, God began to show me pictures of Christ being despised by His own people. The pictures gave me a small glimpse of the grief the Lord has suffered–and still suffers–for our sakes….
Why I Don’t Fast
I don’t fast. Many Christians extol fasting as a spiritual discipline, a catalyst of spiritual power, and an exercise in humbling oneself. I understand the reasons others choose to fast, and I respect their convictions. But I don’t fast, and I’d like to tell you why. I don’t share my thoughts to suggest other…
The Voice of One 