Discarding Fake Joy
Immediately, I was thankful for the many, many hours of Wee Kids Bible Songs in my parent’s old blue panel van. As the familiar tune for this verse rattled around in my head, I spouted off the exclamatory sentence lickety-split. The teacher happily gave me a golden star for my memory chart and this little line has been forever sealed in my mind. But therein lies the danger. . . .
Share this:
Freedom Called My Name
Years ago, in my mid-twenties (shortly before I met my amazing husband, Michael) I was incredibly entrenched in the swamp of legalism. I heard the wise-sounding lies everywhere… from many places. My life was led by fear and worry that I would never measure up to the expectations of people.
The slime of law-based, performance-oriented religion came from all sorts of directions. All kinds of well-meaning people told me what I must add to my life (and add on to the Bible) in order to become better and more pleasing to God. Looking back, I believe this environment was rooted in fear, pride, and nice people generally wanting to control the outcome of my life….
Share this:
Sweet Freedom
Freedom’s sweet flavor blows within the breeze. Yet one hardly notices its power until the distinctive taste is suddenly gone.
Despite our many malefactions, idiosyncrasies, and divisive political concerns, I’m still overwhelmed with thankfulness to God for the many freedoms we enjoy as citizens of the United States of America.
Independence isn’t cheap. Freedom is never free, as the well-worn song goes. Yet taking these gifts for granted is all-too-easy for us Americans.
When we taste sweetness every day, we’re eventually inoculated to its delight. . . . .
Share this:
Will You, Pretty Please?
This morning, as the sun rose over the lush green trees in our backyard, I hit stride in my typical routine: wake up, shower up, open the Word, and bring a series of requests to God. As usual, I found myself coming to the Lord with two oft-repeated agenda items:
“God will you forgive me for ____________?” (I’m still readily prone to many sinful faults and failures)
“God will you give me ______________?” (I’m continually in need of strength, direction, peace, healing, etc.) . . .
Share this:
Come to the Table
Standing at the Table of Communion tonight… I recall that long ago, in the Garden of Eden, our forebears, Adam and Eve, lived and walked in perfect communion with God. They enjoyed beautiful fellowship with their Holy Creator in His perfect oasis.
But we walked away.
Share this:
Standing at My Altar
While standing at my altar, I was thinking how easy it is to forget…
I have stewed over the fact that my life and body have been sacrificed too many times, even for good things. For instance, I literally gave up space inside my body three times to allow three other little bodies to grow there. On the “not so good” side, I had to sacrifice my breast to conquer cancer. I sacrificed my thyroid to conquer the ravages of Graves’ disease. . . .
