Tag: #christianblog

A HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE

I recently returned from a trip of a lifetime to the Holy Land. It was never anything I imagined experiencing but it is another wonderful ripple effect after joining a new church almost three years ago.  I am so grateful!

I am in awe when I think how I walked in some of the very same places Jesus did more than 2000 years ago! Our tour guide and hosts all shared vast knowledge and insights about the places we saw and Jesus’ life. As I have now gone through my pictures and notes from the trip, I am slowly “processing” it and coming to a better understanding of everything we saw. It has given me a lot to reflect on, and I would like to share parts of it with you, my dear reader, in the coming weeks. I want you to be able to join in and experience what St. Jerome said:

“Five gospels record the life of Jesus. Four you will find in books and the one you will find in the land they call Holy. Read the fifth gospel and the world of the four will open to you.”  –St. Jerome (347-420 A.D.)

Continue reading “A HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE”

THE RADIANCE OF GOD

I wrote a few months ago about a unique gift a friend gave me. It was a heart-shaped piece of wood that formed because of two trees growing together. On one side of the heart, there is a heart ingrained in the wood.  You can read about it here. The pictures I posted in the reflection were before I decided to preserve it.

 

Before refining

 

My husband sanded the heart a few times until it seemed perfected, making it smooth as silk,  getting rid of all the rough and dirty areas. He then spray-painted it with clear enamel. The wood kept soaking in the enamel, so several coats were needed to give it the beautiful luster it has now.

Continue reading “THE RADIANCE OF GOD”

CONNECTIONS

In my reflection BUILDING TRUST, I wrote about a Fred Rogers quote a music director, a “stranger” to me then, mentioned. When I sent an email and shared the link with him, his return email included another Fred Rogers quote. He was excited to share a powerful story of Mister Rogers’ influence in his life through the years and suggested we meet in person. I was honored to listen to him share, as I both smiled and cried seeing God working in his life.

As I was listening, I could see the influence of Mister Rogers flow out of him through the way he lives. This man, through the years, has learned the importance of caring about the people he meets, both professionally and personally. He lives knowing the value of:

 

 

Continue reading “CONNECTIONS”

POSTURES OF WORSHIP

As Christians, we have the privilege and responsibility of worshiping God above all else in this world. From the following definition, we learn worship should only be rendered to God and God alone.

The KJV Dictionary definition of worship is: “Homage rendered to God which it is sinful (idolatry) to render to any created being.”

 

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’”  –Luke 4:8  (NIV)

Jesus instructed us to worship and serve only God in and with our lives modeling this with His short life on earth. Everything Jesus did was to worship and serve God, even being put to death on the cross for you and me. Continue reading “POSTURES OF WORSHIP”

GOD’S PRESENCE REVEALED

I am enjoying the engaging spirit-filled conversations I have making new friends while sharing my books. My life is enriched by these warm exchanges which often spark a reflection of some sort. One of these special encounters was another cherished God moment leading to this reflection.

In the second face-to-face conversation with a new friend, he was curious to hear my story of how God led me to my writing ministry. My friend, as I was sharing, was reminded of what a college chaplain mentioned at his first event on campus that he sees in my life with writing. The chaplain was encouraging the students to see God’s presence revealed in their lives and said:

 

Continue reading “GOD’S PRESENCE REVEALED”

JOY AND SORROW

A friend recently shared a New York Times newspaper article, “What Mary Can Teach Us About the Joy and Pain of Life.” I found it thought-provoking, having a few messages relevant to our lives.

 

 

With the holiday season upon us, the story of The Birth of Jesus Foretold, in Luke 1:26-38, might be familiar. In a short version of the angel’s announcement to Mary we read:

Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” –Luke 1:28-31 (NLT)

Consider what joy and pain Mary must have experienced with the angel’s greeting.

*The angel’s greeting is one of joy as Gabriel shares Mary is favored!

*At the same time, we learn Mary is confused and disturbed, wondering what her life was going to be like. She is already pledged to be married to Joseph and has not had relations with any man.

How will people view her?

Will they believe she is a virgin?

What will Joseph think?

Will Joseph divorce her?

How will she explain this to her parents? Continue reading “JOY AND SORROW”

BOAST IN WEAKNESSES

Have you ever read a Scripture passage you’ve seen many times before, but one particular day it was so powerful and took on special meaning?

I recently experienced that blessing on the night before the launch of my second book, God’s Love Illuminated. I had been feeling peaceful all week after my Pastor prayed over me. Well, that peace lasted until that night when I laid awake for a long time. I began reading email devotions.

At 2:30 am, God used a Proverbs 31 devotion entitled “You Don’t Have to be Amazing” to minister to my spirit. It featured the following Scripture passage. In the thoughts the writer was sharing, the word “boast” was italicized and jumped out at me. Continue reading “BOAST IN WEAKNESSES”

PRAISE AT ALL TIMES

While reflecting on “gratitude” from last week’s reflection, I can’t help but think how “praise” goes hand-in-hand with gratitude. Warning: There might be a challenge for this week.

Dictionary.com’s top two definitions for the word “praise” are:
–the act of expressing approval or admiration; commendation; laudation.
–the offering of grateful homage in words or song, as an act of worship.

 

I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.  –Psalm 34:1-3  (NLT) Continue reading “PRAISE AT ALL TIMES”

GRATITUDE

What do we do when overcome with grief?
How about the times we experience despair?

 

As Christians, what are ways we can deal with grief and despair?

~Turn to scripture for comfort.

~Pray.

~Share with a trusted friend who can encourage.

~Take a walk in nature.

~Share with the Lord.

~Cry when we need to.

~Seek Godly counsel.

~Express ourselves through music, artistry, or writing.

~Express gratitude to God.

 

Wait a minute! What was that last one you mentioned? Yes, have you ever considered expressing gratitude to God when you are experiencing grief and despair? Continue reading “GRATITUDE”

BUILDING TRUST

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.”  –Fred Rogers

 

A music director of a church congregation shared this quote. He was having surgery for cancer the following day. What wisdom can we take away from the quote?

 

 

 

While reflecting on this quote, I couldn’t help but think how God is the perfect model for us.

When we turn to God in our brokenness as we go through trials or when life’s problems seem to overwhelm us, doesn’t God…

…welcome us in the safety of His arms as we share our hearts with Him?
  His huge outstretched arms protect you – under them you’re perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm.  –Psalm 91:4  (MSG)

…listen to us with His heart?
  Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  –Jeremiah 29:12  (NIV)

…let us know we can trust Him?
  Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.  –Psalm 62:8  (NIV)

…send us encouragement, be it a blessing in nature or a passage in the Word?
  For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  –Isaiah 41:13  (NIV)

…assure us He is with us?
 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  –Joshua 1:9  (ESV)

 

Photo courtesy of Eric Holmes under Creative Commons License (CC0 1.0)

 

What a treasure it is in our lives when, especially in our distress, we first turn to God to share with Him. Knowing that God is always there for us, listening to us, comforting us, and encouraging us gives us true peace. As we trust the Lord more and more, we realize we are never alone. God is with us in the most difficult of circumstances.

It is always an extra blessing to see the people God puts in our path who model those Godly attributes in the human form. Sometimes we need that human connection to feel God’s grace even more in our lives.

Can you think of people who provide that for you?
Who comes to you knowing you are there for them?

 

This week may you be encouraged to…
…reach out to God and share your heart when life is tough, and you need a reminder you are not alone.
…look for faithful, trustworthy humans who will be there when you need them.
…seek ways you can improve yourself in building trust with others.
…praise God by the way you respect and honor those in your path by meeting them in their need.

 

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.  –1 Peter 1:22  (NIV)