Tag: #christianblog

DEAFENING SILENCE

I had the privilege of attending a retreat recently where God provided several blessings. I was renewed and filled with joy at experiencing the Spirit’s presence. One way was by being able to go outside to view the lake, the few colorful leaves remaining on the trees this fall, and the pure beauty of the whole area. The temperature was warm enough to not freeze, despite being November, which was an extra blessing.

Retreats are always a great time to be still with the Lord, as we take time to get away from the busyness of life and the often hectic pace at which we live. A favorite verse that comes to mind is: Continue reading “DEAFENING SILENCE”

FIRE IN MY BONES

I have a strange question for you. Do you have fire in your bones? Do you know the prophet Jeremiah did? It is a passage I’ve always found relatable, but first let me share a Scripture I ran across:

Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? “Therefore,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me.  –Jeremiah 23:28-30  (NIV)

Continue reading “FIRE IN MY BONES”

NEW CREATIONS

I know I’m a week late, but I saw this analogy and thought it appropriate to share on any day of the year because of its message.

Have you thought about how being a Christian is like being a pumpkin? I know that might sound strange, but consider how we become new creations in Christ and how…

*God chooses each of us—you and me—and wants us to be part of His family. Continue reading “NEW CREATIONS”

LOINCLOTH LESSONS

This is what the Lord said to me: “Go and buy a linen loincloth and put it on, but do not wash it.” So I bought the loincloth as the Lord directed me, and I put it on. 

 Then the Lord gave me another message: “Take the linen loincloth you are wearing, and go to the Euphrates River. Hide it there in a hole in the rocks.” So I went and hid it by the Euphrates as the Lord had instructed me. 

A long time afterward the Lord said to me, “Go back to the Euphrates and get the loincloth I told you to hide there.” So I went to the Euphrates and dug it out of the hole where I had hidden it. But now it was rotting and falling apart. The loincloth was good for nothing.  Continue reading “LOINCLOTH LESSONS”

VERBAL SUNSHINE

This quote from social media caught my eye:

“Encouragement is like verbal sunshine. It costs nothing and warms people’s hearts.”  ~ Nicky Gumbel

 

Upon researching the quote more, I saw this expanded version of it. Let’s delve deeper into its meaning and how we can apply it to our lives.

 

 

 

Continue reading “VERBAL SUNSHINE”

THE GIFT OF PEOPLE

“Pay attention to the people
God puts in your path
if you want to discern
what God is up to in your life.” 
~ Henri Nouwen 

 

What a perfect quote for me to hear at church one day that I know was a God-orchestrated moment for me. Do you take time to reflect on the people God puts in your path and how everyone in our lives is there to help us grow into the people God intends us to be? I believe we can learn lessons on this journey of life from every person we share life with. Maybe the person teaches us something to help us grow spiritually or personally, but it is also possible that the person teaches us patience or how to love our enemies. What a privilege it is to encourage one another, be there to listen and help others through the good and the bad, and to just have fun being together.

A wonderful by-product of publishing three books in three years has been meeting people who have become spiritual family to me that I otherwise would not know. God has helped me experience much growth spiritually, socially, and personally because of this ministry He has led me to. I am less of an introvert and experience the Spirit’s peace and joy while doing some speaking engagements that God has opened up the door for.

Continue reading “THE GIFT OF PEOPLE”

ADVICE FROM A TREE

Isn’t it incredible to reflect on the fact that God has made everything and orchestrated the working together of it all in this world? God is truly so amazing! Isn’t it also inspiring to see how, as human beings, we can learn lessons from everything God created, including both nature and people?

It is especially appropriate to share this reflection today, as living in the northeast part of the USA, we are experiencing the beauty of the colorful trees during this season of fall.

 

Continue reading “ADVICE FROM A TREE”

ONE

 

Isn’t it beautiful to see the Divine, God’s hand, in our lives using one person, one life, one heart at a time to change one person, one life, one heart at a time? If we think about it, we all experience this in our lives. What a blessing to behold every day. Sometimes we are the one person, one life, one heart at a time that God uses to bless others, and sometimes our lives are the receivers of the special ways God uses one person, one life, one heart at a time. Continue reading “ONE”

CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF LIFE

As I get older (though I’m still 23!), I have grown to appreciate the once-a-year day we get to celebrate our birth.

I believe our lives are a gift
from and to God and to one another, whom 
we have the privilege of sharing
this journey of life with
through God’s perfect orchestrations.

 

More recently, for me, it is most meaningful to spend a little time celebrating my life with those who have impacted my faith journey through “Celebrate Christine” gatherings. The greatest gift for me personally is hearing how my simple, ordinary life has touched others and maybe encouraged them in some way. Since this year was a milestone birthday, it was the second time I held a local “Celebrate Christine” event as well as with a group of people further away who are ‘family’ to me. Continue reading “CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF LIFE”

UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS

Isn’t it wonderful to see how God can order our footsteps to experience His unexpected blessings? God delights in the little details of our lives that reveal His presence and great love for us.

My husband and I decided to enjoy the last few days of summer with a trip to Rochester, NY. We randomly picked out two parks where he could bike and I could enjoy nature. The day before, I was visiting a friend whose one son happened to also be there. He mentioned a place I had never heard about before. Much to my surprise, I discovered it was only an hour from where we were planning to go in Rochester, so we decided to go there too. Continue reading “UNEXPECTED BLESSINGS”