As Moses led Israel out of Egypt, he was praying constantly, fully dependent on God to walk an entire nation out of slavery fast enough to avoid being slaughtered by the furious army chasing them. Moses sure didn’t have the power to do it, what with that pesky sea in the way. The Egyptians must …
All great things grow noiselessly (including you)
As the excitement of the holidays fades and the new year plods on with the business of reality, I want to remind you that change is hard. And that’s okay. No matter how deeply you’re convicted about your intentions, at some point you’re going to struggle. Maybe today, maybe next month, but it’ll happen. You’ll …
2019: The Year of Wonder
“Wonder” was my theme word of the year for 2019. But I had no idea exactly what I was getting myself into when I chose it.
How to live, love, and look like Jesus in 2020
Yesterday, we talked about swapping our usual list of New Year’s resolutions for the simple, yet profound desire to be more like Jesus. Of course, the big question is, “How do I do that?” Because, let’s be honest, that’s a heck of a lofty goal. He’s way up there *gestures at sky* and we’re way …
A different kind of New Year’s resolution
It’s that time again! The time when everyone designs their New & Improved Self™ for the upcoming year. Is that you? Are you planning things to start and things to stop, daydreaming about how awesome life will be come June? That’s certainly me. The turn of the year is an irresistible invitation to start fresh. …
Holiday PSA: You can start over
PSA: No matter how you messed up this holiday season—no matter how many (dozen) cookies you ate or who you yelled at during family dinner or how jealous you were of other people’s presents—you aren’t too far gone for God. His love for you isn’t dependent on good behaviour, and His mercies are new each …
This little light
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. […] To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” [John 1:9-13 …
Mary, did you know?
Do you think Mary knew? When she held her newborn son in her arms, both of them exhausted and raw, she knew he was the Son of God, but did she know he was the Savior? Did she know when she marvelled at his tiny hands and feet that one day she’d hold them when …
Come and see what God has done
He’s here! The Light of the World, the Prince of Peace, the Lord of Lords, the Savior of Mankind—God has arrived on Earth! And…he’s a baby? A tiny, squirming, helpless, crying, kinda-looks-like-Winston-Churchill poop machine? Yep. Because that’s how much God loves us. Jesus didn’t enter this world as a limitless, immaculate, divine being beyond reckoning …
A thrill of hope
Anticipation is high as a teenage girl labors in a foreign city surrounded by strangers and livestock, her first tremor of pain the first thrill of hope for all humanity. Questions thicken the air with every contraction. When will he arrive?How will it happen?Will it take a long time?What will he look like?Will she love …
Expecting God
What are you expecting right now? What promise of God are you carrying in your belly, (im)patiently waiting for the day it will be delivered? As Mary made her way to Bethlehem, she held within her the greatest promise ever made. She was physically and spiritually heavy with expectation. I imagine she was also deeply …
All He wants for Christmas is you
Have you finished your Christmas shopping? Or are you speedwalking the mall, getting all sweaty in a dire search for the last Sven plushie in the tri-city area? (Not that I know anything about that.) Don’t worry, it’ll all work out. Always does. But as you’re checking off that gift list, I suspect there’s someone …