Love dares us to change our way of caring about each other–and ourselves–under pressure.
Tag: struggle
Holy rest: the power of sabbatical
Sabbatical (noun): from the Hebrew agricultural term “shmita,” referring to a year-long break from working the land to allow it to rest and heal in God’s care rather than man’s. I have never successfully returned from a sabbatical. Every time I’ve taken a break from writing, whether personal or self-improvement or fiction, it’s ended up …
Hum if you don’t know the words
What do you do when the words don’t come? When your heart is burdened and breaking and you close your eyes to pray but nothing comes out? What then? Anything. Scream.Cry.Babble.Laugh.Breathe. Sing.Dance.Build.Paint.Write. Prayer isn’t about the words you say just like worship isn’t about carrying a tune. Your entire life can be worship; your entire …
Go to your room and think about what you’ve done
Anyone else feel like they’ve been grounded? Like God told the whole world, “Go to your room and think about what you’ve done”? This past week, a theme has emerged. Nearly everyone I’ve talked to is halfway enjoying their enforced rest, halfway freaking the eff out because of all the STUFF it’s bringing up. Control …
We’re all addicted to something
Last Sunday, I was that person sobbing in their car. I stopped at the light by my house and saw a young guy wearing a T-shirt and no coat in -4C air coming down the sidewalk. As he passed by, I noticed the white bracelet on his wrist and realized he’d just been discharged from …
Power isn’t what makes you special
There’s a lot made of reclaiming your power these days. And that’s well and good. We DO have intrinsic power, and we DO have a responsibility to own it and use it wisely. But power isn’t what makes you special. All God’s creatures have a measure of power. Even Satan! Just ask Job. What makes …
The treasure beneath your feet
Weird question: Where do you look when you’re on the beach? Where are your eyes? Do you look up or down? Around or right under your feet? I’m the second kind; I’m staring directly at the ground whenever I hit a beach, my eyes combing the sand for unusual or shiny things. Maybe I’m part …
The use of doubt
Having faith doesn’t mean you have no doubts. Having peace doesn’t mean you have no struggle. Having Jesus means your doubts and struggles are firmly underfoot, pinned and conquered, squirming in the captivity of their submission. “With me, faith means perpetual unbeliefKept quiet like the snake ’neath Michael’s footWho stands calm just because he feels …
Let it go
Hey. How are you? Like, really? Are you gliding through your day on wings of peace? Or are you barely holding it together in the grocery store? If you’re in that first group, bless your cotton socks. Enjoy an extra nog for me. If you’re in that second group, though, you’re not alone. GOD is …