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Seasoning Our Speech with Salt?
The first words that come to mind when I think about salty speech is that of a Hollywood image of an old-fashioned seafaring man whose language is certainly colourful. He often has no regard for the thoughts and feelings of others, but barrels his way through conversations. His talking style is not usually the type one wants to emulate. God asks us for a different kind of salty speech: “Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6 NIV) How can our talks with others be seasoned with salt? No one wants to listen to a dull,…
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Calming Our Anxious Thoughts
For the umpteenth time I remind myself to trust in God. He’s got this. I say that in many of my blog posts. My head knows it is true. Why can’t my heart get the message? We can be well grounded in Scripture, be in worship, fellowship with believers – but still have those moments of doubt and uncertainty. The devil loves when he can get his digs in and upset our lives. Some seasons of life just seem to promote anxiety in various forms. For me, it has come with some life changing decisions that need to be made. It has been months of back-and-forth feelings – from relief…
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How To Be on Guard in a World of Chaos
Some days I just don’t want to watch the news anymore. Frequently it seems like society is simply falling apart. Norms that kept us safe are being challenged. Values that helped keep families strong are no longer considered valid. We are encouraged to take care of ourselves and go after what we want, frequently with disregard for the needs of others. I see it in how my students have changed over the years. More so than ever in the past, I have a number of students each year with considerable anxiety. They struggle to process their world. I have also seen a rise in students who insist on their own…
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Our God Carries Us
The experiences of the Israelites as they prepared to and then left Egypt has always been a fascination for me. This group sees mighty miracles that lead to Pharaoh letting them leave Egypt. They walk through the Red Sea as God makes a safe path of escape for them. There is no doubt that it is God at work in this situation. His mighty deeds are recounted to many as they share what the Lord has done for them. Fast forward to when the Israelites get to the edge of the actual Promised Land. What should be a time of hope and delight is not. There is grumbling. There is…
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The True Measure of Success
I really wasn’t sure about writing a post this week. I’m definitely in a somber mood. Mother’s Day is just around the corner – my first Mother’s Day with both my precious mom and mother-in-law not being here. How do I feel about it all? I cannot even define it. Sometimes it is such an empty feeling as I consider all that has been lost in my life. I had such a terrific relationship with both women. Not having them to talk to is an ache that doesn’t seem to want to go away. At other times I can rejoice that they are in heaven and they suffer no more.…
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Paving the Way for Great Things
A shepherd wanders through the wilderness tending his sheep. His life is simple and uncomplicated. He is a man of faith and lives that out in a quiet way with family and community. The land of his birth is a thing of the past and he seeks to make a productive life where he is right now. But God’s plans are different. Unknown yet to this man is the fact that God has handpicked him for an enormous task. God has been guiding him throughout his life to mold him into the leader that He needs him to be. One day while checking on his sheep, he sees a bush…
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Hope for Those Who are Seeking
An amazing app on my phone gives me the ability to see my husband’s location wherever he is. At this point in time, he works away from home and weekly must make the long drive back to his place of employment. I find it comforting to watch his journey and know that he is safe. As I watch the miles between us grow bigger, yet I find it reassuring to know I can find him when I want. Sometimes I wish I had a device to mark the difference between myself and my Saviour. It would be nice to have some kind of warning bells to indicate that the space…
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How Can We Master Goal Setting with God’s Purpose in Mind?
Trying to teach my young students about goal setting is a difficult process. They very much live in the here and now. It’s hard to get them to imagine the students they will become as the year progresses. They get so caught up in meeting the needs and requirements of the day that looking any further can seem overwhelming. Do you ever feel like that? Is “I’ll think about it later” a huge part of your thought process? Is “I can barely manage the now, how am I supposed to think of setting goals for the future” included in your thinking? In many of my life stages those comments have…
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God’s Son, Our Sacrifice
In numerous ways, my mother sacrificed to make my life better. She frequently went without things herself so I could gain an education and a better future. These sacrifices were driven by deep love and care. I have done the same as a parent. Our loving Savior made a sacrifice that cannot compare to anything we can do. While my mother made sacrifices by giving up things in life, Jesus gave up His very life for us. From the beginning God’s plan included Jesus dying for mankind’s sins. It is interesting that God allowed a brutal Roman crucifixion as the instrument for His wonderful plan of salvation.This centuries old practice…
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When God Hammers a Point in Your Life Circumstances
Recently we said goodbye to my dear mother-in-law. It has been a time to reflect on her life and her ministry to others. She had immense impact on those around her. Our pastor chose to preach her funeral sermon on her confirmation verse: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV) As I listened to these familiar words, the thoughts running through my mind centered on how I know these Scripture words to be true, but I seem to easily forget…
