If I want people to approve of me, I put myself before God
Sometimes I want people to approve of me so much that I’m willing to put people pleasing before God pleasing. Putting what I want for myself and from others before God is selfishness. Of course, my greatest fear is disapproval or abandonment, the root of all...
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places
For many in the United States, Labor Day is a boundary line. A boundary between summer and fall—though officially the autumn equinox happens in two weeks. A boundary with the beginning of a new school year and new relationships. And weather boundaries,...
How many times did I hear, “Here I am, Lord,” before answering?
“Here, Mac, here, Lark. Come!” Our dogs love running the mountain and coming home, especially for food. Keith and I regularly practice “here, come” with Mac and Lark. “Here you are,” we say when they return home panting and grinning with pleasure. “Good boys!” In a...
Valuing the Second Half of Life’s Same-But-Different
Five people, four generations, two in the first half of life, three in the second half. The last picture I have of my mother, with me, my daughter, granddaughter, and elder sister. Christmas 2019. Six weeks later, Mother passed away at the age of 96. …for...
Who’s the I about to disrupt the world, bread & water, worship?
“Excuse me, I don’t mean to disrupt, but would you heal my demon-possessed daughter? She’s suffering so much.” That’s how I wanted to picture the scene of the Canaanite woman and Jesus in Matthew 15:21-28, which Pastor explored in his message yesterday. Reading the...
God’s Shift as Protection, Faith Test, and Season Change
We all experience times of shift—literally and metaphorically. Have you ever wondered why? Sometimes, it’s the shift, change, or move from one season to the next. Sometimes, it’s a faith test designed to shift us. And sometimes it’s for our...