Jesus imagined a life beyond the altar call. A desire to follow Him for more than just getting to Heaven. In John 15, Jesus creates a picture of what that life looks like. He is the Vine, and we are the branches. We are to abide. In one another. What? Jesus, Son of God, Word…
Tag: encouragement
Are you blocking you?
John 8:32 “And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” Ever think you could be blocking you? Right. Me, neither! The above verse tends to be a crowd favorite. Who doesn’t want to slap that verse on a coffee mug and sing a praise song? But the reality underneath–one that…
What else happens…..
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 So I spent a year imagining how the garden in the front yard of our new house could be transformed. Hedges, bushes, and small trees were overgrown with all sorts of…
To all the runners and hiders
We can’t hide from God. That is Good News for all us runners and hiders.
When following Jesus hurts….
Left on their own, vine branches harbor disease and grow spindly, then die. They head off in wrong directions. God’s good nature is to prevent that. But, sometimes it hurts.
We are pruned.
This one’s for the grocery store lady
There I was, standing in line at the deli, waiting to order a sub after church. My sons and I were having an intense theological conversation : “No, you may not have a motorcycle.” “But, I will be 18 soon.” The woman in front of us turned and said “Your mom is right. You don’t…
Mercy, Target, and Back to School….
If anyone wants to have a taste of Hades, just go to Target during the back to school sale.There is no fire or brimstone, but there are people acting like all of life depends on getting the .50 pack of crayons for their baby. I almost got ran over by a woman pushing a shopping…
Cheez Whiz Jesus
There was a time I’d been lulled into feckless slumber as a Christian. Maybe it’s the American church. Maybe it was my being over-churched, equating religious marching in place with an abundant life. The mainstream denomination I attended never spoke of the Holy Spirit, much less His gifts and power. But, all the other Christians…
Be careful what you justify
My husband lit his front yard on fire. Twice. I drove a school bus into a hospital overhang. My sons both did backflips from a thirty foot high branch into water. By the no trespassing sign. Whether it’s fear, boredom, or peer pressure, us good people who call ourselves Christians will do all sorts of…
It’s complicated…
I am what most people call geographically challenged. Five minutes and I will get lost. It has gotten better with GPS. But, still, I am one of those people in the parking lot scratching their head because they can’t find their car. And, sometimes my walk with God is a lot like that—complicated and all…
A Girl and Her God 