What If You Never Make the Top Ten–or Anyone’s List?

January 16, 2012

photo courtsy of yirsh at www.sxc.hu

The Top Ten

At the beginning of each year you’ll usually hear or read about a list of  people who have made the”Top Tens”:  Top Ten Fashion Designers, Top Ten Bloggers, Top Ten Musicians, Top Ten Authors, Top Ten Wage Earners.

We may never see our name on a ”Top Ten” list–or on anyone’s positive kind of list. Things in our lives can easily slip from bad to worse. And it’s entirely possible that some circumstances will never change, no matter how hard we try to influence them. Life may never seem fair. How can we possibly handle that without giving in or giving up? Read more

25 Christmas Prayers – Day 19

December 19, 2011

photo courtesy of trublueboy at www.sxc.hu

Day 19 – Jehovah-Shammah, The Lord Is There

Lord, when our hearts are failing, where can we go? You are our source of strength. You will hold our hand when our steps falter. In the midst of danger, persecution, or emotional confusion, You are there. Read more

25 Christmas Prayers – Day 13

December 13, 2011

photo courtesy of Billy Alexander, at sxc.hu

El-Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One – Day 13

Lord, everything our hearts will ever need, we can find in You. You are El-Shaddai, a God who dreams impossible dreams–and accomplishes them through Your believing children. Read more

25 Christmas Prayers – Day 11

December 11, 2011

photo courtesy of Billy Alexander, at sxc.hu

Day 11 – Jehovah Rapha, The God Who Heals

Lord, more than ever, so many need Your healing–body, soul, and spirit. In their times of greatest pain they sometimes hide from You, thinking You will not know–or even care.

You Are Our Only Hope

But You are Jehovah Rapha, the God Who Heals. You are our only hope. Read more

25 Christmas Prayers – Day 9

December 9, 2011

photo by penywise at stock.exchng

Day 9 – El Elyon, God Most High

Lord, when gusty winds are blowing around us, make our foundations strong. Rebuild our courage and strengthen our might when everything goes wrong.

How we need You to repair the broken places and to fill the gaping holes in our soul! Read more

25 Christmas Prayers– Day 3

December 3, 2011

photo courtesy of zd from stock.xchng

Day 3 – Everlasting Father

Lord, what child hasn’t longed for a tender, compassionate father–one who never breaks his promises and one who will never desert his family?

Earthly Father vs. Everlasting Father

But our earthly dads are often limited by their humanness. At times even their best attempts at fathering will appear flawed, and they will occasionally disappoint us. Some surrender in exhaustion and despair at the sheer responsibility. Others keep on loving and serving their families the best way they can, eager to mirror Your character.

But You, Lord, are the Everlasting Father–the One who knows perfectly what we need. With Your great wisdom You give us only what is best. Read more

25 Things You Won’t Find in Heaven

November 29, 2011

 

photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

 

 

Todd Philips, one of the teaching pastors at our church, recently shared a series of messages called “The After Party.” In one of those messages he read from Randy Alcorn‘s book on Heaven listing numerous things you won’t find in heaven. That sermon inspired this blog. Obviously we could name more than 25 things. Todd quoted many more. So when you finish reading my list, (and listening to Todd read Randy Alcorn’s list), maybe you can add your own. Read more

Should We Apologize for Our Blessings?

November 22, 2011

photo by Ayla87 at www.sxc.hu

Good News Is Hard to Keep Quiet

On facebook last week I shared a “Day-votional Truth for the Day”: “Good news is hard to keep quiet.” I quoted the response of Peter and John after they had been asked by some Jewish religious leaders not to speak of Jesus again: “”Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20, NLT).

One of the facebook comments about my post brought up an interesting perspective, and maybe even a different issue altogether–about feeling guilty when sharing with others what God has done for us.  But maybe we can tie the two thoughts together. I promised to address it in today’s blog.

Should We Apologize for Our Blessings?

Do you ever feel guilty about speaking of God’s personal blessings to you, especially around an unbeliever or someone less fortunate? Do you ever feel like Jacob’s favored son, Joseph, sporting his coat of many colors and almost bragging about his God-given dreams about his brothers (Genesis 37)? Should you apologize for your blessings? Should you keep quiet about them? Read more

Encouragement for Writers…and You

November 1, 2011

photo by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Springtime in Winter

Call me optimistic. Persistent. Unrealistic. Dreamer. But I learned as a writer to discover God’s encouragement in the most ordinary places–like a surprise of Springtime in Winter. Read more

Bad News, Good News

August 9, 2011

Photo courtesy of Miguel Saavedra at http://www.sxc.hu

On the TV, internet, newspaper–no matter where you turn, bad news keeps popping up. But for every piece of bad news, there’s also some good news waiting in line. Having trouble finding it? Check out these nuggets of good news each time you’re tempted to become discouraged: Read more

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