Browsed by
Month: November 2014

Giving Is the Way

Giving Is the Way

Today I’ve been pondering on giving. What it is and what is is not. I don’t think we need expensive gifts but I do think we need extraordinary generosity. Material gifts do not bring happiness. But love and caring do. Because when we love each other, we are touched by God. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. (Luke…

Read More Read More

How to Be at Peace

How to Be at Peace

As we approach Thanksgiving and other big family celebrations, it is good to remember how to be at peace in demanding situations. We can’t be peaceful without being centered on God. We can’t be gracious without resting in grace ourselves. We can’t be loving without feeling God’s love. What to do then? Before you enter into difficult situations (or any day for that matter) spend time with God. Not just a hasty prayer here and there but pray until praise…

Read More Read More

Your Life – A Living Testimony?

Your Life – A Living Testimony?

Yesterday at church a senior men’s choir sang a beautiful hymn at the end. It was so touching. I am sure I was not the only one with misty eyes in the audience. Not because of the words of the song. Not because the performance would have been somehow extraordinary. But because these older men were standing there and praising God with their song. After decades of hard life and difficult circumstances, they were still praising God. What a testimony….

Read More Read More

Why Do We Not Notice God?

Why Do We Not Notice God?

Have you ever read a novel with a protagonist who just doesn’t get what s/he needs to learn in order to succeed/find happiness or balance in his or her life? You as a reader just can’t understand why s/he does not get it. The protagonist struggles with the same thing over and over again until finally s/he gets a break through and things start looking better. It is so easy to know what’s good for the protagonist while you’re reading…

Read More Read More

When God Is Silent

When God Is Silent

Have you ever felt – or do you feel right now – that God is silent? Do you know what to do when God is silent? It is an important faith skill. Because too often we worry about if we have done something wrong when God feels distant. The silence of God is part of salvation life. Sometimes it lasts few days or weeks, sometimes the silent period lasts months or even years. But it doesn’t mean that we would…

Read More Read More

The Word of God Directs Our Path

The Word of God Directs Our Path

One of the most famous Bible verses is Psalm 119:105 (AMP): Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. There are songs about it and almost everybody – it seems like it – knows it by heart. I’ve always loved it too but today I read it in the Message paraphrase and saw it very differently afterwards. By your words I can see where I’m going;     they throw a beam of light on my dark path….

Read More Read More

Zealous for Good

Zealous for Good

From very early on I was aware of the power of my choices. I realized I had to decide whether I wanted to add to the good or to the bad in the world. I had to decide how I was going to be remembered. I had to choose between the light and the darkness. The choice was easy then and it still is a no-brainer. I want to choose life-giving light. I want to be zealous for good. I…

Read More Read More

Not Just Mercy, But Grace

Not Just Mercy, But Grace

Do you know the difference between grace and mercy? I was reading a prayer of Daniel and I was awed by the humbleness how he approached God. He realized we really don’t deserve anything from God. Yet he boldly approached God for appealing for his compassion. I was thinking that’s how we all should approach God: humbly yet boldly. It’s true we don’t have anything to offer God. But yet he is inviting us to come to him. It’s not…

Read More Read More

True Faith Rejoices

True Faith Rejoices

Faith is a weird thing. You can’t see it. You can’t taste it or touch it. But you can sense it. You can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. You can see with the eyes of faith and you can know the truth. Yet it is very hard to describe to others. Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious…

Read More Read More

Sunflower Faith

Sunflower Faith

Have you turned to God today? Or are you going on your own way? These questions right here defines your faith. Do you have a sunflower faith? A heart that follows God’s light all the time? Or are you focused on yourself and your problems? And then wonder why God feels so distant? There really is no other way to live abundantly than starting each and every day by turning to God. When we are focused on God, everything else…

Read More Read More

RSS
Follow by Email