Known as the “Prince of Preachers,” 19th century minister Charles Spurgeon once said, “If God were a tyrant, it might be courageous to resist submitting, but since he is a Father it is ungrateful to rebel.” In a later sermon, Spurgeon gave excellent reasons why we should submit to God: We should submit to God because He created us. We should submit to God because His rule is good for us. We should submit to God because all resistance to…
When the end is near, death to all selfishness will birth the life that can be fully spiritually lived. Knowing that the current carnal life is not worth living, a new way can begin to be created. Die to live again. As both are spiritual places, the grave allows our surrender, and the womb prepares another life so they both lie in the hope and you lie in between. That’s the ‘hard place’ but it’s part of the preparation to…
It’s been 18 weeks and 3 days. Or breaking it down further, 129 days. 3,096 hours. 185,760 minutes. 11,145,600 seconds. That’s about 2,838,000 breathes, or 2,167,200 blinks, or 12,900,000 heart beats. Since my beloved passed. Although every step has been difficult, some things are worse than others. Letting go of personal belongings has been difficult, as it feels like a betrayal. Moving on from grief also is difficult because it appears that I am trying to cast out that very…
Sometimes crying is just feeling lost and helpless, like God is waaaay over there somewhere, and you’re waaaay over here. Lots of feelings will surface but they are not the guide – the spirit is. Crossing over is difficult, dry, alone and confusing, but God is preparing to bring you across, even if you wail like a spiritual baby. While there is movement forward, no place is going to be okay for a long time. Home isn’t where you want…
In a vision the man saw the face of a clock, and he could hear it ticking. He would turn away and look back at the time, which had barely advanced. And the Lord said “it may seem like time is almost standing still because of the anxiety to want to get moving, but it is not yet time to make significant progress; it is a time of transition and waiting. Some of My people are bored. Some feel aimless…
This question was posed recently: If Hebrews 11 had a verse 41 that included your name among the great cloud of witnesses commended for their faith, what would verse 41 say? Why would God give a good testimony of your faith? verse 4 By faith Abel offered verse 5 By faith Enoch fellowshipped verse 7 By faith Noah prepared verse 8 By faith Abraham obeyed … verse 41 By faith [your name] [your act of faith] Remember: James 2:26…
In every nature, purpose is innate, driven by a spiritual passion and supported by gifts and talents. It can be surprisingly difficult to identify, but it will cause dissatisfaction and suffering when not recognized and pursued. Passion is an irrational but irresistible force when focused on one specific pursuit. The passion that rules will eventually conquer reasons and doubts. Pay attention. Wait and watch, and refuse to hunt or search. The purpose will be revealed and the passion for that…
Martin Luther was a German professor of theology, priest, author, composer, former Augustinian monk, and is best known as an influential figure in the Protestant Reformation. Nearly 487 years ago, Martin Luther’s barber and old friend asked him for suggestions on how to pray. Luther responded with an open letter titled, “How One Should Pray, for Master Peter the Barber”. Luther gave his friend advice and instruction on how to take each petition of the Lord’s Prayer and expand them. He…
I loved all the old-time playground equipment. The monkey bars, jungle gym, barrel of fun, log swing, chain swings, horizontal bars, large wooden seesaws, and even the giant stride—which my eyebrow has the scar courtesy of this steel monster. But the one that a lot of my childhood friends loved, yet I had the hardest time with, was the hanging rings. Not being a daredevil by nature, the rings would swing and sometimes you had to let go of the…
This is my beloved, and this is my friend. – Song of Solomon 5:16 To my extraordinary husband: It made me so happy to be married to my best friend – the one I trusted with all my hopes, dreams, and everything in between. I thank God for your love and support – they meant more to me than you will ever know. I loved you and enjoyed sharing life with you – and hope you know just how special…