This blog is designed to create community for believers and provide support for seekers. I encourage all readers to share their faith in an effort to lift and encourage one another.
“Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets -the bad, and a soul that never loses faith in God.”
Amy Charmichael
Oh, Lord, if I could only be like this. Bring me closer every day, Father.
What enables you to see the best, forgive the worst, forget the bad, and constantly keep your faith in God?
Lord, thank you for the many blessings you bestow on your people. I pray that you will continue to bless us so that we will be able to do your good works and glorify your name.
As I sit in the kitchen, the sound of the sea beckons me. From the beach house, the waters whisper, calling me to the beach. I grab my sunscreen and my towel and walk across the street and into the soft, dry sand. I sink ankle deep with each step, the gentle waves whooshing louder the closer I come. In moments I reach the water’s edge. The ocean’s beauty never ceases to amaze me. Blue stretches as far as my eyes can see. Summer’s gentle swells roll on the beach, breaking only a foot from where I stand.
Only when I step into the water do I feel the strength of its pull. Standing ankle deep, my feet sinking into the sand, I let the waves break against my legs. Small as the waves are, I feel their strength as they rush to the shore. I venture a little deeper, and the water breaks against my thighs, splashing up to my waist. I brace myself as larger waves approach, knowing they have the strength to knock me down. After breaking, the waves rush back to their ocean home, pulling against my legs, beckoning me to come deeper, to immerse myself in their crystal clear waters.
I look beyond the small summertime Pacific waves, and see the blue curve of the ocean’s edge, miles out to sea. I marvel at the power of the water, stretching for thousands of miles in every direction. A hundred yard from where I stand, the waves boom and crash against rocks and coral, thundering across the bay. What tremendous power lives in the ocean! It’s so great and so strong my mind cannot fathom it. Nor can I explore its depths. I observe only what washes ashore and what I can see from a few hundred yards out, as far as I feel safe swimming.
Just as the gentle waves washing the shore call to me, God calls His people in a still, small voice. In the quiet times when I listen for His voice, He calls to me, beckoning me closer. When I listen, He speaks clearer, louder.
As I wander at the edges of God’s greatness, experiencing His waves along the shore, I sense the awesome majesty and greatness of Him, stretching farther than my eyes can see, deeper than my mind can conceive. I hear His voice in still, small whispers, washing my soul clean, and I long to plunge in, swimming stroke by stroke nearer to the heart of God.
Father God, thank you for the beckoning whispers of your creation, drawing me ever closer to You.
Psalm 46:10a “Be still and know that I am God.”
“Names tell stories, most of all the name which is above all other names, the name of Jesus. In his name I am called to live. His name has become my house, my dwelling place, my refuge, my ark. His name has to start telling the story of being born, growing up, growing old, and dying—revealing a God who loved us so much that he sent his only child to us.”
~ Henri Nouwen
Names are important. We all enjoy it when someone remembers our name and calls us by name. God has so many names. Here are just a few (with their definitions) that are listed in the bible.
El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty), El Elyon (The Most High God), Adonai (Lord, Master), Yahweh (Lord, Master), and El Olam (The Everlasting God). It clearly takes more than one name to even begin to describe the nature of our amazing God. And, just like us, He surely is pleased when we call upon Him, when we call Him by name.
Abba, Father, thank you for sharing some of your names and your attributes with us. Help me to recognize you, and call on your name, not in vain, but in honor, respect and love.
And what a beautiful dawn that will be.
Lord, let my reflected light be a beacon to draw others to you. May their ears, eyes and hearts be open to your light, love, and saving grace.
James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
I challenge you this week to pray this prayer for others, especially those who are not peaceful. Pray for the argumentative, the ones who challenge you or your beliefs. Pray for those who adamantly believe in everything you don’t.
Lord, may we all abide in your wisdom and be filled with all the qualities of Christ. May we pray for others and treat them with love, peace, and respect.
Father, show me the way. Guide my thoughts and my steps so that I may enter through the narrow way.
During a recent walk, I noticed a tiny snail, its shell no bigger than a dime. It appeared motionless, but when I knelt down for a zoomed-in photo, I could see its forward progress. Ever so slowly, it traveled, a millimeter at a time, across the sidewalk. Satisfied with my photo, I continued my walk.
As I walked, I couldn’t stop thinking about that miniscule snail making its way across the path. It travelled slowly, but in a direct line, never deviating from its goal, the grass on the other side of the sidewalk. I compared its direct course to my own spiritual walk. Unlike the sluggish snail, I tend to be a sprinter.
I get excited about a new book, new project, or new bible study and run, run, run. Then I get tired, or distracted, and scurry off in another direction. Just like the rabbit in the tortoise and the hare story, I hop one way, rest a while, then scurry in another direction. Two steps forward, one step back.
At times, it seems I’m not making any progress, and I get discouraged. I sigh, and think of myself as a failure, one who can’t stick with anything, who makes no progress, sees no spiritual growth. But the tiny snail made me re-examine my spiritual walk. I evaluated my spiritual progress over the past few years.
Not so long ago, I reacted in anger when I heard or read views different from mine. I would rant about it to my husband. Since then, I’ve made progress. God has enabled me to examine other ideas and consider people’s motives and backgrounds. Yes, I occasionally still get angry. But the anger is short-lived. Two steps forward, one step back. God reminds me that all people are made in His image, and He loves them, too. He died for them, too. He replaces my anger with love for others.
Recent events have triggered fears and doubts. But God reminded me that He is faithful, in all circumstances. Abraham and Sarah had a child, but not until they were elderly. The Israelites were enslaved, yet God miraculously delivered them. Paul suffered immensely, yet God encouraged and inspired him. In spite of, or because of, recent fearful times, my trust in God and His plans has strengthened. Sometimes I still experience fear, but I quickly remember that He is still in control.
No, I don’t move in a slow, steady, straight line like the snail. But I do move forward. My walk may zig-zag, but I still make forward progress. Even though I don’t move steadily forward like the little snail, I do move forward; I do make progress. This encourages me.
What about you? Do you make steady spiritual progress like the snail? Or, like me, do you hop about and make your way forward in an erratic path? Do you take two steps forward and one step back? How have you made progress in your spiritual walk.
Father God, whether we make slow, steady progress or erratic progress, guide each of us so that our spirits draw ever closer to you. Teach us to love others as you do.
Growing Our Faith Together 