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.
“Life has a way of testing our anchors and tempting us to drift. Nevertheless, if our anchors are correctly placed in the rock of our Redeemer, they will hold no matter the force of the wind, the strength of the tide, or the height of the water. Dieter F. Lichicterf
We live in troubled, broken times. I allow fear to wrap itself around me, stealing my hope and contentment. Worry takes away my trust in the Almighty Creator God. Hatred reigns supreme, shoving love into the deep recesses of my heart. My God-given peace seems shattered, scattered to every corner of my soul.
But then…I open the Book. I allow His words to wash over me. I bask in praise music. I take long walks outdoors. I reach out a helping hand. I offer up a prayer.
And then the miracle happens. The shards of peace knit themselves back together. They grow and bloom deep in my soul. Soon, the others return: hope, contentment, trust, and love flourish and blossom alongside the peace God has provided. Once again, they bloom, even in these troubled time.
What steps are you taking to allow peace to flourish in your soul, even in troubled times?
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or we can rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” Abraham Lincoln
I don’t remember hearing my parents telling me, “I love you,” but I know they do. They have shown their love in countless ways. When I was growing up they worked hard to provide a comfortable home, food, and clothing. They made sure my brothers didn’t pick on me, at least not too much. Even today, they listen when I have something important to say. They encourage me when I’m discouraged or when I start a new venture. Their eyes shine with pride at my smallest accomplishments. Their actions have always left me feeling secure and loved.
I have never heard Jesus say to me, “I love you,” but I know he does. He provides my every need. He sometimes allows difficulties in my life, but never more than I can bear. He listens to me and knows my heart, even when I seldom speak to Him. He is the source of my abilities and is pleased when I work to develop them. When I’m discouraged he wraps loving arms around me, encouraging me. And those very same arms stretched wide open on the cross. Because He became sin, I am adopted into his family and will live forever with him in heaven. His actions leave me feeling secure and loved.
Through our own wordless love others glimpse our loving savior. When we understand another’s feelings, or listen to other’s problems, we show God’s love. When we assist an elderly neighbor or babysit for a friend, we demonstrate his love. When we accept others without judgment, they see God’s love.
God, your actions demonstrate how much you love us. Humble us and show us how to also act in loving ways.
II Peter 1:5-9
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
None of us likes to be interrupted. We tell our children, “Not now. I’m talking. It’s not polite to interrupt.” Children, of course, are persistent, tapping the parent on the shoulder until they have Mom or Dad’s full attention. These interruptions try the parents’ patience.
When Jesus walked on this earth, he was the master of interruptions. He saw society shunning the poor and the ill. He interrupted with compassion and healing. He saw people burdened by an oppressive Roman government. He interrupted with hope. He saw religious leaders consumed with the letter of the law. He interrupted with grace. He saw His people burdened with sin and hungry for righteousness. He interrupted by dying on the cross.
Even though Jesus, the man, doesn’t walk this earth today, Jesus, our Savior, interrupts. He’s tapping on our shoulders, trying to get our attention. He hopes we’ll see the needs of the poor, the ill, and the oppressed. He wants to open our eyes to the pressing need for grace. Tap, tap, tap. Will we allow our lives to be interrupted? How and when will we respond to His insistent tapping on our shoulders?
Luke 14:13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
How are you yielding to His gentle taps on your shoulder? How are you allowing Him to interrupt your life?
“Choosing to smile when you are having a bad day doesn’t mean you’re being fake. It means you’re choosing to focus on all the reasons you have to be thankful instead of the reasons you have to be stressed.” Davewillis.org
What are some of the reasons you have to be thankful today?
Growing Our Faith Together 