Posted on June 21, 2008 at 10:25am.
I sometimes wonder when it is harder to trust God, when things are hard or when life is going well? When things are smooth I tend to forget my need for God and therefore my need to trust. When life is a struggle I find myself doubting his goodness so why bother trusting. The bottom line is God longs for me and you to trust him. Choosing to trust doesn’t mean I won’t have questions or at times find myself confused. It does mean however when it is all said and done I believe God loves me and his character is absolutely trustworthy. My prayer is today no matter what the circumstances I will trust, then tomorrow I start the process all over again.
Posted on June 20, 2008 at 5:55am.
When I was much younger I used to think that God might use me to change the world or at least Charlotte. I have come to realize a couple of things. One that the only change agent is the Holy Spirit and that change is measured one heart at a time. This past week I have had the joy of hearing about a young man who gave his life to Christ this past year - what a thrill! I have received a couple of email from friends who shared how God is changing their hearts and their perspective about Him - I love it! My hope is that God will allow me to be used to see those changes continue and my prayer is it will begin inside of me.
Posted on June 18, 2008 at 9:15am.
Some of you may remember a friend of mine who works for the Free Church in Minneapolis, who was gravely ill last year. God worked in wonderful ways to spare his life. Thank you Lord. The road to recovery has been a difficult one. I received an email from his wife that his kidneys are not working properly and the concern is they are shutting down. I would ask you to pray for TJ. TJ’s wife has made it clear that her number one request is for us to pray. I really am mystified by prayer in terms of how it all fits together with a sovereign God and his will but I believe we are commanded to pray and so I am and I ask you to join me.
Posted on June 17, 2008 at 5:44am.
Simple thought - I need to be less consumed with doing and more about loving Jesus. Since I preached on this a couple of days ago, I have found myself reflecting on it. I do believe this is what Jesus longs for from us, I just wonder if it is possible in America in 2008. We fight against a culture that rewards activity and “doing”. There are many days that I am not even sure I am aware that it is a struggle - busy is just so normal. Yet somehow I believe it is a fight worth fighting. The kingdom that Jesus announced and began is radical and “upside-down” to the ways of this world. That includes not only morally but in the way I spend my days.
Posted on June 16, 2008 at 6:23am.
Those four words, I am with you, are powerful encouragement in any situation in life. When you are facing difficult and overwhelming odds they can be very special. On Saturday my blog took us to I Samuel and a story about Jonathan trusting in God. The verse that followed was the response of his armor-bearer. It is an amazing response to the power of friendship and loyalty. “Do all that you have in mind..God ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” The power of knowing you are not alone. To know that someone is with you and believes in you. We long for this on a human level and feel blessed when we find such a friend. I want to remind us that we have it on a divine level in the one who will never leave us or forsake us. The one who can never be separated from us - Jesus.
