All tagged struggle
Love is the ministry of presence. Love knew that I did not need to be alone. And yet, love understood that no words were needed. Love in the form of these two young friends who came into my home to simply be present with me in my pain. Love sat with me. Love listened to me. And it was powerful.
We live in a time and a culture that seems especially tempted to see the unfairness and brutality of human existence as good reason to let go of God. And if we are honest, there are probably times when it feels like holding on is pointless, when we wonder if our struggle to keep our faith is even worth it. And to that experience, this story offers us a gift: May we be as stubborn as Jacob: refusing to let go, until we get a blessing.
Living from the false self distances us from God. By building a persona based on pride or external validation, we alienate ourselves from the divine connection. The false self obstructs our spiritual growth, resulting in a divided life in which we are separated from both our true self and God.
When trouble comes—and it will come!—faith in the God who is at work in the world must be at the center of our attention.
You see, wrestling with God is not all bad. When we wrestle with God, we are intimately connected to Him. We couldn’t be closer.
Over the years, I have realized that there are certain things that I need to remember and reflect on during this journey of vision, leadership, and missional engagement.
Sometimes as we are facing difficult things, our manner in doing so impacts more people than we know. We must live faithfully.
My “why” as a father is to live for my last name more than for my first. I sacrifice my life for my children, my children’s children, and my children’s children’s children—all for a better world.
If your church wants to talk about mental health, I’d suggest nine things you ought to know.
There was no food, no money, and no more time. She had enough supplies for one last meal with her son before she would to take their fate into her own hands.
When the storm hits the disciples’ boat as it crosses the Sea of Galilee, Jesus’s apathy is noted. Could there be anything more apathetic than sleeping?
Isaiah sees the true king only after the human king is dead. Judah’s king Uzziah has died, yet their true king, the God of Israel, is still very much alive.
When fear and anxiety come, which is often, I breathe God in. I notice God’s presence in my breath, and as I breathe, I remind myself to be grateful for a God of peace.
May we live in such a way that when we are lying on our death bed, the only thing we have left to do is die. May we help the world smile in the midst of their daily struggles.
He was left all alone. For centuries these haunting words have filled the space between human extremity and divine encounters.
There is something about the beach that reminds me of who I am and who God is; this keeps me focused on the God who empowers me to minister to others. The beach reminds me of my smallness.
No one ever asked Jesus which was the hardest command, but had they done so, I feel confident it would be to love your enemies as you love yourself.
“I’m ready for God to use me in a very different way, and I have no idea what that will be.” That seems like an appropriate prayer for all of us as we fluff up our hair.
