spiritual hacks for a miraculous life
“The person who meditates on God’s promises is a like a beautiful and fruitful tree.” (Psalm 1: 3)
You may not be the most gifted but you can be the most fruitful.
Father,
Sometimes I feel like others are so much more gifted.
Yet, in your power, I know none need be more fruitful.
Help me to not compare myself to others.
Instead, content in who you created me to be.
Filled with your power and all of your fruitfulness.
Amen
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart for something special.” (Jeremiah 1: 5)
Prayer Today: Father, when I feel down you remind me I’m special. Help me to live today the life you created for me.
Have you ever noticed our world is rigged to make us feel rejected? It’s like it’s hard wired into the system.
Remember elementary school when teams were chosen to play soccer? Were you ever the last one still waiting to be picked and the team captain is looking around hoping to see somebody, anybody hiding in the bushes?
Photo Credit: Orin Zebest
Or how about high school and desperately wanting to make the varsity basketball team even if you were only five-six? Or hoping to be selected cheerleader even if you had the coordination of a new born giraffe?
And adulthood doesn’t get any better does it?
Dating is like toxic. I mean who thought up?
Add to that competing to get the best job. Live in the nicest house. Have the largest portfolio.
No wonder we feel exhausted and defeated half the time.
We trudge around looking at our friends and think, “Man, they’ve got it so together. “
And they’re looking at us thinking, “Man they’ve got it so together.”
Number 53 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” The miracles and promises of Jesus that show us the awesome blessings we can experience each day. I hope it encourages you!
Starting this blog has been a constant challenge that frankly I didn’t need.
I took a two year hiatus after ending my previous blog. Then when some commitments ended I pondered what I wanted to do with the extra time. One option was to write a new blog.
Honestly my first response was, “Ugh. Do I really want to?”
Photo Credit: Daniel Foster
I mean some days feel like I’ve signed up for an exploratory root canal.
So I pushed it off. Tried to ignore it. Debated with myself.
And no I don’t need psychoanalysis.
Yet something inside compels me to write.
Number 48 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” The miracles and promises of Jesus that show us the awesome blessings we can experience each day. I hope it encourages you!
When I went to the church I pastored I came with the understanding we were going to change things big time. The church had dwindled to a place it was either change or die.
Photo Credit: Ray Chang
I met early on with the Executive Board, a group of eight core leaders. One evening in our living room I said to them, “We have the opportunity to make a difference. We can change the direction of this church and see lives impacted eternally.”
All of them were excited about being a part of something that would make an eternal difference.
Then I said, “But realize we just declared war on the evil one. And it will be a real war. So you need to put on God’s armor every day. And trust in him to keep you safe and give you wisdom.”
Most took me seriously.
Number 42 in the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” Stories and promises of Jesus that show us the awesome blessings we can experience each day. I hope it encourages you!
I’m convinced we’re all wired wanting to leave our mark in this world. We each want to feel we made a difference.
Whether it’s a gang banger tagging freeway overpasses or a teacher in the inner city of Chicago. A missionary in Africa or an annoying zealot Facebook friend. We all want to feel our life mattered.
Yet, how often do most of us really have that opportunity?
Photo Credit: Wonderlane
Or instead how often do each of us fill up our lives in lieu of it?
Maybe a bigger house, another expensive car, more golf clubs, more shoes in the closet? Personally I don’t get that last one.
Or maybe more TV or bigger trips. Somehow hoping to find something or at least forget.
My father-in-law Jack passed away a few days ago at 95. Though we had many conversations we really hardly knew each other.
Photo Credit: Doug Armey
He was born into a poor family in Oklahoma. As an infant they moved to Missouri where his father spent time in jail for running moonshine. A few years later they moved to California.
After graduating from high school he enlisted in the army and spent four years landing on beaches in the Pacific in World War II. Through it all he earned two Bronze Stars and one Silver Star for valor.
When the war ended he returned home and never spoke about it. He said he couldn’t remember what he won the Bronze Stars for and would only in briefest terms tell the circumstances of the Silver Star.
A short series in Advent focusing on a few significant snapshots of the Christmas story and the amazing gifts they reveal.
What are you facing today that seems impossible?
Health issues?
An imploding marriage?
Financial struggles?
Emotional upheaval?
A loved one’s or your own imminent death?
Photo Credit: Cary & Kacey Jordan
We all go through challenges. No they don’t all look alike. And for some they’re certainly more severe. But none of us get through this life unscathed.
Part of the series “God Rocks: 101 Amazing Everyday Gifts!” Stories and promises of the awesome blessings God gives us each day. I hope it encourages you today!
As I watch people do some of the most bizarre things to get attention I often wonder, “What are they thinking? How could they do that?”
Photo Credit: nicdalic
From a radical Muslim videoing horrific acts. To gang bangers wantonly hurting others. To a movie star promoting herself with seemingly no shame. To a business executive who gives up everything to climb the ladder. To the star athlete who takes life shortening drugs to gain performance. To the exhausted organization volunteer that neglects all to keep volunteering for more.
I’ve heard the church compared to a football game. Thousands of people desperately in need of exercise watching a few people desperately in need of rest perform.
Unfortunately I think that describes way too many churches today. Hundreds flock to services to watch a few exhausted super saints. Yet, never get involved beyond sitting for an hour on a Sunday.
And the exhausted “ministers” finally burn out. I know. I did.
Then the church goers leave wondering what it’s all about. Never growing closer to God or having the joy of making a difference.
I’m not really condemning anyone.
I just think we live in such a consumer culture that it spilled over into the church. [Read more…]
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