Life has a way of testing us, tying us up in knots and challenging our faith. We come up against countless battles in our everyday lives. Words are hurled in our direction like fiery darts; circumstances occur that take our breath away and cause us to question our beliefs. When insults and accusations are spewed at us, we want to strike back, we want to retaliate with like insults and say what's burning on our tongues in that moment. It's only through our faith and the Holy Spirit within us that can prevent us from reacting in this way. We need to ask ourselves in those tough moments, “What would Jesus say or do?”, “What would I do if Jesus were physically standing next to me right now?” Sometimes these thoughts can change … [Read more...]
“Surrendering Your Dreams” by Stormie OMartian
Every fall in California we would cut our rosebushes back to nearly nothing. For about four months they looked like pathetic little dead sticks from which nothing could ever possibly grow again. But when spring came, they blossomed and bloomed profusely. First they grew hundreds of little buds. Then one by one they opened and burst into all shades of pink, purple, yellow, burgundy, and white. Abundant, fragrant, breathtaking, life-giving flowers that people driving or walking by would stop to admire. That’s what God wants to do with us. He wants us to be His rose garden. He wants us to have beauty and purpose, and to offer a lifegiving fragrance to those around us. But first comes the pruning. When God wants to make changes in our lives, … [Read more...]
Matthew 11:25- He who has ears, let him hear.
The art of listening. This is an excerpt from Debbie McComber’s book, “One Simple Act”. Nature has given us one tongue and two ears so we could hear twice as much as we speak. Good listening requires focusing on the other person rather than on ourselves and our own thoughts or reactions. The act of being generous with our listening is a gift that our world is longing to receive. Listening increases wisdom. Listening helps us to define ourselves. Becoming generous in listening can transform our relationships. When we begin to listen to people, we also need to tune our ear to God on their behalf. First we listen. This is the step of discernment. We listen to people and we listen to God. Sometimes people share their deepest needs … [Read more...]