This is a profound mystery—Christ feeds and cares for the church; He loves the church so much that he gave himself up for her. Submission is not a word we like to hear. It sounds harsh; it sounds restricting. But maybe that’s because we’ve got it wrong. We think: I’m weak; therefore, I submit. I’m...
Throughout the past four weeks, I’ve turned off the lights in the house and been lighting the Advent candles. It’s been a wonderful journey, and I’m surprised by the wonderful (and spiritual) anticipation of remembering the Advent of the Christ. However, in this week, we’ve been focusing on love-the advent of love. And each night...
There is a not-so-secret secret to joy, and it’s this: preferential treatment. If you want to know joy, experience joy, spread joy then give preferential treatment. Preferential treatment always feels good, at least to the person receiving it. Did you ever get the bigger bowl of ice cream? Were you ever the teacher’s pet? Or...
Joy is a communal activity. Sure it’s a personal decision, but it’s best expressed with other people. The person who is most joyful by themselves is missing the fullness of joy. Just like the person who claims they connect best with God by themselves and don’t need church. It’s not complete. Paul’s joy was made...
Pastor Friend kicked of this week of focusing on joy with a great message, and it reminds us that joy is a choice. Happiness is a feeling. But joy is a choice. Joy is a choice. Going to the gym is a choice. Going to the gym requires discipline, and so does joy. I hope...
Peace is hard. This week has been hard, and I am choosing to blame peace. For some reason, when you start talking about something God starts teaching you about it and testing you in it. So what have I learned? Peace is hard. Zephaniah defines peace as being content with who you are and being...
Peace is war. I was expecting challenges and a certain amount of unpleasantness as God tries to teach me about peace. And right now I certainly hope that I learn from this time because I don’t want to go through it again. It’s Tuesday (really it’s Wednesday but this was my opportunity for Tuesday’s time),...
Today begins the second week of Advent, and during this time we reflect on peace. Peace seems to be elusive, especially for someone with control issues like me. The problem with trying to control all your issues is that there are too many issues with too many facets to ever be at peace. I read...
Mary was troubled by the angel’s greeting. It wasn’t that there was angel standing in front of her (that’s what scares most others with angel encounters, or so I’ve read and heard). It’s the actual words he speaks. Mary has never heard these words before. Or, maybe more accurately, she has never heard those words...
One of the great things about hope is that it is substance-less. It’s wonderful. I can hope for the moon. Or maybe more accurately I can hope for a million dollars. Or I can hope to be a professional athlete. Or I can hope for any other seemingly outrageous thing. I can hope for anything...
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