Thanksgiving gives opportunity to pause, think for a moment about all that we have… And give thanks. But, let’s be honest, this is always easy. When Paul exhorts us to “Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God’s will for you,” we sometimes want to respond back, “But what about…?” Because life is hard. Suffering comes. The pain is real. And then what? How do we give thanks in THESE circumstances?
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Stop Trying To Be Like Jesus?
Stop trying to be like Jesus? I never thought I’d hear a pastor say THAT! It was counter-intuitive and risky… and exactly what we need to hear. Read on to discover the truth about where real life, joy, and pleasure are found!
WHAT Just Happened?!
Everything came to a screeching halt when we received the text… the next three weeks were a whirlwind of elation and exhaustion! Now that it’s over we plop our weary bodies down, shake our heads in amazement, and with broad smiles sit back in wonder… WHAT just happened?!
Evidence of Things Unseen
Faith. Yes, it’s a belief and, yes, it’s a hope. But it’s so much more! Faith has a sort of substance to it. It doesn’t stay silent and it can’t remain hidden. Faith can’t help but expose the heart from which it flows, leaving behind evidence … of things unseen…
Spiritual Fruit: Fake or Real?
The tiny hand of my gardener in training slowly opens to reveal her treasure… And with it comes a revelation… The heart of a believer should be marked by certain qualities, “fruits of the Spirit” as the Apostle Paul puts it. But what happens when we go after the fruit instead of the Spirit? Is there a such thing as artificial fruit in the life of faith? If so, what’s the difference between that and the real deal?
There’s No Rathers
“There’s no rathers,” said my 4-year old self. I didn’t want to choose, I wanted BOTH! Choosing is hard for kids. It’s just as hard for adults! The desires change but the struggle remains. And sometimes Jesus makes us choose…
Life Lessons From The Trail
Living in beautiful Durango, I still pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming! The outdoor enthusiasm and athleticism create a unique culture in this town, not one that I naturally fit into. But when my favorite sport brings fresh perspectives to my faith then I’m all in!…
Help! I Still Sin…
We’d like to believe our worst days are behind us, that our sins are in the past. But when struggles remain and shame lingers, how do we deal with that? We live in the “present”…
Dear Weary Gardener
Do you ever wonder if what you’re doing really matters to anyone? Ever grow weary in doing good, questioning if it even makes a difference? Do you sometimes think your time could be better spent elsewhere? I do. By noon last Tuesday I was ready to give up on the day. AND THEN! Wow…I was blown away when I discovered THIS… Be encouraged as you read on!
The Master Gardener
We plant. We weed. But who really brings the harvest? It’s a tricky question, isn’t it? It’s human nature to want credit for our labor. We kinda want people to know that we found seeds – we prepared soil – we planted – we watered – we weeded – we harvested. We all want to be seen as valuable, knowledgeable, and recognized for a job well done. There’s something we must understand in this labor of sowing and reaping. If we can grasp this – wow – we will harvest far more than we ever sowed! Here it is…