In these times we're experiencing, I'm grateful for the extra words of understanding we get in the Amplified version of 1 Corinthians 13:7: "LOVE . . . hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times]." A love like that goes far beyond the way we often consider our hope. How often do we hope for …
Kernels
In John 12, Jesus creates a word picture to display the work of death to sin in the life of a believer. A solitary, dry kernel lies dormant until it's planted into the soil where it can germinate and grow. It will need warmth, nourishment and water to begin to take root and sprout. Soon, …
Pause with Maranda
Our own Maranda Hoefs has led us in a practice of breathing and prayer during our Tuesday Morning opening times this year. Since we can't gather in person, she's made this for us to share online. I plan to follow along with her many times in the coming weeks. Hope you enjoy it too! https://youtu.be/Klg4dyHXOq8
Summoned
. I've been in a jury pool for District Court for the past 3 years straight. Every few months, I've gotten a summons to report for jury duty, but have either not been chosen or the case was settled out of court. Then on January 27th, I was called to appear for a murder trial. …
Focus 2020
The question we’ve been asking as we plan for this year is, “how do we equip women to live wide awake to the gospel in 2020?” First, lets be clear about what I mean when I use the word gospel. Simply stated, it's "good news," but I'm talking about a particular, amazingly good bit of …
Awaken to His Coming
This is a great time of year to talk about AWAKENING! We’re celebrating the greatest wake-up call in the history of everything. Here's how it's described in Matthew 4 as quoted from Isaiah's prophesy: “The people who were sitting (living) in [spiritual] darkness have seen a great Light,And for those who were sitting (living) in the land and shadow of [spiritual and …
Awake My Soul
If you’ve known me very long, you might know I like to prepare for things well in advance. But I have confession to make: I’ve been flying by the seat of my pants most every week this semester. It makes me very uncomfortable, especially since I’ve been planning to build on our theme each week …
Soul Awakening
Depending in the version you read, the word SOUL is used over 280 times in scripture. The most common word for soul, nephesh, in Old Testament Greek means "the inner being of a person, the seat of appetites, emotions and passions." Notice how it's used in these passages: Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require …
Freely and Lightly
I don't know about you, but much in life seems weighty these days-- the overwhelm of media, an undercurrent of deceit, growing discontent--like a pack rat has taken up residence in our souls. But this is not new. Jesus spoke clearly and kindly about this in Matthew 11:28-30: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out …
Breathing Prayer
Last week, when Maranda and I chatted about how becoming more in tune with ourselves physically led us to become more aware spiritually, I was reminded of breath prayer. Simple. Refocusing. A pause between activities. In her book, Sacred Rhythms, Ruth Haley Barton says “Breath prayer is to the spiritual life what oxygen and the …
