Being Christian Without Losing Your Mind
Your Father knows what you need before you ask. — Matthew 6:8 It’s simplistic to say that prayer is more than just asking God for something. Yet, especially in times of stress, our prayer life resets to a list of urgent requests. Father Richard Rohr, in one of his daily devotions, described what we can learn from …
Some people trust in chariots, others in horses; but we praise the Lord’s name. — Psalm 20:7 With July 4th this week, I thought it might make sense to offer a prayer for those who govern. David, who was as political as they came, also had the spiritual insight to know that in the end, …
I hope this finds each of you in the midst of a sacred and joyful Christmas season, blessed by the love of Jesus and of the special people in your life. I ran across this Christmas prayer and wanted to share it with you. I don’t know who wrote it, but I found it very …
Rejoice always. Pray continually. – 2 Thessalonians 5:16-17 Our default prayer life, like it or not, revolves around “I want.” It’s the genetic basis of religion. God’s bigger and wiser, and if we get on God’s good side, we’ll get what we want. Prayer is that token we put in the celestial gumball machine. Of course …
Job 23:1-9; Job 23:16-17 Job is an amazingly contemporary book. The words of an anonymous Hebrew writer living in a confusing, painful time give voice to our spirits today. Lingering with the passages above, you can find three things to remember when you are facing a grueling situation that may appear utterly hopeless. Be honest. …
Psalm 91 My first response to this psalm is, “Yeah, right.” It implies that if you trust in God, you’ll get special privileges. Everyone else can get flu shots, but you don’t need them, because you believe. Faith will protect you from viruses. Our experience tells us that this isn’t the case. God-fearing, even “Bible-believing,” …
Luke 11:9-13 When Jesus gave the “Ask and it will be given you…” teaching, it was heard differently by Matthew and Luke. Matthew ended it with, “your Father in heaven [will] give GOOD THINGS to those who ask.” (Matthew 7:11) Luke, though, ended it with, “your Father in heaven [will] give the HOLY SPIRIT to …
Philippians 4:4-9 I believe in the value of stress busters. Massage therapy. Aromatherapy. Guided imagery. Meditation. Exercise. Vacation. All are good. They recharge your batteries. However, once you roll off the massage table, you still have to negotiate rush hour traffic. Stress hasn’t left. “Are you finished?” it seems to ask. “Now, let’s get back …