Tag: god

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.24.2021

. . . I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 When I read this verse, I am brought up short. Immediately, I have to ask myself a question: am I relying on the …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.23.2021

Apostle Paul intrigues me. His determination before conversion to do what he believed to be the right thing — get rid of Christians — and his complete reversal afterwards — telling everyone that Jesus is the Messiah, astounds me. He pursued his goal relentlessly with fervor. His strategies could easily be adapted for sharing the …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.22.2021

4He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.21.2021

Considering the great commission — while you are on your way, about your every day activity, make disciples. Teach them how to follow me! (Bev’s translation) — what makes doing this complicated or difficult? The most obvious hindrance is a limited social context – everyone in my circles is already a Jesus follower! It seems …

OUT OF THE CHAO 09.17.2021

Occasionally I come across something I wish would not end. It might be some food or drink that is absolutely incredible, a great movie or book, a perfect evening under the night sky or a great interaction with a friend. It seems more often I am eager for something to end. It might be a …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.15.2021

Peace. Is peace the absence of conflict? Or is it, perhaps, something more substantive than that? I am sure I am not the only one who has gone to some sort of event — for many it is a family gathering — under the guise of peace. The goal is to eliminate arguments, fist fights …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.14.2021

In the overnight hours, the scripture from Isaiah 9 promising a Messiah, someone to carry my burdens and set me free, ran through my mind. Isaiah foretells the birth of a child followed by qualifying phrases that describe what the Messiah will accomplish and the kind of person he will be to his people. The …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.13.2021

In my journeying on Friday, I happened upon a young girl carrying a backpack. She was a very slight person, in her teens, with long slender arms that hung at her sides, her finger tips resting on equally slender legs. Her backback was nearly half her size and it hung on her like a burden, …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.09.2021

As I prepared to write this post, I took a few minutes to read a friend’s Caring Bridge update. She just received her final immunotherapy treatment for the cancer she discovered last year. I celebrated with her as she shared, “IT IS FINISHED!” Today, I invite you to celebrate with me as I say, “IT …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.08.2021

September. What does that mean to you? It seems it slipped in quietly without any word or warning. It was just here. When I was growing up, it meant school started. We always had one last summer hurrah camping with family in a remote, primitive campground. No running water, electric, showers or indoor plumbing. There …