Out of the Chaos
Inspiration for living outside of the chaos.
Tag: growth
Daily Reads 04.27.2019
This morning I awoke with a vague sense of not being enough. Now, I am far enough in my journey to know that I can’t give much time to the feelings, but I noticed they were there. I acknowledged them, but without giving them power over me. It seems, if I am looking, there is …
Daily Reads 04.26.2019
Read: Genesis 16:1-6 Abraham and Sarai had a promise from God. He was going to make them and their descendants into a great nation. In order for that to happen, they needed descendants. At least that is what Sarai concluded. And since there weren’t any forthcoming from her body, she took the promise into her …
Daily Reads 04.25.2019
It doesn’t matter if you follow the rules or if you look like someone else or if you make yourself miserable to tame your propensity to sin. It matters if you are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Read: Galatians 6:15-16 The way in which God transforms your heart is up to him. It …
Daily Reads 04.24.2019
“This is extremely satisfying,” my friend said as we pulled together massive amounts of leaves gathered in the landscaping. “It’s hard work, but gratifying!” The same can be said for eliminating debris in my heart. It is hard work, but so satisfying. Read: Galatians 6:9 Don’t give up! The effort you give to living a …
Spring Clean-up
Spring clean-up. Right now, that is a loaded phrase and one that could send me running from the room screaming, holding my head. It always feels like this at this time of year. It is the end of April and we have had just enough warm days to raise our hope that winter is over …
Daily Reads 04.22.2019
What does it mean to follow Jesus? If it isn’t found in following rules and it isn’t found in a life of self-denial and it isn’t about mysterious experiences, what is it? Read: Matthew 16:24; John 10:27; John 13:34-35 If I could summarize the verses above, it would sound like this: Stop thinking about only …
Daily Reads 04.21.2019
Read: John 20:1-10 An empty tomb! That’s what the women found when they rushed to the garden early that Sunday morning. Despair filled their hearts as they attempted to find Jesus’ body. It made sense to stay at the tomb. I find it easy to stay at the tomb, to hang around outside. You know, …
Daily Reads 04.19.2019
We aren’t obligated to a list of rules when we follow Jesus, nor are we asked to practice any of form of penitential discipline to strengthen our will against sin. The final practice Paul warns against is MYSTICISM. Mysticism is spiritual intuition outside of normal or ordinary understanding obtained through the use of intermediaries (angels, …
Daily Reads 04.18.2019
Following Jesus does not mean adhering to a long list of rules and regulations (legalism) designed to control our behavior so we are right with God. Jesus makes us right with God; we don’t have to work for righteousness. Reading: Colossians 2:18, 23 The second thing Paul said to get rid of in our quest …
Daily Reads 04.17.2019
Read: Colossians 2:16-17 The first thing Paul warns against in following Christ is LEGALISM. Legalism is defined as strictly following the “letter of the law” rather than the spirit. It is following the rules without embracing the spirit of something. For example, church attendance is an excellent tool for growing in our faith. It is …
Out of the Chaos 