Tag: identity

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.28.2020

Richard Foster, in his book “Celebration of Discipline”, writes this: “Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people.” Foster, Richard, “Celebration of Discipline,” p. 1. Two …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.25.2020

When Dave and I were first married, we volunteered helping with the youth group in our church. One Wednesday evening, we were late for Bible study. Dave attempted to make up for our tardiness by practicing his Indy 500 driving skills. At my best, that would not have amused me. This particular evening, I was …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.23.2020

This week I chose to focus on our faces and the impact a cheerful look or a scornful look can impart. My daughter, Emily, has two daughters. When Emily was less than a year old she learned to scowl. We thought it was hilarious and often asked her to do it for others. Now Emily …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.21.2020

There was a woman who loved auctions and estate sales. One day she found herself wandering among the furniture at an auction when she looked to the side and saw another woman wandering the items as well. She looked away and thought to herself, “My! She was really grumpy!” Turning back to see if she …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.17.2020

Encountering the stars, I learn of God’s power and strength which helps me to know that His understanding is deeper than I can comprehend. He surely sees my troubles! He knows what I experience! But what is He doing about it? What response does He have? 28Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.16.2020

Monday evening I went outside to look at the stars. I chose the front yard because there are fewer lights there than in the back. Opening the door, I snapped off the porch light and was immediately surrounded by deep darkness. So dark, in fact, that I couldn’t see the sidewalk. I did not let …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.15.2020

What did you learn by noticing the stars? Were you able to calculate how many there are, even counting them? Naming them? Yeah — me neither. But the immensity of the galaxies is certainly amazing, isn’t it? In Isaiah 40, God invites the reader to consider the stars. Then he asks two questions: 27O Jacob, …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.14.2020

As I sit here with my computer opened before me, I wonder what to write. I wonder if others are experiencing the same feelings that plague me. I wonder if I should expose my inner thoughts. I wonder how to make a difference in the lives of my readers. And then my mind starts to …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.11.2020

The center book of the Bible is Psalm 118. Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter of the Bible and Psalm 119 is the longest chapter of the Bible. There are 594 chapters before Psalm 118 and 594 chapters after. If you add those together, you get 1188. Psalm 118:8 could be said to be the …

OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.10.2020

When I read scripture, I remind myself that most of scripture (a few chapters in the Old Testament address nations that oppressed Israel) was written to people who professed to follow God and live in obedience to his commands. The Old Testament is the theological history of the nation of Israel and the promise of …