Praise God that He is love (I John 4:7-8), and that because of Jesus’ sacrifice you know what love looks like (I John 3:16).
Lord, I want to know what love is. I want you to show me. Amen
What Love Is
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Praiseworthy
Praise God that He is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and that He is your solid Rock, your Fortress, your Rescuer, your Shield, your salvation’s strength, and your place of safety (Psalm 18:2).
Thank you God for your faithfulness, my strength and my salvation. I praise your holy name. Let me glorify you with my life. Amen
The Author
Situation
upon situation
upon situation,
the ever-changing cycle
of your story,
has been authored by Another,
one of infinite power
unparalleled wisdom
unending grace,
who has every epic
every turn of the plot
every surprising mystery
every unnoticed moment
written into his book.
The Author is never surprised
never taken off guard
never confused by new developments
never feeling unprepared
never just making it through
never looking for a way out.
Situation
upon situation
upon situation,
the ever-changing cycle
of your story,
authored by Another,
the changing saga written
by the One who never changes.
Let go of knowing the future.
Let go of having your own way.
Let go of self-sovereignty.
Let go of the anxiety of not knowing.
Let go of craving more power.
Let go of ranting against mystery.
Settle into what you’ve been designed to be.
Celebrate being included in the gospel plot.
Be thankful you’re not in control.
Remember God’s way is better.
Know that you’re in good hands.
Things out of your control
are not out of control.
There is an Author,
he is not you
his will will be done.
Your story,
that ever-changing cycle
situation upon situation
surprise after surprise
mystery chasing mystery
year piling upon year
has a final chapter,
penned before time began
written on the pages of eternity
and it will be glorious.
By Paul Tripp
Key to Happiness
Meaningful connections are a key to a happy life. We may feel like friendships should come naturally, but they can require real effort.
Whether your aim is to make new friends or strengthen existing friendships, these tips and tools can help you find new ways to connect:
Tell someone how much you appreciate them
Be fully present to the person in front of you
Text a friend you haven’t been in contact recently
Email or text a former coworker to see how they are doing
Send a handwritten note to someone who is on your mind
Identify three people you would like to have a deeper relationship with
Search today’s date in your phone a share a memory with a friend
Choose an activity to do with a friend – take up a hobby, share a book
Give someone a compliment
As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, let’s be ever mindful of the gifts we have been given. Thank you Lord Jesus!
Living Our Sensuality
For many years I kept my sensuality at bay, not honoring or allowing myself to delight in its gifts. But not able to run from this desire anymore and I’m learning it’s telling me something. It’s the whisper of God telling me it’s ok to enjoy life and take a break from my drivenness. These small acts of self-care help me learn to live in wholeness:
Continue reading “Living Our Sensuality “Week Thirty-Six. Tempted to Doubt. Facing Truth.
In order to grow into our best self, we usually need to stretch our thinking and make changes. Whether it is in a daily spiritual examination or in the rooms of recovery with a Fourth Step, we make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. For some of us, no challenge seems more formidable; there’s nothing more difficult than facing ourselves as we really are. It’s hard to face the truth of how far we are from our true nature and God’s purity of heart.
Continue reading “Week Thirty-Six. Tempted to Doubt. Facing Truth.”Week Thirty-Four. My Portion. My Honor.
Do I let God draw me towards the good? As a performer or achiever persona, my tendency is to be successful at all costs. This was a self-preservation tactic that I learned at a young age. In the middle part of life, as I explore meaning and purpose, I’m learning the importance of knowing my authentic self as that is the person I need to be in the world, not some image I’ve created of myself. Deep connection is high on my list of values. This includes the divine connection as the Lord is my portion. As I value myself and practice the virtue of temperance and seek God as my portion, I’m given the gift of hope.
Continue reading “Week Thirty-Four. My Portion. My Honor.”Week Thirty-Three. Beautiful Hope. Self Mastery.
Resistance can open us up to deeper and more mature values. Our tendency for fleshly and sensual enjoyment can make us blind and insensitive to deeper values that spring from love. As I learn self-mastery, I grow in my love of inner truth.
Continue reading “Week Thirty-Three. Beautiful Hope. Self Mastery.”Week Twenty-Nine. My Mindset. Invitation to Trust.
As we seek to follow Christ and bring light in this world, we have choices to make. The simple day-to-day choices we make eventually add up to the sum total of our life. I’m given the invitation to follow the way, the truth, and the light. Does my thinking trust that this is enough?
Continue reading “Week Twenty-Nine. My Mindset. Invitation to Trust.”Week Sixteen: Wholeness. Coming Undone
Sometimes getting to know the whole of myself feels a little like coming undone.
Continue reading “Week Sixteen: Wholeness. Coming Undone”
Smitten With Goodness 