Today, I want to focus on just one which is Solitude. Last year I did a 9-month program where we learned and got to practice some of the disciplines. We had a solitude retreat. We took time to spend time with God rather than be in the word praying and for a prayer walk. The Bible tells us Jesus even took time to go spend time with God.
Read MoreYet, the relief God promises is real, an oasis of eternity, wisdom, respite, bounty, and growth. He is also with us every labored step of the way, unlike Satan, who will leave us alone in our pain, doubts, and confusion. We may perceive our experiences as a desert, but with and through Christ, we will arrive at a place of comfort, peace, and growth.
Read MoreCan we please take a moment to appreciate how amazing our God is? He is quick to answer our questions and guide us on the desires of our heart, if we should humble ourselves and seek Him with all entire heart and soul. Yesterday, I wrote this post on my struggles with modern and lukewarm Christianity and I ended the post with ambiguity of not knowing what to do other than pray.
Read MoreIn my renewed pursuit of growing my relationship with Christ these last few months, I've been praying about growing my dependence on God - yes, it's kind of weird to pray to God about having a deeper love for Him and a hunger for His truth, but it's what I wanted in my lukewarm state, so I prayed. And this weekend, God gave me a glimpse of that.
Read MoreI was saved on Halloween when I was five years old. Yes, you read that right. Although my family faithfully went to church, it took a salvation tract (a pamphlet, religious in nature, intended to share scripture and salvation with others) in my Halloween loot for me to make the decision to allow God into my heart. It was a cartoon called “The Fool,” about how only a fool won´t prepare for eternity.
Read MoreI am, at best, a lukewarm Christian. It's a hard thing for me to admit, but its the truth. I wish I was one of those people whose face just lights up all the time as they speak about Jesus. Maybe you've had the pleasure of being in the presence of such a God-obsessed person - glory practically oozes from their pores, their eyes sparkle and humility graces every word they say. They leave you inspired and a bit in awe.
Read MoreI have always been a sedentary person. Never one for sports, my preference was the company of good books and a comfy nook. There’s nothing wrong with that unless you let that preference lead you to a lifestyle of seeking only comfort and sedentary ease. Like I did.
Read MoreI love birthdays. Each birthday reminds me of God’s grace and love for me. A time to thank God for his protection.
When I was 20 years old, I was doing my Bachelor of Architecture. I went with my class of 22 second-year students on a 10-day tour to towns and cities along the west coast of India. We started in Chennai where we boarded the train.
Read MorePride is a tricky thing. It sneaks up on us and tricks us in thinking we're strong enough to stand alone, without God, and we never see the fall coming, no matter how many times we give in to pride.
Read MoreHave you spent a lot of time thinking about Barnabas? I hadn’t. This verse is so cool because it talks about how Barnabas’ name means “Son of Encouragement”. The book I just finished “Authentic Influencer: The Barnabas Way of Shaping Lives for Jesus” by Jonathan Murphy is all about Barnabas and how his example can help us become the best type of influencer in the 21st century.
Read MoreWhen I found out that Tirzah was using their platform to focus on mental health, God immediately laid on my heart to write about my experiences with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Through a four-part series, we will break down how loneliness, fear, regret, and worry all lead to mental health struggles and how under it all, believing ourselves to be unlovable and unworthy only adds to the feelings of hopelessness we can all feel.
Read MoreOnce every month in 2023 we will have a WORD STUDY for you. You will need a journal and pen to complete it. It can be done through the week or in a couple of days. You can do it on your own or with a group of friends
Read MoreToday we will explore several ways in which we can “hide God’s word in our hearts.” Find what works for you and try them. Do it at a pace that works for you.
Read MoreOne of Job’s major complaints against God was that evil people and their deeds seemed to thrive, not be punished as we would expect. It seemed like God allowed it all to happen without any recompense. At the same time, Job also acknowledged God’s certain judgment on the wicked. Note, this question was not coming from a place of unbelief or sin on Job’s part.
Read MoreA few years ago, I never would have imagined that more than 4 years after college I would be back in the same house I grew up in. This little dingy house sits on the wrong side of town, yet holds 27 years of both good and bad memories. I also didn’t imagine getting married to a military man stationed overseas and not living together.
Read MoreDo you ever feel like you’re not good enough? Do you find yourself constantly worried that you don’t deserve the life you have and someone is going to call you out on it? I’ll be the first to tell you that I often question my self-worth and God’s ability to use me. I’m currently knee-deep in the job-hunting trenches, and while I know that I am qualified for the positions I’m applying for, I still find myself doubting my abilities and feeling like a fake.
Read MoreMy relationship with God has been rather steady since accepting Him into my life in 2015. But lately that steady relationship has been rocky or almost nearly non-existent. I don’t know exactly when it started to dissolve, but it did. Maybe it was when I took off my cross ring, maybe it was during my time of stress where I attempted to solve my own problems versus leaning on Him.
Read MoreHappy Monday, friends! I have a mini quiz for you to start off your week: Does the idea of sharing your faith make you uncomfortable and anxious? Do you feel inadequate to share your faith because you don’t have the right education or an actual Bible degree? Have you ever felt the whisper of the Holy Spirit to speak up in conversation, but chickened out due to fear of judgment?
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