In the United States, today’s war seems to fall more along black and white than Jew or Greek. It is interesting to me how people think victimization of a race is new and unique. When we look throughout history, we can go all the way back in time to the war between the Jews and the Greeks in the Bible. All over the world there are culture clashes and race wars. There are the Hutus and Tutsis in Africa, the apartheid in South Africa, and a war in the Slavic areas that broke out because of people in different countries marrying one another!
Read MoreSwitching on the kettle to make my morning tea, I looked out through the window at the sky, dark with a beautiful full moon! I pull out my journal, Bible and pen- and sit on our red couch to meet with Jesus one on one!
Read MoreHave you ever seen two children squabble over a toy, and when a parent comes into the fray and sorts it out, if it turns out one of the kids actually earned the toy properly, they walk away gleefully as the winner, leaving the other child to sulk or cry? One child feels like they “got” something someone else wanted, while the other feels like something was taken away that should have been theirs.
Read MoreWhat is love and how do we know if it is lasting? I have asked myself this question throughout the course of my life. Time and time again, I have been reminded what lasting love looks like by looking in God's Word. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV, I have been able to read, see, and feel what true love looks like. It isn’t just some reading that is popular at weddings and it isn’t just some nice sounding script that looks good on a Pinterest plaque. It is a description of who God is while also being a guidebook for how we are to love. While the first aspect of love in 1 Corinthians is being patient, the second characteristic of love is being kind, and listed right behind these is “love does not envy”.
Read MoreWhat is love and how do we know if it is lasting? I have asked myself this question throughout the course of my life. Time and time again, I have been reminded what lasting love looks like by looking in God's Word. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV, I have been able to read, see, and feel what true love looks like. It isn’t just some reading that is popular at weddings and it isn’t just some nice sounding script that looks good on a Pinterest plaque. It is a description of who God is while also being a guidebook for how we are to love.
Read MoreSince we’ve been on the topic of gender for the last few weeks, I thought it would be great to shift gears to everyone’s favorite topic - sexuality. In the 21st century, sexuality is our new identity. Why?
Read MoreThe gospel is beautiful in its simplicity, but for Israel, a people whose beliefs were steeped deep in the law and tradition, as we studied last week, the gospel became a stumbling block. So, Paul goes back to the teachings of Moses to make his point about where faith comes from and that the message of salvation is for all.
Read MoreHave you ever found it difficult to get into the right mindset for devotional time with God? I don’t know about you, but it’s hard for me to focus on just one thing at a time. It seems like there are twenty-four tabs open in my brain all the time.
Read MoreI should clarify, “Building Bridges & Burning Ships” is a culmination of what I have learned throughout my young adult years in leadership. It was a long road to learn these lessons with mistakes along the way, times where bridges were burned and ships were built, instead of bringing unity there was disunity. Times where I found myself in the middle of disunity, instead of unity.
Read MoreI just returned home from a trip out west with my family. We traveled to South Dakota and Wyoming seeing spectacular views, enjoying the outdoors and hiking strenuous trails. I always find a sense of peace when I am out there with no cell or Internet service, respecting and relishing in God’s creation.
Read MoreI’m a single woman currently. No ring on my finger, no man to call my own, yet — if the Lord wills. So I do the best I can to insert myself in third person as I write this article.
Read MoreUp until now, Paul has focused on God’s sovereignty, but now we shift to the responsibilities we as humans have in response to God’s mercy and sovereignty. This week, read Romans 9:30-10:4 and journal through the following questions.
Read MoreWe are a group of eight friends. Wives, mothers, grandmothers from different parts of the world with one common bond. We all love Christ and met through Bible Study Fellowship in Auckland several years back. Now, though we are no longer in the same Bible study group, we meet once every other month. We try to make it fun each time- a picnic, a swap party, a shared meal, coffee and cake and during the lockdown we even met on zoom sessions a couple of times!
Read MoreLast time we talked about burning ships and building bridges. We touched on my choice to not be in church leadership as a female. I want to tell you about a conversation that I had with an elder’s wife last week on the day that article came out.
Read MoreAs I read through the book of Genesis, my heart would speed up when I came across a woman’s name. I was inspired by faith’s forefathers, but was eager to hear how women participated in establishing our faith foundation.
Read MoreI have always preferred opposites. Noise to complete silence. Smiles instead of tears. Light instead of the dark
Read MoreLast week, we came to the conclusion that God shows mercy to whom He wills and it is not something we can earn in our own efforts. And for some, that can be a bit disheartening, leading us to ask, “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist His will?” (Romans 9:19).
Read MoreLife is full of seasons and each season is an opportunity to learn something new. In a season of waiting, we learn the faithfulness of God. In a season of anticipation, we learn that God keeps His word. In a season of pain, we learn suffering is part of the journey.
Read MoreI started this book review with Romans 12:2 because I believe that God allows us to choose what we intake and He also gives us discernment. I was asked to review “Everybody Fights, So why Not Get Better at It?” By Kim and Penn Holderness.
Read MoreIn Part 3, you read about my amazing mentor and best friend who shepherded me so much in how to be a wife and mother. She taught me how to burn ships and build bridges in so many ways. This section of my journey in leadership has perhaps been one of the most challenging. One where instead of being encouraged by pastors and church leaders and peers, I was frowned upon and continued to be. It’s everybody’s favorite topic - female roles in the church.
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