“Thankfully, there is one other possibility, and that is that God has actually given you a supernatural grace to live opposite your circumstances. Have you experienced this type of grace from God that allows you to live in the peace of knowing you are obeying Him, even when those around you don’t understand?” -Bill Johnson … More Lessons Learned Under the Umbrella of Grace
“Listen carefully, child of mine, To all that I teach you And pay attention to all I that I say. Fill your thoughts with my words Until they penetrate deeply into your spirit. When you unwrap my words They will impart true life and radiant health Into the core of your very being. Above all, … More Monday Morning Meditations: The Wellspring of Life
“Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today.” – Ex 14:13 NLT “But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD’s victory. ” – 2 Chronicles 20:17 NLT “Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop your striving and you will see … More Monday Morning Meditations: Stand, Be Still, Surrende…and See
“Could the joy of life be found in simple gratitude. And is gratitude as simple as perspective?” -Twila Paris Sometimes, the troubles of life seem especially loud. Last week was one of those weeks. It’s in those times that I have come to appreciate that the “joy of the Lord” really is our strength. Like … More Monday Morning Meditations: Fullness of Joy
Eyes fixed Heart aligned Watching Waiting Ready to respond at the sound of Your voice Strong and courageous Not because I feel no fear But because You’ve made me brave You know my heart, Lord You know that I want to do something Anything To move the battle lines To bring the breakthrough But this … More The Stand
“A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow!” -John 10:10 tpt “Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than … More Monday Morning Meditations: Apprehending Abundance
I’ve been doing some format of what I’ve called “Monday Morning Musings” off and on for years. But, as I wrote recently, lately I haven’t felt like I’ve had a whole lot to say or write. However, even when I’m laying low and feeling quiet, His word still speaks. In fact, I’d say it speaks a … More Monday Morning Meditations
“Why do you work so hard to find fault with yourself, when I gave everything to find you faultless?” This was the question I heard last night as I was wrestling through some things with the Lord. I didn’t have a good answer. I was pondering a significant area in my life where I really … More Faithful
There is a lot I’ve been pondering in my heart lately. Maybe one day some of it will find its way into words. Maybe not. But right here and now, there are a few things I KNOW that I feel compelled to declare… -He is good -He is faithful -He is not mocked—what is sown, … More The Imminent Harvest
“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” —C.S. Lewis The quote above, in a nutshell, is my testimony. There is an ache in the human heart for Eden. Really it is an ache for Him. … More The Way Home
I’m not normally at a loss for words. But lately I have been. Often, in fact. Believe it or not, at times, I run out of words. I run out of opinions. I run out of ideas. I run out of me. I don’t think it’s a bad thing. This isn’t some self-deprecating, “woe is … More Leaning
In Your hands You hold A thousand broken pieces Pieces of me All the pieces of my life Individually, they don’t make sense They don’t fit together But held in Your presence Over time Beauty is revealed As You take each broken piece And begin to fashion something new A picture begins to emerge What … More The Mosaic of My Life
NOTE: I first wrote this a couple of years ago (here is the original post). It is, by far, the most shared and discussed thing I’ve ever written (which took me by surprise because it is so deeply personal). I’m reposting it and did a corresponding live video this morning (link below) because I think … More The Arising: A Call to Creatives and Contemplatives
Some things are worth the wait. I have visited Redding, CA many times. During many of those many times, I have desired to visit Burney Falls, about 65 miles northeast. Sometimes, I couldn’t fit the trip into my limited time in the area. Other times the weather didn’t cooperate, and it was either too hot … More Timing, Trust, and Triumph
Another year is almost in the books. Well, it is almost in our books–it was recorded in heaven before the foundations of the earth. In fact, before we took our first breath, He knew the number of our days. He knew every thought. He knew every decision, every triumph, and every heartbreak. I don’t know … More Moving Forward
T’was the night before Christmas And all through the house Not a creature was stirring Not even a mouse I finally sat down With a cup of steaming hot tea To ponder the beauty Of what this season truly means Christmas hasn’t always been The easiest of times Deep loneliness and pain Often left me … More This Most Holy Night (a “Night Before Christmas” poem)
“May we never lose our wonder May we never lose our wonder Wide eyed and mystified May we be just like a child Staring at the beauty of our King” -Amanda Cook Childlike faith. Wonder. Simplicity. These are concepts we like to discuss, but rarely prioritize in our lives and faith. Spiritual maturity is a … More May We Never Lose Our Wonder (MMM w/video)
I just wanted to decompress for a couple of hours. Instead, I got ambushed by the Holy Spirit. Things have been busy. Last week, I had a couple hours free and decided to go to the movies. Movies are a great way for me to check out for a bit. If I watch one at … More It’s Not Over Until It’s Over (MMM with video)
NOTE: This was originally published last week on the Extreme Love Ministries blog. If you aren’t familiar with ELM, you should check them out HERE. It was a rough couple of weeks. There was so much happening, on so many fronts, it was hard to even keep track. Jesus Himself said, “In this world you will have … More A Sacrifice of Praise (MMM with video)
There is so much more I want to tell you but you can’t bear it now.” I want to ache for what He wants to say, more than I do for what I need to hear. I want to be as aware of His longing and desires, as I am of my own. I want … More Wanting to Want More
