“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” –6:33 I might as well have it tattooed on my heart. These words. These simple but profound, and oh so precious, words of Jesus in Matthew chapter six. Seek first the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness. … More Seeking First His Kingdom
“Intimacy with God is never, ever, based on performance. Never. Ever.” This was my first, and probably the most important, point on a list I posted earlier in the week of a few things I’ve managed to learn on my journey of faith. I believe in the truth of this statement with all of my … More A few things I’ve learned, pt 2 – Intimacy with God
Like anyone, I have my ups and downs. There are (a few) things I’m good at, and a lot of things I’m not-so-good at. Since I’m usually harder on myself than I am on anyone else, I’ve realized that I often focus on the many areas I feel I need improvement rather than on the … More A few things I’ve learned along the way …
Note: I originally posted this about a year ago but a recent conversation with a friend brought it to mind. I think I needed to ask “What if?” again. Maybe you do too … What if? It’s a question we’ve all asked. It’s a question that taunts and torments many in the dark of night … More What If?
I’ve been a mess lately. An inside-out, gutted-open, blubbering mess. I haven’t spent this much time crying in a long time–a long, long, looong time. I’m not talking about a few tears here and there slowly and gently gliding ever-so-delicately down my cheeks. No, I’m talking about ugly crying–really ugly–as in slobbery, snotty wailing. Basically … More The Discipline of Tears
“Hey, how was your vacation?” I heard the question a dozen times a day the first week I returned from Thailand and Cambodia. Even though most people knew I wasn’t exactly going on vacation, that still seemed to be the word a lot of people used once I returned. I wasn’t quite sure how to … More The Elevator Speech – a recap on my recent trip
This world is full of secret treasure. Treasures swallowed up by shadows. Treasures shrouded by obscurity. Treasures buried in pain. Treasures hidden in darkness. These treasures don’t look the way you might expect them to look. And they’re not found where you might expect them to be found. But make no mistake, the treasure is there. … More Treasures Hidden in Darkness
As 2013 ends and 2014 begins I find my heart overrun with one predominant emotion … GRATITUDE. Right now I am in a puddle of tears simply because I’m grateful. I’m so, so grateful for this past year. No, there weren’t any particularly spectacular events that took place this year. In fact, there was a … More Grateful … and Content
O’ come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. O’ come ye, o’ come ye, to Bethlehem … Christmas is over, but I can’t stop thinking about these words. I can’t stop thinking about what it means to come – joyful and triumphant – to Bethlehem. To small, forgotten Bethlehem. The least likely of all locations, … More Joyful and Triumphant
We all have struggles in life. The beauty of the Body is that we can empathize with and encourage one another–especially when someone else is going through something similar to what we may have walked through ourselves ( 2 Cor. 1:3-7 ). However, despite many common experiences in life, it is also wise to remember that … More A Tale of Three Boxes
The tears just kept coming. As they did, all I could hear was: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. The flood of emotion caught me off-guard. I didn’t think I had any current reason to be mourning. It seemed like things were finally shifting. Mostly, it seemed like I was shifting. … More Hope in the Mourning
It’s the most wonderful time of year! Right? For some it is, but for others … Well, not so much. For some people the holidays are hard–sometimes really hard. The reasons are varied, but people without strong ties to a supportive community (whether family, friends or both) that they actually “do life” with are especially vulnerable. Although we … More Getting Through It: Tips for Surviving the “Most Wonderful” Time of the Year
I’m over it! No, really I am. To be more precise … I’m over ME. I’m over taking myself too seriously. I’m over caring what anyone else thinks. I’m over worrying about what I do or do not have, what I can or cannot do, and what does or does not happen. I’m over wasting … More Over It!
Nevertheless not my will, but yours be done. Probably the most famous–and significant–moment of surrender ever recorded. A model for all of us. Not my will, but yours, Lord, be done. I mean those words when I say them. I’m sure you do too. I don’t want anything in my life that God doesn’t want for me. I want … More Not My Timing … But Yours
Just a couple days ago I was sitting on a plane returning from Israel. A huge chunk of my heart lives in Israel so returning to the States is often difficult. I’ve sometimes joked that I spend the entire plane ride back crying. Of course that is an exaggeration, but lets just say that usually … More Overwhelmed by Beauty
I wrote this about a year and a half ago, but it is even more meaningful to me now. And, if possible, even more so after these last couple of weeks in Israel.Time to come out leaning! Therefore I am now going to allure her. The invitation was unmistakable. The call to come away with him. … More Out of the Wilderness
NOTE: While I’m in Israel, I’ll be re-running a couple posts from the last few years. I wrote this about two years ago, but I’m re-posting it because it goes along with my last post Great Expectations. Grace and shalom to all! This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine This … More This Little Light of Mine
Tomorrow morning I’ll be sitting on a plane headed to Israel. My heart is always filled with excitement when I go to Israel — but this time is different. This time my heart is also filled with something else … EXPECTATION. In fact, I have great expectations. But this isn’t just about Israel. For me personally, Israel does … More Great Expectations
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. –Matt. 14:28-29 I see you watching the waves and wondering … do I dare? Do I dare to risk it all? Again? … More From His Heart to Yours: 10/1/2013
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching (Mat 7:28). The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” (Mat 8:27). And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowed was amazed and … More Amazed
Cindy Powell 