“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings…” –Phil. 3:10 (NKJV) When Jesus was in Gethsemane he asked Peter, John, and James, his three closest disciples–and friends–to watch and wait with him. His soul was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matt. 26:38) and … More Monday Morning Musings: The Power of the Resurrection
It’s been quite a week. Even today, I have many things to do. There are many chores to be done and many fires yet to put out. There are a zillion calls to make and emails to send. There are things to follow up on and things to look into. There is a list to … More A Beautiful Distraction
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. — Psalm 42:2 I’ve been carrying an ache in my heart that has been an almost constant companion in recent days. It’s often confusing. It’s rarely convenient. And it’s incredibly difficult to communicate. But I can never escape it for long. When I quiet my soul — when … More Monday Morning Musings: Aching for Him
Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. –Psalm 112:6-7 Ever dreaded picking up the phone, or reading your messages, or meeting with someone, because you just knew you were going to hear bad news? If so, you’re not … More Monday Morning Musings: Good News
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” — Rev. 2:7 Jesus said these words–or something similar–a lot. In fact, in the book of Revelation, he repeated this phrase at some point in each of his messages to the seven churches. The obvious conclusion is that not everyone has ears to hear … More Monday Morning Musings: Ears to Hear
Awake, aware Watching and eagerly waiting Alive, alert Filled with worshiping wonder Budding, blossoming Winter thawing into Spring Emerging, empowering Hope bursting forth on the earth Released, restored At last, all things made new Jesus, thank you for heightening my senses to the beauty of this moment. It’s a new … More The Awakening
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. –Phil.4:12 Are you content? Right here. Right now. Exactly where you are. Doing what you are doing. Thinking what you are thinking. Feeling what you are feeling. Today … Are you content? Are you at peace? Are you thankful? Are you hopeful? Are … More Monday Morning Musings: Learning the Secret
You have searched me , Lord, and you know me. —Psalm 139:1 I have the blessed privilege of spending my life on earth–and throughout eternity–getting to know the heart of God. But as amazing as that is, sometimes it is good to remember … He already knows me. He knows when I sit and He knows when … More Monday Morning Musings: He Knows Me
Take a deep breath right here, right now breathe in life Breathe in the glory of his goodness the beauty of his peace and the joy of his presence Breathe in and be thankful It’s a new day and you still have breath Breathe out the … More Take a Deep Breath
God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. —Ecc. 5:2 I had written another devotion for this week. There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with it–it may have even blessed someone–maybe even several someones. Maybe I’ll post it someday and it still will. Who knows? All I do know is this … More Monday Morning Musings: Let My Words Be Few
The darkness was closing in around me. The wilderness had been bleak and threatening before, but not like this. Never like this. I couldn’t see a thing. Each step brought new danger. Each moment seemed more and more ominous. Even the air was heavy–I could scarcely breathe … Hard pressed on every side, but not crushed. Confusion reigned. … More The Gift (v.2.0)
“Bless the Lord, O my soul O my soul Worship His holy name Sing like never before O my soul I’ll worship Your holy name” (from 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman) It’s been a tough day for some folks. There is no shortage of pain and heartache in the world today. There is no … More Bless the Lord O My Soul
“After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” –1 Kings 19:12 Sometimes his voice comes like a mighty rushing wind–and it’s glorious. Sometimes his voice comes like an earthquake awaking our souls–and it’s powerful. Sometimes his voice ignites our hearts with the unquenchable … More Monday Morning Musings: Gentle Whispers
I wrote this years ago and also posted it last year on my blog. Seems like a good time to post it again. May you have a blessed and wonder-filled Christmas! Dear Father, Thank You for the priceless gift of Your Son. This Christmas I pray that the miracle of the Incarnation—that God became flesh … More A Christmas Prayer
My heart is longing … My heart is aching … for Jesus. Just Jesus. Not stuff. Not revelation. Not answers. Just Jesus. Not something great to write. Or something great to say. Not something great to accomplish. Or something great to do. Just Jesus. There are things I want. There are things I do want to … More Just Jesus
“But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” –Luke 10:42 I think about Mary of Bethany a lot. I think about her a lot, because I need to think about her a lot. I need to think about her, because I need to remember the one … More Monday Morning Musings: The One Needful Thing
“She did what she could.” —Mark 14:8 Some thought it was foolish. Others thought it was outlandishly extravagant. Perhaps others thought she should have done even more. Jesus simply said, “She did what she could.” In a single, whole-hearted gesture of worship, Mary anointed Jesus with an alabaster jar of extremely expensive perfume. That single flask was so valuable … More Monday Morning Musings: Do What You Can
Excerpt from Chapter 2 – Love, the Agent of Change “A Beautiful Waste” As I came to know God’s love for myself, I grew in the great pleasure of loving him and being loved by him. I enjoyed simply being with him so much that I often thought I must be doing something wrong. Almost … More The Key to His Heart Excerpt: “A Beautiful Waste”
When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” –Psalm 27:8 NKJV I’d sung the song dozens of times before. But this time was different. This time as I sang the words, I was no longer sure the words were true. This time, there was one line that hit … More Monday Morning Musings: Seeking His Face
Be still and know that I am God. –Psalm 46:10 I’ve written on this verse before. I’ll write on it again. I could ponder it every day for the rest of my life and never get to the bottom of it. That’s because it doesn’t have a bottom. It’s not about finding the end. It’s not about a beginning, either. … More Monday Morning Musings: Be Still and Know
Cindy Powell 