“Like Joseph, we find ourselves taken on compulsory journeys by God.”- Dr. Wayne Stiles “Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought Him from the Ishmaelites who had had brought him down there. The Lord was with Joseph . . […]
“One of the archenemies of what if is narrow framing.”- Mark Batterson Mark Batterson discusses the concept of narrow farming in Chapter 18 of If. Pastor Batterson defines narrow framing as a decision-making villain characterized by: ” . . . defining our choices too narrowly. It’s only considering two options when there might be a […]
“Verse 3 [Romans 8] is the ultimate what if– ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ But the if in verse 10- ‘If Christ is in you’- is the ultimate as if.” Mark Batterson concludes Chapter 10 of If by noting that sports teams often memorialize a fallen comrade by putting that person’s […]
“Invite Jesus right into the heart of it all, right there, in the moment.”- John Eldredge Before discussing prayer for guidance, understanding, and revelation, John Eldredge has a short chapter (Chapter 10- “Pray Now”) on the need to pray right there in the moment. Despite our good intentions when we tell someone we will pray […]
“We need more than answers. We need the love of God, no matter how awkward or fumbly.”- Matt Bays “I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”- Isaiah 43:1 (ESV) In Chapter 16 (“Melody Unchained- Finding Your Faith Again”) of Finding God in the Ruins, Matt Bays observes the hard […]
“And if you doubt what happened, wondering if it really mattered, let the pain be your litmus test. Where pain is present, a wound exists.”- Matt Bays In Chapter 13 (“Someone Else’s Story- Telling Your Story”) of Finding God in the Ruins, Matt Bays asserts that telling the truth is not easy. It’s not because […]
“Often, it’s not about becoming a new person, but becoming the person you were meant to be, and already are, but don’t know how to be.”- Heath L. Buckmaster, Box of Hair “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are- no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of […]
“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”- Jonah 2:8 In Chapter 4 (“The Age of Reckoning- Symptoms of a Deeper Problem”) of Finding God in the Ruins, Matt Bays notes that one phrase from Jonah 2:8 really impacts him- could be. Pastor Bays interprets the phrase to mean that something is […]
“Truth is your most powerful weapon. Pick it up and use it.”- June Hunt June Hunt concludes Chapter 12 of How to Forgive by discussing the final three letters of her acrostic (F-O-R-G-I-V-E-N) for dealing positively and effectively with guilt. Verify truth when Satan accuses. Ms. Hunt states you can count on Satan accusing you. […]
“There is a remedy for the poisonous rocks of resentment in our lives. This healing remedy involves the four stages of forgiveness- stages that banish bitterness- with all its toxic effects- once and for all.”- June Hunt As June Hunt continues Chapter 8 of How to Forgive, she states that cobalt can become a lustrous […]
“Our understanding of forgiveness must begin with this truth: By God’s design, you are the master of your mind.”- June Hunt “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”- 2 Corinthians 10:5 In Chapter 7 (“Cutting the Bottom Out of the Bag- Resentful Thoughts Released, Not Rehearsed”) of How to Forgive, June […]
Bill Hybels concludes his discussion of four steps that help us partner with God to conquer fear. STEP 4: Speak Words of Truth. Pastor Hybels emphasizes that the truth wins, every time. Therefore, it is critical that we speak truthfully when fear threatens to take control of our minds and emotions. The author notes that […]