Advent Devotions: Us with GOD

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Advent Devotions: Us with GOD

A few Advents ago, I met a new-to-me British author, Tim Chester, through his Advent devotional The One True Light. I’ve loved this little volume that has led me year by year through the first eighteen verses of the Gospel of John.

Well, this year I discovered his other two Advent books: The One True Gift (On Philippians, chapter 2) and The One True Story (on the story of Christ through the Old Testament to Jesus’ Coming). So this year, each Advent day finds me meditating through all three, each one in turn.

The books are not coordinated, but one day in reading all three, a thread grabbed and entwined me in an amazing truth: Jesus is not only Emmanuel, God with Us; He is also Emmanuel, Us with God!

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50 Years Plus One -- a PS from your "Kick in the Pants"

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50 Years Plus One -- a PS from your "Kick in the Pants"

PS For our 51st:

This 51st year of our marriage has brought home the memory of our early descriptions of one another.

John, remember how you used to call me. your “kick in the pants”?

And I recognized you as my “tether to the ground”?

So Mobilizer Me married Stabilizer You 51 years ago. What in reality was an asset from the start became one of our greatest struggles. But I feel this year, we have come to some turning points in accepting and appreciating these differences in each other. (Do you?) Why has it taken us so long and why has it been so hard?

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[New Song with post}-- Let Your Light Shine

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[New Song with post}-- Let Your Light Shine

…a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud.

I have come to realize many of us children of God go through the “impostor syndrome.” Maybe it’s when we begin to get a glimpse of what God has gifted us for . We may feel like “frauds” or fear it may be wishful thinking. Or because of others’ reactions — basically communicating “Who do you think you are?”

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Waking Thoughts

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Waking Thoughts

I pay attention to my waking thoughts.

Ever since I discovered a poem by George MacDonald, tucked away in an old notebook on my husband’s shelf, my waking thoughts have been captured and inspired by God’s Wind-Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God. I have invited Him to do that.

Otherwise, my waking thoughts were being filled with the anxieties of life, the trap of the flesh aided by the enemy of my soul. . .

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Not Just Halloween : Reformation Day for Today!

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Not Just Halloween : Reformation Day for Today!

October 31, 1517… the day that changed the world of Christendom forever. German monk Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg. His action launched what came to be known as the Protestant Reformation (Or Protestant Revolt, depending on which side you are on).

Luther never intended to leave the Catholic church, but rather to reform it. But in God’s will, reform and a Biblical revolution began and continues to this day.

Luther didn’t get everything right, but he did get it right that “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:16-17) and so much more.

And Luther got something else right that helps us today. He got it right about how to live in the midst of a pandemic (the Black Plague) with God’s balanced, grace-filled perspective.

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My Burning Bush

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My Burning Bush

…Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” …God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. … the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. Exodus 3:2-5 NLT

There is a “burning bush” in my daughter’s yard in Illinois. And it is ablaze with glory right now! So when three year old William and I came outside yesterday morning, we couldn’t help but notice the changes that seemed to happen overnight.

“It’s RED!”

“Yes, William, and it’s called a Burning Bush. You know what? God spoke to a man named Moses from a Burning Bush. It’s in the Bible.”

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Waking Words: He Saves us Every Day

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Waking Words: He Saves us Every Day

I take my waking thoughts seriously. God often speaks to me in those thoughts. How do I know? One reason is that I have asked the Holy Spirit to grab those otherwise anxiety-prone thoughts. And He does. (Be sure to read Waking Thoughts.

Well this morning, I had the very strong and repeated urgency to post this devotional about salvation. If you persevere to the end, you will see how Jesus not only saves us eternally, He also saves us every day.

May you hear your Lord and Savior encourage your heart as you run to Him and experience His rescue today and forever.

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Touch Jesus . . . Touch Life

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Touch Jesus . . . Touch Life

Years ago I had a mentor-friend named Donna.  She was the one the Lord used to usher me into experiencing Christ in me as the One who does the doing in the Christian life!  Her key phrase was (as I remember it) "God does it."

Then by the Spirit of God came the realization that my indwelling Lord Jesus Christ is my All in All!  He is the Father's Ultimate Gift to me...no-thing else, no-thing more!

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

 

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The Secret of Detachment is Attachment

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The Secret of Detachment is Attachment

Detachment, Relinquishment ... Letting go! No matter how you say it, it is hard but beautiful. And it is needed...needed, that is, in order to grow in the spiritual life. In fact, Jesuit Richard Rohr, says, "All great spirituality is about letting go." (Everything Belongs) Our Lord Jesus was the One truly spiritual Person on this earth. And He was detached in a healthy way. He was detached because He was attached to Another ... to His Heavenly Father. All through the gospels, especially the gospel of John, we see and hear this truth clearly. 

 

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Morning Prayer & Meditation: I AM...

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Morning Prayer & Meditation: I AM...

Lord,

You are my King. I am your beloved servant. I live to serve Your purpose in my generation for your honor and pleasure (Acts 13:36). Live through me. Love through me.  Serve through me...Today!

With love beyond my love. With skill beyond my skill. With forgiveness beyond my forgiveness. With endurance beyond my endurance...

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The With-ness of our God on ZOOM -- Coming September 13

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The With-ness of our God on ZOOM -- Coming September 13

Are you struggling to feel connected to the Lord, though you may know in your head you belong to Him? Please consider exploring with us this fall, The With-ness of our God: Relationship in Every Dimension. This volume reveals a God who is intimately and securely united with us through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. In it you will find manna for your heart, not just your head. You will discover not only simple, practical instruction, but also meditation, stories for application, questions for journaling and just pondering...and more.

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Jesus, I am working, working

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Jesus, I am working, working

I'm such a worker bee...how about you? I get great satisfaction out of accomplishing something. It can be a "driven" thing if I'm not careful. By the time I realize it, I'm really dragging! And rather than being satisfied, I'm disgruntled and out of sorts!

Being the worker bee is especially dangerous when it comes to the spiritual life. I lived for a long time under the yoke of what I call "to do list" Christianity. What a bondage! Self-effort doesn't work when it comes to doing what only God can do...which is anything and and everything of any spiritual value.

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