“Do nothing from conceit, but inlook not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, the form of God, did not count equality with God emptied himself, by taking the form of a being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:3-6 We have been talking about this passage in our community group, and it has been on my heart for the past few weeks. Isn’t it funny how unaware...
I’ve felt needy for a long time now. Not on my spiritual A-game. On my last nerve with my children for months. Tired. And right now–very pregnant and waiting. I was thinking this morning that feeling needy is actually closer to the truth of who we are than other feeling. Pride, feeling like we have it together, independence–these are the things that led to our fall as humans in the first place.What is the truth about us? “‘In him we live...
I’m waiting, not so patiently. Thirty-seven week pregnant and three weeks (or less) seem so far away. I realize when I’m forced to wait that my faith is often small, my hope short, and my patience untested. I am waiting for a baby that will most definitely come at some point. Small potatoes. Others in my life are waiting too:One for a foster child to fill a beautifully decorated room in her home.One on a chaotic government to come...
Charitie Lees Bancroft wrote a beautiful hymn called “Before the Throne of God Above.” One of my pastors at church recently quoted it, and this line struck me: Before the throne of God aboveI have a strong, a perfect plea;A great High Priest whose name is LoveWho ever lives and pleads for me.Isn’t that a beautiful thought? At the point that your are most ashamed, most caught in your own fallenness, your selfishness, your failings, Jesus is interceding for you...
The story is from Exodus 13. The people had spend years (400) in slavery and fear, probably feeling far from God. When was the last time they saw Him work on their behalf. And then HE did–and delivered them. Just as they began to relish newfound freedom, they confronted a sea impossible to cross. With their human and untrained eyes, they could see no way past certain death. Why had God led here?They’re not unlike us. Consider this account from...
