This week, as we contemplate the mystery of the cross and the wonder of the resurrection, we gaze into the story of God. He loves us beyond our comprehension. He redeemed us when it cost him everything. When we contemplate the cross and the empty tomb, we are gazing at one of the great mysteries of our faith for which we are forever grateful.
As you read the story of a woman who's been a part of NEWIM for years our prayer is that you won’t just see it as her personal journey, but that you'll see it as the story of God’s redeeming love, his amazing grace, his power to heal and completely forgive. It is an amazing testimony to God's work of restoration, which has brought her so much joy.
As you consider what may be weighing on your soul, perhaps the ancient practice of lament will be a prayer practice you would like to try. There is so much going on in our world for us to cry about. Lament is our godly response to what's breaking our hearts.
Sometimes we experience joy and sorrow separately; sometimes we experience them at the same time. No matter where you find yourself this Easter, rejoicing or lamenting or both, may you be able to grasp a little deeper, a little broader, a little higher the love of Christ (Eph. 3:14-21). And in very specific ways, may you see how your story is woven into the Lord's unfolding story—the greatest story ever told. To him be the glory!
We often talk about the power of prayer and share stories about godly men and women who moved mountains with their prayers. In Jr. High, I remember reading a book on prayer that encouraged me to claim the promise of James 5:16, "The fervent, effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much." So, I prayed fervently, multiple times a day, the most effectual prayers I could
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But today, we are waiting in this world of trouble. We are waiting through cancer treatments and leukemia diagnoses, strokes and caregiving, waiting through mediation and ice storms, waiting through losses and sorrow, outrage at injustice, waiting and waiting for what's not right to be made right and Jesus to be revealed.
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"Only one life 'twill soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last." Life is brief; invest wisely. What we do for Jesus lasts—it's valued and rewarded if it's done because we love (1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 13:1-13).
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Yet we see Mary, graciously facing one hardship after another, one surprise after another, not seeking guarantees, but trusting.
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Something was missing! The way we had been discipled established a solid theological foundation, but it was incomplete. As many of us found, it left us focused on what was easy and external, while leaving unattended the weightier matters of the heart. Over and over, Jesus teaches us we need to pay attention to the inward movements of the heart. True growth happens in our inner spiritual life (see Matthew 23).
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We may not see God, but he is right next to us. We may feel alone, but we are not. We may get discouraged because we aren't seeing the results we had hoped for, but we press on.
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In my times of suffering, Jesus has used the love of my Christian sisters to love me on his behalf.
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I like to have a plan and follow it. When we got married, we planned for me to finish college in two years and then work to support Kevin through seminary. Surprise. Within three months I was expecting a baby. We had to pivot. Kevin worked full-time while he went to seminary, and it took me fifteen years to finish college. Life doesn't always go as planned.
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If we keep our eyes on Jesus and imitate his humility, by his strength we can go the extra mile and not be willing to let anything or anyone divide us. Humbling ourselves is key—let's stay focused on Jesus.
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The year I was asked to emcee we had 800 women in the Red Lion Hotel ballroom. I remember the hours I put into preparation. The new clothes I bought. How scared I was as I stepped up to the podium. A friend encouraged me, "Honor the audience with your anxiety." I honored them all right. Ultimately, I survived.
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Advent for me is a time for pondering the tremendous mystery of the incarnation. The Source of all life takes on human flesh, develops in Mary’s womb, and is born a Jewish baby. How can this be?
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People who go the distance, who serve the Lord for their whole life, have a hopeful expectation that the Lord will be with them, will speak and guide them, day by day.
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People who go the distance, who serve the Lord for their whole life, have a hopeful expectation that the Lord will be with them, will speak and guide them, day by day.
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