God – Page 4 – Prayers and Musings of a Black Sheep

Choosing Absence

“But he withdrew himself in the deserts and prayed.” Luke 5:16 ERV “Choose your absence so that your presence will have more impact.” — Emily P. Freeman Sometimes I withdraw to breathe. Sometimes I withdraw to cry. Sometimes I withdraw to play! Sometimes I withdraw to meditate and pray. These are healthy and growth-enhancing times—notContinue reading “Choosing Absence”

Sin Management

“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” 1 Peter 5:5 ESV “Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts. The things you’re mostContinue reading “Sin Management”

Holiday Gatherings? Blind Spots and Button Pushing.

What is this about? “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 ESV “When pure sincerity forms within, it is outwardly realized in other people’s hearts.”-LaoContinue reading “Holiday Gatherings? Blind Spots and Button Pushing.”

Spiritual Breakdown

“And Peter went out and wept bitterly. And the men that held Jesus mocked him and smote him.” Luke 22:61-62 “It’s not the load that breaks you down. It’s the way you carry it.” C.S. Lewis Peter, even after Jesus warned him, broke. He denied his savior three times before the cock crowed. This isContinue reading “Spiritual Breakdown”

Help the Hurting Through the Holidays

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:9-10 NIV “Trauma is perhaps the most avoided, ignored, belittled, denied, misunderstood, and untreated cause of human suffering.” Dr. Peter Levine There is no suchContinue reading “Help the Hurting Through the Holidays”

Belonging and Holidays

Reach out to another “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one!” C.S. Lewis Being a Christian means we belong. We belong to one another. We belong to a king. We have a Wonderful Counselor. We have grace and freedom. WeContinue reading “Belonging and Holidays”

The Committee (in our heads)

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.” Isaiah 55:8 NIV “Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” C.G. Jung In my head is a committee. No, not a mental disorder or hallucinations, but voices. They sayContinue reading “The Committee (in our heads)”