“And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, ‘Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times’ And he went out and wept bitterly.” Matthew 26:75 NIV “The attempt to escape from pain is what creates more pain.” ― Gabor Maté A wife was caring for her husband in the hospital and liftedContinue reading “Denial is Exhausting!”
Tag Archives: jesus
Phonies
Goody-Goodies, Snake Oil Salesmen and Other Pretenders “If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” Galatians 6:3-4 NIV “Talent is God-given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be grateful. ConceitContinue reading “Phonies”
Plank in the Eye-Ouch!
Or there but for the grace of God go I. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time thereContinue reading “Plank in the Eye-Ouch!”
Shame! Shame! Shame!
Ashamed of Shame “They looked to Him and were radiant,And their faces were not ashamed.6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,And saved him out of all his troubles.7 The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,And delivers them.” Psalm 34:5-7 NKJV “Shame is the most powerful master emotion. It’sContinue reading “Shame! Shame! Shame!”
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”
Sacrifice of Thanksgiving
“I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.” Psalm 116:17 NLT “Give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God toward you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:18 Berean Bible “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, itContinue reading “Sacrifice of Thanksgiving”
Prayers and Musings of a Black Sheep 