Category Archives: Christian Spirituality

The Calm Within the Storm

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Daily Inspiration

I received this message in my email recently and was quite touched by it. Wanted to share it here in hopes that it might touch some of you as well.

The Psalmist wrote, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” PS 55:6

dove

Have you ever felt that way? Sorry, there’s no escape! Wherever you go — there you are!

Peace is “an inside job.”

Oceanographers tell us that even the worst ocean storms rarely extend more than twenty-five feet below the surface. Gales can rip the ocean, causing tidal waves one hundred feet high, but just twenty-five feet below the surface the water is as calm as a pond.

storm

The point is this: The only place you’ll ever find peace in the midst of life’s storms, is through an in-depth experience with God.

Korean Christians have a saying: “We’re just like nails. The harder you hit us, the deeper you drive us; and the deeper you drive us, the more peaceful it becomes!”

hammer nail

Part of God’s purpose in allowing the storms of life to blow, is to drive us deeper. Deeper into dependence on Him and deeper into relationship with Him.

Someone said, “God takes life’s broken pieces and gives us unbroken peace.” When you focus on the God who never meets a problem He can’t solve, instead of focusing on the problem you can’t solve, you’ll experience in-depth peace. And you’ll carry that peace with you wherever you go. Others will notice it and seek your advice when they too face trouble.

You see, when you know that the God within you reigns above you, you won’t succumb to what’s around you.

Whom Shall I Fear?

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Daily Inspiration

Consider our most common fears. Almost always they revolve around an imagined future projection of our reality.
fear
The problem is, as we create this imaginary scenario and ponder the bad things that could happen, we forget to include God. Not only is this troublesome for us and hurtful to Him, but it’s also unrealistic. As our future stretches into eternity, there is not even one second of it in which God will be absent. Already, our fears are unfounded.

Fear doesn’t exist in the present moment, because that’s where God is. And with God, there is no fear. Therefore, we must do all we can to stay present and not be afraid.

When our mind begins to creep ahead of us, we must make the conscious effort to include God in our imagery of the future; helping us, strengthening us, encouraging us in all things. So that rather than being intimidated by tough times ahead of us, we will see them as the wondrous adventures that they are- times that God and us will get through together.

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality

We want explanation but what God gives us is revelation.

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality

God does not choose the righteous. He makes righteous those He chooses.

We’re Not Here to Find Love

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Personal Life Reflections

We’re not here to “find love”. We already have it. It fills our entire being.

We’re here to use our gifts and talents to do God’s work.

And when we approach life in this way, the love within us becomes like an overflowing river.

Why Independence is Over Valued in Our Culture

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Daily Inspiration

Our culture puts too much value on independence. The truth is, to be truly independent, is to be alone.

Some call this strength, but really it’s often laziness. As humans, we’re designed to need other people. To believe that you can go at this world alone is like setting your soul down on a couch, never allowing it to exercise.

See, if you spend enough time alone, it soon becomes very hard to be around other people. You begin to think that the world belongs to you- that all space is your space and all time is your time.

You become so used to being able to daydream and keep yourself company, that other people are merely an intrusion. And this is terribly unhealthy.

God doesn’t want us floating through life alone, or sitting in front of our computers. He doesn’t want our lives to play out like a movie called Independence. He wants us interacting- laughing together, praying together, eating together…

If loving other people is a bit of heaven, then surely isolation is a bit of hell. While we’re on Earth, we get to decide in which state we would like to live.

The Scene at the Stream

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Quotes

The other day, I sat quietly by a stream watching the water flow, birds taking dips, and tiny fish swimming together. The beauty of it all was breathtaking. Nothing about the scene at the stream was rushed, forced, or controlled. It just was.

streamIf God can make this tiny stream and the life surrounding it flow so effortlessly while simultaneously pointing back to His own beauty and perfection, can’t I assume He is doing the same in my own life?

That’s when it occurred to me.

If we could truly grasp God’s love for us, all of our prayers would be praise.

God Can Only Fill Empty Hands

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Daily Inspiration

Anything you hold in your own hands, you lose.

In order to use you, God must be the One to fill you. And God can only fill empty hands.

empty hands

Therefore when God gives you things in life, be it wealth, prosperity, material goods, relationships, ect., don’t waste it, don’t grasp it, don’t trust in it for security, and don’t expect it to satisfy you.

Place all that you love in God’s hands, so that He, and He alone, may be your security and satisfaction.

Forgiveness (A Poem)

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Poetry

If it were up to me

and me alone,

I’d hurt you just as you’ve hurt me.

But I know a path

that starts with love

and ends with love just like a circle.

It’s a healing path,

life changing

and fulfilling all the same.

And so I choose to take with you

the path that Jesus took with me.

It is the only path that works

and my Hope rests in its effectiveness.

Know Your Worth

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Daily Inspiration

Know Your Worth.

It is your most valuable asset in business and relationships alike.

You were created by the God of the Universe!

The God who holds a billion stars steady with His hand.

You were created in His image!

He knows every hair on your head and not one of them falls without His knowledge.

Most of all, He died for you!

Know your worth.