Tag Archives: Jesus

Can You Imagine being Mary?

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality

It is written, “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5) 

Can you imagine being Mary? Watching as your son is tortured? Feeling pain in the depths of your being as there’s nothing you can do to help? Then seeing him die on the cross…

When Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Do you think Mary knew of Psalm 22? That this would be the fulfillment of a prophecy? 

Do you think her heart sunk with thoughts of her son’s abandonment? Or of her own? Can you imagine the mix of emotions as she trusted in her son when He said, “I’ll come back”? Would he? Is revival actually possible?

What does it look like to wait in anticipation? To be faithful during the “in between”? Can our hearts be both broken and expectant at the same time? 

…Can you imagine being Mary?

Daily Dependence

Posted on by under Conversations with God

It is written, “Therefore if any person is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Indeed, you have been transformed. So much newness I bring to your life.

All of this change can be both exciting and scary, which is why it’s so important for you to abide in me. This is a new chapter of an adventure that we’ve been on together for quite some time.

You want to look ahead. To see what all is coming your way. To know what it’s going to look like. But that’s not how we do life together, child.

Remember, it’s your dependence on me that brings me great delight and allows me to do great work in you, and through you. Utter and desperate dependence.

You want to control what you love. Yet you forget that I am the one who is making all of these things possible. That I am the Giver of all good gifts. The more you try to control what you love, the less reliant you are on me, causing you to drift farther and farther from me.

But fear not, I am always near. Waiting on you to look to me for guidance. Hoping you’ll return to me so that we can make decisions together. 

I want to be involved in the day to day choices. The minutia. That’s where I want to be.

So come to me, often.

Look to me, frequently.

Rely on me, readily.

And I will answer all of your prayers and more.

Remember, I am the pursuer of your heart! Nothing brings me more joy than you living in fullness of joy.

But it’s only possible through close relationship, and utter, daily dependence on me. 

Christmas Quotes

Posted on by under Quotes

Christmas is just three days away. It’s my favorite holiday of the year! Naturally, I wanted to compile a list of some of my favorite quotes on Christmas to help us all get in the Christmas spirit!

“Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you.”
― Steve Maraboli

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”
― Bob Hope

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ”
― Norman Vincent Peale

“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.”
― Charles M. Schulz

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality

We want explanation but what God gives us is revelation.

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.

Conversation with God – Jeremiah 29:13-14

Posted on by under Conversations with God

It is written, “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord…” (Jeremiah 29:13-14)

Child, can’t you see that I long to be pursued by you? I am a true romantic.

And selfless as My love is, I want this for you, not just for me. Though it brings Me great pleasure when you search for Me, it benefits you even more.

It is this process, this endless pursuit, this great romance that defines our relationship. Doesn’t it sound exciting? I hope that your heart delights in Me, as Mine does in you.

Continue to seek Me. Begin your search again and again with each new day. Not only does this please Me, but it fulfills your deepest desire: to be found.

It is My desire too; to be found. Can you tell that you were created in My image? 😉

Conversation with God – Galatians 5:22-23

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Conversations with God

It is written, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

This is where the fruit of the Spirit lives, in your heart. It is where I reside. If you can quiet your mind enough to listen to your heart and be present in every moment, there you will find all the fruits of the Spirit and many more gifts as well.

All you have to do is stay present and open. Here you will find all the fruits of the Spirit and they will fill your entire being, intertwining themselves in your life and relationships. I will be there. I am.

Life Cycle

Posted on by under Christian Spirituality, Personal Life Reflections

“Whatever has happened before will happen again. What ever has been done before will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9

Have you ever noticed how cyclical your life is? I sure have.

As unpredictable as life can be, it’s cyclical nature is just as predictable.

For everything that dies, something else is born.

For everything that ends, something else begins.

For every door that closes, another one opens.

After every high, comes a low.

After every storm, comes the sun.

After every loss, comes a gain.

In fact, the cycles are so predictable, it’s a wonder that we worry or doubt at all. Perhaps this is why we’re told to give thanks in ALL things, because another change is always just around the corner.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Conversation with God – Isaiah 55:8-9

Posted on by under Conversations with God

It is written, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9) My lamb, it pleases me to see you needy for me. I know that this world can be hard on you but fear not! I am your God and I love you.

It is a great place to be; in dependence, desperately surrendering to me. For in your weakness, my power is made known. My power is able to work through the cracks in your life that you perceive as trials. I can assure you, child, trials are not what you presume them to be.

Continue to abide in me, little one, so that I may direct your path. So that my power may shine through your life, both in times of trial and times of joy.

Posted on by under Daily Inspiration, Quotes

God will only fill empty hands.

empty hands