Twin Steps for Igniting Spiritual Power

“That is why since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people.”  (Ephesians 1:15 NCV)

I believe we want spiritual power ignited in our lives.  Otherwise frankly you wouldn’t be reading this and I wouldn’t be writing it.

Yet, we struggle with that day to day.  Sometimes we see evidence of it and unfortunately often we don’t. [Read more…]

Finding Joy When Face to Face With Death

“The promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”  (Ephesians 1:14 NIV)

If you’ve had a parent, child, sibling or close friend die I would guess you’ve stopped and wondered, “What really comes after this life?  Is Heaven real?  Am I going there?  Is my loved one there?”

All very real and normal questions.   And nothing wrong with that. [Read more…]

Sunday Morning Music: “In the Arms of the Angels” with Sarah McLachlan & Josh Groban

A beautiful live performance of this soulful song by two outstanding artists.

The words remind us that we are safe in the arms of God’s angels.

Enjoy!

 

Do you have any favorite music videos?

 

Unlimited Power Now!

“Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”  (Ephesians 1: 13  NIV)

We have amazing spiritual power available to us.  Real miracle working power.  Yet, most of us experience very little of it.  We talk about God’s power yet rarely see it.

I think one of the traps we fall into is a “performance mentality.”  We think, “If I just do enough right things.  Give a little more money.  Go to church more regularly.  Volunteer more.  Then God will unleash his power in my life.”

But you know, as good as those activities may be, they can actually keep us from seeing God’s miracle power. [Read more…]

One Tactic That Unlocks Spiritual Power

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.”  (Ephesians 1: 13 NIV)

Let’s be real.  I think most of have doubts sometimes about God, heaven, our salvation and the whole laundry list of other things we’re supposed to believe in.

Deep inside we wonder at times, “Is it all true?  If it is true am I saved?  Am I going to make it?” [Read more…]

Sunday Morning Music: “Blessings” by Laura Story

A beautiful song and a reminder that though we expect God’s miracles sometimes they come in unexpected ways.  And part of faith is trusting in those times for God to work it all for good.

 

 

How has God blessed your life through the unexpected and perhaps unwanted blessing?

 

Seeing a Christmas Miracle

“He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”  (John 1:14 NLT)

Christmas is a fascinating time.  So many contrasts.

As at the original one, all of us see the same things yet respond so differently. [Read more…]

The Mystery That Changes Everything

“So the Word became human and made his home among us.”  (John 1:14 NLT)

The Christmas story is a tough nut to crack.  I would guess most of us have struggled at times with believing God would somehow come to the earth he made and inhabit a human being so he could live here with us.

We wonder, “But how?  How does God become a human?  How can a person fully human and fully God inhabit the same body?  And what difference does it make anyway?” [Read more…]

Sunday Morning Music: “Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant

A favorite Christmas song that touches my heart whenever I listen to it.  It speaks so tenderly of the conflict that must have been in Mary.  Wanting to follow what she knew God had called her to yet terrified in the midst.

Isn’t that so real for most of us?

Hope you enjoy it.

 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

You Are Chosen for Greatness

“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” (Ephesians 1: 11-12 MSG)

Do you ever feel just beat down and beat up?  You look around at others who seem so much more successful and wish you were them?  You get discouraged and wonder if you’ll ever succeed and truly make a difference?

It seems like our world is set up to keep us down.  Throughout our lives the message from our teachers, parents, families, bosses, government so often is, “You’re one of the masses.  Stay in order.  Color inside the lines.  Come to work, do your job and don’t make waves.  Do what you’re asked we don’t need your input. [Read more…]