Blog
Experiencing The Love of The Father
Many of us have complicated relationships with our earthly fathers. While some had fathers who reflected the attributes of our Heavenly Father, others experienced fathers who were preoccupied, too busy, angry, abusive, or completely absent. Unfortunately, all too often, we superimpose our earthly experiences with our dads onto our Heavenly Father. This can make experiencing His love more complicated than it should be.
I believe that to truly begin to understand and experience the Father’s love, we need to separate our real-time experiences with our earthly father from those with our Heavenly Father. Even if our dad was the best father we could have hoped for, he is still human and makes mistakes.
Prayers For The Wicked
One of the most challenging topics to pray about is our enemies, or those who do wicked and perpetrate evil in the world. Thanks to our modern information highway, there is no shortage of information about the evil and injustice happening in the world. Our emotions get stirred up by injustice and wrong-doing and if we are honest with ourselves, praying for the people responsible is about the last thing we want to do. For followers of Jesus, this becomes even more difficult because we are familiar with the teachings in the Sermon on the Mount:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:43-45, NIV)When you hear the word prayer, what comes to mind? What does prayer look like to you when you hear the word?
People, Pace and Presence
None of us live or have a perfect life. In our present culture there are many things that seek to pull us away from His presence so here I will reflect on some tings that help us in our walk with Jesus, the primary thing being who we walk with. So let’s begin our journey.
Reflections on Worship
Worship describes both a way of life and a specific activity. It is both private and public. I think of how years ago when I engaged in the public worship of singing in church my spirit would soar to God on the inside and He alone could see and receive that great longing for and adoration of Him.I fully subscribe to the notion that God inhabits the praises of His people.
Jesus Cares
The statement ‘Jesus cares’ is easy to say but we need to know it as more than just an intellectual truth. If you have a church background, as a child you probably sang, ‘Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so.’ While this is true, we are also created for a genuine relationship with Jesus. In my own experience and in talking with others, theory doesn’t carry the same weight as practical experience. Faith is a starting point but it is meant to be an entry point into something further.
Praying For World Events
We live in an extremely chaotic and challenging time. Not only are there all sorts of complex problems and crises happening all over the world, but thanks to technology, we are more aware of these realities than ever before in human history. We can be left with a sense of hopelessness and despair as well as frustration over our inability to do anything to help. Yet as Christians, there is something that can do and that is pray!
Drawing Near
You are likely familiar with the scripture, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). What we will look at is the process, the idea of proximity and sensitivity to His presence. In particular here we are looking at the role of the Spirit in our relationship with the Godhead.
Trusting God in Hard Seasons
We all go through difficult seasons and these days it seems to be more often than not. This is partly because our global world seems to go from crisis to crisis and the earth groans. We feel it. (Romans 8:22) Then, we also groan waiting for the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23). Finally, we are all, as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, appointed to share in His sufferings. (1 Peter 4:13; Philippians 3:10).
Praying God’s Word Over Your Life
Every Christian recognizes the importance of the Word of God. As we read the Bible, we learn more about God, His ways, and how to navigate life as His child. We draw comfort, encouragement, correction, and direction from the Word. One of the most powerful ways I’ve experienced the Word is by praying through it
Broadening Our Horizons
When you hear the word prayer, what comes to mind? What does prayer look like to you when you hear the word?