One day, back in November, while scrolling my local newspaper’s website, I came across a picture and was instantly captivated by its beauty. Staring a moment longer at the grandeur of the scene, I came to realize that the building was familiar to me—it was the inside of my hospital! The place I’d been visiting pretty frequently, as multiple health issues had abounded over time. Continue reading
Encouragement
When Your (Spiritual) Diet Causes Depression
Lately, I’ve been experiencing and hearing a lot about the infamous “D” word: depression. Thankfully, the depressive episodes haven’t gotten to the point they once were in my life—chronic—but they do rear their ugly heads from time to time. And as stated, I’ve been hearing a lot about depression, particularly from Christians. Because of this, I started to question myself some days ago: What could be the cause of this (outside of medical reasons)? Why is it that the very people who are supposed to be joyful and rejoicing in a guaranteed inheritance so blue? Continue reading
Affliction: A Different Perspective
In Psalm 119:71, David says, “It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn Your decrees.” Not long after I was converted and afflicted (some time ago now), I found myself echoing that same sentiment on reading it. In spite of the dire circumstances I found myself facing, I could see God’s hand within them, working for my good. Years later, still facing much affliction, my sentiments are the same. Continue reading
What Goes In Will Come Up
On last Sunday, a day before my surgery on Monday, June 18th, I found myself studying the words of Psalm 91 (a favorite of mine). During that study time, the words of verses 14-16 jumped out at me (I’ve always loved them), and I stayed there. The next morning, before heading out for the surgery, I set my sights there again, as I readied myself for the road ahead of me. Continue reading
For These Trials I’ve Prayed
“The very thing that seems disastrous to you, may be the answer to a prayer prayed by you.”
The above quote stems from something God revealed to me some years ago on my college graduation day (concerning some things that had happened sometime prior to it), and it’s something He continues to remind me of even now. Continue reading
From Emptiness to Wholeness in Christ
While reading through a recent devotional, I was struck by the author’s take on the life of the Samaritan woman, a passage I’ve read several times during this journey, and it brought some truths from my own life to mind. If you don’t know who the Samaritan woman is, we meet her (and it’s the only time we’ll see her) in the book of John, chapter 4. It’s there that Jesus brings to light the truth of the woman’s life. Continue reading
The #MeToo, #ChurchToo Movements
Not too long ago, I learned that a Me Too movement was trending on Twitter (via an article); on Saturday, I learned that a Church Too movement had also been started. I’m not one to get involved in the online trends and debates (however true/factual they may be); nevertheless, this latest movement really saddened and bothered me, and I felt that I should speak (briefly) on it.
Let me start by saying that I can relate to both the Me Too and Church Too hashtags. However, that doesn’t make the Church Too hashtag any less bothersome for me. Continue reading
Thrive in the Midst
Today, various false prophets, preachers, and teachers have many people convinced that God has said they’re “coming out” of a difficult season, or will come out “soon,” when God has said nothing of the sort. We see this same occurrence with the false prophet Hananiah concerning Israel. Continue reading
Your Gift to the Body
Recently, I was listening to a newly released (or what I believe to be a newly released) Gospel song on the radio, and one of the background singer’s voices took center stage for me in the song. All of the singers could sing really well, but that one lady’s voice truly made a difference in the song… it stood out. The song, being one of truth about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and one that I can relate to wholeheartedly, would have been a great one without this particular singer’s voice, but, it wouldn’t have sounded quite the same. Her gift to that song was essential, just as your gift to the Body is as well. Continue reading
There’s No Shame with God
There are several places in the Bible in which we are told of the value of friendships and of our Christian brethren (sistren), and also how we can assist them when they find themselves facing difficult or challenging times (and vice versa). Continue reading