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Day 3: Victorious when Weak
The battle lines were tense with anticipation. Blood, sweat, and angst drenched the bodies and minds of the soldiers awaiting the next phase of war. Descending from the distant Philistine camp on the other side of the valley was a man who was head and shoulders above the rest. He glistened in the sun, his bronze helmet and armor heavy with intimidation. The massive warrior stood to shout at the ranks of Israel who trembled with fear...
Day 2: Chosen when Humble
God’s People, including the people of Israel and all of those who have followed God and Jesus, have something in common: not one of them earned being among God’s people. None of the people designated as God’s People were given this title due to an accomplishment. Those who belong to God are His because they chose to accept their invitation to be a part of what God is doing in our world. David is no exception.
Day 1: We Are His People
Week 1 - He Longs for Us to Know Who We Are
Day 1: We Are His People
If you have ever picked up a book on microbiology, physics, or psychology, you have likely noticed that knowing everything about any one aspect of the universe is unattainable. Even the most educated people use others’ research and additional resources to get the information they need to do their jobs. When we remember the complexities of the nature of the world, it helps us remember: we humans are very limited creatures.
We are limited by what we can physically handle, what we choose to explore, and what we are able to comprehend. The heart of God is no exception. He is far more complex than we could ever imagine, and His heart is expressed to us in ways we may never quite grasp. We can take hold of some of the truths, convince ourselves we have a handle on Him, but the more we discover, the more we realize we are unable to completely understand Him. As we seek to discover the heart of God, it is without question we must realize that we will only be able to scratch the surface, the tip of the iceberg so to speak, of the vastness of our God.
The Heart of God
It’s likely you’ve realized by now: even though people tell you you’re enough, it doesn’t feel true. Have you ever considered why that is? You may feel pretty sure that you love God, but actually believing that He loves little old you may be a hard pill to swallow. This paradox is present deep within us because these two truths both exist simultaneously: You are completely enough for God, and you will also never be enough....
A Little Bit Autistic
In lieu of celebrating April as Autism Acceptance Month, I thought it would be appropriate to acknowledge my not quite autistic diagnosis last year. Buckle up friends, this one is a doozy. After reading several articles late last fall, I became aware that I have been experiencing quite a bit of autistic traits throughout my life…
Retreating to Advance
Stepping into the crisp air, I was refreshed. Slowly, over the weekend my breaths got deeper, my thoughts clearer as my heart was gently ushered back into a calm state of assurance. Throughout this long weekend, alongside dozens of other writers retreating to Maranatha across Lake Michigan, I was encouraged to continue to write…
Ep 11: Lie #6: No One REALLY Loves Me
Believing anyone genuinely loves them is really difficult for kids who think No One REALLY Loves Them. This final like in the Fighting The Lies series is rooted in their distorted understanding of love. Behaviors that present when this lie is prevalent include self sabotage, combative behavior and trying to find acceptance at almost any cost.
To combat this lie, kids need to be reminded they are loved and we will discuss the value of intentional words, the child feeling they belong, revisiting memories, and inside jokes.
Ep 10: Lie #5: Everyone Will Reject Me
The lie we are fighting with this episode is Everyone Will Reject Me. Rooted in a past experience when an adult this child cared for, the lie has existed for a legitimate reason. These children who worry about adults leaving or reject them places these kids in almost a constant state of anxiety and fear. This leads to behaviors such as people pleasing adults in their lives except their most bonded relationship. With their most connected adult, they often push them away and explode as their fears bubble to the surface.