Spiritual Growth

  • General,  Lessons,  Spiritual Growth,  Trial,  What I'm Reading

    Contentment…No Matter What Part 2: Circumstances

    Last week we looked at how comparison keeps us from being contented. If you missed it you can read that post here.  Today we will look at a second big issue that causes us discontentment: our circumstances. If only…what if…iif I had…if I lived…if I was….THEN I would be content with my life. Have you ever said, “it must be nice…..”? In her book, Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free, author Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth says we believe this: “If my situation was different, I would be different.”  We always seem to be searching for that elusive state of bliss in life.  In the scripture we looked at last week in…

  • General,  Lessons,  Spiritual Growth,  Trial,  What I'm Reading

    Contentment…No Matter What Part 1: Comparison

    How content are you right now? Be honest. Is it even possible to be content no matter what?  Can we accept what Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:6,  “Contentment with godliness is great gain?” Can we really experience contentment in the midst of a relationship crisis, job loss, life threatening health situation, brokenness, betrayal, etc…you fill in the blank with your discontent issue. I believe like me, you may struggle with this, at least occasionally. Perhaps our world would be much more pleasant if we weren’t always striving for something “else”. Let’s define contentment as happiness in one’s life situation and discontentment as craving for what we don’t have. We…

  • General,  Spiritual Growth,  Trial,  Unity

    Forgiving the Devil in Pew Number Seven…What I’m Reading

    Forgiveness…what does that word conjure up for you? Forgiving a child or spouse for hurting you? Forgiving a driver who cut you off? Forgiving a predator or abuser? Forgiving a church member or minister for betrayal? When I think of the things for which I’ve forgiven others, I must say they seem small and petty compared to the reasons why Rebecca Nichols Alonzo and her brother had to forgive their mother’s murderer as well as the man who wreaked havoc in their lives for years. I just finished reading, in tears, The Devil in Pew Number Seven by best selling author Rebecca Alonzo. I have never seen a more beautiful picture of biblical…

  • General,  Leadership Lessons,  Lessons,  Spiritual Growth

    I Surrender!

    The white flag is up! Time to let go. Time to give up whatever we’ve been holding back and allow Jesus to use it for His glory.  What is that for you? I can think of many things over the years I’ve held onto thinking I can control them better if I do. How about you? Are you holding on to any of these?: job children spouse other relationship finances fear failure unfogiveness life purpose loss selfish will time gifts, talents and abilities personal plan what would you add? I wonder if we hold because we think we can do a better job than the “King of the World” can!…