It’s always fun to find a great “other half” to a highly-quoted scripture. Frequently the other half unlocks some new revelation of the well-known portion. For me, today’s scripture is an example of that. It comes from Romans 12:2

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. » more »

There’s a verse in James 2 often quoted where we’re chastened not to be a respecter of persons. The example that corresponds describes two men – one who appears rich and the other poor. I’ve often heard this verse cited as support that what God does for one person, He’ll do for another. I think this appeals to our western ideas of fairness so we embrace this concept. And yet, I’ve wondered… » more »

As humans we like to have choices. It allows us to feel “in control” – God knows our tendency and so He often gives us choices that I’ll liken to someone offering us a choice between a scoop of poop or chocolate ice cream! » more »

For the last 8 days I’ve had a bone where my neck meets my shoulders out of alignment. It has commanded my attention constantly in waking and sleeping hours by varying amounts of discomfort – from short bursts to debilitating pain. » more »

In military training, you’re fighting a non-existent or pretend enemy. There’s no actual threat. But those involved have the context set that it’s training, so they understand why they’re supposed to be “pretending” it’s a time of war, when it isn’t.

I started thinking about that today and wondered how different the training might seem if there were no context set. » more »

God loves to use my dog, Sketch, as an object lesson to show me how things we do effect Him. Today is one such example. While I was in the middle of something, Sketch informed me he wanted to go out. » more »

Here’s the scene, Jonah (a prophet) was called by God to go to Nineveh and prophesy that in 40 days Nineveh would be overthrown. Jonah doesn’t want to go because he thinks God will relent and not do it to them. So instead of obeying, Jonah flees, but God gets his attention (the big fish) and finally Jonah obeys and goes to Nineveh.

He prophesies. The people repent. God relents. Jonah is mad! So mad he tells God just to kill him — basically throwing a temper-tantrum. Then God asks Jonah a question: » more »

God’s had me meditating on various parts of Hosea for several weeks and He even had me read Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers again, which is an allegory of Hosea. This is a compilation of a number of thoughts on this topic.

Yesterday, the Lord chastened me 3 times throughout the day on the same topic… my lessened intimacy with Him. He did it so gently and in love that it broke my heart as I could feel how my choices hurt Him. I couldn’t help but realize that it was back to Hosea again – Him lavishing me with ardent love while I have philandered. God forgive me… and of course, He has. » more »

I had an interaction with someone recently that had me thinking about the enemy’s tactics.  You see this person asked me if I could do something (just for the record, nothing sinful!). It’s something I normally don’t do because God’s instructed me not to, but I still took it to the Lord in prayer as I typically do. He surprised me by saying yes. » more »

In my last blog on standing still and seeing God’s salvation, I included a disclaimer at the bottom about not being “anti action”. You see the point is to be obedient to whatever God has told you – to wait or to act – it’s whatever God says.

To act in a season where you’re called to wait is disobedience just as much as doing nothing when God’s told you to act! The key is knowing which moment it is. » more »