The apostle Paul shared an experence that grieved him deeply in a personal letter to the church at Corinth. Although we do not have any idea what his thorn was, we do know that God refused to grant Paul's request that the Lord remove it from him.Being a curious person by nature, I would love to know the exact details of what Paul struggled with. But I am also grateful that the Lord has recorded … [Read more...] about God’s Amazing Gifts: Being Misunderstood
disappointment
Playing the Wrong Game
I watched with painful realization as one of my children played his competitor's game during an athletic competition. As the first two games were lost, I could visibly see the hope fizzle away as a cloud of discouragement settled in on my child. It wasn't capability that cost him the win. He could have pulled out and had victory. But once his feet had touched the mire and muck of discouragement, … [Read more...] about Playing the Wrong Game
Throwing Out the Check List
Lord, You are teaching me some very difficult lessons lately. You know that I am a firstborn who loves to follow the rules. I feel safe and secure inside a given boundary. You have been working on my heart which can stay aloof when I equate following the rules with obedience. Instead, you are wanting me to come to You with my brokenness and the realization that it is impossible to follow the … [Read more...] about Throwing Out the Check List
How Do I Amaze Him?
AMAZE: 1) to wonder, wonder at, marvel 2) to be wondered at, to be had in admiration to wonder; by implication, to admire:-admire, have in admiration, marvel, wonder. What was Jesus amazed by? How does one move the heart of the King of angels? There are only two instances in which the gospels tell me that Jesus was amazed by someone's actions. And no, His amazement did not come over the … [Read more...] about How Do I Amaze Him?
Offended by Him
I realized something profound this summer. I have done my best to push and shove and stomp down the hurt I have felt over some things God has allowed to happen to me. I have been offended by Him. And I would have denied it to the bitter end because of the terrifying collision my upbringing taught me to trust in Him had with my scabbed over heart. The Psalms and the prophet Jeremiah have just … [Read more...] about Offended by Him
When Expectations and Reality Collide in Ministry
Visions of the great adventure awaiting me danced through my head. I couldn’t wait to see what was on the other side of the airplane door. We had just landed at Njili airport in Zaire, Africa. I was ten years old. The “fasten seatbelt” sign went off and the adults around me got up from their seats. I stayed put until the signal from my parents that it was okay to move around the cabin. Carrying my … [Read more...] about When Expectations and Reality Collide in Ministry
