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
discouragement
A Raging Fire
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:5-6 (NIV)Scripture says that our mouths tell on us constantly. The tongue … [Read more...] about A Raging Fire
The Safety of Fear and Trembling
"Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly … [Read more...] about The Safety of Fear and Trembling
Learning to be Still
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10 (NIV)“Mama…ma-ma…MAMA!!” I turned over in my bed, still deep in the fog of sleep. I had only been asleep for two minutes, I thought. Slowly coming out of my dream world, I realized that my name was being called for real. My two-year-old daughter was standing by my … [Read more...] about Learning to be Still
Call Back
I first posted this entry in June. I have had a very busy day and my children are home with me on fall break. But some things bear repeating. This is one of those.Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)God has blessed me tremendously in the area of friendship. I … [Read more...] about Call Back
Faith Through the Fog
"We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV)I drive my son to school every morning. Yesterday morning, as we started down the descent of one of the road's largest hills, the valley was covered in fog. The sky was an iron gray color with thick clouds blocking the sun. It was the picture of gloom to me. I turned on my van's headlights as we descended into the misty vapors covering the … [Read more...] about Faith Through the Fog
