Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”
Is America in constant need of good news? It seems all we ever see on television is bad news. I’m not one for watching the news everyday, because almost every story reported is full of turmoil and tragedy. However, I do try to stay abreast of current events. I read a magazine called The Week, which touts itself as containing “all you need to know about everything that matters.” It highlights major stories covered in the United States and International Media. In addition to the top news stories, it usually contains a few human interest type stories as well as the latest in film, travel, leisure, music, books, and business.
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Have you ever put up a front and hidden your true feelings from others?
Have you ever acted a certain way, just to be liked or accepted?
I think it’s safe to say that, at some point, we’ve all done this. Whether it’s during our teen years due to peer pressure, or later in life, to try to fit into a group of friends or family, there’s probably a time we can all think of when we weren’t true to ourselves because we were trying to please others.
Sometimes, the desire to be liked or make others happy can be so powerful that just being ourselves doesn’t seem like enough.
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A few weeks ago I walked into the house at the end of a long day and sank onto the couch, kicked off my boots, and launched into filling Mike in on all the details. He’s good at that; at knowing when I need to talk something through and – on this particular day – I think he realized long before I did, that I was about to, indeed, talk something through. He pulled off his reading glasses like he does when he’s preparing to give his full attention to something and he listened.
It had been a full day, with classes, labs, a meeting, and then a late lunch with one of our sons.
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Do you have loved ones in Heaven? If you do, I’m here to tell you that they don’t miss you.
They really don’t.
Anyone close to me knows that my husband and my children are my life. I love them to pieces. BUT, when I was at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference last week, in the midst of other believers- worshipping God together through His Word, through song, and through our gifts of writing, I was home.
By day three, when I should have been aching to be with the ones I love, I spoke with my husband Paul. “I love you sweetheart, but I don’t miss you.”
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Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men. Ephesians 6:7 NIV
“I don’t know why I have to wear this heavy jacket,” my son complained as we sat in the car waiting for an appearance of the school bus. I glanced at the digital readout of temperature outside – 42 degrees. “It’s cold today,” I told him.
“I’m not cold,” he countered, “and I don’t like this jacket. I don’t even want to go to school. All I do is work all day, and it’s not fun.” He yanked at the zipper and slouched in his seat. Thinking for a moment, I said, “Colin, do you know what the Bible says?
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This week, as I sat down to write my devotion for today, I paused to look out the window and soak in the moment of quiet. My kids were back at school after a very fun (and very noisy) spring break, and I savored the moment of stillness and peace.
And–maybe because of the gorgeous day outside and the beautiful sound of the birds in my backyard, or maybe because I had such a fun week with my husband and kids over spring break–when I finally began to type, I was overwhelmed with gratefulness…
And as I wrote, I prayed…
Thank you, God, for this day filled with peace, because it’s made me appreciate the moments of quiet.
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I am currently in the process of trying to prepare for an unexpected (but fun) trip that my husband and I are planning on taking next weekend. This process, though very exciting at first has begun to consume me. Every time I turn around there is yet another issue to resolve, another item to purchase and another detail to cover.
Sure, part of it is due to the number of children that are involved and the childcare necessary to handle them while we’re gone for even just four days. Another part of it though is worry and anxiety on my part because…you guessed it, I’m not giving it to God as I should.
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Jesus said we live in an opposite world. Just one glance at Luke 6 verses 20-38 proves it. Imagine reading these words for the very first time…
20…”Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
22 “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.
23 “Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.
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