With the multiple reports of fallen leaders in the last few months, my heart breaks. I’ve seen first-hand the devastation that abusive leadership can cause. My heart goes out to the families, to the victims, to the innocents who are…
Wasting Your Life
I’ve never been terribly fond of the phrase “waste my life for Jesus.” It brought up images of missionaries and evangelists burning themselves out before the age of 30 – ten years of service, maybe, for Christ and then useless…
Encouragement – More than Nice Words
I like to compliment people – to see their eyes light up, to know that they are walking away with a better outlook on life and themselves. But I’ve also wondered whether it’s really a healthy thing: To compliment but…
4 Heart Choices that Drive Away Fear and Offence
The other day, I was tempted to be offended. I don’t remember what it was even about. Offense is so easy to pick up because 1) it’s simple to be offended by any type of perceived (or real) injustice, and…
8 Ways to Not Choose Fear
As Christians, far too many of us allow ourselves to be controlled by fear. Our own fears dictate the way that we live our lives, the way we worship God, the way we run our churches, and the way we…
21 Bible Verses You Can Pray for Family and Friends
I went online this morning to do a quick Google search for prayers in the Bible that I could pray over friends and family. I was very surprised – and unhappy – to find almost no blog posts on scriptures…
Trust to Surrender
Trying to submit or surrender to God is an oft-referenced topic of teaching these days. It’s Biblical if very rarely put in those terms – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies…
Don’t Become the Oppressor
As I read through the gospels, I’m struck by Jesus’ compassion. He really didn’t get along at all with the people who thought they were great. In fact, in most situations, He sided with those who were oppressed. Even in…
God Gives You What You Value
No, I’m not going to make a works-based gospel out of this idea. Nor am I going to make a formula for how God works or tell you how to twist God’s arm into giving you what you want –…
A Mindset of Abundance vs. Lack
It’s been said that worry is faith in the wrong kingdom. I’d like to propose that a mentality of lack is faith in your own ability to provide. If you come from a healthy situation, chances are that you were…