Morning Praise — The Gift of Peace

It is a gift laying before me to receive, to take into my hands, to open. “Peace I give you,” Jesus said. Even though I hold it in my hands, it is difficult to receive it, to embrace it, to understand it. Yet I praise you dear Lord that you offer us this peace. I […]

A Famine of the Heart

When we think of the word famine, we think of an extreme scarcity of food. But in Amos 8:11, we read of a different kind of famine: “‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord God, ‘When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But […]

A Path of Peace

To prepare a way for Christ Jesus, for the Messiah. It was John’s calling as told by his father Zachariah in Luke 1:76: “And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him (NIV).” It is our calling […]

Prayer Journey — Advent Peace

There are many things to be anxious about dear God. An uncertain future is before me. I have no choice but to enter it, but how will I walk into it. You tell me to not be anxious about anything, to present my fears to you in prayer, yet I struggle to verbalize my fears. […]

Morning Praise — Humbled by His Presence

What was that moment like to see Jesus face to face? The magi traveled far for that moment and when they saw him, they fell to the ground and worshipped him. All their earthly identity, their worldly prestige melted away before Jesus. May we have the same response this Christmas, to fall to the ground […]

The Refiners Fire

Some days the heat seems too intense to bear. The struggles in life are like a white, hot furnace that seeks to scorch us; to burn and scar us. It is hard to see that these struggles are refining us, deepening our faith and trust in God. Burning off the dross, the impurities in our […]

Seeking the Messiah – Humbly Follow His Lead

What does it mean to seek the Messiah? The birth of Christ as told in the gospels shows us people who sought to see the Messiah, sought to be with Jesus, sought to follow him. As we enter the Christmas season, it’s good to ask ourselves what are we doing to seek Jesus, to deepen […]

Prayer Journey — Advent Hope

Where do I place my hope dear Lord? Do I expectantly anticipate the day when I can see you face to face? Am I like the Magi who traveled a great distance based on your sign, your prophesy? Do I have the same hope as they did? Their hope was fulfilled, made real when they […]

Morning Praise — Finding Contentment

What does it mean to be satisfied, to be content? Can anything in this world truly satisfy my desires and needs? Only you dear Lord can satisfy. You are eternal. I praise you that you make yourself known to us. May the desires of our heart be to praise you, to seek you. I praise […]

Thanksgiving Creation

“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” – 1 Timothy 4:4 (NIV) May we create a spirit of thankfulness in our hearts for what God has given us.