“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD.” Isaiah 55:8 (ESV). I often think of this scripture. I need it written in my mind and on my heart, so I not only remember it, but live by it. But do I totally live this and trust in God, who sees clearly my path and the obstacles t[...]
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 (NIV). As we journey through our faith with the Lord, we are constantly reminded of the precious gifts He has bestowed upon u[...]
One of the things I like about Heartstrong is the discussion prompts or questions, which cause me to consider and respond. Therein lies the opportunity for growth and understanding. When Pastor Lori asked us to consider one verse that stood out to us that we could spend the rest of our lives practicing as we followed Jesus, wha[...]
“It’s time to sit on your chair now,” I said to my young student who had just started school, three weeks behind his peers. I pointed at his chair and waved my hands in a downward motion. He crawled under a table—not even his table. With three children in my class this year who don’t speak English, I have had to draw[...]
"But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…" (Acts 1:8 AMP) I have always struggled with tempering my enthusiasm when I move a rock in my life and discover a treasure beneath it. We are still on our Heartstrong journey, but I am getting the sense that there is an awakening that seems to be pe[...]
"Peter was very perplexed; what could the vision mean? Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, "Three men have come looking for you." Acts 10:17a, 19 (NLT). In the journey of life, we can feel like discovering God's specific purpose or calling for us is a bit like building a complex puzzl[...]
“Whoever gives thought to the word[a] will discover good and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord. The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise makes his speech judicio[...]
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23(ESV). "Speak to me, O LORD Speak the words I need to know. Speak Your wonderful Words of truth, As my faith continues to grow. Speak all knowledge and wisdom of You And open my heart each day, So I hear Your voice in the morning,[...]
Shortly before I got sick and spent two weeks in bed, God nudged me to stop playing it safe. I wondered what God meant and what it could mean for my life. And how it could possibly connect with Pastor Cassie's sermon on Guarding Against Greed. This sermon prompted me to look at scripture more closely, particularly Hebrews 13:5,[...]
There is a term used in the military arena called "The Commander's Intent," which simply refers to leadership that has soldiers focus on a mission's objective without providing all the specific details on how to accomplish it. Its design is to harness the creativity of the soldier to achieve a particular purpose. An exercise of[...]
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