March 2008 Christian Living Updates

March 5, 2008

Childlike Faith - Let the Children Come
A saintly woman once told me that having a child brings a couple face to face with reality.
An excerpt from 'Higher than I - Meditations for Spiritual Direction'
We are, by nature, desiring beings. We can't help it. And though our attachments to our desires often work against us, they can also serve God's purposes in leading us towards union with Him.
Are you in burnout?
Burnout is a widespread problem in many careers but it is particularly common in positions of ministry leadership.
Life's a journey - Part 1
As I start to write this it feels that telling my secrets to strangers is very scary. But I realize that it speaking out brings a freedom to my life.

March 13, 2008

Giving
I'm interested in watching the new television show that Oprah is producing, The Big Giveaway, where like the Apprentice, contestants compete to be the last person fired.
An excerpt from 'Higher than I - Meditations for Spiritual Direction'
Perhaps the spiritual life is like rocket science after all.
Life's a journey - PART 2
. . . I asked him to come into my life, and fix the mess I'd made of it. At this point, all the birds stopped chirping and as soon as I had finished praying they began to sing again. I wanted him to hear my call and help me.

March 20, 2008

Peacemaking in the family
"I therefore ... beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
The training effect
One way or another, life grows. We have very little say in the fact that it grows, but we do have say in how it grows.
Learning to love - believing in people
We are not born with love. It is something we must learn. We must learn to love God and we must learn to love people.
Born a fighter
I was born a fighter. When my twin sister and I were born, we weighed only four pounds and my parents thought I wouldn't make it. Then my father saw me in the incubator gripping the thermometer with everything I had and he knew I would.

March 27, 2008

Be still
Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10

According to this word, there is a particular knowledge of God that can only come through stillness.

Learning to love - permission to love
Why does it seem so hard to love? Why does the real thing so often elude us? Why don't we just claim this treasure and enjoy it?
What Causes Mood Disorders or Have I Done Something Wrong?
No, definitely not. Mental disorders are a physical illness caused by chemical imbalances in your brain.
The rear view mirror
As she drove away, the cross on the church in her rear view mirror stirred something deep within Theda McKenna.