Prayers of Lament adapted from Psalm 34 for Afghanistan
Prayers of Lament
Prayers of Lament adapted from Psalm 34 for Afghanistan
Author: Eva Burkholder
4 Applications from Hebrews 10 for Trying Times
Public insults. Conflict. Persecution. Prison. Confiscated Property. The readers of the the New Testament letter of Hebrews experienced all this in the early days of their walk with Jesus. While I cannot attest to this kind of suffering, I do know trial—wrecked car, bureaucracy headaches, ant infestation, health issues, the passing of loved ones. Like the early Christians, I too need the author’s counsel on facing trying times.
Be Strengthened by Grace
I feel like I've done a bunch of things wrong lately. I feel like I’ve done something morally wrong. Like I’m a criminal, or a bad person. Like I’ve been caught with my hand in the cookie jar when I never actually put it in. Or accidentally put it in. The fact is I’m a rule follower and I don’t like looking bad.
Cultivating Relationships in the Comfortable Spaces
Some argue it’s easy to love God when life is comfortable. But I propose that it’s actually harder to stay close to and rely on him during these times. How do I nurture our relationship when life is fine, ordinary, and boring? What about when there isn’t a crisis, a hurt, or a longing to take to him?
Scarcity and the Fear of Going Without
“Getting rid of stuff makes me feel lighter,” my daughter-in-law said. Without thinking, I responded, “I don’t believe I’ll have the means to replace something if I let it go so I keep it just in case I might need it.” Even as the words were out of my mouth, my heart knew the truth. I still operate out of a scarcity mindset.
Risk vs. Safety, Fear vs. Trust
I received my Covid-19 vaccines with mixed emotions. Grateful for some form of protection while aware that absolute immunity is not guaranteed. Concerned about the possibility that I subjected myself to unnecessary risk, yet heartened by the prospect of mitigating it.
When Life and Beliefs Collide
Leading a recent zoom book discussion on "When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference" by Carolyn Custis James reminded me why I have given away and recommended this book more than any other.
10 Lessons Learned by a First Term Global Worker
Let me introduce my guest writer: a worker with my agency serving in the Balkans. She originally wrote this for her own newsletter, but it is so good I want to share it with my readers with her permission.
