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Priests Without Collars

October 30, 2013

“As priests, we are responsible to each other and to our culture to encourage, to challenge, to walk alongside one another on this journey with Jesus. God wants to use you to make an impact for Him each day by serving as a reconciler, as a go-between for other people and Himself.
Though Jesus bridges the gap between God and people, He commissions you to lead people to God and help them find reconciliation. When I think of this, my first reaction is to feel unworthy. The images of the deeds I’ve done and the words I’ve said make for a pretty squalid rerun. But when, at the prompting of God, I reach out and intentionally help others as a priest, I get an amazing benefit back. I feel stronger, more empowered, renewed. I live with eyes wide open.”

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The Invitation

October 29, 2013

“But what stood out most to me was the fact that when Jesus scolded Martha about her busyness, He wasn’t condemning her efficiency and hard work or her can-do personality. He wasn’t telling her she had to be just like Mary to please Him. Jesus simply didn’t want Martha to be so caught up in Kitchen Service for Him that she missed out on the joy of Living Room Intimacy with Him.

Jesus offers the same invitation to you and me today.”

Excerpted from At the Feet of Jesus by Joanna Weaver

Daily Reflection: How can you merge Mary’s work ethic and Martha’s love to accept Jesus’ invitation today?

DOWNLOAD: FREE Leader’s Guide for THE WOMEN OF CHRISTMAS

October 28, 2013

The Women of Christmas is much more than a pretty hardcover gift book with gold embossed lettering. It’s also a Bible study filled with substance and heart, designed to encourage you in Christ. Consider using it as a Bible study. Liz Curtis Higgs offers a free Leader’s Guide full of helpful tips and ideas.

Where He Wants You to Be

October 28, 2013

October is Depression Awareness Month

It may be comforting to know that God did not create us to live a life filled with sadness, fear, and depression. So as you have those thoughts of injustice—of wrongness—when you are feeling so depressed, you’re right. You feel angry and frustrated and irritable for a good reason. You weren’t meant to live this way—it is wrong. God’s intention and desire for you is something completely different. The question is, how do you get from where you are to where he wants you to be?

Excerpted from Turning Your Down into Up by Gregory L. Jantz, PhD

Daily Reflection: Understanding the reasons behind depression directs the steps toward change. How can you make time to understand the underlying reasons for depression for yourself or someone you love?

Guilt & Self-Condemnation

October 25, 2013

Self-condemnation can be like a plant with prickly thorns. Its roots snake underground in a complex web and rise near the surface to thrust new sticker-bushes into the path of anyone who might come along. But—and here’s the good news—it also is an invitation to come to Jesus. Too often we focus on the guilt of our wrongdoing and sense that it separates us from God.

Yes, guilt should make us feel separated from God. And this spiritual estrangement should make us miserable. But God did not design us to stay separate and miserable, nor to try to fix our own guilt. I can’t repair it, and neither can you. Both of us should realize that by now.

Jesus welcomes sinners. So we can come to Jesus for his healing, his forgiveness, his freedom, and his cleansing and renewing. Instead [ … ]

He Will Not Be Denied

October 24, 2013

“Your heavenly Father will never desert you, never abuse you, never fail to forgive you, never hold back His grace, and never condition His love on your performance. He’s determined. He is in relentless pursuit of you, and He will not be denied… To be a son who is relentlessly pursued like that can turn a man around in his tracks.”

Excerpted from Man Alive by Patrick Morley

Daily Reflection: How will you live differently today, knowing God won’t leave you—no matter what?

God Wastes Nothing

October 23, 2013

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. –Psalm 34:11

I can imagine some might look at Psalm 34:11 and think, "Oh, yeah? Well, I’m the middle of affliction right now and I haven’t been delivered." Understandable reaction, especially when we’re hurting whether physically or emotionally. But you know what? Deliverance is coming. We don’t know how, we don’t know when–it might happen on earth, it might happen when we are welcomed into Heaven. But God keeps His promises, so you can rest assured…you WILL be delivered. In the meantime, lean into His strength. Use the current hardship as an opportunity to grow in patience or perseverance or grace. God wastes nothing–not even our hardships. And He WILL bring you through.

Original Devotional by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Author of What Once Was [ … ]

NEWS: My Hope Is Found reviewed by USA Today

October 22, 2013

My Hope Is Found, the final novel in the Cadence of Grace trilogy by Joanne Bischof, was reviewed on USA Today‘s “Happily Ever After” blog. Writes reviewer Serena Chase, “Just as in the previous books in the Cadence of Grace series, readers will be transported back in time to turn of the century Appalachia to experience a unique spin on love, marriage, and God’s redemptive plan.”

To read the entire review, visit usatoday.com.