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Punctured Roof

June 11, 2012

I was so broken and longing for something transcendent, for something higher than anything this world has to offer, that I decided to go to church. I didn’t even change my clothes. I jumped up and ran out the door.

I arrived late and found my way to the only seats still available, in the balcony.

It wasn’t long before I realized how different everything was in this place. I immediately sensed the distinctiveness of God. In the music, in the message, and in the mingling afterward, it was clear that God, not I, was the guest of honor there. Having suffered the bankruptcy of our society’s emphasis on self-fulfillment, I was remarkably refreshed to discover a place that focused on the centrality of God.

I didn’t understand everything the preacher said that morning, and I didn’t like all the [ … ]

Longing

June 7, 2012

I want neither a blood-’n’-guts religion that would make Clint Eastwood, not Jesus, our hero; nor a speculative religion that would imprison the gospel in the halls of academia; nor a noisy, feel-good religion that is a naked appeal to emotion. I long for passion, intelligence, and compassion in a church without ostentation, gently beckoning to the world to come and enjoy the peace and unity we possess because of the Spirit in our midst.

Excerpted From The Signature of Jesus by Brennan Manning

Daily Reflection:

What do you long for from your church?

Never Give Up

June 6, 2012

Hope is a catalyst. It can even move obstacles that seem immovable. When you keep pushing, refusing to give up, you create momentum.  Hope creates opportunities you never would have anticipated. Helpful people are drawn to you. Doors open. Paths are cleared.

Remember—action brings reaction. When you are tempted to abandon your dreams, push yourself to continue one more day, one more week, one more month, and one more year.  You will be amazed at what happens when you refuse to quit.

Excerpted from Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic

Daily Reflection

Never give up!  What have you quit that deserves one more day, one more week, one more month, or one more year?

God as Creator

June 5, 2012

God is an Artist, and as an Artist, God loves to share his creations and point out great moments of beauty.  So God places human beings in the center of the story, in the garden, where God will come and walk. At first God and the man talk about what Adam has learned and how he and Eve are tending the garden. God seems to want Adam to discover things, to find out what is underneath al the layer of the world around him. “Come, let me show you,” we can hear God say to Adam. “Look at this! Did you find this flower or see this animal today? Tell me what you found today!”

Excerpted from The Gospel of Yes by Mike Glenn

Daily Reflection:

We can get so accustomed to our everyday surroundings that we take [ … ]

God’s Embrace

June 4, 2012

When I first realized that I was pinned in the waterfall, I did not panic and I did not struggle, but I desperately tried to get out of my boat by using some standard techniques.

I repeatedly and forcefully tried to reach the grab loop of my spray skirt, but the power of the water forcing my arms downstream was too great and my attempts were laughable. I tried to push against the foot braces. I tried to jiggle the boat. I thought about my family and desperately tried to raise my head out of the water in search of air. I quickly realized that I was not in control of my future.

God had saved me more than once in the past so I, once again, reached toward God and asked for His divine intervention. I did not demand [ … ]

Tilted Halos

June 1, 2012

To be alive is to be broken. And to be broken is to stand in need of grace. Honesty keeps us in touch with our neediness and the truth that we are saved sinners. There is a beautiful transparency to honest disciples who never wear a false face and do not pretend to be anything but who they are.

Excerpted from The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning

Daily Reflection:

Are you willing to trade the false face of daily life for transparency and brokenness before God?

What Is Your Hidden Gift?

May 31, 2012

Many of us shortchange ourselves when it comes to realizing our gifts and talents. We all received something of great value from God, and it is our duty and honor to share our gifts and talents with others. Obvious talents such as athletic, artistic, or musical ability; working with your hands; and leading others are often celebrated. We fail to recognize more subtle talents, such as having joyous spirit, offering the gift of hospitality, or being a great listener. Over the years, I have recognized the gift of encouragement that I have been given. This blessing was not realized right away but was revealed to me over time…we may have to do some soul searching and praying to find out what gifts our Lord has blessed us with.

Excerpted from Strength for the Moment by Lori Hogan

Daily [ … ]

Write it Down

May 30, 2012

The written word is said to be a powerful source of encouragement, enlightenment, and education. Whether you take the time to pen your prayer requests or you pour out your hurting heart on paper, writing it down will grant you a new perspective. You’ll actually be writing your own history, and through that you will see God’s hand, your growth, and maybe even gain insights into how all the pieces fit together. You’ll also have the chance to empty out the jumble of thoughts in your brain, freeing up your mind to deal with the here and now.

Excerpted from 99 Ways to Fight Worry and Stress by Elsa Kok Colopy

Daily Reflection:

How can you take time today to reflect on God’s hand in your prayers?

Making Room

May 29, 2012

To make room for the new thing God wants to do inside of you, old things must go. It’s hard for God to bring about something new within us if we’re still crowded inside with old stuff.

When we aren’t seeing more of God’s power, more of God’s breakthroughs, more of God’s presence, more of God’s dynamite, it’s simply because we’re too full of something else for God to fill us.

Excerpted from Dry Bones Dancing by Tony Evans

Daily Reflection:

Have you made room for the new things God wants for you?

Depth, Not Length

May 28, 2012

God invites each of us to spend time with Him and to get to know Him. But He doesn’t force Himself upon us. His Word promises, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” ( James 4:8). God’s invitation stands: we’re welcome to draw as near to Him as we desire. God sets no limit to how closely we can come to know Him. He doesn’t restrict us to learning doctrines about Him or to voicing formal, rigid prayers to Him. His invitation is open ended. The limit to how close we draw to God lies with us.

Excerpted from Unlimiting God by Richard Blackaby

Daily Reflection:

How close do you want to be?