David is known as a man after God’s heart because of the way he prays. I so desire to be known as one who has a heart for God, don’t you? You and I can grow to be more of a person after God’s heart! David shows us how in Psalm 86. In prayer dedicate…
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone,” David prays in Psalm 62:5. Is your soul at rest? Are you living in Jesus’ “easy yoke”? (Matthew 11:28-30). God’s peace is elusive for most of us! We may struggle with worry, irritability, or jealousy. Or we may keep ourselves busy all the time. Control Issues Why…
Early one winter morning at the Prince of Peace Abbey I got up to pray. It was still dark. I stood at the edge of the hill and looked out over the valley below and the mountains in the distant horizon. As the birds chirped, I stood in the dark, shivering, and waiting for the…
Have you ever meditated on Scripture in the nature setting it describes? God reveals himself and his purposes for us in his Holy Bible and through his creation. The Psalms especially show us this. Praying a Psalm in its Nature Setting is a favorite spiritual practice of mine. For instance, many times in the early…
Jesus smiles. Yes!!! Don’t you love this picture of Jesus smiling so warmly? It’s my favorite. It reminds me that Jesus delights in the Father and in us too! It’s hidden from many people, but the smile of Jesus is everywhere in the Gospels. Jesus “rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit” (10:21, NASB). John shows…
In my teaching, counseling, and leading of retreats I find that pastors, ministry leaders, and others greatly benefit from learning how to use a Breath Prayer approach to meditating on a phrase from the Bible. I’m not surprised because this has been so helpful to me personally. A Breath Prayer is Like a Smile to…
What a blessing it is that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, through sacrificing his perfect life on the cross for us and raising from the dead to conquer sin, death, and hell, has reconciled us to God our Father! Just the thought of this blessing out to fill our hearts with gratitude that our…
It’s Christmastime! Are you celebrating Christ in your heart? Are you appreciating the incarnate Son of God, the King of kings, in your thoughts? It’s easy too be distracted with busyness or worries – especially as Christmas approaches. Advent is a time to slow down and prepare for the coming of Christ to us. It’s…
Don’t forget Joseph’s part in the Nativity story. God may be speaking to you through his role… None of Joseph’s words are recorded in the Bible. He was a man who listened. He listened to God through people, dreams, angels, and circumstances. He heard God’s voice and obeyed him to protect his dream, the Word…
Advent means “come.” At Christmastime we celebrate the miracle birth of “Immanuel,” God come to be with us. Jesus Christ was born to the virgin Mary to show us God in human flesh – this is God’s greatest dream and humankind’s greatest longing! God wants to birth a dream through you too! Mary is our example.…