Let’s face it: we are distracted. We busy ourselves with many things. We get lost in our work and projects. We entertain ourselves with media or whatever. We allow ourselves to be carried along by the tide of what people want from us. And perhaps most of what we do is good — but still…
Christ came to meet me in the garden of my soul, but I was busy. He was longing to share fragrances of love with me, but I was distracted tending to someone else’s garden. Maybe you know this experience? Maybe like me you are someone who cares for other people as a pastor, counselor, caregiver,…
Have you experienced the “Jesus burn”? Do you know what it’s like to feel God’s presence in your body? Perhaps your heart has been warmed by God’s peace. Or on the back of your neck and shoulders you’ve felt tingly with the Spirit’s blessing or “anointing” when you were being prayed for or seeking God…
It’s ironic that the more we long for Jesus — to know him intimately and love him fully — the more we are deeply satisfied. Most things in life don’t work that way. If you cultivate a craving for chocolate you’re likely to keep eating it and gain weight or get sick to your stomach!…
Some people say, “You are what you eat.” I think it’s more true to say, “You are what you read.” What do you spend your time reading? The Sports section? Novels? Fashion magazines? News or stock reports? These are okay. Certainly they are much better than gossipy or trashy options that are available. In fact,…
“All reading not intended for us by God is dangerous,” wrote Jeane-Pierre de Caussade in his classic devotional book of the 18th Century. The French Jesuit Priest continued, “It is by doing the will of God and obeying His holy inspirations that we obtain grace, and this grace works in our hearts through our reading…
Have you ever prayed in a cave? David did. Probably Jesus did. I have. A cave is a powerful experience and symbol that the Lord is our refuge — not only in the silence and solitude of the desert or in church, but wherever we go. Meditating on this, I remind myself that Jesus is…
Fasting is one of the most transforming spiritual disciplines that I have used. Jesus made important use of fasting and when we fast it is a special way to be with our Lord and become more like him. Using my “Fasting is Feasting Prayer” will help. Denying myself food for a period of time helps…
I said to a ministry leader that fasting is feasting on God’s Word. He replied, “It’s hard enough for me to quiet my mind when I’m not hungry! How can I learn to enjoy meditating on Scripture when I’m hungry? And why would I want to do this?” Fasting in the Bible and Today Fasting…
Jesus said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33) Most of us when we read a Christian book we read to get through it. We feel a sense of accomplishment when we’ve finished reading a chapter. But the secret to spiritual learning is not to read more, but to go deeper. Go deeper…