If I Have Diplomas and Not Love, I am Nothing

If I have the language ever so perfectly and speak like a pundit and have not love that grips the heart, I am nothing.
If I have decorations and diplomas and am proficient in up-to-date methods and have not the touch of understanding love, I am nothing.
If I am able to worst my opponents in argument [...]

Moving from Religious Thinking to Relational Living

Wayne Jacobsen, books have been a real blessing to me for over 10 years. Wayne travels the world helping people break free of the bondage of religion and embrace an affectionate and life-changing relationship with the Father, through the work of the Son and in the power of the Spirit.
Wayne and Brad Cummings began [...]

Religion or Relationship?

What are We Seeking? Religion or Relationship?
God does not want a people who simply adhere to a set of rules no matter how well intended. God said in the book of Hosea, “For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” (Hosea 6:6 ).
Sacrifices meant nothing [...]

Spiritual Fruit Begins with Spiritual Rest

Fruit of the Spirit Friday - Spiritual Rest

Jesus said He would give rest to those who were weary and heavy laden. Spiritual rest is not lying down to take a nap. God didn’t rest on the seventh day because He was tired. His rest was a cessation of labor.
Rest is the opposite of work or [...]

Breaking the Bondage of Legalism

The curious thing about legalism is that you might look at a legalist and a person walking in grace and at times not be able to tell them apart. They could very well be doing the same exact things. The difference lies not on the outside but on the inside, in the realm of motivation. Why is he or she doing it? A person is a legalist, therefore, not necessarily because of what they do or do not doubt do, but because of why they do or don’t do it.

Our Number One Job as Parents

Imagine a fish swimming in a river. The swimming fish is content in its environment. It is where it belongs; doing what it is made to do. Now imagine someone scooped the fish up in a net and placed in on the riverbank. What happens? The fish flip flops and struggles on the ground.

When we are walking in that purpose we are where we are meant to be – swimming in the river of living water. When we are not fulfilling that purpose we are frustrated..

Do You Have Distorted View?

Imagine you are asked to do something for someone you did not know well. What if a stranger asked you for a ride into town? Or to take a package on a plane? But what if you knew the person intimately for many years. You knew their character, their morals, their motivations? What if the person was your father or husband? We will only submit when we trust. We only can only trust someone who has our best interest at heart. But many of us have a distorted view of God.

How Do You View God? Loving Father or Angry Judge?

The ancient Greek’s viewed god as judgmental, angry, and elderly–detached from the world waiting just for someone to do something wrong. Sadly, this Greek view has permeated Western society.
Jesus’  disciples requested, “Teach us to pray.”  He answered with a prayer beginning with the words “Our Father” (Mt 6:9-13).
Jesus called God Abba, a term of endearment [...]

Sweet Fruit of Intimacy with God

Fruit of the Spirit Friday

Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest…
I delight to sit in his shade,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste. (So 2:3).
Solomon compares love to a surprise apple tree in the forest being a delightful sweet treat. He speaks of sitting in the shade as a metaphor for [...]

My Mouth Needs a Backspace

Fruit of the Spirit Friday

My Mouth Needs a Backspace
We can measure the fruit of the spirit by what comes out of our mouths.  Scary, huh?
I know you imagine only kind and loving, caring, words and praise come out of my mouth but sometimes complaints come out, sometimes anger and bitterness fly out.
It’s like Paul describes [...]

His Fruit is Sweet to My Taste

Fruit of the Spirit Friday

Solomon compares a loving relationship to a delightful treat of a surprise apple tree in the forest.
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest…
I delight to sit in his shade,
and his fruit is sweet to my taste. (Song 2:3).
How do we define a loving relationship? Some believe God is [...]

Condemnation or Conviction?

Fruit of the Spirit Friday

I vividly remember the first time I read Paul’s passage in Romans 7:15-17. I was breathless. I was a baby Christian in my 20s. “That’s me!” I cried.
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.Now if [...]

The 8 Rs to Freedom

Fruit of the Spirit Friday: Joy and Peace

Do you ever have thoughts that take you into a downward spiral?  I used to go into a downward spiral in my thoughts once a month around “that time.” I would throw a pity party complete with tissues, comfort food (usually chocolate), singing the blues music, and dark [...]

Taking Every Thought Captive

How do you think good and praiseworthy things in the midst of turmoil, when you have been wronged, when life is overwhelming, when the dog has an accident on your rug, when there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done and your mother-in-law drops in unannounced with housekeeping advice?

Is Your Yoke Pleasant?

Have you ever felt no matter how much you strive to please God that you consistently fail?  No matter how hard you try you feel like you are running in place? There are many tired, cynical, well-intended Christians wearing  masks determined to work on their sin to achieve an intimate relationship with God.
Jesus said His [...]

Are We Fighting the Wrong Battle?

I’m reading Soul Talk: The Language God Longs for Us to Speak by Larry Crabb. It’s a look at how we can help each other through relying on Christ within us, through spirit-led conversation, deepening relationships. Here is a thought-provoking excerpt:
We’re fighting the wrong battle. We’re excited about the things that bore God, things that [...]