Author: Administrador

Topics: Healing; Last Things; Potential; Regeneration; Restoration; Sanctification; Waiting on God References: Romans 8:18–39; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6 A little girl in England, Josie Caven, was born profoundly deaf. She often felt isolated as a child because of her inability to hear, but that changed after she received a cochlear implant during the Christmas … Continue reading “HEARING
LESSONS”

Topics: Bible Reading; Devotional Life; Experiencing God; Fasting; Knowing God; Listening; Meditation; Quiet Time; Reflection; Seeking God; Self-discipline; Solitude; Spiritual Disciplines; Worship References: Matthew 6:1–18; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 9:24–27; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 4:16 Experiences of God cannot be planned or achieved. “They are spontaneous moments of grace, almost accidental,” a rabbi … Continue reading “ACCIDENTS
WITH GOD”

Topics: Attitudes; Convictions; Entertainment; Faultfinding; Holiness; Humility; Hypocrisy; Judging Others; Legalism; Lifestyle; Presumption; Respect; Self-righteousness; Tolerance References: Isaiah 65:5; Matthew 7:3, 13–14; 23:1–3; Romans 2:1; 8:33; 1 Corinthians 11:28–32; 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:16 When our children were young, my husband and I decided we wouldn’t watch R-rated movies. We made this decision in … Continue reading “WHEN
I WAS A PHARISEE”

Topics: Child Rearing; Children; Discouragement; Encouragement; Fathers; Growth; Parenting References: Ephesians 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24 My ten-year-old son was “helping” me paint the laundry room. I brushed; he rolled. When he disappeared to get a Coke, I rerolled where he’d painted. I didn’t mind this. But I did mind his repeated efforts … Continue reading “STRETCHING
TOO HIGH”

Topics: Bondage; Choices; Depravity; God’s Will; Human Condition; Self-control; Self-discipline; Sin; Sinful Nature References: Romans 7:14–25; 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22–24 On October 31, 1999, a full airplane took off from JFK International Airport in New York on a routine flight to Cairo, Egypt. Shortly after takeoff, the relief first officer waited for the … Continue reading “COCKPIT
BATTLE FOR CONTROL”

Topics: Contentment; Desires; Freedom; Money; Needs; Perspective; Possessions; Poverty; Prosperity; Riches; Sacrifice; Simplicity; Stewardship References: Proverbs 15:16; Matthew 16:26; Philippians 4:11–12; 1 Timothy 6:6; Hebrews 13:5 “I’ve become more convinced than ever that God finds ways to communicate with those who truly seek him, especially when we lower the volume of the surrounding static,” says … Continue reading “INTERRUPTING
LIFE TO HEAR GOD”

Topics: Awe; Divine Power; Experiencing God; Fear; God’s Glory; God’s Wrath; Wonder; Worship References: Deuteronomy 6:13; Psalm 11:4–6; 19:1–6; 24; 33:6–19; Isaiah 8:13; Matthew 10:28; Revelation 1:8; 4:1–11 A few summers ago we took a family vacation to Toronto. We’d never been there, but all the guidebooks said, “You have to go up the CN … Continue reading “FEARING
HEIGHTS”

Topics: Choices; Confusion; Consequences; Decisions; Direction; Discernment; Help; Loneliness; Redemption; Rescue; Salvation References: Psalm 143:10; Proverbs 3:5–6; Matthew 7:13–14; 15:14; Luke 19:10; Romans 12:2; Colossians 2:8 After spending Thanksgiving with family in Seattle, Washington, the Kims began their long journey back to San Francisco on November 24, 2006. James and Kati, along with their daughters … Continue reading “LOST
IN THE SNOW”

Topics: Blindness; Conscience; Danger; Disobedience; Lawlessness; Sin; Will References: Romans 1:28–32; 1 Timothy 1:19; 4:1–2 During my college years, I decided it made no sense to stop at red traffic lights when there was no traffic around. So I began to stop briefly, just long enough to check for cars, and then proceed. My stops … Continue reading “RUNNING
RED LIGHTS”

Topics: Busyness; Mentoring; Rest; Spiritual Disciplines; Spirituality; Time; Work References: 2 Corinthians 7:1; Galatians 5:22–23; 1 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 4:1–11 Not long after moving to the Chicago area to serve as teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, John Ortberg called a friend to ask for spiritual direction. “I described the pace of life in … Continue reading “HURRY
NOT”