dcamomile

Do you ever hear the words “sin” or “righteousness” and struggle with them? Sometimes, I do. These words are used throughout the Bible. Even though I’m a Christian, occasionally I balk at these words. It seems to me that there are two reasons for this. The first one is that our culture in America is in love, (pronounced looooove) with tolerance. Whether it’s the majority (or the loud minority), I’m not sure. But there are loud voices that want us to believe every person should be allowed to do whatever feels right to them. No Stepping on Toes Moral standards …

Reading in my Building Faith with Bible Pathway under the introduction to Ezekiel, I come upon this sentence – “After Jerusalem’s fall (in 586 B.C.,) Ezekiel began a message of hope, consolation, and reconstruction.” Reconstruction. That is what God does with us. It’s not exactly a beautiful word, like metamorphosis. Reconstruction is a rough word. You tear down all that isn’t right and healthy and solid in a building. You go all the way back to the foundation and the basics if necessary. You have to remove and haul off the debris. And all this before you can even begin …

I have a family member/friend who struggles often with defensiveness. I try to give of myself and work to find compromises between our differences, but she often attributes wrong motives to me. If I try to ask something of her, no matter how I ask it, or share my feelings, she gets all bristly and thinks I’m out to “get her.”  She has no understanding of how much I work at reaching out to her and loving her. It hurts. I think God must feel that way with us. He loves us and wants to share Himself with us. He …

The person who is victorious purposefully sets his compass towards God. He studies His word and clings desperately to God, knowing that in God is life and all good things – and the only sure way out of trouble. If we allow ourselves to drift – we are swept away from – not towards God. We think it is all God and we keep waiting for Him, but we have to do our part – seeking, asking, studying, praying (talking to God), receiving forgiveness, giving forgiveness, following His commands, and learning about this One who saves and loves fully, not …

I went downstairs for coffee early one morning at a conference in Denver and was very much looking forward to enjoying a quiet morning with God and His Word. I settled into a roomy, comfortable chair with my coffee and papers, books and pens. (I always hope to travel light – but never quite pull it off.)  Opening my books and settling back, I took a deep breath, enjoying my spot. Just then  two ladies came and decided that out of all the places they could sit, this was the perfect spot for the two of them – to talk. …