I’ve never used Facebook. I’ve never sent a Tweet. I tried Snapchat briefly before deleting the app. I setup my first Instagram account this year. I know that sounds ridiculous for an “iGen” girl. I’m part of the generation that owns a phone before we turn 12. That spends all day on the internet. … Read more
How is your heart this Christmas Eve? Full of excitement and anticipation for tomorrow morning? Or is it heavy and hurting? I remember Christmases where I shook every box under the tree, sang carols at the top of my lungs, and struggled to fall asleep the night before Christmas because of excitement (and all the … Read more
My car door closed behind me and I found myself closed into an arena with fear. I quickly started the engine and turned on the headlights, hoping they would penetrate the darkness that threatened to creep into my spirit. Plugging my phone into the stereo I tried to drown out my thoughts. The movie I … Read more
I’m a lover of good music. As a musician, I’m always on the search for new songs played and recorded with skill. But as a Christian, I’m keenly aware that not all music is healthy for my relationship with Christ. Often, when a new chart-topper plays over the radio, I’ve asked myself if it’s okay … Read more
Gaspar hesitated at the town’s threshold. To go further could cost him his life. Go on, you can’t give in to fear! He chided himself, but the reluctance in his mind had spread to his legs as well. He could force them no further.
Adriel had gone on a little ways before he realized that his young student was no longer with him. Anxiously he glanced back but the boy was not to be seen. He shook his head and began retracing his steps, I might have expected as much – it is his first trip. He found Gaspar sitting on the cobblestone of a side street; his back against the wall of a house; his face hidden in his hands. Gaspar lifted his head at the sound of the approaching footsteps. He searched his teacher’s face, expecting to find either reproach or disappointment. Instead he was met by a smile.
How can he have patience even with cowardice? Gaspar wondered, averting his eyes. He bit his lip,
“How is this fear to be overcome?”
I talk about God, and church, and the Bible. I tell my coworkers about Bible studies, and worship band practices, and prayer meetings. They know my opinion on politics, euthanasia, abortion, birth control, legalized marijuana, life after death, and the spirit realm.
But for all my talk no one has come to salvation. Why do I see no fruit from my labors?
Maybe because Jesus didn’t tell us to go and talk about church and bible studies and “our opinion” on life after death. Actually, He didn’t even tell us to preach about a God we believe exists. He told us to preach the gospel.
Perpetua held her wounded friend in her arms, a perfect picture of bravery and joy even in the centre of chaos and blood. The crowd cheered as the two girls stared death in the eye.
Perpetua came from a wealthy family. Growing up with her brothers in Rome during the height of it’s glory, her future seemed bright and certain. But when she heard the gospel she eagerly gave it all up to follow Christ.
Even though it was a crime to preach the gospel in Rome, Perpetua boldly confessed Christ, knowing it would mean certain imprisonment and possibly death.
Remember when people used to ask what you wanted to be when you grew up? I was determined to become a baker. My bakery would sell brownies (because they’re my grandpa’s favorite), and my Dad would drive the delivery truck.
As I grew up, the brownie bakery and delivery service dream quickly died. But the question “What do you want to be” didn’t. In fact it was fired in my direction more frequently each passing year.
Now that this query was relevant and pressing I couldn’t find an answer. What did I want to do with my life? I could no longer answer with all the confidence of 6-year old me. Sometimes I even avoided talking to adults because the dreaded question would inevitably get asked.
I’ve heard from a lot of girls going into high school or graduation that are experiencing a similar pressure to get your lives figured out. Everyone is asking what you want to do and you just don’t know. How are you supposed to wisely choose high school courses and college courses, when your future is uncertain?
A year ago I found myself completely worn out trying to resolve conflicting desires.
I desperately wanted to love the Lord with all my heart, to gladly serve Him without distraction. But truth be told, my heart was divided and my mind distracted.
Other desires took priority in my time and affection, and try as I might, it felt impossible to rearrange things into their proper order. My desires seemed out of control; anxiety threatened my joy and my emotions wouldn’t be ignored.
That’s when I stumbled across an article that set me free to simply enjoy God.
When Sierra started taking her faith seriously she didn’t expect her friends to stop texting or her boyfriend to break up with her. She didn’t anticipate the strange looks and whispering behind her back.
People counselled her to stop taking her religion so seriously, that science had disproven the Bible, and that she was very closed minded to say Jesus was the only way to heaven.
Suddenly, Sierra had lost the social status she had worked so hard to maintain. She was no longer popular and didn’t even fit in with her peers.