Danger in the Periphery ~ Guest Blogging Day

Image "Suspension Bridge to Mangrove Tropical Forest" Courtesy of Keerati/freedigitalphotos.net

Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”

He said, “Come ahead.”

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”

Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”  MSG Matthew 14:28-31

I have a faint heart as well.  There are many times that I have found myself saying, "Oh yeah, Jesus, I have a big faith, call me out there and I'll walk to you." 

But the minute I look down or to the side; or, God-forbid it, BEHIND ME...Look out, I will sink like a brick.

Continue reading on Comfort in the Midst of Chaos...

Let the Word be Recieved ~ Guest Blogging Day

Photo "Heart of Book" Courtesy of anat_tikker/freedigitalphotos.net

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, 

you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, 

which is indeed at work in you who believe.  

1 Thessalonians 2:13 NIV

As I sat in church last Sunday and listened to a message on what a transformed Christ follower looks like, my mind jumped to an image quite foreign to me.  I saw in my mind, as I pondered this particular portion of scripture, a mother reading the Bible to her child who laid in a nursing home bed, immobile, and unresponsive.

Now, I, personally, do not have a child who is unable to converse with me.  I do not have a child who is confined to a bed.  I have a child who talks (a bit too much, on some days) and who responds, and who can communicate with me on a variety of subjects.  So, I really am not a likely candidate to be writing about this topic.

But, the Holy Spirit gave me this image regarding this verse.

Why?

 Continue reading on Comfort in the Midst of Chaos...

When the Clouds Descend ~ Guest Blogging Day

God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
    to the woman who diligently seeks.
It’s a good thing to quietly hope,
    quietly hope for help from God.
It’s a good thing when you’re young    to stick it out through the hard times. 

 Lamentations 3:25-27 MSG

This is our first winter in Nevada.  I love it.  Not only is it much milder than Wisconsin, but the mountains keep me in awe every day.

Just last weekend, we had the first "big" snowfall since we moved.  I think we had about 4 inches on the ground around our house...not the 18-24 inches we were used to seeing in a big storm in Wisconsin.  I could.not.WAIT to get outside the next day and look around at the snow-covered mountains.

Continue reading on Comfort in the Midst of Chaos...