Archive — January, 2008
30 Jan
On the Way
The walking is what makes the trail. Skinny, snaking cow trails in the pasture, the great winding Appalachian Trail, even the concrete roar of Interstate 40—all exist because of the repetition of passing travelers. The same can be said of the influence we have as believers. We are all on a journey between birth and death; but, the choice is ours as to which path will be worn and sustained by our passing steps.
28 Jan
How Unique Are We?
Figure 1 The Hebert Clan
One potential problem in a big family is neglect. Although this was not a problem in my family, there were times that I wondered if my parents even remembered that they had a son named Andrew. My parents had seven kids with seven individual schedules. Seven sets of friends, seven sports teams, seven sets of needs. They had a real balancing act trying to give each of us individual attention.
25 Jan
Ask And You’ll Receive…Just Like That?
I’ve always had a hard time asking people for things because I don’t want to put anyone out. And I always feel so selfish asking God for anything, so I regularly say, “I know you’re busy and I don’t want to inconvenience you, so I just won’t worry you with my life. I’ll just take these things on.”
23 Jan
Courageous Surrender
What? Surrender to Babylon? Never! There was no way that could be God’s plan; yet, there was Jeremiah, God’s prophet, saying that was exactly what God had in mind for King Zedekiah and the city of Jerusalem. Talk about being caught between a rock and a hard place.
22 Jan
The Greatest Thing I’ve Ever Learned
It constantly amazes me how many times I can be told something and still not get it. I think most everyone has experienced this at some point or another. Whether as a child it was my mother telling me to pick up my socks or now my wife suggesting that I iron my shirt before I wear it, all of us know what it’s like to hear something again and again and yet it never sinks in.
Training
There are days I just want to give up and go back to indulging in my chips and salsa, venti mocha lattes (with whip), and daily, scattered snacks. But I know that to get to where I want, I have to keep pushing, stay focused, and give the rest of what I can’t handle to Jesus.
18 Jan
They Get It
I want to be like them. I want to seek out and minister to the not-so-perfect people. And when these not-so-perfect people meet me, I want them to say, “She gets it. She really does know and love Jesus. If this is how Jesus is, then I want to know him too.”
15 Jan
Come Closer
This morning I awoke with a song playing over and over in my head, “Come closer, closer than ever,” and immediately I was reminded of the admonition in James to draw near to God. It was such a vivid and personal call to my heart that I wanted to jump out of bed and run to where He was, to throw my arms around Him, and to hold on for dear life.
2 Jan
In the Beginning
It’s that time of year again. The calendar is fresh and uncluttered. The blank pages are as crisp as the winter temperatures, and the possibilities that lie ahead are endless. It is also the time when many of us decide to make some changes in our lives. May I suggest that as you are looking at the latest self-help manuals that you also take the time to begin the New Year with God and His Word?
1 Jan
New Commitment
It’s funny how God puts you in situations where you are made to realize and understand things you never saw before in yourself. All of a sudden I was faced with this new issue I never knew existed before in my life. As a result, I had to deal with it and change my ways.
