For the Diamonds Summer Event at the end of June, I gave a presentation titled “The Master’s Call to Rest.” Here’s the short, written version of my 45-minute session. (You can watch the entire session, and the other speakers’, with the all-access pass.) From the Creation account in Genesis to the descriptions of Heaven in […]
Two weeks ago we looked at Jesus’ example as the Suffering Servant, a discussion drawn from Dr. Tim Little’s commentary on Isaiah 50 in Episode 106 of The Thinklings Podcast. As we saw from many passages of Scripture, Jesus suffered physically, He suffered unjustly, and He suffered willingly–offering Himself as the sacrificial lamb who would […]
In Episode 106 of The Thinklings Podcast, Dr. Tim Little discusses the example of the Servant (a prophetic portrayal of Jesus) in Isaiah 50. I was greatly encouragement by Dr. Little’s breakdown not only of Jesus’ suffering, relatable especially to those of us with chronic illness, but also of God’s help that sustained Jesus, available […]
Last week we looked at five more reasons for our falls as believers (and humans) and how God can use our moments of discouragement for our good, others’ good, and ultimately His glory. Today we finish that list with one more purpose to our falls, then we’ll look at some practical tips for getting back […]
The Day I Fell I took a fall the other day. Not the kind of fall that sends you down with a stubbed toe or a stinging knee, but the fall that sends you down with a bruised heart and a throbbing spirit. After a few weeks of mild improvement with my health, my hopes […]
Last week we looked at how to find grace, joy, and peace in chronic illness based on Elisabeth Elliot’s short devotional about the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” by Horatio G. Spafford: by receiving what God has given us and by relinquishing what He takes from us. As I meditated on Elisabeth Elliot’s […]
I recently started reading Elisabeth Elliot’s book Secure in the Everlasting Arms, a collection of short devotional thoughts from the newsletter she wrote for almost twenty years. The very first entry hit me square between the eyes. The Lot We’re Dealt The entry is titled “Whatever My Lot” and, after giving a brief, personal backstory […]
Two weeks ago we looked at the context for Jeremiah’s letter to the Jewish captives and God’s message to them (and us): stop panicking, pick up your hammer, and make yourself at home. In other words, don’t fight what is part of God’s plan for good. We also saw how part of making ourselves at […]
I recently read through the book of Jeremiah in my morning devotions, and God gave me a load of encouragement from Jeremiah 29. I took tons of notes and am excited to share those notes with you in the hopes they can encourage you too. A Message for the Needy First of all, let’s set […]
Last week we looked at four encouraging themes from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings that parallel Scripture truths for us in our valley of chronic illness. This week we look at the last four: 5. Our needs will be met along the way All now seemed dry and silent; but refusing to despair Sam stooped […]
The Valley