Filled With Messages

The Magi are some of the people in the Bible who most pique our imaginations. Thinking about them helps us as we follow the stars God places in our lives.

Throughout our lives, we face difficult moments when we are filled with questions. How do we faithfully, respectfully, lovingly, but also honestly respond to God when those times come? Listen in to hear how Mary handled a moment just like this.

There’s a lot of heartbreak and brokenness in our lives, in this world. God invites us to join him in bringing his peace, healing, joy far as any hurting is found.

Most “important” people don’t act with gentleness, humility, mildness. They milk their glory for all it’s worth. But Jesus - himself God - willingly laid aside his glory mildly and invites us to do the same.

How do we find hope when all seems hopeless? By looking for hope in unusual places, choosing to hope even when we’re at our limits, and remembering how God has fulfilled hope in the past.

We know we should practice gratitude, but sometimes it’s hard. Perhaps our temperaments aren’t given to it. Maybe we’re crazy busy. Possibly we’re going through a really tough time. But there are practical steps we can take to develop gratitude in our lives and implementing these things will bring us more joy.

Life is filled with difficult seasons and situations. How can we not just endure these circumstances, but learn to be content, even grateful and joyful in them?

To be human is to experience anxiety at times. It can be so hard to find peace when we are worried. But if we choose to connect deeply with God when we are stressed, then we will be lead to God’s peace and joy.

Some days, we find ourselves lacking confidence. On those days, Christians are encouraged to turn not just to family, friends, trusted professionals, even ourselves to find courage and hope, but to also turn to Jesus and in him find supernatural confidence.

It is so tempting to argue and complain about life. Certainly, God doesn’t want us to ignore our problems and pain, but rather encourages us to share our frustrations honestly, while giving thanks. When we do, we shine like stars and bring joy to others, God, and ourselves.

One of the ways we can bring more joy into our lives and the world, the authors of scripture tell us, is by imitating Jesus. But what does that mean and how do we do it? Listen in to find out.

Some days it is hard to rejoice, but when we are surrounded and supported by a healthy community, they empower us to rejoice in our God always. Listen in to hear more about how we can rejoice in community.

Sometimes we think that a change of scenery will solve all our problems. If only we could find a new job, move to a new town, go on a trip, we’d feel so much better. But rarely do these geographical changes solve all our problems. The Good News is that God is bringing healing and goodness and solutions right here to us in the real world, our goal is to learn to see heaven all around us.

God created each of us both great and small. Keeping these contrasts in balance helps us see ourselves honestly and answer some of life’s biggest questions.

A lot of us are afraid of the dark, especially of the times when life feels dark. But there are wonderful things that can only happen when it’s dark and oftentimes, in the darkness, we see God more clearly as other distractions are diminished.

Recently, it’s kind of felt like we’re living in a time warp, in Groundhog’s Day, repeating the same day over and over again. Following God’s example and creating contrast out of sameness can help us get through weird and strange times.

Most of us are exhausted, weary, carrying heavy burdens. Jesus invites us to rest, not necessarily by taking a vacation or even a nap, but by taking on his way of life which leads us to places of freedom and peace.

We have such a hard time seeing the beautiful things about ourselves. There are so many forces in our lives (family, friends, culture, work, even our religious traditions) which focus in on the things they want to change about us. But God loves us exactly the way we are right now and wants us to learn to love the awe-inspiring and wonderful people he created us to be.

George Floyd’s friends described himself as someone who was the change he wanted to see in the world. God calls us to follow Mr Floyd’s example and work to ensure black lives matter in our homes, communities, and world.

When life is moving at its normal pace, it can be difficult to see what needs to change in our lives. But the Holy Spirit is always wanting to blow and burn things out of our lives that are no longer good or useful so she can bring us to beautiful new places of freedom and purpose.

Waiting is hard. Sometimes, particularly when we are suffering deeply, it’s nearly impossible. Where is God when we are waiting? How do we hold onto hope when our pain seems to never end?

When we pray the Lord’s Prayer and say, “hallowed be thy name,” what do we mean? Does God’s holiness have any relevance for us, for our lives, for our world?

When we’re feeling anxious, struggling to feel grounded, mental health professionals recommend thinking about a happy place or person or memory. Jesus taught that God was one such person to whom we can turn for help. Listen in to hear more about how God comforts and care for us.

Thomas is often labeled “The Doubter” as if doubt is a terrible thing. But really, Thomas was just honest and vocal about his needs. Jesus heard Thomas’ demands, met them, and will surely do the same for us.

Most of us tend to give way more (time, energy, money, etc) than we actually have. When we give beyond our limits, we hurt ourselves or we hurt others. How can the Holy Spirit help us find a better balance?