Listen: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed inspirit.” (Psalm 34:18, NRSV) Reflect: As I contemplated this verse my mind turned to Hagar, a woman in despair, giving up on life because of the abusive environment she lived in. (You can read her story in Genesis 16.) She was a member of Abraham and Sarah’s household […]
ROL: Loving Deeply
Listen: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NIV) Reflect: What is love? Lifesprings has been walking through a book titled, ‘Love, a guide to prayer’ recently, which reminded us that we can see God’s love in three ways: “As a creative force, a love […]
ROL: Honestly Expressing Needs
Listen: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me”. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Reflect: Uh-oh, My Humanness is Showing Do you need help? Are you overwhelmed? Are you treading water just trying […]
ROL: Seeking Godly Wisdom
Listen “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you.” (James 1:5, NRSV) Reflect It is Wednesday morning. The day ahead is long and full. As I move my feet from my bed to the floor I say a breath prayer, “Lord, be […]
ROL: Preparing the Way for the Bridegroom
Listen: “They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him. ‘” (John 3:26 NRSV) Reflect: God’s perfect timing: Yesterday my husband and I moved to a new place. Leaving our family home […]
ROL: Trusting the Potter
Listen: “But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, Why did you make me like this?” (Romans 9:20) Reflect: Paul’s ridiculous question reminds me of a parenting principle we used with our children when they were younger. The idea is that […]
ROL: Celebrating the Splendor of God
Listen: “Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, You are very great. You are clothed with honour and majesty.” (Psalm 104:1, NRSV) Reflect: Enthralled By God’s Splendour.I have been isolated and quarantined a few times in the twenty years I lived with chronic respiratory diseases. These were some of the most challenging periods […]
ROL: Moving from Fear to Confidence
Listen: “But even the hairs of your head are all counted. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.” ( Luke 12:7, NRSV) Reflect: I stare out my window at the orange-tinted smoke-choked landscape. Ash from the nearby wildfire falls lightly like snow and covers my deck with debris. I check my […]
ROL: Experiencing God, He Knows My Name
Listen: “But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: ‘Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine’”. (Isaiah 43:1) Reflect: What would it take for us to believe that God is truly in control and that nothing this year which seems […]