God breathes

God breathes our spirit into us, and our spirit is eternal. The only question is where will it spend eternity? As our spirit encounters life, we form a soul—character, personality, emotions, will, mind, and so on. These structures we erect of heart and mind, character and personality, are what we call the soul. In some… Read More

End the vicious cycle of one-upmanship

In order to forgive, we need to identify with the person who sinned against us. Isn’t that what Jesus did when he came to earth? He became one with us—became our sin. That is how sins are forgiven. In order for us to forgive, we need to enter into the Gethsemane prayer with Jesus: “Abba,… Read More

Colossians 3:1-2 See things from His perspective

When I open up my heart to God, when I am filled with the Holy Spirit, when I am living a new life in him, I also receive a vision correction. I see the same things, but somehow they don’t look the same any more. I have a whole new perspective.    Colossians 3:1-2 (New… Read More

Colossians 2:20-23 Rules or freedom?

If you had to choose one word to represent how your belief affects your life, would you choose RULES or FREEDOM? Are your actions and words a source of pride? Do you judge yourself and others and award a score for how you acted each day? Are you proud when your score is higher than… Read More

Colossians 2:18-19 Obsession is not the same as faith

Obsession is an extreme state that blocks out everything else, puts us in a rigid box that interferes with our ability to hear God’s soft and quiet voice in our heart, disconnects us from God’s nourishment. Even when we are obsessed with a good thing. Obsession is not the same as faith in the living… Read More

Colossians 2:16-17 The core

What is the core of my life? If I were to write a mission statement for the next year, what would be the central theme that I base my living on? What inspires my day-to-day actions, words, and thoughts? Colossians 2:16-17 (New Living Translation) So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or… Read More

Colossians 2:12-15 Living the resurrection life

Thank you, Lord. Your love, mercy, and sacrifice let me live the resurrection life with you.    Colossians 2:12-15 (New Living Translation) For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You… Read More