Thoughts
-
The Roadmap to the Christian Life and the Warning of Spiritual Amnesia
Last weekend I led a Bible study through the first part of 2 Peter. We spent time digging into Peter’s last words to the church and, as we read, two things that kept being highlighted were Peter’s roadmap to Christian maturity and his warning on spiritual amnesia. Here’s the deal: Peter was about to die and he knew it. Which is why he had to encourage the church, leaving them a solid roadmap to the Christian life, and warn them about spiritual blindness and false teachers/prophets infiltrating the church. Today I want to share both of these vital things with you. Let’s begin with Peter’s roadmap to Christian maturity. Roadmap…
-
Why We Love Magic: A Christian Perspective on Fantasy
“If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity This popular quotation by C. S. Lewis echoes a thought I’ve recently had on our draw as humans towards stories containing magical or fantastical elements. The fantasy genre is widely popular and it is made unique because of all the varieties of magical elements it contains. Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, even Disney movies are full of magic. This made me wonder, why are we so drawn to stories with the fantastical? Magic is widely controversial within…
-
“Look at Me”: Seeking God’s Face in Chaos
“When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” – Psalm 27:8, NKJV It’s very easy to focus on the biggest, loudest or most prominent problems in our life. Somehow, problems, worries and challenges act like a magnet and continually draw our gaze. And yet, focusing on the dark of our life only creates more chaos and confusion in our heart. We have this capability of magnifying what we focus on, which if used negatively, can be detrimental to our faith and our life. But if we choose to shift our focus, what incredible things could we magnify in our life? A…
-
He’s Brave Enough for Both of You
It has been said that courage isn’t the absence of fear, but taking a step while you still feel afraid. I have thought about this often as someone who has battled with fear and anxiety. One time, as I was praying, God reminded me that no matter how dark the valley gets, He is still in control. He is still watching out for me and His plans for me are, ultimately, good. I want to take a moment to remind you that, whether you feel brave right now or not, God can be brave enough for both of you. All you have to do is hold His hand. David struggled…
-
The Ascendance Series: What a Fictional King Taught Me About Real Leadership
I recently finished reading the last two books of the Ascendance Series by Jennifer A. Nielsen. To those of you who don’t know, the Ascendance Series is a YA fantasy series that follows the journey of an orphan boy named Sage and his journey into becoming Jaron and the king of Carthya. Last year I read the first book, The False Prince, and I completely fell in love with the main character. I was amazed by the plot twists and how masterfully they were pulled off. After finishing the original trilogy, I read the two last books which take place right before the ending of The Shadow Throne. The Story…
-
What If Your Favorite Fantasy Trope is Actually True?
Royalty is among the most popular tropes in fantasy. It may be because of the high stakes, the character development, the surprises and secret identities, even the dramatic battles to take the throne and wrestle the power away from a tyrant. This trope has been resonating with young and old for years, as proved by works such as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. There is something in each of us that is drawn to a normal human discovering they were meant for greatness. In fact, I believe we all have the desire for royalty echoing deep within ourselves. This begs the question: why does the…
-
When Disappointment Hits: God Restoring and Reviving Our Soul
I recently heard someone say that the two main things that take people out the most in life and ministry are bitterness and not dealing well with disappointment. What is it about disappointment that makes it such an essential thing to deal with? The way you deal with it will either bring you closer to God or it will pull you away. And here’s the thing, if you let it pull you away from him, then you’re drifting away from the source of healing for your pain and your disappointment. Other solutions will only become quick fixes in an attempt to deal with the very real bitterness festering inside against…
-
Get to Know Me: My Faith and Reading Journey
Hello again, friend! It’s a joy to have you drop by for another visit. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable and help yourself to some tea and cookies while we chat? I just made them fresh. Well, virtually fresh. As fresh as virtual cookies can be. Anyway, I thought we’d take some time to get to know each other. So get comfy and make yourself at home. As you may know, I’m passionate about my relationship with Jesus and I’m also an avid bookworm. Being that the case, I thought I’d share a few snapshots of my life. I’ll first share about my faith, and then I’ll share about my…
