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What The Fellowship of the Ring Teaches Us About Community
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” – Proverbs 17:17 (NIV) Throughout the epic quest of Lord of the Rings, there is one character that stands out for his valor, steadfastness, loyalty, and determination. Samwise Gamgee, an ordinary hobbit whose life aspiration was tending a garden and having a family, becomes essential to Frodo’s quest to journey into the land of Mordor and destroy the ring. Through every trial, Sam remains by Frodo’s side, willing to risk and lose it all in order to see his friend succeed. What would happen if all of us were so dedicated to our friendships…
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What We Learn About Prayer From When Calls the Heart
How many times have we prayed in an attempt at changing our circumstances? Many of us have even prayed with the sole intention of changing God’s mind. And yet, prayer is less about us and more about God working His will in and through us. True prayer is all about getting our own hearts to beat in time with God’s. When this aligns, then the worries surrounding us shift, not necessarily because they have changed, but rather, because we have. “Before prayer changes others, it first changes us.” – Billy Graham Prayer Lessons From Elizabeth Thatcher As I thought about the transformative power of prayer, I was reminded of one…
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What the Wingfeather Saga Teaches Us About Worship
Spoiler Alert: This post contains spoilers to North! Or Be Eaten and The Warden and the Wolf King. Please keep this in mind while reading the post, particularly the final two sections. For as long as humanity has existed, the need to worship something or someone has been prevalent in society. I’d like to suggest that humanity longs for worship because from the foundation it was designed to worship. Isaiah recognizes this, saying that humanity was created for God’s glory. “Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.” – Isaiah 43:7 (NKJV) Humanity Was Designed…
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What Jill Pole Teaches Us About Loving the Word of God
In The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis, Jill Pole is given four signs by Aslan in order to guide them on a quest to save King Caspian’s missing son, Prince Rilian. Aslan gives Jill the following instructions: “But, first, remember, remember, remember the signs. Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night. And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the signs. And secondly, I give you a warning. Here on the mountain I have spoken to you clearly: I will not often do…
