In America, we recently remembered and celebrated liberty as a country. But I always like to celebrate how I’m spiritually free in Jesus Christ, too. So when I read a letter John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, about Independence Day in 1776, I found this interesting. “I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.” (Wikipedia, Continue Reading
Pray Like You Believe There Is an Almighty God {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}
Alexander II of Macedon, aka Alexander the Great, was arguably the wealthiest man who ever lived. A prolific military commander, he conquered a significant part of the civilized world in the 4th century B.C., accumulating a net worth estimated at around $500 billion in today’s currency. One of the secrets of his success was his generosity to his soldiers and commanders. He surrounded himself with loyal and yet greedy subjects, who received a hefty cut of the spoils of the king’s Continue Reading
A Dying Man’s Reflection On What Really Matters {Recharge Wednesday}
“My first desire is that my physicians alone must carry my coffin.” After a pause, he continued, “Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones that I have collected in my treasury.” After resting for a few minutes, he continued: “My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin.” Alexander the Great had three dying wishes. At the age of 32, this man had Continue Reading
How Do I Get Unshakable Faith? {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP
Have you ever promised yourself… When this storm passes—then I’ll rest in God. When I’m out of debt—then I’ll trust the Lord. When I have more experience—then I’ll live by faith. When/then faith is not faith at all. Putting conditions on trusting God keeps us living by sight. And faith “is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1 NIV). Living by sight deprives us of joy and peace. It’s unbelief. Continue Reading
The Key to Finding Abiding Peace {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}
“If Jordan above me shall roll, no pang shall be mine, for in death as in life, Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.” — Horatio Spafford, lyrics to “It Is Well with My Soul.” “Saved alone.” These two words pierced Horatio Spafford’s heart as he sat on his desk in Chicago after receiving the infamous telegram from his wife in 1873. She and their four daughters were sailing to Europe, ahead of Horatio, whose business issues had deterred him following the great Chicago fire of 1871. The ship Continue Reading
Conquering by Peace {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
Can you think of a victory in a game, a sport, or even a war that is owed to more to blunt force than to strategy? The weapons used, the position of troops, and the element of surprise are all vital to winning. Underdog teams win by crafty plans and perseverance, not force. Naturally, victories won by sheer force are rarely celebrated. What matters more is strategy and its effectiveness. Yet isn’t it by force that we often try to win or overcome in life? Knowing that “in all these Continue Reading
