What are the traits you find most attractive?
Niceness? Humor? Physical attractiveness, sexiness, is probably near the top of most peoples’ lists.
‘Sexy’ sums up attractiveness for most of us. So what does it bring to mind? Perfectly formed and toned physiques? Barbie figures. Ken doll look a likes. Do you think of Kate Middleton and her Prince, William?
I would like to offer my own personal choice – faithfulness – as a character trait worth talking about. [Read more…]
I live on an island and I ride in a ferry to get to the mainland. Sometimes my car is loaded into the center of the ferry – I call it ‘the bowels of the boat’. It is a cavernous, windowless space except for the wide openings on either end, and riding here, in the belly of the boat, I think of Jonah and what it must have felt like. One thing’s for certain – sitting in the dark, damp, fishy smelling inside of a whale changes one’s perspective.
[Read more…]
“O come, let us worship and bow down..” Ps 95:6
Can you remember the last time you found yourself alone singing – maybe it was in the car along with the radio, maybe in the shower, but your heart was full and you had to sing?
I remember a recent event in my daughter’s life. She received good news about a position she got at college. She called us screaming and crying on the phone, most likely jumping up and down. Kids get it.
Good news demands a response. Joy can’t be held back, it has to come out. [Read more…]
Yesterday I was 30 minutes late to my folks house because I stopped at a grocery store to buy food for a homeless man that was standing at the freeway off-ramp with a sign that read:
“Hungry. Please Help. Psalm 41.”
How can I ignore “hungry”? I’m Norwegian. We feed people. [Read more…]
So, walk…. So simple. So, why do I complicate it?
“Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in him…”
Colossians 2:6
I love the picture of a simple walk as an illustration of our faith. Not a run. No perspiration here – just step-by-step movement; one leg going forward, then the other. Makes the ‘walk of faith’ seem doable. Straightforward. No complicated dance moves involved. Even a wee one can do this!
Just, walk….
Sometimes I complicate my walk of faith. I picture it more like a Hot Yoga or Zoomba work out – I expect and prepare for the worst!
I must dress for the occasion – special clothing built to wick the moisture away from the highly anticipated sweat that will be pouring out of my body. Soon, I’ll be hearing the thump-thump-thumping of my heart in my ears as my heart rate rises towards 200. Others around me will be hearing me, too – mainly, my gasps for breath as I attempt to fill my lungs in answer to my strained muscles now working on lactic acid, and screaming ‘More oxygen. Now!’.
Is this what faith requires? Momentous movements – huge leaps of faith – Bible pounding in far off lands. Sometimes.
But, most often, His call to me is for right here and right now.
You see, I tend to think in Big Events. Large impact. Huge dramas. But, in my life God’s callings are most often in the smallest corners of my world. Quiet places, where nobody is watching but God.
Recently, I have felt called to do a small act toward a difficult person. I’ve been ignoring the call. I’d rather do a Big Thing elsewhere – than this small act. Not. Wise. Do you ever prefer your idea of a faith act – as opposed to God’s small call to your heart?
The faith walk requires I walk in His way. Not. Mine.
That’s the simplest description. Following Him. Not leading. Not easy.
Is there some place you sense a small calling – a place perhaps to be faithful – or to be kind, to pray, to forgive someone’s mean act – you know the quiet whisper to your heart.
May you and I listen.
And, so walk…
