Pastor’s Blog
Deer Feet: Psalm 18:33, 36
I once met a man who called his son a “rock climber.” His son wasn’t someone who dabbled in buying the gear or who went on a trip to a national park that one time. No, he was a full-fledged rock climber. He plans trips based on the mountain’s challenge to his personal fitness, requiring his absolute attention to safety, and then he goes and takes on those challenges! So cool!
Same Prayer: Psalm 25:16-20
Let's get right to the point. You can ask for forgiveness and help in the same prayer.
Sometimes people think they have to be really good for God to notice them. Or if they are hoping for something big to come, they pray for God to give it based on how hard they've been working, how diligent and faithful. Or they think they can't ask for that big miracle since they haven't been faithful lately. Maybe they should promise to be really good. Maybe they should live really good for a while. Then they can pray. Maybe they have wandered or drifted from God or they recently did something they are really embarrassed about, and they think they have to log some good days before they come to God with that request.
Work Out: Ephesians 5:29-30
You are supposed to sweat at the gym. It's okay if you have streaks on your shirt, sweat running down your face. It's called a workout. You are supposed to work. If you feel fatigued when you leave, you don't think, "What's wrong with me? Why couldn't I handle that better?" And no one, seeing you, thinks you hate yourself. Instead, they are happy for you. You worked out.
Self Care: Mark 1:35
“You have to take care of you before you can help anyone else.” Ever heard that before?
Some people swear by it. But for others, this feels selfish and makes them uncomfortable. Self-care is important, but selfishness actually degrades and destroys. So what should you do when you’re feeling run down? What should you practice before you are feeling run down?
The Secret: Philippians 4:13
Would you like to learn the secret?
How can you stay joyful and purposeful, focused and thriving, when the world is full of distractions, and when your own personal life ebbs and flows? If you take a hit, how do you ward off discouragement? If you succeed, how do you keep it humble and not let it go to your head?