For the month of May, my wife and I have been going through something called “30 Days to Resilient”. It’s part of the One Minute Pause app that was developed and made available by author John Eldridge. And one of the things it talks about is our narrative. What is the narrative that we believe about our lives? What are the things that we believe to be true?

Do we believe that God is the creator of all things? Do we believe that He loves us? Do we believe that He has a good plan for our lives? We talk about it at church and we read it in the Bible, but when we step back and look at our lives, do we live life in a way that says, “Yes, I believe these things to be true!”?

Our narrative—the story that we believe—will drive the way we think and live. So it’s important to take time to stop and process what we actually believe. And I think it’s important to then acknowledge what we believe and even speak it out loud as a statement. 

One of the exercises in “30 Days to Resilient” is to write out and declare what you know to be true about God and about yourself. These are some of the things that I wrote:

Lord, You are Love and You love me unconditionally.

Lord, You are compassionate and you care for me deeply.

Lord, You are all-knowing and you know me personally and intimately.

Lord, You are the provider and You faithfully provide for me.

Lord, You are gracious and your grace covers my sin and failures.

You are God and in You I am made complete.

What do you know to be true about the Lord and your relationship with Him? What is your narrative? I encourage you to take some time to process these questions and maybe even write them out. Then declare them to the Lord and let His truth wash over you.

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” -John 14:6

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to a life of obedience and commitment, even in the face of difficulties and challenges. In fact, it’s during these difficult times that our faith is tested and strengthened. The Bible encourages us to trust in the Lord and to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

In John 16:33, Jesus Himself said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This verse reminds us that we are not immune to difficulties, but we have a Savior who has overcome the world and has promised to help us on this journey.

Our job is to simply seek the Lord and to walk in obedience, to listen to His voice and allow Him to guide our path. As we do this, it’s important to remember that His ways are not our ways. God often calls us to things that are bigger than us. He leads us on paths that defy human reality.

As I type these words, I’m reminded of the Israelites as they fled Egypt. In front of them was the Red Sea, a huge road block. Behind them was Pharaoh and his army, an enemy out to destroy. They were stuck between a rock and a hard place, but God had a plan. He split the sea so they could walk right through it.

The path that God had for the Israelites seemed like a dead end, it seemed hopeless. But the thing we have to remember is that there is no such thing as a dead end with God. He can move mountains, split seas, and wipe out enemies. In other words, “If God is for us, who can be against us.?” -Romans 8:31

We are called to follow Jesus and walk obedience. If we’re faithful to do this, whatever we come up against doesn’t matter, because we know God is with us and for us. So, let’s trust in the Lord and keep our eyes fixed on Him, knowing that He is with us always and that He has overcome the world.

Every week before our meet and greet time at church, I talk about the fact that we were created for relationship: Relationship with God and relationship with others. And I believe a big part of our relationship with one another has to do with supporting and encouraging each other.

In Ephesians 4:29 it says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” This verse reminds us of the importance of our words and the impact they can have on others.

As followers of Christ, we are called to encourage and lift one another up. This means speaking words of kindness, love, and truth, even in difficult situations. It also means being mindful of how our words may affect others and striving to use them to build up and edify rather than tear down.

Encouraging and lifting one another up is not always easy, but it is a crucial part of living in community with one another. When we speak words of encouragement, we help others to see their worth and value in Christ. We also strengthen our relationships and build a sense of unity and support within the body of Christ.

Lord, help us strive to be people who speak words of encouragement and lift one another up, especially during difficult times. May we use our words to build one another up and to bring glory to you God.

Every day we’re faced with choices that affect our lives. These choices are often between the things of Jesus and the things of the world. It can be tempting to choose the things of the world, because often times they seem more appealing or easier, but we must remember that the things of Jesus have a value that goes beyond our understanding.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This verse reminds us that when we choose the ways of Jesus and seek His kingdom above all else, He will provide for us and ultimately bless us.

When we choose the ways of Jesus over the ways of the world, we experience His blessings. Psalm 1:1-3 says, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”

This passage reminds us that when we choose to delight in the ways of Jesus and meditate on His Word, we will experience His wonderful blessings and grow in Him. Now the reality is, choosing the ways of Jesus over the ways of the world is not easy, but I’ve discovered that it’s worth it. 

Lord, help us to choose Your ways, to obey Your commands, and let us experience the fullness of joy that comes from following You.

At our church we have a well known phrase that we say frequently, “God is good, all the time…And all the time God is good.” The problem is, often times we get so caught up in the busyness and chaos of life that we forget just how good our God truly is. His goodness is always present, and it’s something that we can rely on in every season of life.

Psalm 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” This verse reminds us that God’s goodness is not just something we talk about or read about, it’s something we can experience for ourselves. When we turn to Him, we find that He is good, and that His goodness is a source of blessing and hope in our lives.

Another verse that speaks to God’s goodness is Romans 8:28. It says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This verse reminds us that even in the midst of difficult situations, God is working for our good. His goodness is not just limited to the good times, but it extends to every aspect of our lives. The good, the bad, and even the ugly.

James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” This verse reminds us that everything good in our lives comes from God. He is the source of all goodness, and His gifts to us are good and perfect.

Today, let’s take a moment to reflect on the goodness of God. Let’s remember that He is always with us, working for our good and blessing us with His perfect gifts. Let’s take refuge in Him and experience His goodness for ourselves. And let’s give thanks to Him for His unwavering goodness and love.

This Sunday we celebrate Easter: the day that Jesus rose from the grave and opened the door for us to experience His redemptive power in our lives. We love to celebrate His amazing resurrection, but we can’t forget that in order for Him to rise from the dead, He first had to die.

Today is Good Friday and on this day I think it’s important that we remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us. He willingly gave His life on the cross to pay for our sins. The weight of our transgressions was more than any of us could bear. And He bore them all, taking upon Himself the punishment that we all deserved.

As we reflect on what He went through for us, we can’t help but be overwhelmed by the depth of God’s love for us. He chose to allow His Son to be sacrificed for each of us, so that we could have eternal life through faith in Him.

It’s humbling when we realize that we were the reason for His suffering, and yet, He didn’t come to condemn us, but to save us from our sins. In the midst of our brokenness and rebellion, He chose to show us His amazing grace. 

On this Good Friday, we’re reminded of the power of the cross, and the hope that it brings. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we have been reconciled with God, and we have the assurance of eternal life. We can now approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we have been made righteous through His blood.

As we prepare to celebrate His resurrection this Easter, may we take some time today, on this Good Friday, to reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross and the price He paid for our redemption. And may we recognize that we must deny ourselves—essentially DIE to ourselves and surrender our own way—in order to receive the LIFE He offers. In a very real way, may we participate with Jesus in both His death and His resurrection. There is not one without the other.

Thank you, Lord, for your unfailing love and mercy. Help us to surrender our lives to You and live in a way that honors and glorifies You!

This Sunday is Palm Sunday: a day that commemorates when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and the crowds shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” -Mark 11:9-10

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of what is known as Holy Week. A time when many Christians reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for our sins. But on Palm Sunday, we remember the excitement and joy that the people of Jerusalem felt when they saw Jesus—The Messiah riding into the city.

The people believed that Jesus was the long-awaited King who would save them from their oppressors and restore the kingdom of Israel. They waved palm branches and shouted praises to Jesus, welcoming Him as a conquering hero.

But we know that Jesus’ mission was not to conquer through power and might, but through love and sacrifice. He came to save us from our sins and offer us eternal life with our Heavenly Father. Jesus is our King, not in a political sense, but in a spiritual sense. He reigns in our hearts and minds, guiding us and leading us on the path of righteousness.

The unfortunate reality is that the excitement and joy the people of Jerusalem felt that day was only temporary. When Jesus did not meet their expectations as a political or military leader, many of them turned against Him and called for His crucifixion.

My prayer it that we are people who always remain faithful to Jesus, even when He doesn’t meet our expectations. His ways are not our ways and His ways aren’t always going to look the way we want them to. But we don’t praise Him for doing what we want Him to do, we praise Him because He is the King of Kings—Who is worthy of our praise. May our cry today and every day be, “Hosanna in the Highest!”

When life is challenging and we’re struggling to get by, where is God? When we’re tired and all alone, where is God? These are questions we often ask when life has us down. And the reality is: He’s where He’s always been…right beside us! 

God is with us all the time, even if we don’t realize it. All throughout the Bible, we’re told that God is always there. In Psalm 139:7 David says, “Where can I flee from your presence?” And in Matthew 28:20, Jesus says, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” The truth is, we are never alone. It’s a promise that we can cling to.

Over the past couple years, I’ve talked a lot about casting our cares on the Lord. When we feel overwhelmed and alone, it’s important to give these things to God. He’s right there beside us just waiting for us to reach out to Him. 

I’m discovering more and more that the answer to challenges and loneliness in my life is simply prayer. It’s stopping and taking time to connect with God. He loves us and He never desired for us to live life on our own. He is there every step of the way to encourage us and to help us.

Are we feeling overwhelmed? Are we feeling lonely? Prayer is the answer. God is with us. He wants to help us. The key is to turn to Him—the key is to give everyone and everything to the Lord. 

Today, my prayer is that we will realize the closeness of our Creator: God who created us for relationship with Him; God who is there for us and who wants to guide us and lead us through the challenges of life. May we cry out to Him today and allow Him to be our hope and peace.

The following is an excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech:

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

I’m guessing most of us are familiar with this speech. Earlier in that speech, he shares his dream that someday ALL men and women would be considered equal. This dream gave him hope for a better future and it compelled him to speak out and seek to make it happen.

Do we have a dream? Do we have a hope that compels us to take action? In 1 Corinthians 9:25-26 (TLB), Paul writes: “…An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step…”

Paul tells us here that we have an amazing hope, which fuels our dream. Our hope is not for just a ribbon or trophy, but eternal life with Jesus, for us and for everyone who comes to Him and asks. We should be striving for the kind of dreams that have eternal significance. The trophies and praises of this world will pass away, but the things of the Lord are forever. 

We need to dream dreams that will impact eternity. When we choose to seek out God’s dream for our lives, we realize our purpose. And God’s dreams lead us towards His goals: life-changing goals that bring glory and honor to the Lord and extend His kingdom both here and now, and also for eternity.

God has a dream and purpose for our lives. I encourage all of us to take some time this week to ask Him, “What are some dreams You have for our life? What are some ways we can partner with what You are already doing to extend Your love and grace to people around us and to share the hope that is only found in You, Jesus?” And then quiet our heart and listen for His voice. He promises that if we ask, He will answer.

Are we willing to grab hold of the dreams He has for us and run with purpose?!

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”  -Isaiah 26:3 NLT

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” –Psalm 91:1-2 NLT

Our home is in a season of upheaval and change. Like a snowball on a hill, this season started rolling last year and it’s gaining mass and momentum with each day that passes.

Over the course of the next 3 to 6 months: all three young adults in our home will change schools; one will graduate high school; one will get married; and all three will likely be moving out of the house (two for sure). There have been college applications, scholarship applications, decisions about where to live and where to go to school and what jobs to pursue…and all of these are alongside already full schedules with school, work, and extra curricular schedules. There are still many decisions and changes to come and some of these require waiting patiently…until it’s time to make a decision.

It’s easy to get caught up in the snowball. Last Saturday, one of our young adults learned they were accepted into a school they REALLY love in the morning and another was in a scary accident that same evening. It was a day with many emotions and a day when I felt caught up in all of it.

There’s a song that I listen to over and over these days—it’s titled “Rest” and it’s on TobyMac’s album LIFE AFTER DEATH. The chorus goes like this:

Rest, take a breath
Push aside the noise and feel the air inside your chest
Blessed, my child, you’re blessed
Fall into the arms of God and rest your weary head
Just rest…Rest

We have work to do…but we don’t need to do it all at once and we don’t need to be dragged into the snowball of chaos that sometimes surrounds it. Instead, we need to rest in Jesus: taking our every care to Him. And then we just take the next step. 

I don’t know who I’d be if I didn’t know You
I’d probably fall off the edge
I don’t know where I’d go
if You ever let go
So keep me held in Your hands.
You’re my safe place
My hideaway
You’re my anchor
My saving grace
You’re my constant
My steadiness
You’re my shelter
My oxygen
I don’t know who I’d be 
if I didn’t know You
Thank God, I do
~from Lauren Daigle’s song “Thank God, I Do”