Category: faith

Deeper in 2019

January…a time to renew your commitment.

As Christians, often we feel guilty that we aren’t as strong in our faith as we should be. So January is the time to say, “this year I will grow stronger in my relationship with God.” But how can we be more successful this year than last year? Do we need to make big changes…plan an extended time away to focus fully on God…listen to and learn from a famous bible teacher…spend hours each day ready the bible through?

What better way to focus on God, then a visit to the Jordan River.

These are all are good ideas, but are they the best for you. Below is a simple strategy to grow deeper in your faith…daily.

5 Steps to Grow Deeper in Your Faith

Read less.

Reading through the bible this year will help you get a general overview of the entire bible, but not a deep understanding of it. Instead, read less… reading only a paragraph or a few verses at a time.

Unpack slowly.

Take time to examine each thought, word or phrase. Asking…who is mentioned, where are they, and when are things happening?

Pause often.

As you read, consider how did it happen? Why did he (she) do this or that? Reflecting on what you have read.

Embrace fully.

 Accept the truths and teachings you have read. This may mean you need to own up to your sins…acknowledging how you were wrong (both to God and others). It may also mean that you need to make a life change…a delibrate plan to move forward in a deeper faith.

Repeat steps 1-4 daily…



When you want to crawl in bed and stay…

When trouble comes, our first response might to stay in bed, cover our head, and shut out the world…or is it just me? I would like to offer four tips that can help when you find wishing your problems away does not work…woman-cover-her-head-with-pillow-640x427

Look up.

Cry out to God. Read, reread the bible, let the truth of His love and care sink deep within your soul. It is in God’s word that I find comfort and encouragement that helps to sustain me through the difficult times. In many of the psalms David wrote of his pain and struggles. As I read them it helps me put my problems in perspective and to look past my trouble and trust God’s bigger purpose.

Let my cry come before You, O Lord;

Give me understanding according to Your word.

Let my supplication come before You;

Deliver me according to Your word.  

Psalm 119:169-170

Look within.

Take care of yourself. I want to fix things…NOW! And might be known to work myself into exhaustion to make things right…if only I could. I have learned that I need to relax; and trust that God is at work even when I am not. Sleep; when I don’t get the rest I need, I will likely get sick and definitely will get irritable. Eat healthy; in my need to fix the problem, I often do not want to make the time to shop for groceries and cook a meal, yet the shopping and chopping bring a sense of normalcy and routine that can be very calming. And provides the fuel my body needs to stay healthy through the stressfulness. Exercise; sitting and stewing about the situation gets me down both mentally and physically. Taking a walk or doing an Essentrics workout helps to energize my body and clear my mind.

For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His… 2 Chronicles 16:9

Look around.

Don’t try to go it alone. As a “fixer”, this is probably the area that is most difficult for me…asking for help. Please, turn to trusted friends and share what you are going through. Pray with them. Listen to them. Let them help.

And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Look out.

Seek professional help. I have not actually followed through with this step. Friends have shared how helpful it is to speak to a Christian counselor who does not have an emotional attachment to you or your situation,  and who brings a fresh biblical  perspective and offers sound advice.

Listen to counsel and accept discipline,

That you may be wise the rest of your days.

Many plans are in a man’s heart,

But the counsel of the Lord will stand.

Proverbs 19:20-21

Throw back the covers…

Look pass the difficulties that lay ahead having your mind set on heavenly things (Colossians 3:2), and equipped with the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). Move forward with a body that is healthy, strong, and well rested.  Stand firm with a heart encouraged by those who walk along side of you through the crisis.