The Little-by-Little Principle
July 1, 2008 |
Change is a constant in today’s world, impacting our personal and professional lives. Change comes in all shapes and sizes: there are small adjustments that we need to make in what we are doing, then there are the more significant changes where we plot our course, thinking through what we will do and how we will do it.
And then there is transformational change: doing something we have never done before. This is the most challenging type of change because we may not even be able to reach out to others for experienced advice. Here is where I think God’s principle of “little by little” applies. It can be both a comfort and helpful instruction to see us through the difficult process of change.
It was a season of transformational change where God revealed his little-by-little principle to the children of Israel. They had been delivered from slavery in Egypt and were now in the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land.
Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on July 1, 2008 | Comments (0)
Food for Thought
June 30, 2008 |
Not every church member should attempt an outreach Bible study. A wise pastor will not try to get “the whole church” into this approach to evangelism. Some Christians tend to tell others too much too soon. The discussion approach requires patience and a willingness to let the non-Christian build a framework of Bible knowledge and discover Christ’s claims for himself.
But once this has happened, the person is much more likely to hear and believe a gospel presentation from the pulpit or a Christian friend.
Posted by Bonnie McMaken on June 30, 2008 | Comments (0)
Go Build Something
June 27, 2008 |
Whew! I’m tired.
All day today I helped with the renovation process at an elementary school not far from our house. My husband has been there all week, and today I left my desk and my computer and joined him in the labor.
And I’m tired.
Now, I’m not new to the construction world. My parents own several rental properties, and when I was a kid, I often spent weekends and summers helping my dad paint, build porches, and just generally fix whatever needed fixing. And a few weeks after Mark and I got married, we started our first do-it-yourself project. One that spawned six years of almost non-stop home projects: including the complete renovation of an old home from the studs out.
Of course, as familiar as I might be with a construction site, I am an editor. I did not choose a career as a builder. But I have to admit—as much as I love what I do—sometimes I just want to shut off my computer, slide my chair under the desk, turn out the lights and go build something.
Do you ever feel that way?
Posted by Roxanne Wieman on June 27, 2008 | Comments (2)
How Do You Care for Yourself?
June 24, 2008 |
Two nights ago, I set my kitchen timer for five minutes, sat in a lawn chair on my deck, and stared at the stars.
This was my feeble attempt at self-care, something I’m trying to incorporate into my life. Nearly two weeks ago, someone challenged me to engage in some intentional self-care, in a way that made me feel slightly uncomfortable. I’m surprised at how difficult it was for me to find a way—and make the time—to do this.
Continue reading...Posted by Amy Simpson on June 24, 2008 | Comments (16)
Food for Thought
June 23, 2008 |
You may be in a period of deep questioning right now. A new year is beginning. Perhaps your children are going to be starting school soon. The summer wasn’t near what it could have been, that dream of family closeness never achieved. Perhaps you will be changing jobs or ministry positions. Yet, what should be a time of adventure—of new possibilities—feels oddly leaden and life-less. Maybe you’re in the same old place—in your job, your marriage, as a single parent, or as a single human. The routine has become deafening and stifling, just as God is becoming more distant and unreachable.
Continue reading...Posted by Bonnie McMaken on June 23, 2008 | Comments (2)
Needy People
June 20, 2008 |
Several years ago, I had a conversation with a woman whose grown children lived all over the country—or even the globe, I think. When I asked her if that was hard for her to be so far away, she said, “Not really. I guess I don’t really like being needed.”
At the time—as a new mom with one baby boy—this kind of appalled me. I mean, what kind of mom would miss being needed? Fast forward several years and a couple more kids, and I see where she was coming from. Never more clearly than these past first few weeks of summer. The weather’s been beautiful and my kids and I have had a lot of fun, but the “neediness” of my kids has hit record levels. I swear I get “Mom, can you…?” and “Mom, where’s my….?” and “Mom, help me find….” flying at me from three directions nonstop for what seems like all day—and a long day, that can be. If you have kids, I’m sure you’ve been there.
But what days like this tell me is that I—like the woman from a few years back—am not that much of a fan of being needed myself.
Continue reading...Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on June 20, 2008 | Comments (2)
