Sickness had dogged him since childhood; year after year, he battled despair. At times he felt so hopeless that he described himself as a living dead man, cut off from God's care. Yet he was one of three appointed, anointed national worship leaders during Israel's glory days, the reign of King David. The same man who wrote Psalm 88, the most despondent Psalm in the whole Bible, which ends with the line,"Darkness is my closest friend," also led a full choir and orchestra in singing praise to God, time after time: "He is good; his love endures forever." (2 Chronicles 5:13) Talk Continue Reading
Search Results for: Why Giving Up
How to Thrive When You’re in a Spiritual Desert
If you've followed Jesus for any length of time, you've probably been there. That vast, empty wilderness of soul where everything looks the same. No landmarks. No water. The dry place. You sing worship songs that once lifted your spirit, but now they're just nice words set to pretty notes. There's no emotional connection to the meaning. You open your Bible and try to read. After a few minutes of staring at the pages, your eyes glaze over. Your mind is numb, your spirit disconnected. You try to pray. It's all you can do to get the words out and over your lips. You know God Continue Reading
How Electronic Devices can Hinder Your Child’s Spiritual Development
Parents are busier than ever. In today’s crush of responsibilities and activities, it can be really tempting to allow electronics to “babysit” our kids. Is it harmless – socially, emotionally and spiritually – for children to spend time on electronic devices? As it turns out, all that touching and clicking on bright screens is powerful brain candy. It has an addictive quality. Letting your baby have access to an ipad or allowing your teen to stay up at night on their cell phone has an adverse effect. The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain right behind your forehead. It Continue Reading
How Your Influence Matters More than You Know
The news of an old friend's passing is surreal, isn't it? I recently read an old letter of Irene's that I'd tucked away. Suddenly she is gone --but I'll never forget her. Along with her husband Malcolm, Irene taught me Sunday school when I was a young teen. She helped me understand the word of God, and gave me a great incentive --a brand-new "Living Bible" -- to memorize all of Isaiah chapter 40. I still remember that sense of accomplishment, and how much I treasured the reward of a modern language Bible. (Yes, I cut my teeth on the KJV.) Maybe Irene is the Continue Reading