The House You're Building

  Straining Toward the Goal [12] Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. [13] Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. [16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Philippians 3:12–16 ESV) As I reflect on the year, as many of us are prone to do at the changing of the calendar, I was thinking of what 2024 was about for me—the new things that entered in and the things it was time to let go of.  One of my favorite new things was hiking.  Though I’ve always hiked, a group of adventurous ladies who I’ve been doing life with for many years, focused on do...

A few weeks ago I met with my ministry team (don’t get excited, over Zoom of course) and collectively we were at a crossroads.  How do we minister to people we can’t be with?  A lot of our talk was focused on methodology—in a virtual world, how to we make the greatest impact.  Worried about the spiritual strength of those we were shepherding, how to we intervene and encourage their faith?  If you are in ministry right now, you may be wrestling with the same questions and problems.  Though you may not consider yourself “in ministry,” meaning a church body has designated you in a pastoral role over others, you have connections with other believers.  There are some farther along the road of faith than you, and some further behind.  Paul compares the spiritual journey to a race in 1 Corinthians 1:24, a single-minded focus on where we are headed that must be approached with intention.  If you’ve been runn...

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.  Romans 12:2 I had an unexpected lesson from God this morning.  The location of today’s encounter came at the Kia dealership.  A few months back we discovered the rear seatbelt in our 3 rd row had separated from the frame.  A bolt was not tightened properly and had to be reinstalled.  The shop had to order the part so this morning I returned to get the seatbelt fixed.  I have a dislike for sitting in waiting rooms in general but especially going to autoshops.  My dad was a mechanic and I’ve always felt they treated women differently.  Not that I’m a huge expert in car repair but I feel like I know more than most.  I started off frustrated because I was told I the repair would be free and take 30 minutes.  Then 10 minutes later I was updated that it would cost me $175 and take 90 minutes.  I called...