So my litmus tests would look more like
· Humble servanthood
· Humble peace and joy
· Humble inner life
· Humble reverence for scriptures
· Humble thirst for God’s presence
· Humble awe at the movements and miracles of God
· Humble stories about experiences with the Divine … More I Want Jesus, Not Religion
How would you like to navigate adversity and come out stronger on the other side? … More Explore how to come out stronger on the other side of adversity
Change can happen fast, compared to transition which can take months or years. Transition is hard because it is painful and internal. … More It’s not the Change that gets you – It’s the Transition
Sometimes we preach a distorted Gospel that has no resemblance to the good news that heals the broken hearted and sets the captive free. Here is a satirical piece about Christian mindset of fighting. … More Change Old Mindsets – Part 2 Christian Identity, Role and Destiny
Christians, you come across as mean-spirited. Here are two things to do to make sure that doesn’t happen with you. … More Change Old Mindsets – Part 1 (Re-blog)
I love that Joni is open about her inner world. She doesn’t hide that she was mad at God and even wanted to kill herself at one point. But how do you kill yourself if your arms and legs don’t work? … More Joni Eareckson Tada: A Resilient Story
Both Viktor Frankl and Elie Wiesel were Holocaust survivors. They recount their suffering in books. I’m moved by their honesty and courage about suffering. They were surrounded by evil but not overcome by it. We need people like that today. … More Strength of Heart
After my husband, Bruce, gets out of the shower, he often tells me, “God spoke to me while I was in the shower.” It doesn’t happen every day, but after 35 years of marriage this is commonplace. We even laugh about it when we need to make a big decision. I tell him, “Go take … More Four Ways to Connect to Your Spirit
One sign of Christian maturity is the fruit of the Spirit. Which is love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. … More A Prayer for Going Deeper
In the light of his holy presence the dark places in my heart are exposed. I don’t feel shame, just a tender nudge. More like an invitation to shed these things like I shed an old shabby coat. … More How to Refresh your Spirit
I want to be crystal clear like the beach that is so clear you see the ocean floor. The Bible points to Jesus and I don’t have to complicate or obfuscate it. … More One Simple Truth about the Bible
Hearing from God is mystical:
If it were a sound, it would be a whisper.
If it were a feeling, it would feel like a feather.
If it were a seen, it would be a glow.
If it were a movement it would be a nudge. … More Fine tune Hearing from God
My parents were young and adventurous. In 1976 we lived in Guatemala and hitchhiked to the villages. The earthquake on Feb. 4, 1976, destroyed major roads and bridges. The only way to get to the villages was to first take a small plane over the destruction to a landing strip. Then take a bus to … More The Hitchhiking Family
I wish Christians were known for being kind, compassionate, generous, and welcoming. I wish Christians were known for their support and sense of community. I wish instead Christians were a group who listens more and argues less. I wish instead we were known for our love. … More Christians Behaving Badly and How to Change That
What I don’t like about war is that somebody dies. My identity is not to fight in a war, destroy and kill. That sounds like the agenda of Satan. I am a life-giver; not a life-taker. … More Two Characteristics of Christian Identity
[Excerpt from my memoir coming in November 2020] When I was 15 years old, my sister Pearl was 16 years old. We were doing an errand for my parents. We lived in the capital of El Salvador. We were walking behind the American Embassy on a sidewalk. The Embassy took the entire block. Two large black … More Resilient Narrative
Guest post by Shelly Lubratich. She talks about resilience during a time of loss.
“When grief drowns my heart, I walk outside and look at the Zinnias. Papa God touches my heart with His love. They are His smile, His eyes and His touch on my life.” … More Still Blooming by Shelly Lubratich
We all long for a richness of relationships and depth of connection. This happens when you open the door to your heart. This takes courage. When you share your real story, you are giving others an invitation to love deeply. … More Vulnerability is Strength
Capacity to love and to endure pain are connected because if I can’t enter pain, I can’t love others when they are vulnerable. What do I do when others are vulnerable? … More What Not to Say When a Friend Suffers
Think about another use of questions, not as a test but exploration. Relationship is not like the typical school environment where the teacher is searching for a specific right answer. In a relationship, there are several directions that one can take. The key is to stay connected. So, go ahead and ask the hard questions. … More Christianity is not a Test; it’s a Relationship
In the American culture we value people who are certain in their faith. While this can be inspiring, it hinders the spiritual growth process. Could it be, that the unwritten Christian rule, never question, is more a reflection of American values rather than Christian values? … More Are Faith Laws Killing You Softly?
Three thoughts about doubt.
1. It’s honest.
2. It makes room for mystery and paradox.
3. It’s part of the process of thinking deeply … More How Doubt Helps Me Be Teachable
I don’t want a fake-it-until-you-make-it kind of relationship with God. I want a real relationship that goes deep. I want to be real with God. I think he wants it too. If I have questions, I ask them. If I am wrestling with something, I say it. If I am hurting, I bring it to God. And If I’m angry, I’m honest about it. … More Silence that Kills
In intimate relationships, we practice honesty. I think of my kids. I know when they are struggling with something, but it means so much to me when they come and talk to me about it. I want to hear from them. And if they are mad at me, I especially want to talk so that we can clear the air. I want them to know I love them. No matter what. Why would I think it would be any different with my Heavenly Father? … More Confessions of an Outlaw Christian
Belinda Perez McDanel 