The Mid-Week Memo

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26) The hope of renewal. The promise of a changed heart. Wow, I love the sound of that. Especially if that transformed heart is in the neighbor you don’t like. Or in the employer that acts more like a dictator than a democrat. Or in the family member that drives you up a wall. I used to bring God a laundry list of changes I…

We live in a world that is constantly vying for our attention. Even now, as you take the time to read this article, a decision has been made that the next couple minutes in your life will be invested in learning something that might be helpful. If not, you just wasted it, or did you? We get that online and offline marketers are clamoring for real estate in our brain. But so are our colleagues, friends, and family. According to a survey conducted by Gallup in 2019, American…

“I will love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3 NKJV In this series we’re exploring the protective nature of God revealed in scripture, and specifically how he’s a refuge for his people. All throughout,…

There are times when I’m thoroughly convinced that I’ve heard clearly from God. Without mistake. It’s as if he shouted in my ear exactly what fork in the road to take. Like when he handed Moses the tablets of stone and wrote on them himself. There are other times when I barely hear a whisper but know it’s his still small voice. And then… I’m not sure if I hear, but think I do, yet it’s more like silence. I proceed convincing myself it&rsquo…

“A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing. Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing” - Martin Luther, ca. 1527 One of the primary purposes of the holy scriptures is to reveal the nature and character of God. He is frequently described throughout the Bible as being a place of refuge for his people – A place of safety, a place of comfort, a place of hiding. Martin Luther penned the famous hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God;…

I heard Dr. George Barna, a well-known Christian researcher, speak on the topic of what he called Christian Invisibility. A recent survey by Barna, director of research of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, shows that the majority of tweens are rejecting core tenets of the Christian faith, and that issue stems from the syncretic worldview of their parents and even children’s pastors. When asked if they believe that Jesus Christ is the only…

"Comparison is the thief of joy." - Theodore Roosevelt Some days this quote runs laps in my mind, as I struggle to push back against the very loud voice of not measuring up. The voice that tells me others have found the secret recipe to perfection in their parenting, marriage, career. The voice that sows seeds of discontent, self-doubt, and envy. On these days, I swear I can feel the battle for my soul raging in the spiritual realm. "...envy rots the bones.;…

In the Jesus Calling Daily that arrives in my inbox each morning here’s what it said today. “Waiting patiently does not come easily to you, but it is nonetheless very good for you. You long to plan ahead, make definitive decisions, and make things happen. There is a time for that, but this is not the time. Now is a time for sitting in My Presence, trusting Me with your whole being.” (From Jesus Listens by Sarah Young) Was that God speaking? I’m sure…

We’ve been faithfully delivering the Daily Memo for nearly 1,000 days over the last few years. After careful consideration it’s time for a change that will lighten the load of emails to your inbox provide an opportunity to share our thoughts and encouragement on a weekly basis as God leads. On Wednesday’s you’ll receive The Mid-Week Memo from different members of our team sharing our heart on topics of interest related to the message God has asked us…