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The Daily Memo | October 22, 2020 | What Is The Meaning Of Life?
“Does anybody know what we are living for?” asked Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the rock group Queen, in the lyrics of the last song on their album, Innuendo. Millions are implicitly asking just that question. Jonathan Gabay, a thirty-one-year-old professional writer, was facing employment challenges and stress when he hit rock bottom. He began to ask questions about the meaning of life. He wrote to people in all walks of life: world leaders, the homeless, Oscar…
Categories: What We Were Created For, The Daily Memo, Knowing & Being Known, A New Name | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/22/2020
The Daily Memo | October 21, 2020 | Don't Fear Just Trust
Imagine how free we’d feel if we learned to truly believe that in every situation, trust was the antidote to fear, that consciously trusting God would cause our moments of anxiety and panic to be short-lived. Imagine if we could grow to a place where trusting him was our first reaction. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). It&rsquo…
Categories: Walking With God, The Daily Memo, The Reality of Our Present World | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/21/2020
The Daily Memo | October 20, 2020 | Fear Is Not From God
Fear is not from God, and it’s not more powerful than God. Yet, he knew it would come to steal our peace, not once or twice, but constantly throughout our lifetime. So in his great mercy and faithfulness to us, God made a way for us to be more than equipped to overcome its effects and walk in faith. He gave us three offensive weapons to lean into when we’re attacked: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind;…
Categories: The Daily Memo, Spiritual Warfare, Practicing His Presence | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/20/2020
The Daily Memo | October 19, 2020 | Attitude of Gratitude
Jean Smith was in her mid-sixties. She came from Cwmbran in Wales. She had been blind for sixteen years. She had a white stick, and a guide dog named Tina. An infection had eaten away at the retinas and mirrors behind her eyes – they could not be replaced. She was in constant pain. Jean went on a local Alpha course. They had a day away to focus on the work of the Holy Spirit. During this time, the pain left. She went to church the following Sunday to thank God. The…
Categories: The Daily Memo, Identity Security, Knowing & Being Known | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/19/2020
The Daily Memo | October 16, 2020 | Rooted In Love
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power . . . to grasp . . . the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:17–18 “That’s all it takes!” Megan said. She had clipped a stem from her geranium plant, dipped the cut end into honey, and stuck it into a pot filled with compost. Megan was teaching me how to propagate geraniums: how to turn one healthy plant into many plants, so I would have flowers to share with others. The honey, she said,…
Categories: The Daily Memo, Understanding Love | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/16/2020
The Daily Memo | October 15, 2020 | What Story Are You Living In?
As one of my mentors put it, the interpretation you use to understand your reality and your role in it will be the single greatest force in shaping what becomes of your next decade. In the words of Dan Baker in What Happy People Know, “The stories we tell ourselves about our own lives eventually become our lives. ... The choice is ours.” Our life will be significant in proportion to the stories we choose to interpret our reality. What stories are you using…
Categories: The Daily Memo, Identity Security, The Reality of Our Present World, Spiritual Warfare | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/15/2020
The Daily Memo | October 14, 2020 | Union With Christ
Sharing in Christ’s life means that we experience not only the close relationship He had with His Father but also His suffering. As Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt. 16:24-25 ESV). We need to remember that as we seek to embody His righteousness, we may find our pursuit doesn&rsquo…
Categories: Walking With God, The Daily Memo, Knowing & Being Known | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/14/2020
The Stories We Tell Ourselves - An Excerpt from the Book Embracing Brokenness
“We are called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but our own vulnerable self.”[i] - Henri J.M. Nouwen It was a magnificent day on the Chesapeake Bay overlooking the C&D Canal at one of our favorite spots - Schaefer’s Canal House. We come here often, not only to write but to relax – taking in the scents and the sounds of the boats and ripples from the tiny waves lapping against the bulkhead. A no-wake.…
Categories: Identity Security, Embracing Brokenness Book Excerpt, Knowing & Being Known | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/13/2020
The Daily Memo | October 13, 2020 | Ask The Holy Spirit For Help
Scripture tells us the only Guide worth trusting is the Holy Spirit. He’s the One who knows our past completely, from the moment we were conceived to the present, and who also knows our futures, from this day to eternity. He knows God’s plan and purpose for us today and each day of our lives. He also knows what’s good and right for us. Jesus repeatedly referred to the Spirit as the “Spirit of truth.” Note what He said about the Holy Spirit&rsquo…
Categories: The Daily Memo, Restored in Him, Practicing His Presence | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/13/2020
22. Prejudice In America - Another Perspective - Embracing Brokenness Podcast
We live in a deeply divided country. We may be looking in the wrong place for the solutions. God calls us to examine our own hearts. To consider whether there be any "wicked ways" in us. Of course there is. It's why we need a Savior. But what if our hearts were capable of changing? Can this world then be a better place? Steve challenges us to think differently and look for solutions within ourselves not pointing the finger at others. Follow this link to…
Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/12/2020