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The Daily Memo | October 12, 2020 | Gods Word
The richest blessings in this life exist right before our very eyes on our bookshelves and nightstands. The Word of God. Be encouraged today by reading a few favorites of the faithful. Meditate on His words and soak in the truth told from God Himself. From the Holy Scriptures Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31) So do not fear, for I am…
Categories: Walking With God, The Daily Memo, Practicing His Presence | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/12/2020
The Daily Memo | October 9, 2020 | What Difference Does Jesus Make?
It was a week full of extremely bad news. One deadly overdose, three relapses to alcohol and drugs, and a friends toddler fighting to survive cancer. Life is so fragile and fraught with difficulties. This is not how it was supposed to be. Jesus said “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV). When I look around at the events…
Categories: The Daily Memo, Understanding Love, The Reality of Our Present World | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/09/2020
The Daily Memo | October 8, 2020 | Stop Dwelling On Past Failures
Victory is God’s will for the life of the believer. But sometimes we can find ourselves repeatedly falling into the same sins. As a result, our lives are marked by broken promises to end wrongdoing. We tell the Lord that we yearn to do what's right, but often our desire wanes when virtue is no longer convenient, pleasurable, or profitable. Many times, believers become angry with God for withholding the victory, but sin is always our choice—not the Lord&rsquo.…
Categories: The Daily Memo, The Hope of Healing, Wounded Healer | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/08/2020
The Daily Memo | October 7, 2020 | Adam Fails
God gives Adam some instructions on the care of creation and his role in the unfolding story. It's pretty basic, and very generous (see Gen. 2:16-17). But notice what God doesn't tell Adam. There is no warning or instruction over what is about to occur: the Temptation of Eve. This is just staggering. Notably missing from the dialogue between Adam and God is something like this: "Adam, one more thing. A week from Tuesday, about four in the afternoon, you…
Categories: The Daily Memo, Return to the Garden, Spiritual Warfare | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/07/2020
The Daily Memo | October 6, 2020 | Your Identity is in Christ NOT the Crisis
Mistreated, Disrespected, Abused, Locked up, Violated, Rejected, Abandoned, Attacked, and Disregarded are all actions that unfortunately describe the realities countless individuals have experienced by the mistreatment of others. Over time someone who has experienced the hurt and pain from a life-altering offense could believe that the incident is now a part of their identity. Although negative things happen to people, it is not an accurate representation of who they&rsquo…
Categories: The Daily Memo, Identity Security, The Hope of Healing | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/06/2020
Prayer And The Berlin Wall by Charles Buttigieg
Dismayed with the Berlin Wall, the physical split of the ongoing Cold War and the repressive East German regime, Christian Führer, Protestant pastor of St Nicholas church in Leipzig, started organising prayers for peace every Monday evening, beginning in 1982. It was a bold initiative, because the Communist government strongly discouraged its citizens from being involved in religious activities. Initially, fewer than a dozen people attended the prayer meetings. Still,…
Categories: Walking With God, The Hope of Healing | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/05/2020
The Daily Memo | October 5, 2020 | Fulfilling Your Destiny
In my book Visioneering, I use the biblical figure of Nehemiah to illustrate the effective pursuit of a vision for one’s life. Nehemiah got the war-damaged city of Jerusalem back together and functioning as it was supposed to. He organized the people to rebuild the city’s wall. He instituted social and spiritual reform. He got the temple operating again. And he convinced the people to observe the Sabbath as God intended. As I’ve said, everybody ends…
Categories: What We Were Created For, Walking With God, The Daily Memo, Knowing & Being Known | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/05/2020
The Daily Memo | October 2, 2020 | A False Verdict On Us Ladies
Your wounds brought messages with them. Lots of messages. Somehow they all usually land in the same place. They had a similar theme. “You’re worthless.” “You’re not a woman.” “You’re too much ... and not enough.” “You’re a disappointment.” “You are repulsive.” On and on they go. Because they were delivered with such pain, they felt true. They pierced our hearts, and they seemed so true. So…
Categories: The Daily Memo, The Hope of Healing, Spiritual Warfare, Wounded Healer, Knowing & Being Known | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/02/2020
The Daily Memo | October 1, 2020 | Don't Be Deceived
The spotted lanternfly is a pretty insect with speckled outer wings and a splotch of bright red on its inner wings that flashes when it flies. But its beauty is a bit deceptive. This insect, first seen in the US in 2014, is considered invasive to North America, which means it has the potential to harm the environment and economy. The lanternfly will “eat the innards of practically any woody plant,” which includes cherry and other fruit trees, and leaves a sticky…
Categories: What We Were Created For, The Daily Memo, Return to the Garden, Spiritual Warfare | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 10/01/2020
The Daily Memo | September 30, 2020 | I Call Her Sparkles
You know that nickname you have for your spouse? I have one too. The most delightful person I know I call Sparkles. (Here comes a fun memo) On our first date, Colleen decided to buy a new sweater blouse – that’s what I’ll call it. It was pretty. In fact, it glistened from every angle. A little like she does. I thought it was nice until….. Everywhere we went sparkles were shed along the way. The sidewalk, the restaurant, the theater, and last but…
Categories: The Daily Memo, Identity Security, Knowing & Being Known, A New Name | Authored by: sparrowwebsites | Posted: 09/30/2020