In my series on Sacred Pathways for moms, today we talk about how being an activist can draw you closer (or further!) from God. Is it even possible to be an activist while being tied to the routines of a mom-life? I tend to post a fair amount on my private Facebook page about politics during an election, particularly if all I can see is hypocrisy, fear-mongering, or corruption coming from our politicians. But don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you who to vote for in any elections, because that’s not what this post about. Nor is it even about politics! What it IS about is activism. Are you an activist? Do you feel a burning passion calling you to make a difference in Aboriginal affairs? In the pro-life movement? In poverty? In the fight against slavery? In standing up for refugees? In standing against multi-national corporations? In the growing prevalence of pornography? … Read More
Connecting With God Through Nature
Connecting with God through nature doesn’t need to be scary or mysterious. Let God draw you in through his incredible creation! Wind whipped our hair as we stood on the top level of the boat. The boat cut through the choppy water, leaving our wake splashing behind us. I licked my lips, salty from the spray. Large tree-covered islands mounded up from the ocean floor. My husband and I had finally gotten away for a few days (for the first time since having kids!) and we were whale watching on the Juan de Fuca Straight on the West Coast of Canada. “Thank you God for this beauty,” I whispered. Suddenly I was overcome with an overwhelming sense of awe. Just beneath us was an entirely different world, where strange creatures breathed easily in a medium that would destroy our lungs in seconds. This was a world where gigantic animals were … Read More
Why can’t I seem to worship exuberantly?
When you think about how you worship God, would you categorize yourself as an enthusiast? The enthusiast Christian loves God with all their being and shows it with with excitement. They live on a rollercoaster ride of “letting go and letting God.” They dream big dreams, pray big prayers, worship with their whole bodies, and create with inspiration. Perhaps you’re just the opposite – maybe the thought of attending a 2-hour long worship service with singing and dancing to be more like hell than heaven! Or, perhaps as I described the enthusiast Christian you thought I meant that all Christians must be that way – that if you aren’t finding yourself connecting with God, it’s because you’re not enthusiastic enough. That’s not where I’m going with this at all. In fact, being an “Enthusiast” is simply one of nine different ways of connecting with God described by Gary Thomas in his … Read More
How to start hearing from God
Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t speak to you like He speaks to me? Or like He speaks to your friend, or spouse, or that famous speaker? I’ve had many conversations about this, since I feel like God has spoken to me in somewhat more “mystical” ways than people generally hear his voice. When I bring up these experiences, others often end up wondering why God hasn’t spoken to them in the same way So why is your experience so different from mine? Do you long to connect with God but feel like he’s ignoring you? Do you try to do your prescribed 30 minute devotions every day, only to fall asleep or have your mind wander for 29.5 of those minutes? Do you struggle to concentrate during sermons, or find zero connection God via singing? I have good news for you, right from the pages of the early … Read More
when your faith just isn’t enough
Has anyone ever said to you, “you must not have had enough faith”? Have you ever heard someone say, “I just don’t have enough faith”, or “I can’t possibly have faith like that”? What is faith? Is it a desperate screwing up of your eyes and crossing of your fingers as you jump headlong across a pit of unknown length in the dark? Maybe. There’s something to be said for “blind faith” or “taking a leap of faith”. But I just read something in Acts that reminded me of another aspect of faith. Faith doesn’t come from within myself. “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” Acts 3:16 I can’t manufacture faith. I can’t force myself to have faith … Read More
The Surprisingly Modern Lesson We Learn From This Ancient King
King Asa was a rock star. He “did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.” (2 Chronicles 14:2) He got rid of most of the idolatry in Judah. He built up and protected towns. And when he was attacked by an army much larger than his own, he prayed a powerful prayer to which God responded with a BANG. (as in a “bang your enemies are annihilated!”) Prophets spoke to him positively, exhorting him to continue to seek God. He purged the land of idols again. He held a great assembly in Jerusalem and moved the people to renew their covenant with God. He must have been a powerful leader because this was a true revival, not a half-hearted hurrah. “They took an oath to the LORD with loud acclamation, with shouting and with trumpets and horns. All Judah rejoiced about the oath because … Read More
40 Lent Activities for Families (that are simple and FUN!)
The season of Lent covers the 40 day period before Easter. Each year it starts on a different date (because Easter moves around), although always on Ash Wednesday. If you are looking for Lent activities for families (either your family, or the families in your ministry), check out this comprehensive list! It is said that the 40 days reflect Jesus’ time of fasting and prayer in the wilderness after his baptism. Many people sacrifice something during Lent (like coffee, sweets, or shopping) as a way to tune their hearts back to God. The point of sacrificing something important is to remember that God wants to be the most important aspect of our lives. When we come to depend on a sugary snack rather than prayer during the mid-afternoon slump, Lent reminds us of our waywardness and calls us back to our first love. (Want to understand Lent deeper? Read the ultimate … Read More
Why a balanced heart is better than a balanced life
It’s been a long time since I listened to a sermon. In between leading the children’s ministry, spending time in the mother’s room with one of my three babies, and just being my usual distractible self, it’s not very often I have the time or the presence of mind to sit and actually learn from a sermon. Today I found myself in the rare position of not having something on my mind, not having any children around, and not teaching. It’s like all the circles in my life’s venn diagram suddenly intersected and my brain actually felt like cooperating. The pastor asked a question: “What do you think Jesus would say if you asked him how he was doing?” He concluded that it’s very unlikely he would say “I’m SO busy!” Ask me the same question. Or I’ll ask you. But yes, yes, I know, I know, we’re all busy … Read More