May 2013
47 posts
His Love Story: don't lose heart →
Perfectly said.
hislovesaves:
i know why you are angry and bitter and tired
the Body doesn’t always reflect Jesus very much
it’s too comfortable, too happy
livin in its own bubble of Christianese and “Christian” culture
rather than gettin their hands dirty and havin their heart broken to love others the way Jesus does
but…
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“I don’t normally speak for God but God is saying to you right now, “I love you.”...”
– Steve Rea
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shrimpsays:
I want to enter into any situation with a ready heart to accept that I am not always right so not to deny opportunities for truth to enter my life. Many times I have stood unrelenting to a brother or sister out of bitter, stubborn conceit, that my will be accomplished rather than God’s. Sometimes I allow pride to direct my life. May the grace of God cover me, that I may remember...
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That moment when someone tells you the obvious right thing to do, but you deny it like crazy and explain your case, and then they straight up call you out on pride, and you realize they’re right — and there’s no other option but to follow through.
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Question: Battling That Anger and Bitterness
Anonymous asked:
I have a really hard time dealing with anger. I bottle it up inside because I don’t know how to let it out. When I do let it out, it’s an explosion! What is the biblical way to deal with anger and how do I keep myself from getting angry/bitter so fast? P.S. You answer peoples questions very well and straight forward. Thank you for taking the time to answer! P.S.S. I...
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A Quick Testimony: Binging
Last winter when everything went upside-down, I began binge-eating. I didn’t know I was doing this. I would eat family-sized bags of Gardettos non-stop in one sitting and those kettle-cooked jalapeno chips they have at Subway. I knew this wasn’t right, but I felt like I deserved the food. I denied that I was binging, but then I went from 188 lbs. to 202.
To be honest, it’s...
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“God is holy, He is glorious, He’s powerful, He’s awesome, He holds...”
– J.S. from this message
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Making Prayer Harder Than It Really Is
I don’t know anyone who thinks they’re praying as much as they should.
When the preacher tells us to pray more, we really want to. It’s a constant, itchy, burdening debt. Days, weeks, months go by with a handful of failed attempts — and each prayer feels like we’re apologizing.
I’m sorry I haven’t prayed in so long. I’m sorry it’s...
“Great faith is forged in the deepest valleys, beginning where our strength and...”
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Question: Women Pursuing Men?
Anonymous asked:
I have set a standard of not pursuing men whom I am interested in. However, this makes it so difficult as a woman because it’s hard to show interest without being the pursuer. In addition, having a crush is difficult for me since I desire a committed relationship that will lead to marriage someday, not just petty relationships that fill loneliness. How do I go about...
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“Jesus is greater than I have ever portrayed him to be.”
– John Piper
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“I think each village was meant to feel pity for its own sick and poor whom it...”
– C.S. Lewis
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Question: Hopeless, Heartless, and Hanging By A...
Anonymous asked:
Sir, I like how real you are. I’m hanging by a thread on to this Christian life. Jesus is great but I can’t imagine what He’d want to do with someone who just doesn’t love Him and, honestly, doesn’t want to obey Him. I tried to live for Him but it feels like slavery. I’m not as good and okay as everyone around me thinks I am. I’m...
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“Grace is not so much any one action or rule or attitude, but grace is more of a...”
– J.S. from this post
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“Please know: God completely understands our struggle. Since He became one of...”
– J.S. from this post
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“Don’t give in. Don’t settle. No matter what you’ve told...”
– J.S.
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“If you’re discouraged today by a swirling mass of hurtful words that have...”
– J.S.
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Waves, Night, The End
I was walking along the beach tonight, wave after wave rushing at the side of my toes.
I saw a light at the end of the shore, a tiny dot, and I thought about the end. My life was halfway done.
I saw people swimming, clapping, dancing, kissing, fighting on the sand. I thought about taking a part in those lives, the swirling stories and journeys and conflict all colliding; I thought about the...
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“Is there any greater glory than living for the one who made us? I cannot live...”
– J.S.
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Question: Let's Blame Religion For Everything
yu1004gongju asked:
I was writing an essay for class when I stumbled upon information about Hitler. I found out that he was very much into Christianity and he was a strong believer which led him to do the things that were horrible but he used God as his support. He did things which the Christians in the bible did yet 100% of the people in the world can say that he was wrong and sinful. But...
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Prayer Request
Hello beloved people of Planet Tumblr! I’ll be guest-preaching in Alabama this weekend and leading a seminar for new Christians. Would really appreciate your prayers.
Thanks and love y’all!
— J
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Skipping The Hard Stuff Jesus Said
I pretty up Jesus to make him more convincing because I don’t think he’s enough on his own.
I do this because I’m scared, I’m nervous what you’ll think about him — and I have this other idea of God that will go down smoother to answer all your doubts and concerns.
Doesn’t this make me a liar? Or disingenuous? Or a magician? Or a bad movie...
“It seems to me we’ve given up on the idea of unity so long ago that maybe God...”
– Mike Bell
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Question: Porn Addiction and Women
Two anons:
- Do you have any words for women who struggle with pornography or masturbation or both? A lot of the dialogue necessarily focuses on guys, but what about the women of the church?
- I’m a female, and I’m curious to know if masturbation is a sin? and if so, why? I’ve heard differing opinions within the Christian community, so I’m a little confused as to what...
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“If you find yourself walking out whenever things get a little uncomfortable,...”
– J.S. from this post about when to stay and when to quit
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“So often when I talk to a friend who keeps circling the drain of an addiction,...”
– J.S.
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Drive-By Witness
Occasionally someone will take me out to lunch and really take an interest in the drama that I’m going through. They nod, listen, show support, encourage, and even pray.
But then I never hear from them again.
That’s when I realize —
1) They were just curious about the latest gossip in town, 2) they feel like hanging out once is their good-enough deed for the day, or 3) they...
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THANK YOU
I’m happy to report that I PASSED THE CNA EXAM!!
Thank y’all so much for your prayers :D
The hard part is done. Now off to find a job!!!
— J
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Quick Prayer Request
Hello beloved Planet Tumblr friends. Tomorrow I’m taking an exam for a CNA license (Certified Nurse Aide). I’m hoping to work for a hospital until my next ministry opportunity.
I’m extremely nervous. It’s a 60 question test plus I must demonstrate 3 random skills out of 21 while a nurse watches. I’ve been studying for about a month but I don’t have any...
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Reactionary Culture: I'm Not Like Those Other...
As he cursed up a storm and lit his next cigar, he says to me, “I’m not like those other Christians. I actually get it.”
Suddenly I’m nervous. I didn’t get what he was getting. He must be talking about me: I’m one of those stupid Christians who is missing it and doing it wrong. How did I not get it all this time? This cigar-smoking man had the truth. Thank God! Tell me more.
The man went on...
Thank you again
A week ago I wrote a post about my recent struggles with depression and thanking everyone on Tumblr for saving my life.
I totally did not write that for pity or anything else — but I have to say thank you again for your extremely gracious outpouring of love and kindness. I’ve tried to reply to every single message, even the criticism.
I love y’all like crazy. Stay awesome.
— J
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“Have grace for those who are not gracious. Otherwise they may continue in their...”
– J.S.
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Listening Exchange: To Really Just Listen
People only listen to you when you listen first.
I know we hate that idea. We don’t think of “exchanging” communication like exchanging favors. It doesn’t seem fair, because we expect to have a voice just by raising it with aggressive passion. I do that all the time.
But people will naturally listen to you if you make an effort to hear them out. No one wants to...
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“There are very, very few places where we have the freedom to fall on our face...”
– J.S. from this post
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“Paul was a man of incredible stature. I think it would be hard to disagree with...”
– Timothy Keller
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“Let’s say you spend a week at Motel 6. How likely would it be for you to take...”
– John Ortberg
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Question: About To Marry a Porn Addict
Two anons asked:
- Hi! I enjoy reading your blog and I know you have battled a porn addiction. I have a few questions. How do you feel about people who are battling against a porn addiction while dating? Do you think that person could have a genuinely Christ-centered, Godly and healthy relationship? Or is it bound to fail? Would it be okay for the guy to take a break so he figures things out...
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Practical Care and Communication
I wanted to share some great practical wisdom from nursing and medical care here. Nearly all of it is quoted directly from the textbook. It’s all common sense, but a reminder can be helpful.
On Communication
- Effective communication occurs when the message received is the same as the one sent.
- Your spoken words are only 7 percent of your message. Your tone of voice is 38 percent of the...
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“You can always see who’s a legalist because he can’t laugh at himself. He’s the...”
– Timothy Keller
Intimacy
Excellent read and extremely encouraged. :)
Especially:
This is part of what makes it so hard to have and cultivate a Christian relationship. It strikes at the heart of man’s pride, because it calls us to admit that we are not self-sufficient, and to surrender something to Christ that we thought we could do ourselves.
breanna-lynn:
We were created for intimacy with Christ first. Even though...
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Question: How To Do Discipleship
Anonymous asked (edited for length):
Hello. I’d like you to know that I really like how you answer people’s questions … You are such a blessing, pastor. Also, I want to ask how to disciple. I don’t really know how, but I’m willing. Thank you in advance.
Thank you for your very kind words, and also for your willingness to step it up and make disciples.
With...
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“We cannot be social reformers without one-on-one, face-to-face, chair-to-chair...”
– J.S. from this post
April 2013
88 posts
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Question: Getting "Right" With God Again
Anonymous asked:
- I’ve become agnostic since I started my semester at school, and I haven’t been too concerned about my relationship with God since. Lately, I’ve been feeling “spiritually empty” but I don’t really know where to begin with setting things “right” with God. I know that I “strayed away from the path” and praying doesn’t seem to work out for me at the moment, but I feel like I am...
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