by Heather Kopp I’ll admit, when I first got into recovery, it shocked me to see God clearly at work in the lives of people who didn’t call him by the “right” name or necessarily identify themselves as Christians. I didn’t quite approve. I guessed that in any given meeting, at least a third of the people wouldn’t dream of darkening the steps of a church. I remember thinking, Maybe I can help … [Read more...] about God As I Don’t Understand HIm
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Seeking Justice and Mercy as Prayer
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 Prayer is more than our conversations with God. It is our life with God. Prayer is the life we live, the daily choices we make, the justice and mercy we show. These words from the prophet Micah are God’s response to a series of questions … [Read more...] about Seeking Justice and Mercy as Prayer
Realize What Is Happening to You Is Happening To Everyone in Your Life
Just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. II Corinthians 1:7 A diagnosis of cancer can have a way of immediately drawing a person into a place of fear. Fear for one’s life, fear for one’s health and well being, fear of loss of control and fear of the unknown may all surface. All this fear left me rather self-focused. A very big event is suddenly taking place in my … [Read more...] about Realize What Is Happening to You Is Happening To Everyone in Your Life
Why Is It So Difficult to Talk About Abuse?
It is not easy to pay attention to ourselves and what has happened to us. There are distractions, powerful ones. There are lots of reasons to look away. And there will be people who will reinforce our fears that the slightest effort at self-focus is just narcissistic navel-gazing. I suggest memorizing this biblical text: "Pay close attention to yourself." Timothy 4:16 (New American Standard … [Read more...] about Why Is It So Difficult to Talk About Abuse?
Repenting and Making Amends as Prayer
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:5 Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. Luke 19:8 A life of prayer includes acts of repentance and making amends. To repent is to feel so much … [Read more...] about Repenting and Making Amends as Prayer
Repenting and Making Amends as Prayer
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:5 Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. Luke 19:8 A life of prayer includes acts of repentance and making amends. To repent is to feel so much … [Read more...] about Repenting and Making Amends as Prayer
Seeking Justice and Mercy as Prayer
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 Prayer is more than our conversations with God. It is our life with God. Prayer is the life we live, the daily choices we make, the justice and mercy we show. These words from the prophet Micah are God’s response to a series of questions … [Read more...] about Seeking Justice and Mercy as Prayer
Realize What Is Happening to You Is Happening To Everyone in Your Life
Just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. II Corinthians 1:7 A diagnosis of cancer can have a way of immediately drawing a person into a place of fear. Fear for one’s life, fear for one’s health and well being, fear of loss of control and fear of the unknown may all surface. All this fear left me rather self-focused. A very big event is suddenly taking place in my … [Read more...] about Realize What Is Happening to You Is Happening To Everyone in Your Life
Pray
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:8 When we are faced with difficulties in life, we need support from friends and family. We also need God’s help. Perhaps the most direct way to open ourselves to God is through prayer. Prayer can be many things. Prayer does not need to be long or complicated. When we are afraid or distressed we need … [Read more...] about Pray
Being Quiet as Prayer
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. Isaiah 30:15 This text from Isaiah is about a time when the Israelites were being pursued by enemies but were refusing God’s help. The text tells us that God was full of compassion and ready to help, but they would have none of it. This is not that different from how we sometimes live our lives. We face … [Read more...] about Being Quiet as Prayer
