Conversations with God

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you" (Is. 26:3). There is no lack of things to be worried about today. From terrorism across the ocean to the abundance of bloodshed in our own nation, we can't go a day without hearing of another atrocity. Then add in our day-to-day individual struggles: debilitating disease, grief and loss, tormenting memories, seemingly unsolvable family or financial situations... The overload can tempt us to shut down our emotions just to survive. We begin to question if "perfect peace" is even feasible today. The fact is, it's not only feasible, it's promised . So if we're not experiencing it, what are we missing? We get a clue when we realize the Hebrew word translated "steadfast" means to lean or lay upon, lean against, or to brace oneself. So the secret is this: Leaning or laying upon something requires action. You cannot go from holding yourself upri...

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (Jms. 1:17). "This is the year I'm going to take away your control of My goodness towards you." That was the message I received at the beginning of January. Sometimes I'm ashamed to admit it, but God's kindness still leaves me undone. I feel I should know Him better by now; but then I hear something like that, and I melt all over again. What does that even mean? How could I be controlling God's goodness in my life? It's a sobering thought. Maybe it goes back to a mindset that I don't "deserve" good things. Or that it's somehow more "spiritual" not to have an overflowing, abundant life. In my head, I know those things are not true. But maybe God is saying these truths have yet to penetrate my heart. It wasn't that long ago that I had to fight guilty feelings for simply enjoyi...