Category: Faith & life

A pray for calling

January 5, 2022

I am doing a daily devotional at the moment. It included this prayer today. I thought I would share it…

God, You know my heart better than anyone. You know the dreams I have for the future, and the silent prayers I’ve prayed for years. You know what I am longing for, searching for, and waiting for.

You know my dreams, but You have a plan. You make all things beautiful in their proper timing. You are faithful to keep Your promises. But so often, I forget this and grow discouraged when my situations don’t seem to change. In those moments, it’s easy to forget that You are not done working.

As I prepare for a new season, remind me of the promises You have for me, the gifts You’ve given me, and the hope that I have in You. Search me, and know my heart. Try me and test my anxious thoughts. See if there is anything within me that grieves You.

You are the one who establishes my steps. So in this new season, I am choosing to trust You with the unknown. I am choosing to be faith-filled because You are faithful.

Through Your Holy Spirit, please change the way I think and behave. Transform my mind so that I can discover Your perfect will. Allow me to become the person You created me to be so that I can fulfill the calling You’ve placed on my life.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional Classic book

December 31, 2021

Over Summer I am doing a unit at Tabor titled the, “Story of the Church”. As the name suggests it looks at church history in a broad overview of the last 2000 years.

One of our Text books is Devotional Classics. It has 52 sections that look at some of the great Christians from church history. The 52 sections are divided in to six streams to help us have a more balanced faith. The streams are: the prayer filled life, the virtuous life, the Spirit empowered life, the compassionate life, the Word centred life and the Sacramental life.

For part of our assessments we are required to read a chapter a week, summarise the persons writings and then reflect on how that impacts us. It is meant to be 100 words summary and 100 words reflection. Only 200 words is harder than you think, it forces you to be very concise!

I have really enjoyed the book and the assessments so far. It has allowed me to look at some of the inspirational people through church history. So far I have looked at Athanasius, Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine of Hippo, Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis of Assisi, Martin Luther and Teresa Avila. I have five to go!

Once I have finished the unit and the 12 people we have to look at, I am actually considering doing the 200 word reflections on all the people in the book. It has been such a useful exercise. It has added so much to my faith and life.

If you are interested you can check out the book at Koorong.com. It costs about $45 but it is well worth it.

Blessings,
Dave

Make room for Jesus

December 21, 2021

Last Sunday my wife preached her first ever sermon. In her sermon she also touched on the idea of making room for Jesus.

Mary made room for Jesus in her body.

Joseph made room for Jesus in his family.

The disciples made room for Jesus their lives.

Then she asked if we will make room for Jesus this Christmas?

Christmas can easily become about presents, a big family meal together, having a break from work, or even going to church.

These are all good things, but most importantly we need to make room for Jesus. Let us purpose in our hearts to make room for Jesus this Christmas.

After all, God made room for us in His eternal family.

When I say I am Christian

December 17, 2021

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost sometimes
That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble –
needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek God’s name

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved

Poem by Carol Wimmer.

Showing Empathy plan

December 15, 2021

I have just finished a plan on the YouVersion Bible app called “Showing Empathy”. It reminded me that showing empathy is actually compassion in action.

Here is a snipped from day 5 of the plan…

“If you find yourself truly not grasping how to live empathetically, here are some ways to help adjust your mindset so that you can see the needs in front of you:

  • Pray daily, “God, give me Your eyes to see who’s hurting near me.”
  • When you hear that someone is going through a challenging time, imagine that you’re the one going through that. Your heart will soften, and as it does, find a way to help lessen their burden with a prayer, kind word, or selfless act.
  • Make a regular habit of just listening to people without offering any words. As they talk, seek to understand what’s happened in their past and is currently happening in their present that’s led them to where they are now.”

If you are interested, you can search for it on YouVersion and look for the image above.

Blessings,
Dave