One of my favorite things to do during Holy Week is to follow along day by day in Scripture what was happening during Jesus' last week before his crucifixion. Here's what happened the day after Jesus road into town on the donkey: "On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing… Continue reading Holy Week Monday: Giving Up Apathy
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Palm Sunday: Giving Up My Expectations of Jesus
Today is the day we celebrate Palm Sunday in the church. A day that is somewhat confusing. It has hints of Easter-y, joyful celebration as a big parade welcomes Jesus to town; yet, knowing what is to come in the days ahead before Easter, it is also a somber event. Knowing that some of the… Continue reading Palm Sunday: Giving Up My Expectations of Jesus
Giving Up “Having It All Together”
Recently I had a chance to talk with a friend who just got back from teaching for 2 years in South Africa at an African school there. As she shared about her experience she shared that one of the things she learned while there was dependence on God and the peace and freedom of giving… Continue reading Giving Up “Having It All Together”
Giving Up Division and Disunity
Last words are important. The very last words of someone's life seem to carry extra importance. This is one of the reasons John is one of my favorite books of the Bible; he gives nearly 10 chapters in his 21-chapter book to tell the story of the last week of Jesus' life. Chapters 14-16 basically… Continue reading Giving Up Division and Disunity
Giving Up Guilt
Sorry for the silence over here on the blog the past few days. I was away at a middle school retreat and then ended up super sick and in bed most of the weekend unable to even hang out with the awesome youth. Between all that and other factors, blogging just didn't happen. It actually… Continue reading Giving Up Guilt
Giving Up Too Many Words
Sometimes I just need to shut up and listen. Perhaps that's a little blunt, but it's true for me... and probably many of us. I am somewhat of an external processer and so writing or speaking are helpful for me to process life and different situations. Still, there are times when I'd be much better… Continue reading Giving Up Too Many Words
Giving Up Self-Deprecating Words
When it comes to giving up useless words (my theme for the week) Ephesians 4:29 remains one of my favorite passages: “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” It’s easy to… Continue reading Giving Up Self-Deprecating Words
Giving Up Complaining
Lord, Forgive me when my words are filled with complaints... to You, to others, to no one in particular. Forgive me when I get focused on the things that aren't going the way I would like or imagine and get my heart focused instead on the many ways in which you have blessed me. Forgive… Continue reading Giving Up Complaining
Giving Up Useless Words
At the beginning of this blog series, I wondered if I could find 40 different things to give up. As a list of possible topics started to form, I suddenly realized I wouldn't have any trouble at all! Looking through the ever-growing list, I saw some themes, such as fear that I spent a week… Continue reading Giving Up Useless Words
Sunday Joy: I Choose Peace
In all the things I "gave up" this week ... I still didn't give up peace. I gave up comfort and safety... I resolved to trying things even when the situation doesn't quite seem "perfect... I chose to pray with expectation instead of sticking with "safe" prayers. There is definite potential for uncertainty and anxiety… Continue reading Sunday Joy: I Choose Peace
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