The first few days of Holy Week were busy for Jesus... the giant Parade on Sunday, lots of teaching and going in and out of the city, and more. Wednesday seems to slow down a bit and you can tell as Jesus' time on earth draws to a close, He is drawing close to those… Continue reading Holy Week Wednesday: Giving Up Half-Hearted Worship
Tag: lent2016
Holy Week Tuesday: Giving Up Hypocrisy
Reading through the events of Tuesday of Holy Week it's easy for me to get annoyed and even judgmental of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other religious leaders of the day. It's easy for me, on the outside looking in, to think, "They were clearly astonished and amazed by Him, why wouldn't they just believe?... How… Continue reading Holy Week Tuesday: Giving Up Hypocrisy
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 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 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
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
Giving Up Comfort
Last week, I mentioned a book I was reading called Killing Christians by Tom Doyle. I cannot even begin to describe some of the painful, UNcomforable things the believers shared about their lives. I have been challenged to pray for these brothers and sisters who have no option but sacrifice when they decide to follow… Continue reading Giving Up Comfort
Giving Up Idolatry
Back at the beginning of this blog series, I talked about how at times it would be hard to share that I was giving up something, because it would be admitting that I struggle with it. All of these have a hint of that struggle, but this one seems especially challenging. Who wants to say… Continue reading Giving Up Idolatry
Giving Up Going Through the Motions
I am currently reading the book, "Killing Christians: Living the Faith Where It's Not Safe To Believe" by Tom Doyle. I've had it on my "to-read" list for a while, but recently have had a few extra reasons to actually get it out and get started. This book is good, but hard. It tells the… Continue reading Giving Up Going Through the Motions
Giving Up The Fear of Not Being Enough
Why would they choose you? What do you have to offer? What makes you think that you could ever do that, especially with your past?!? These and other similar lies are questions that I have to believe all of us have thought at one time or another. I see these kinds of doubts in myself.… Continue reading Giving Up The Fear of Not Being Enough
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