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Stop
My friend and I sat in the sand, near the ever-rhythmic ocean. As the sun sank in the distance, wave after wave curled, paused and then ripped toward our extended toes, stopping just short each time. “I love the ocean,” she smiled. “It moves so I don’t have to.”
What a thought! So many of us struggle to stop. We do, do, do and go, go, go, somehow afraid that if we cease our efforts we will cease to be. Or that by stopping we will expose ourselves to the ever-present realities we work to keep at bay.
In Psalm 46:8–9, God…
Tossing and Turning
What keeps you awake at night? Lately I’ve been losing sleep, tossing and turning on my bed, trying to work out a solution to an issue. Eventually I began fretting about not getting enough rest to handle the challenges of the next day!
Sound familiar? Troubled relationships, an uncertain future, whatever it is—we all give in to worry at one point or another.
King David was clearly in distress when he penned Psalm 4. People were ruining his reputation with groundless accusations (v. 2). And some were questioning his competency to rule (v. 6). David probably felt angry for being treated so…
Hurry Not
“Ruthlessly eliminate hurry.” When two friends repeated that adage by the wise Dallas Willard to me, I knew I needed to consider it. Where was I spinning my wheels, wasting time and energy? More important, where was I rushing ahead and not looking to God for guidance and help? In the weeks and months that followed, I remembered those words and reoriented myself back to the Lord and His wisdom. I reminded myself to trust in Him, rather than leaning on my own ways.
After all, rushing around frantically seems to be the opposite of the “perfect peace” the prophet Isaiah…
Are You Burnt Out, Bored, and Barely Rested?
When I began working full-time earlier this year, I struggled with the long hours and intense work. Having been a student pretty much all my life, adjusting to the transition of #adulting was—and still is—painful.
Our Generation’s Biggest Struggle: Stillness
For most of my life, I struggled with being still. Being an extrovert made it hard to say no to people. I would push myself to do anything and everything for others, and failed to make time to simply be silent.
A Day to Rest
One Sunday, I stood by the gurgling stream that wends its way through our North London community, delighting in the beauty it brings to our otherwise built-up area. I felt myself relax as I watched the cascading water and listened to the birds chirping. I paused to give the Lord thanks for how He helps us to find rest for our souls.
The Lord instituted a time of Sabbath—a time for rest and renewal—for His people in the ancient Near East because He wanted them to thrive. As we see in the book of Exodus, He tells them to sow their…
How can you be sure you’re following God’s will?
Today on Discover the Word, we’ll conclude the series titled, “Standing at the Crossroads”! When you’re faced with a difficult choice, are you confident in choosing the way to go? And more importantly, can you be sure you’re following God and that it’s “His will”? Join us today for a thought-provoking discussion on making tough […]
Rhythms of Grace
A friend and his wife, now in their early nineties and married for sixty-six years, wrote their family history for their children, grandchildren, and generations to come. The final chapter, “A Letter from Mom and Dad,” contains important life-lessons they’ve learned. One caused me to pause and take inventory of my own life: “If you find that Christianity exhausts you, draining you of your energy, then you are practicing religion rather than enjoying a relationship with Jesus Christ. Your walk with the Lord will not make you weary; it will invigorate you, restore your strength, and energize your life” (Matt.…
Bring your fatigue to Jesus
Do you feel weighed down by all the work and worry of life? Well, today on Discover the Word, we discuss how we can bring our fatigue to Jesus and let Him carry our burdens. It’s the final week of the series “Bring It to Jesus”! Listen to Discover the Word!
Running and Rest
The headline caught my eye: “Rest Days Important for Runners.” In Tommy Manning’s article, the former member of the U.S. Mountain Running Team emphasized a principle that dedicated athletes sometimes ignore—the body needs time to rest and rebuild after exercise. “Physiologically, the adaptations that occur as a result of training only happen during rest,” Manning wrote. “This means rest is as important as workouts.”
The same is true in our walk of faith and service. Regular times of rest are essential to avoid burnout and discouragement. Jesus sought spiritual balance during His life on Earth, even in the face of great…
Put Down Your Burdens
A man driving his pickup truck on a country track saw a woman carrying a heavy load, so he stopped and offered her a lift. The woman expressed her gratitude and climbed into the back of the truck.
A moment later, the man noticed a strange thing: the woman was still holding onto her heavy load despite sitting in the vehicle! Astonished, he pleaded, “Please, Madam, put down your load and take your rest. My truck can carry you and your stuff. Just relax.”
What do we do with the load of fear, worry, and anxiety we often carry as we go…
Be still and know that I am God
Are you fidgety and restless, unable to sit still? Today on Discover the Word, the team will discuss a challenge we all face, learning to “be still and know He is God.” In a sense, it takes work to rest. “Nesting in God’s Presence” . . . be part of the conclusion to the study […]
Learning to abide in God’s presence
It’s easy to feel like God hasn’t come through when we’re in the midst of pain and trouble. But is that really the case? Today on Discover the Word, we will bring a sense of perspective to our journey of faith. Discover how each experience adds another layer of learning, bringing meaning and depth to […]
Living an integrated life
Do you ever feel like two different people, acting one way at work and another way at home? Well, it’s possible to live an integrated life conscious of God’s presence wherever you are and whatever you do! Today on Discover the Word, we will address the tendency we all have to compartmentalize our faith. Listen to […]
Building a “nest of rest” in God’s presence
Some people think bird watching is, well, for the birds! But there’s a lot we can learn from our fine-feathered friends. And one of the most important lessons is found in Psalm 84 where the psalmist talks about a sparrow that builds its nest near God’s altar. Today on Discover the Word, we will reveal […]
