By: Zephare Ramirez On the 1st Sunday in December, I was given an assignment: share a message titled “Walking Wounded.” In true Zeph-like fashion, I immediately said to the Lord, “Seriously?” My argument with Him (I was really arguing with myself – He just listened) was, “How do you expect me to share when I feel like the poster child …
Father, Thank You that You are the unmovable rock of my salvation (Psalm 18:2), far more significant than my anxious and quavering heart (1 John 3:20). You tell me over and again in Your Word, “Do not fear,” but I forget quickly, allowing worry to weigh down my heart (Luke 21:34). I’m tired of this cycle. My emotions can be …
Do you ever feel that you can’t focus on any one thing? Does busyness, anxiety, and worry “draw you away in differing directions”? “Drawn away in differing directions.” This is the very definition used for the word “worries” in the parable of the sower. Instead of “and the worries of the world…enter in and choke the Word,” we could read …
Words tumble from my heart like dozens of Lego pieces. Some are red with anger, some orange with distrust and all too many are black with despair. As I ponder over the past year, emotions spill out with a loud cacophony, jumbled and disjointed, none of which seem to fit together. The pieces are me, and I am the pieces. …
Holy Father, I know that I am should come to You in great confidence, as You promised never to leave me (Hebrews 13:5-6). However Father, there are times that my emotions waiver and stumble. Indeed, You have authority over all my fleshliness (John 17:2) which includes my emotions. Yet, I also know there to be many days that my confidence …
For our fourth spiritual exercise, we are going to be learning to use Blue Letter Bible, a website that will allow you to dig deeper into Greek and Hebrew words without going to seminary. There is also an app, downloadable onto your phone, but my instructions below will be for using Blue Letter Bible from the website, as I have found …
Father, Thank You that You are the Unmovable Rock of my salvation (Psalm 18:2) and are far greater than my anxious and quavering heart (1 John 3:20). You tell me over and again in Your Word, “Do not fear,” but I forget easily and allow my heart to be heavy and weighted down with worry (Luke 21:34). Yuck. My …
Holy Father, We praise You that Your reign has no geographic boundaries or cultural limits (Psalm 22:28). You sit upon Your throne ruling and directing all the nations, despite their exalted view of their own wisdom (Psalm 47:8). Thank You that indeed one day You will be exalted in all the earth and that Truth will one day …
Holy Father, Thank You for being My Lamp this past year. As I look back, I see that You were always there, shining Light on every dark situation (2 Samuel 22:29). I have to admit that there were times that I felt quite blinded, like someone was holding their hand in front of my face. But, thank You that …
I query I question Problem looming, awkward and heavy Obstacle mounting Burdensome. I puzzle I ponder Thoughts upturning, spilling and staining Logic fleeting Incomprehensible. I brood I bleed Emotions surging, turbulent and shifting Sentiment boiling Irrepressable. I lament I languish Character evanescent, evaporating and ephemeral Intention inadequate Hopeless. A breath. A wisp. A vapor. I …
