paravanes:meditations

  (c) Deborah Evans Trust in God. In John 14:1, Jesus said "Trust in God, trust also in me." This has also been translated as "Keep trusting in God, keep trusting in me." Jesus, knowing what was about to happen, did not want his followers to become discouraged or turn away when things seemed to take a bad turn. When you "trust" someone, your confidence must be limited by what that person is capable of. No matter how much that person loves you, their ability to act is limited because humans are limited. Or, as some say, "we're only human." Even those who love us deeply and have proven their love may become ill, die, or be removed from our lives by circumstances beyond their control. When you "trust in" (rely completely upon) God, you are always secure because God's ability to act is unlimited. The power of unlimited ability combined with the grace of unlimited love create a force that cannot be denied or overcome. In God, you fin...

  (c) Deborah Evans On this Veteran's Day weekend in the U.S., many of us are remembering those who "fought for freedom." Most of us would say veterans fought for those at home and elsewhere to have the option of making and carrying out choices, choosing new and better paths, naming and acting upon their own priorities, etc. These options are a big part of what most of us call freedom. What does it mean to "be free in Christ"? Freedom in Christ is made of at least two things: preferences and power The person who is free in Christ choses and prefers what Christ wants for them: purpose. joy, humility, true and godly love, compassion, disciplined power, peace, and honest relationships.. Freedom in Christ includes the power to create, experience, and maintain these things in our lives. As we become more free in Christ, we may experience fewer dire emergencies and life extremes on a daily basis. This is true because we create the foundations that allow us to experien...

  (c) Deborah Evans When you think of church, or the church, do you think of a building? A multi-location campus with many buildings seating hundreds of people? A Gothic type historical structure in a central business district? A school gym? A small or large neighborhood building that hosts food distribution, back-to-school rallies for the neighborhood children, and Vacation Bible School during the summer? All Saints Day, or All Saints Sunday, is a time to remember the true church can't be defined by a building's location or a physical address. What do we remember on All Saints Day? Throughout all time and in all places, God has called people into fellowship and discipleship. No single church organization or denomination can truthfully say they are "the only church" :because no human person completely knows the full mind, full heart, and total actions of God. God has always called people, and has done this independent of human action. Remember the story of Abram's...