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Holy Rest
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. Hebrews 4: 9-11 What does it mean to find rest with God? Is Sabbath rest just a Sunday activity? These are the questions I asked myself as I was recovering from a season of burnout. My writing had run out of steam; I wanted to quit my blog and burn my pens and papers. I felt like I was wandering around…
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Do Wrinkles Hurt?
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71:18 I noticed my fingers drawn to the same place on my wrist every day as I worked. It was unconscious at the beginning; I was rubbing the area without noticing I was even doing it. However, the action became so frequent I had to stop and ask myself what was going on. Yes, there was a mild pain, really more of a discomfort. But it was relentless. Do wrinkles hurt? I investigated the place on my wrist…
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What Would a Warrior Do?
All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down. They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them down. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Psalm 118:10-14 The melodies of a popular song weaved through the fog in my brain, as I struggled to get out of bed. Familiar aches and…
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Four Benefits to Choosing a Word of the Year
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 As we start out a new year and are making goals and resolutions, I bulk at the overwhelming pressure to fix what has been broken. Resolutions are usually based upon things we don’t like about ourselves, those parts of us that feel broken. Another resolution will not fix what has been lacking for so long. What we need is a solution that makes room for growth and sets us up for success versus rules that demand perfectionism. We have the choice to speak life or death. So what if we…
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Name Above All Names – The Names of God Advent Study – {Week Four}
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Can you imagine seeing our prominent leaders, the wisest sage of our days, or even your own father, bending their knees to bow before a child? The Wise Men sought Him, but other kings tried to kill Him. This child born in a lowly manger sure caused a stir. How can the birth of a baby boy turn things around? It really passes all understanding. The birth of this child will bring salvation…
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Name Above All Names – The Names of God Advent Study – {Week Three}
Music is a wonderful part of the Christmas and Advent season. The first Noel, defined, literally means, “a Christmas carol” (Merriam Webster), and is synonymous with Christmas. It is in some of our favorite songs of the season where we find our next two names of God. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel According to Praisecharts.com, originally, monks in monasteries sung O Come, O Come Emmanuel during medieval days. The words of this song were considered so important that a separate stanza was assigned to each of the most pious monks, to be sung from the 16th of December to the 23rd. In the 1800’s, a standard tune was written for…
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Name Above All Names – The Names of God Advent Study – {Week Two)
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2. The Plaza Lighting Ceremony is one of Kansas City’s most treasured traditions. For the past 90 years, people fill the plaza streets in anticipation of watching a local celebrity flip a switch that turns on 80 miles of lights. When that switch is flipped, it is officially the Christmas season in Kansas City. It is our way of announcing the most wonderful time of the year. It takes over 200,000 bulbs to create light in the Plaza’s darkness; however, the Light of the World shines…
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Name Above All Names – The Names of God Advent Study – Week One
Welcome to the 2020 Advent series here at Beautifully Broken. I am glad you are here. This year we are going to spend the next four weeks unwrapping some names of God. Have you ever wondered why there are so many names in the Bible for God? Me, too. Our names are important, don’t you agree? We have a first name, a last name, and usually a middle name. Then we often have nicknames. It is this combination of names that makes us unique. Do you remember when everybody’s name and phone number were listed in a phone book? Our names are important because they identify and introduce us. Called…
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Jesus Has Compassion for Us
When Jesus fed the 5,000 (Jewish) Jesus saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick, as evening approached he saw the crowd was hungry and rather than send them away He fed them from five loaves of bread and two fish. (Mt. 14:14–17) When Jesus fed the 4,000 (Gentiles) He called his disciples and said, “I have compassion for these people… I do not want to send them away hungry.” Jesus was, and is, a loving, caring, and feeling person. When we are suffering, remember that Jesus hurts with you. He has compassion for you. COVID-19 has had a devastating effect on our society and families.…
