Christine's Blog – November 2011 Archive (17)

Stop talking about it, just do it—pray.  [Take three after ‘What do…

It is almost Thanksgiving Day, so I’ve been thinking … we know it is a time to stop and say “thank you”—but, why should we give thanks? Why do we make a special day out of the year, and close more retail shops than any other day of the year, for the purpose of giving thanks? Because a long time ago, we Americans were thankful people.



Pilgrims first came together on American soil in 1621 to thank God for helping them bring in a…

We are entering the season of “Immanuel” – “God with us”.  We have been talking about being more keenly aware of God’s presence in our lives, understanding his promise to us, his children, that he will never leave us or forsake us.  God will never leave us alone.  But, what about in our pain?  What about in times of suffering … where is God…

Are there things I do, or might do, that would silence his presence?

God has promised he will never leave you, but your ability to feel him might be dimmed.  So, if you want to maintain an awareness of God’s presence in your life,

Refrain from activities…

And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord;   but the Lord was not in the wind~ and after the wind, an earthquake;     but the Lord was not in the earthquake~ and after the earthquake, a fire;    but the Lord was not in the fire~ and after the fire, a still small…

I like to hear from other people on the journey--people who want God in their lives--who are endeavoring to think deeper, truer thoughts, and turn them into prayer. . . I have included some of the responses to my questions: How is your prayer life? What are your challenges? What is most meaningful to you? Where do you lack? The responses below were from women and men~



>I seem to pray more when things are not going as well. I know…

What is your definition of prayer?  ‘Talking to God.’  Well, sure--but the first time Scripture recorded someone was talking to God, it was Eve, lying to him, in Genesis 3.10. Was that prayer, then? Not really.  So then perhaps we need to broaden our description of prayer . . . so let’s give it some thought.…

Had prison made Paul crazy?  I mean, maybe when Paul was stoned or flogged, he had been hit in the head one too many times. . . maybe he just was not thinking straight any longer, because he advised the Philippians, ‘No matter what, >My brothers and sisters, be full of joy in the Lord. …

It is difficult to navigate his name: E-pa-phro-di-tus . . . and why bother?   It seems as though Paul is just addressing a housekeeping matter--sending him back to the church in Philippi.  The point seems superfluous in this magnificent chapter two of Philippians, so rich with teaching about the body of Christ.  When Paul talks about the importance of humility, saying we ought have the…

Some Philippians thoughts . . . 

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.     Words to live by from…

It was mostly dark, save for a porch light where she stood; it was cold, and most students were sitting on the grass … they did not care, they just wanted to be together.  This was the night Alex was to share her God story, tough as it was, with her peers.  ‘Tough?’  you ask.  Yes, ‘see whether someone grew up bounced in and out of foster…

Paul’s love for Timothy.  Philippians 2.19-24

Have you ever read someone else’s letter?  Of course, you have.  Entire books of letters by noteworthy folks are best-sellers … why?  They give us insight as to the individuals’ thinking and heart.…

Where do people go to wax philosophic these days?  From my days in and  around university coffee shops, I remember them as rich with lively debate—sometimes on important life issues, sometimes over hotly-debated minutia of some academic matter, but always, tables of folks locked in intense discussion.  In the first-century Greek cities to which Paul traveled, it was gymnasiums that drew…