When I was twelve years old, I attended the funeral for my 5-year-old cousin, Ronda, who had died of cancer. As difficult as that time was, it did not compare with the loss of both parents just three weeks apart last spring. I had a living hope that this separation was only temporary, and I would see them again. I claimed many promises from Scripture to sustain me, but I still sorrowed because my heart was broken.
And I let the sorrow overtake me…
In moments of profound loss and grief, we often find ourselves searching for an anchor—something to hold onto when the waves of sorrow threaten to overwhelm us. As I sat quietly in the van on the way home from a memorial service this past weekend in Atlanta, I was reminded of the timeless hymn, “Abide with Me.”
When you think of boldness, especially in the context of faith and sharing the gospel, what images spring to mind? Do you picture yourself as a bold person? Imagine if your life were infused with spirit-filled boldness. What exactly does that look like?
Let’s look together at some historical and biblical examples of boldness as well as some practical steps to bold witnessing.
I like snow when I like it, where I like it, and how I like it.
Otherwise, obviously, not so much!
As I contemplated this reality, I recognized that this is often the same attitude that I have when approach what God sends me in my life.
The ball (or in our case here in Raleigh—an acorn) has dropped.
Confetti litters the ground. Kisses have been exchanged. The kids are finally in bed.
Now what?
Much of the world’s greatest hymnody and poetry has been more therapeutic for the writer who penned the words than for those who continue to read them decades later. Such is the case with the famous poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his classic Christmas carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” originally titled “Christmas Bells.” In the depths of his unimaginable grief, Longfellow’s pen etched a journey from personal despair to resolute hope.
How can anyone not love Christmas lights?
My Grandpa Merz had the best light display at Christmas that I ever remember. I’m not sure when he started his work nor do I know the number of lights that he used (I’m sure I thought that it must’ve been a million!). But his house and yard were always spectacular!
Gratitude for God’s enduring faithfulness and unwavering compassion should be a central theme during Thanksgiving—reminding us to appreciate and be thankful for the good things we have. But it shouldn’t stop there.
For believers, it is our exclusive right and privilege to praise God sincerely and superlatively for His unending faithfulness.
There are four specific ways we can see how God is always and ever faithful.
The culmination event of our FBC Ladies’ Anchored in the Word series began on a blustery Friday evening a couple of weeks ago. Here’s a sneak-peek at some of the incredible truths from God’s Word that Kelly Collier so kindly shared with us (these are just the highlights—we learned so much in just 2 days)…
For the believer, a posture of thanksgiving isn’t confined to the month of November—but it’s the perfect time to reset our hearts toward the spiritual discipline of gratitude. In Scripture, we’re instructed to give thanks in all circumstances.
But beyond God’s provision of our daily needs, several motivations for gratitude are uniquely Christian. See how—and why—we should give thanks for the gospel, for the church, and in seasons of suffering.
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