December 5, 2013
A Light and a Promise
…according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (Ephesians 1:9-10, ESV)
• • •
November 15, 2013
Lavish Grace
So, I’m doing a series of devotionals for Titus Women (the ministry I work for), going basically verse by verse through the book of Ephesians. I may or may not post them all here, since at the rate I’m going I probably won’t finish the book for 6 months. I’ve been amazed how long I can linger over one or two verses. There’s so much depth and beauty in Scripture, so much to ponder. Here are this week’s thoughts on two verses from Ephesians 1.
• • •
November 8, 2013
He Speaks a Good Word
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places …. (Ephesians 1:3, ESV)
• • •
September 9, 2013
Called by Name
A few weeks ago a wise, older lady I work with said something in passing I haven’t been able to shake. She was reading a passage of Scripture aloud, and came to one of those sections that list a bunch of impossible-to-pronounce names. But she didn’t skip over it, as I would’ve done. She read every name, then said this: “Isn’t it beautiful? We get their names. It’s not just a group of people. Yahweh knows their names.”
• • •
July 12, 2013
The Law of Freedom
If you ask me, Psalm 119 is one of the most unexpected passages in all of literature. Here we have an exquisite Hebrew poem: every word building on the next, every syllable intentional, every part coming together to make a beautiful whole. And the thread that runs throughout, the theme that ties it all together is … the law.
I’ll admit I’m a very mediocre poet, but even I know that rules, commandments, and the like make for poor poetic subjects. Could anything be less interesting? And yet, the Psalmist brings the full weight of his poetic gift in celebration of Yahweh’s law. He loves it, rejoices in it, studies it, clings to it for dear life. Why?
• • •
December 4, 2012
The Hush of Advent
Yesterday I spent 45 minutes staring out the window, just letting my mind wander. It was glorious. I guess the idea of sitting in one place with only your own thoughts to occupy you is a nightmare to some, but I’ve learned that I need intentional times of doing literally nothing in order to live well. (I actually happen to be an expert in sitting and staring. By the way, if you’re one of the countless people who’ve thought I was staring at you, forgive me. I promise I was just lost in thought.)
• • •
October 21, 2012
Gentle God
I cannot believe how gentle Jesus is. The Lord of Heaven, the one of whom the angels sing infinite “holies,” the God of thunder — not only does he speak (mercy enough), but he speaks in a still, small voice. Who would have guessed?
I’m not always a soft person: I am dry, blunt, and sometimes even harsh. I think part of me expects Jesus to give me back what I dish out — I should be able to take it, after all. And don’t I fail him every day? Don’t I succumb to silly fears? Don’t I indulge my rebel heart? My own response to my constant shortcomings is something like, “Erin, come on. Seriously? Get it together.” I know I have no excuse for my disobedience or my lack of trust in him. If I were God, I would grab me by the shoulders and shake me.
• • •
September 4, 2012
Author
I’m very excited today to present a guest post from my BFF—my bestie, if you will—Elisabeth. I won’t say much by way of introduction since I’ve already written a rather gushy post about her, which you can read here if you want to know her better (or if you need a good cry). What is not commonly known is that Elisabeth is an excellent writer. I loved this when I read it—I think you’ll find it as penetrating as I did.
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13)
• • •
June 21, 2012
Author
I hate big decisions. I hate transitions. I hate feeling unsure. Some people are antsy, you know? They don’t like staying in one place too long. Not me. I would much rather be settled, steady, and sure. I want to know what’s ahead.
Unfortunately, that has simply not been how my life has worked thus far. Every time I think I’m settled on something, God has a way of messing up my plans. If my adult life has been marked by anything, it’s transition. More often than not, I have been absolutely clueless about my next step. I’m learning, though, that God works in unique ways during those transition times.
• • •
June 8, 2012
Author
The best part of the story I’m living is that I am not writing it. Author posts will be about the One who is. For this first one, I decided to write about a theme in Scripture that’s been wrecking me lately.
For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. (Isaiah 54:5 ESV)
This is one of those verses that I find just too good to be true. My whole life I’ve been hearing that Jesus wants a personal relationship with me, but sometimes, I confess, I forget just what that means. My head has a much easier time getting around a distant God — I’ve sinned, Jesus died to forgive me, and now I stand before him innocent. Amazing. That’s enough, right? I mean, I’d be embarrassed to ask for anything more.
• • •