Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since … More Take Heart
If you have been searching for a Bible for your iPhone or SmartPhoneCheck out YouVersion at http://m.youversion.com. They have the NIV, TNIV, Message and some others. It works great on the small screen and allows all you smart phone users access to a Bible everywhere you are. The best part is – its free! You … More Portable Bible
I took my kids to the park and after playing for a bit, we packed up and were getting ready to go home. My daughter wanted her water, so I gave it to her and noticed it was almost empty. Our conversation went like this: let me fill that for you no its ok, I … More a cup of water – filled
Came across this quote today from the book UnChristian, written by David Kinnaman (President of the Barna Group – http://www.barna.org) and Gabe Lyons (founder of the Fermi Project – http://www.fermiproject.com). “Being salt and light demands two things: we practice purity in the midst of a fallen world and yet we live in proximity to this … More UnChristian
Do you ever look for the next best thing? I do. For me it is a new guitar, or since my car is 15years old and the AC just broke, maybe a new one. How bout in ministry? Do you ever look for a new place because yours is difficult, or challenging, or because of … More The Next Best Thing
I am continuing my readings from the book, Devotional Classics edited by Richard Foster and this week have struggled through the passage from Julian of Norwich. She is an English Mystic from the 1300’s and her experiences have been, for me, hard to understand. However, she has some great perspective on God’s love for us … More Much Love
Or rather, I stink at prayer. I have been reading Thomas Merton from the book, Devotional Classics and it has enlightened me of how poor my prayer life truly is. I pray. I journal. I read (and read and read.) If you ask my wife, she may tell you I read too much… But still, … More Prayer Stinks
I came across this quote from Barbara Brown Taylor, in Pastor; The Theology and Practice of Ordained Ministry, and I thought it a fitting discussion of the state of ministry in many churches. Who does ministry? Is it the pastor alone, or is there something more intended when Jesus said to “Love your neighbor as … More Priestly People
Why do I do what I don’t want to do and why can’t I do what I want to do? Augustine in his Confessions wrestled with this very fact. He realized, as did Paul, that "my action did not come from me but from the sinful principle that dwells in me (Rom 7:17)." Augustine also … More Complete Surrender
I am continuing in the book Devotional Classics edited by Richard Foster and James Bryan Smith. This week the text is written by Bernard of Clairvaux, entitled Four Degrees of Love. This passage is all about perspective and the question ~ Why should God be loved? The simple answer Bernard gives is because he is … More Bernard of Clairvaux ~ all about love
Matt Odegaard 