Devotions from James Smith’s book, Embracing the Love of God Don’t we all long for a friend who will welcome us, listen to us and receive all that we have in our hearts and not be shocked or bothered by our failures and struggles?  Such people give acceptance with their eyes, with their voice and…

Devotions from James Smith book, Embracing the Love of God We need to discover our true identity from God’s perspective. So often we put on a mask or play a role we think others will like out of fear of rejection or out of shame. We might feel shame if we don’t have enough money,…

Devotions based on James Smith book, Embracing the Love of God Julian of Norwich wrote, “The greatest honor we can give to the Almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of his love.”  So much of our lives we live in alienation because of the years of being exposed to messages of…

Devotions from James Smith book, Embracing the Love of God Each of us is uniquely and individually loved. We are known! We are chosen! As we experience this love in the depths of our soul it is healing and radically transforming. As we receive God’s love and acceptance of us, we can then accept ourselves…

Devotions from Gary Thomas book, Pure Pleasure Today’s devotional is on laughter and seems to be timed well as we have laughed so much lately with our resent visitors! “If we can’t open the pressure valve with laughter, we just might explode. So laugh or die. It’s up to you!” Kevin Harney And Elton Tureblood…

Devotions from Gary Thomas’ book Pure Pleasure Francois Fenelon said, “When we have found God, there is nothing more to look for in men.” In each of our lives we will encounter difficult and trying circumstances and people. If someone hasn’t betrayed you, you’re unusual! Our spiritual enemy wants us to use our disappointments to …

Devotions from Gary Thomas’ book Pure Pleasure Jean Vanier, founder of L’Arche, an international community for people with intellectual disabilities said, “ So many people with disabilities are seen by their parents and families only as a tragedy…. But every child, every person, needs to know that they are a source of joy; every child,…

Devotions based on Gary Thomas’ book Pure Pleasure In Ecc 7:16, 18 it says “Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise- why destroy yourself?… The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.”  Some may make an idol out of poverty, wanting to be more pious. Spurgeon believed in riding first class on the train…

Devotions from Gary Thomas’ book Pure Pleasure As Christians we need to embrace and celebrate true, godly pleasure, lest we become susceptible to soul-destroying substitutes. If we feel all pleasure is wrong, then we squeeze all the joy out of life and  end up squeezing part of God out of life too. We close ourselves…

Devotions from Gary Thomas’ book Pure Pleasure Our need is to live IN the pleasure instead of living For the pleasure.  When we live In the pleasure, we take time to savor it; that moment becomes sacred. When we live For the pleasure, we often get so tied up with the expectations, fear, anxiety, and…