6 Ways to Look More Like Jesus

Who do we look like? Were we the spitting image of our mother or father at birth, as a child, or now?

Maybe there’s a resemblance to both our parents or not to either one. Perhaps people tell us we look like someone else.

As a twin, my sister is always someone I resemble.

Besides physical attributes, there’s another way we resemble someone—in character.

To look more and more like Jesus is one of the most important aspects of Christianity. But if we miss this, we miss the purest meaning for CHRISTian.

Yet, how do Christians look like Christ? After our spiritual birth, is there a way to really grow to resemble Jesus?

In Matthew 6, Christ seizes an opportunity to teach His disciples and listeners how to pray. While the prayer, line-by-line, is beautiful and powerful. There’s other discoveries in the text.

It showcases who God is. And we uncover the mission of Jesus. Still further, it reveals how to look more like Jesus Christ.

The Lord’s Prayer

Spiritual Arthritis: A Test and Known Cure

Light shone through the panel, highlighting the x-rays and problems of my lower back.

You see, sporting flip flops while jumping to worship songs (and the Hokey Pokey), alongside 1500 students, proved harmful to my adult body. And add a friendly competition on the conference stage with other youth directors when I out jumped them all.

So, three days later, my back went out. I needed help just to walk.

Thus, I required complete dependence on my family.

Yet, I waited until the second episode to see an orthopedic doctor. And he showed me an anatomy model of the sacroiliac joint.

My injury tore away cartilage from these joints that connect the spine to each side of the pelvis.

The space between bones of the joint narrow or rub against each other…arthritis.

That was seven years ago. Today, I still deal with the back issue and a few more joints where arthritis set up residence in other areas of my body.

Types of arthritis affect all ages, even children. Though the condition is more common in aging people. It not only causes pain, but may also be debilitating through swelling, stiffness, decreased range of motion, and permanent damage. Treatments include activities to strengthen surrounding muscles, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicines, and hot-cold therapy. (arthritis.org)

But, another form of the condition exists—spiritual arthritis. 

Spiritual Arthritis

Hello New Year: 3 Things That Really Matter

Hello New Year.

There’s a few things you need to know.

Resolutions? No, none. While I believe resolve and changes are honorable, not a fan of making and trying to keep them.

One word? No, not that either. Although many of my amazing friends choose a word each year, I never jump in.

But…

A Scripture? Yes, count me in! I know those who pick a Bible verse for every new year. And though I never participated, the Lord led me to a Scripture this year.

First, I soul-searched and reflected over the previous 12 months. Next, I took a long, hard look at ministry, spiritual growth, life visions and missions.

Then, I prayed over how I hoped my life looked this same time next year…with 12 calendar pages turned.

This process led me to Acts 17:28a; my verse for 2019. It contains 3 things that really matter.

In him we live and move and have our being.

(1.)  Live in God.

The Magic of Christmas or the Awe of Christ

A letter from Santa keeps the Christmas magic alive!

Scrolling through email, a subject line caught my attention. “Great Christmas Gift Idea: Letters from Santa.”

It piqued my interest enough to take a further look.

Instead of our kiddos writing out a wish-list for Santa, then begging us to make sure it arrives at the North Pole before Christmas. Santa sends a personalized letter to our children.

The company’s website, complete with sample ideas and pictures, promises an authentic-looking letter from Santa.

It arrives at our front door in an envelope stamped from the North Pole.

Christmas Magic

So, we send the company whatever information we choose, but they suggest: name, age, relatives, name of best friend, hometown, etc. And a parent can add special achievements, acts of kindness, or good behavior for Santa to mention.

I guess a confirmation the child made Santa’s Nice List.The site assures this gift will keep the magic alive for Christmas.

Yet, this gift idea caused me to reflect. As God’s child, I hope to keep Christmas alive in another way.

4 Ways to Unveil the King of Glory for Christmas

Who is this King of glory?

Christmas is less than two weeks away. While I find it unbelievable, more troubling is the unbelief I see behind the holiday—Holy-day. 

But, the birth of Jesus unveiled the Savior to the world. The One promised to rescue us from sin, other gods, the enemy, and even ourselves.

And as always, the heavenly Father kept His promise. 

God’s Son came to bring the light of heaven to earth. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was born to die.

Denied earthly glory and fame, Jesus bears a name above every name. He is the King of glory.

Yet the phrase, “The King of glory” is only found once in the Bible, in Psalm 24. It’s one of my favorite passages. So, let’s look at the 10 verses of the Psalm for our list of 4 ways to unveil Jesus this Christmas. 

And not only unveil Him in a more meaningful way in our own heart, but also to present Jesus more fully to those around us and to the world. 

Denied earthly glory and fame, Jesus bears a name above every name. He is the King of glory. Share on X

1.)  Creation unveils the King of glory.

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

(Verses 1-2)

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This Babe So Small: Christmas Nativity Story

Imagine the nativity story told through the eyes of the inn-keeper’s young daughter. This is a wonderful children’s book by my friend, Jann.

Jann and I met online several years ago through Twitter. And with Christmas coming soon, I asked her to tell you about her book.

Welcome, Jann.

Has God asked you to do something that you really didn’t think you could do?

Let me take you back to 2006. I needed a story to read on Christmas Eve, and couldn’t find one. I looked on all of the different websites for a new book to read. Feeling frustrated I sat back and asked God what I was going to do. His reply was that I was going to write it.

Mine was, right, I have no idea how to write a book.

Not wanting to be rebellious, I said a prayer for help and started to type. I ended up with a story called That Wonderful Night, the nativity told through the eyes of the innkeeper’s daughter.

This Babe So Small. The nativity told through the eyes of the innkeeper’s daughter. #book @JannWMartin Share on X

A Nativity Story for Christmas

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6 Sure-fire Ways to Grab Hold of Real Joy

Thanksgiving Day is a wrap. Now we press onward to the joy of Christmas. 

But in reflection on how I move from one holiday to the next, I asked myself a few questions. Am I placing a check mark beside gratitude on some proverbial good list? Then leaving it in the dust of my tracks while celebrating Christmas? 

Sometimes.

So, this year I plan to wed an attitude of gratitude to one of rejoicing. 

Celebrating appeals to most of us. Yet, real joyfulness is often the end result of God’s faithful promises. And it’s…

~ Ammunition for difficult circumstances and people. 

~ The best medicine for a downcast spirit. 

~ A shield against attacks from the enemy. 

Let’s look at it in a broader sense.

Not just what we believe and know, but also how it manifests in our lives—how we live joy.

Unlike images, there’s not a filter for joyful. Instead, it lies beneath the surface and radiates through. God wants to bring a smile back to our face. But more than that. He wants to bring rejoicing back to our soul.

Unlike images, there's not a filter for joyful. Instead, it lies beneath the surface and radiates through. Share on X

I love powerful refrains in certain songs and poems. After each of our points, repeat the refrain I include out loud.

6 Sure-fire Ways to Grab Hold of Real Joy:

1.)  In salvation.

“Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12

“My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed.” Psalm 71:23

Is my joy showing through? 

Because there’s no filter for joyful. 

And it’s never shaken or taken.

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Redefining Strong: 3 Ways Weakness Equals Strength

“How strong are you?”

I used to ask my children this when they were young. They answered in the cute way of showing off their little biceps.

But on my own journey from child to adult, I learned culture’s definition of what makes a person strong. And how weakness comes in many shapes and sizes, like in these examples.

~ Weight lifting proved my arms lacked physical strength.

~ Low self-esteem, anxiety or discouragement labeled me a weak soul.

~ Failure to excel in a class, understand a concept at work, or carry strong opinions, defined me as weak-minded.

Culture teaches us to stay strong and overcome weakness because it just isn’t pretty. Yet, in God’s Kingdom, weakness takes on a whole new meaning.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10b ESV)

Paul’s visions and thorn in the flesh in Chapter 12, kept him from boasting in himself. He had endured many hardships and persecutions. Still, he learned his strength was found in his weakness.

While culture looks down on weakness, God’s people look to Him for strength. #blog #strength Share on X

What Culture Says, What God Says

Culture tells us to strive for independence. God says, Depend on Me.

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A Letter of Thanks: Dear Veteran and Dear God

A Letter of Thanks

Dear Veteran,

Soon, we celebrate something important in history. It’s significant. It’s you.

Void of your presence, we the people, would be despairingly weak and open to continued attacks by our enemies.

You see, we need you. We believe in you. We are proud to deem you worthy of our respect.

To warriors who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who remain. Those who are wounded in body and spirit. You epitomize bravery in our eyes.

Soldiers valiant in honor and duty. Serving in war and peace. Our fellow countrymen, our veterans.

Hand on chest or in salutation, we raise our voice to echo your voice:

America, the land of the free and home of the brave.*  

But freedom comes with a price. Bloodshed of brave men and women. The ones who courageously fought to purchase our freedom, slain for liberty and justice.

To veterans everywhere and of all time, we humbly thank you.

Forever grateful,

Citizens of a great nation

Dear Veteran, Soldier valiant in honor and duty. Serving in war and peace. You epitomize bravery in our eyes. Forever grateful, Citizens of a great nation #veteran #thanks #blog Share on X

A Letter of Thanks 

Dear God,

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How Christmas Peace is Possible

Are you looking for Christmas peace this year? Well, you’re in for a blessing and powerful message from my friend, Sarah Geringer.

And at the end, I disclose details of how to enter a giveaway for Sarah’s devotional.

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 NIV

Is Christmas Peace Possible?

Christmas peace is possible. But it is only possible with Jesus.

That might be hard for a busy woman like you to understand, even if you are a Jesus follower. Which of us hasn’t been bogged down with anxiety, frustration or stress in the past few Christmas seasons? Who doesn’t have a holiday to-do list that’s already a mile long?

Like Martha in Luke 10, we are distracted by all the preparations:

• decorating our homes
• shopping for groceries and gifts
• baking and cooking special food
• wrapping all the gifts
• cleaning all the extra messes

Looking at that list makes my heart race—but I’ve plodded through that list every year I’ve been a mom.

Like Martha, I have been worried and upset about how much work is to be done in preparation for Christmas. I wanted picture-perfect memories of Christmas with my family. For many years, my peace got lost in the pursuit of perfection.

Christmas peace is possible. But it is only possible with Jesus. Find out how. #blog #devotional #giveaway @SarahGeringer Share on X

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