Self is a four-letter word

When we use, or you hear someone use the word “try” that means “self” is vying for control. Self is

assuming responsibility. Super responsibility. That’s not a good thing.

The “Good Christian” myth

“I’m Doing The Best I Can”

Those Awful Flesh Patterns

In Trying Times, Stop Trying

Traveling through North Alabama this weekend I passed a country church with a sign out front. It read, “In Trying Times Don’t Stop Trying”. I thought about hunting down the pastor to tell him his sign read like the mission statement for empty religion.

Sometimes our circumstances might seem trying, but no mess we make of our lives is trying to God. Sometimes we go through trying times of our own making. We can make choices to handle things ourselves out of our own resources. We try to dig our way out of the muck and mire with our own strength, and not God’s. If we try to ease our trying times ourselves, they can become even more trying for us.

And if we keep trying to work our way through our trying times, they can become tragic times, toxic failures. They can plunge us into despair. Miserable hopelessness. Our lives out of control.

The Bible says, “Cast your cares upon him (Jesus) because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Jesus says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened  and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and  humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30.

Trying times offer opportunities for God to step in and show you His omnipotence. Perfect opportunities for God to show us why His ways are higher than our ways.

The next time you face trying times, stop trying. Rest in God. God will work in you and through you to show you His purpose for your trying times. Then He promises to use your trying times to draw you closer to Him and resolve your trying times for your good and for His glory.

Religious Freedom — An Oxymoron

A friend of mine emailed me some pictures of billboards going up somewhere in Tennessee for a certain political party. Two of the billboards suggested that if we choose their political candidate, America would have “Religious Freedom”.

I don’t want religion. Do you?