I accepted Jesus into my life last winter during my freshman year of college, literally right before I was about to go out partying. You can read the full story here! Now, as a sophomore, I look back on that and marvel at God’s timing; I laugh a little, too. I have never been a big fan of parties– I don’t drink. I never drank at parties before becoming a Christian, and I don’t plan on doing so now. One thing about college, though, is that sometimes it’s tough to abide in Jesus while living and moving around in a space that runs by worldly wisdom. This isn’t so much about the education system, but rather about the college student culture and societal norms. I often find myself losing sight of Jesus daily, and I have to reel myself back in and rest in His Word before I go back out to the world once again. There are so many distractions that have veered me off my path, and I have to remind myself of why I am here in the first place. JESUS. First and foremost, I want to address the parties. I personally do not have issues with parties themselves; I still go out once in a blue moon and enjoy getting ready with my friends while dancing and listening to music. However, what goes on at college parties usually perpetuates sin. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, sin is not a control tactic; rather, it is genuinely bad for us, and God is trying to warn us from hurting ourselves even more. For example, excessive drinking causes extreme damage not only physically but also mentally. When I see people get drunk, they look and act like completely different people. I genuinely feel like they aren’t even themselves at that point, and it terrifies me. It’s a sad reality that many people think they need to drink to have fun. It’s important to realize that the ‘high’ effect you get from both drinking and doing drugs eventually wears off. So while it makes you feel good for a little bit, it never lasts. Drinking until the point of getting drunk and doing drugs has become so normalized that they are seen as ‘cool’ and ‘fun’ things to do. I’ve often felt a strange sense of FOMO when I am around people who are drinking and doing drugs because I feel like I’ll be seen as the weirdo or the odd one out. I have to snap myself out of these moments because I know that I am better off without those things. However, I refuse to sit on a high horse and judge these people because I know that they are just as broken as I am. I’ve struggled with other addictions in my life, so who am I to judge how they deal with their humanity? It saddens me to see people engaging in these behaviors because I know that Jesus brings true happiness and satisfaction. I want these people to see His light and realize that they do not have to engage in all these harmful things to have fun. And again, nothing is wrong with having alcohol; moderation is key. I pray that their eyes will be opened and that they will come to know Jesus, who is the true source of joy. Additionally, I am surrounded by many people with different beliefs– many of whom do not agree with Jesus and His teachings. This is a complicated topic to cover because God has blessed us all with free will, so therefore, we aren’t forced to follow Him. But after living most of my life without Jesus and now being with Him for the past few months, I never want to go back. Every day, I talk to people who bring up beliefs/ideas that oppose those of Jesus. It’s hard to stand up for Him and speak His truth, mainly because most of the time, it is uncomfortable. People tend to get offended easily when Jesus is brought up…especially because His word is the exact opposite of the worldly wisdom preached today. I get it… I used to get very angry when I would hear Christians stand up for their beliefs. I never understood why they were so passionate about Jesus and why they just couldn’t accept things the way they were. Being on the other side, I now know, but God has blessed me with experience on both sides. I think it’s essential, no matter what, to stand up for Him because while not all people will agree with His Word, seeds will be planted. For the first time on Monday, I spoke up about my experience with Jesus in front of one of my classes. God blessed me with extra courage that morning, and I shared with the class about my ‘life-changing moment.’ I spoke about how EVERYTHING in my life changed from that point on, and the breakthrough that occurred during the winter. I honestly wish I were a bit more specific about the situation, but that was one step ahead! I felt grateful to share it with the class– my professor was highly supportive and asked questions about my experience. I pray that I will continue to speak about Jesus from now on with the same, if not more, confidence that I had that day. While being a Christian college student has its challenges, it is worth spreading the love of Jesus. I must continue my college journey because, first and foremost, I want a degree. But secondly, I can’t only share the gospel with believers and people like me; it needs to be shared with those who don’t know or misunderstand Jesus. The gospel isn’t for perfect people (because who is perfect anyway?)… it is for hurting and broken people who are in need of a Savior. I would be hypocritical to judge non-believers because I was one myself around this time last year. I also still have struggles myself– I have to be really careful about which music I listen to at parties. I struggle a lot with maladaptive daydreaming, and music makes it 10x worse. I’ve just set a goal for myself to know my limits and know when it’s time to step out and take a break, especially when I hear songs that do not honor God. Additionally, I make it a once-in-a-while occurrence to go out. Moving back to the point, it is vital that Jesus saved me while I was in college, because I can relate to non-believers who have had the same doubts about Him as I did. This means that I will not sit at parties and yell at people for drinking, doing drugs, or hooking up with random people. However, if someone asked me my thoughts on the matter, I would be honest with them and share the gospel. I would let them know that I used to support those decisions (‘you do you, babe’) and now I do not because Jesus pulled my heart out of the grave and gave me life. Bad decisions brought me nowhere, but following Him brought me everywhere. © Sienna Krieg

If you haven’t been following along, here is part 1 and part 2. If you have, awesome, and we'll be finishing up today. “The Mother of Israel." What an honor. In Judges 5:7, we see something that can’t be unseen, yet somehow is blatantly ignored by many who push that “no men available” nonsense. “The rulers ceased in Israel, they ceased, Until that I Deborah arose, That I arose a mother in Israel.” It takes a lot of balls and a very bad theological jump to claim that Deborah was a punishment and an embarrassment to men and Israel, just because she was a woman. Look at what our Lord said about her. If that is how you truly see it, you are not in line with God; you are in line with your own personal issues, and that is the only thing embarrassing here. Men and women are physically different, but we are spiritually and mentally equal. If you do not agree with this, then I need you to show me, with facts, how both genders do not have the same ability to learn, teach, discern, or be called on by God. Here are the facts, despite anyone’s feelings on this matter. God raised up those Judges, each and every one of them. Judges 2:16 Israel went to all the different Judges during this period. As stated above, “they were the legal voices for the people.” They were not seeking out her words or her opinions, nor do we see that anywhere in the Scriptures. The people accepted her as a Judge despite her gender. It wasn’t common, but that still is the case in our era with quite a few fields of work, so it does not merit a gender-only-based argument. A comparison of the Hebrew word “shaphat” used in Exodus 18:13 with Moses and Judges 4:4 shows us that Deborah and Moses were doing the same job. God had zero issue inspiring the authors to write. If she were a punishment, don’t you think He would have made that clear? When it comes down to it, those who hold this opinion: She can prophesize for the people, but can’t make a judgment for the people? What is at the root of your opinion? Is it because she was a woman who had a God-granted authoritative role, and you have a negative view of women? If not, why just her then? Is it a case of parroting what you were taught and not searching out the Bible for yourself, laziness, ignorance, or the case of satisfying a personal agenda? What is your Biblical justification for the belief that Deborah was a punishment? Israel had peace for 40 years because of her guidance and relationship with God. And nope, you can’t use the fact that Israel screwed up after her as justification either, because their constant screw-ups are clearly established before her and after her. © Jane Isley

As I was touched by the vision of this unique point of view (photographed above) around the time of dawn, these questions hit me: “Is this the life beyond my wildest dreams?” “Are God’s Promises True?” "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" Ephesians 3:20–21 NIV There was a time when I would’ve imagined watching the sunrise (or sunset) from my infinity pool surrounded by tropical landscaping at my hilltop estate located in a top-rated neighborhood with our dream cars/motorcycles parked in a 4-car garage as being what I would describe as “a life beyond my wildest dreams.” But GOD has revealed more. And it looks like simplicity, minimalism, gratitude for the infinity cat drinking box placed mindfully in view of our Zanzibar Gem and Fruit Of The Spirit banner… all located in a much lower-rated, but modestly affordable and beautifully colorful, diverse neighborhood, filled with its own emergency vehicle sirens song charms. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… when we’re grateful for what we have, what we have is enough. The gift of no longer striving to obtain or accomplish more and more and more is the equivalent of a deep cleansing breath that calms any fears or insecurities, replacing them all with the peace, confidence, joy, and love that can only be from the BEST gift-giver of all time!!! Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 NIV Our mini black panther, Dez, pictured here wandering through our secret garden, reminds me that it truly is the little things in life that bring us the most pleasure and everlasting joy. "The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23 NIV As it turns out, it’s not so much about the changes in my circumstances or financial status as much as it is about the changes in my attitude and POV. May your own Point Of View be shaped by an attitude of gratitude, focusing on what is good and working well today. Are you breathing? Are you able to take a walk? These are causes for celebration! There is beauty in the simplicity of a dandelion design (also photographed in our secret garden this morning). First, look up child at our majestic Creator. Then look at the wonderful works of His creation all around us and say… Thank YOU! They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty — and I will meditate on your wonderful works. Psalm 145:5 NIV Until next time, let us meditate and marvel at God’s wonderful works. (This is where I usually insert a coffee-related link with the hope of some generous soul sending me one… but this time I shall be satisfied and content with the [Deuteronomy 8] manna God has already provided for today.) It is enough. (2 Corinthians 12:9) His grace is sufficient. © Nora Gwen

If I had only two children, I might have been a perfect parent. But God blessed me with child #3. Our biological son was raised in the same home, by the same parents as the first two kiddos, but when God knit him together in my womb, He gave my son a free spirit. So I gave him rules. When he was two, we spent the weekend with friends at their lake home. Mr. Free Spirit made a rude, not-worth-repeating comment to our host. Our friend could easily withstand an insult from an untamed toddler, but I demanded an apology from my son. He crossed his arms and shook his head. What he had said was the truth. Why should he apologize for speaking the truth? You must apologize to Mr. Host, or you won’t be allowed to go on the boat. I’m not apologizing. No boat. Mr. Free Spirit and I spent the afternoon alone in the cabin while everyone else enjoyed tubing and water skiing. I tried to show him the err in his ways. We need to treat others the way we want to be treated. How would you feel if someone said something rude to you? After an afternoon on a boatless timeout, we rejoined the party. It became quite obvious to me at this point which of my children would easily follow and spend eternity with Jesus, for everyone knows obedient children end up in Heaven, right? Just like obedient adults. Obedient adults follow the rules. They wake up to their alarms and get to work on time. The bills are paid on time, and they live within their means. While speeding may be against the law, it is possibly the only outward violation they commit on a regular basis. Occasional flirting, but not a full-blown affair, may be brushed off as within the bounds of marriage. The inner thoughts nobody knows about allow the obedient people to come across as, well, good. They are good people. Each of us has our own standards for how we separate the ‘good’ people from the ‘bad’ people. Good people are nice and friendly. They may smile as you pass them on the sidewalk. Bad people may yell swear words and spit as you pass them on the sidewalk. I could make a list of how my mind categorizes people into good and bad, but I’ll refrain. You have your own list. Ponder it. God created each of us with a natural disposition, which has then been molded and shaped by our upbringing. People gifted with a naturally compliant disposition have an easier time being good. People with a naturally contrary disposition have a more challenging time being good. So did God create some people to have an easier time making it into Heaven? If we were judged on our good works, then maybe that would be true, but God looks deeper. “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b) The naturally compliant person here may actually be at a disadvantage. The more good they do, the more they are praised, which perpetuates a never-ending cycle of good works- praise - good works - praise. The ‘good’ person begins to accept the ‘fact’ that they are naturally good. If someone is already good, what do they need God for? They assume, of course, they are already good enough to enter the Pearly Gates. The deadly pitfall for the naturally compliant person is Pride. The naturally contrary person here may actually have the advantage. The more they try to be ‘good’, the more aware they become of their ‘badness’. As they become aware of their tendency towards sin, they also come to realize they will never be good enough. They need something, someONE, who will help them. They can’t live a ‘good’ life on their own. The life-giving gift of the naturally contrary person is Humility. My hands-on parenting days are over. Hubby and I are in the early stages of empty-nesterhood. I reflect a lot on what I should have done differently as a mom, knowing all the while that I did the best I could. My most recent thought is that I should have praised the compliant children less and given more grace to the contrary. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left….Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-33, 46) First published in Pursuing Perfection on Substack by © Tessa Lind, tessalind.substack.com

When God Has, But You Haven’t There comes a point in your walk with God where you realize He has forgiven you, but you still have not. You quote verses about grace, you believe in second chances, and yet when you think of your own mistakes, there is a small voice inside that says, “You should have known better.” I know that voice soooo well. It used to visit often, sometimes after I had prayed, sometimes in the quiet time just before sleep. It was not loud, but it lingered, replaying moments I wished I could rewrite. But one day, while praying about something completely different, God interrupted my thoughts with a simple phrase. He said, “You cannot walk in freedom while holding yourself hostage.” I meditated on those words so much so that they came alive in my Spirit with so much force. Carrying Guilt Is Not the Same as Caring It stopped me because that is exactly what I had been doing, carrying guilt like proof that I cared, as if forgiveness meant I did not take my sin seriously enough. But God does not ask for proof of sorrow; He asks for surrender. Take a look at this scripture: “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 When you truly believe that, you stop trying to be your own judge. You stop replaying what grace has already erased. Forgiving yourself is not about minimizing what happened, but it’s more about magnifying what Jesus did. Unforgiveness Can Look Like Pride I have learned that unforgiveness toward yourself is still a kind of pride. It says, “My standard matters more than God’s mercy.” But the cross changed that. The blood that covered your sin also covered your shame. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17 So now, when that devil tries to remind me of who I was, I remind him of who I am, redeemed, restored, still in process but no longer condemned. When he tries to remind me of my past, I remind him of his future of eternal doom that is sealed. I have learned to speak gently to my past, to thank God for what it taught me, and to let it rest. Grace Did More Forgiving yourself does not erase the memory, but it removes the sting. It is peace that says, “I did wrong, but grace did more.” “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”  Romans 5:20 And maybe that is what God wants you to know, too. You do not have to keep punishing yourself to prove you have changed. You have already been forgiven. Now it is time to agree with heaven and forgive yourself, too, and remember one of Jesus’ commandments is “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” You can’t love your neighbor if you haven’t first loved yourself. Again, like I’ll always say: THE DEPTH OF YOUR COMPASSION LIES IN YOUR ABILITY TO FORGIVE YOURSELF. Reflection Prayer Father, thank You for forgiving me completely. Teach me to see myself through Your eyes of mercy. Help me let go of guilt and the need to earn what You have already given freely. Heal the parts of me that still hold on to shame, and fill my heart with peace. I choose today to walk in the freedom that comes from grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen. © Favour

Photo by Reinhart Julian on Unsplash Every December, my phone reminds me Christmas is twenty days away. My inbox fills with sales. My soul feels nothing. It’s not that I don’t love Christmas. It’s that by the time it arrives, I’m already exhausted by it – the playlists, the pace, the pressure to be “in the spirit.” A few years ago, I stumbled across something called the church calendar – not a dusty relic of religion past, but a rhythm that re-taught my heart how to breathe. Our Disordered Time We live in a world that measures everything by speed and success. The modern clock ticks in chronos, the Greek word for sequential time – hours, minutes, deadlines. It rules our schedules, and sometimes, our souls. We treat time as a resource to manage, not a story to inhabit. Even our faith gets caught in the cycle – racing from one event to the next: Christmas, Easter, and then back to ordinary life as though nothing happened. But underneath it all, our hearts long for something steadier. Something sacred. We weren’t made merely to use time. We were made to live within it – and to remember the One who holds it. The Beauty of Sacred Time The church calendar is one of the oldest, simplest tools for slowing down and remembering that story. It doesn’t belong only to cathedrals or liturgical traditions. It’s a gift to anyone who’s weary of hurry. Across the centuries, Christians have marked their year not by fiscal quarters or exam blocks, but by the life of Christ. Advent whispers of waiting. Christmas celebrates arrival.Lent invites repentance.Easter bursts with resurrection joy.Pentecost breathes renewal. It’s not about nostalgia – it’s about learning to let our time tell the truth. To live as if the gospel is not just an event in history, but a rhythm woven through every season. Instead of asking, “What’s on my calendar?” the church year quietly asks, “Where am I in God’s story?” Rhythms That Shape the Heart Our habits shape us far more than our intentions. What we repeat – we become. Every habit, spiritual or otherwise, is a kind of liturgy: it forms the loves of our heart. And when we pattern our year around the story of Jesus, something happens. We learn to wait instead of rush. To rejoice without distraction. To mourn with hope. To live aware that every moment belongs to Him. Repetition might seem boring. But repetition is how love becomes steady. It’s how we learn, as the poet T.S. Eliot said, "The end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." The church calendar isn’t about doing more. It’s about being shaped by what we already know is true. Rediscovering the Story You don’t need a cathedral or choir to begin. You simply need to pay attention – to slow down enough to notice that your faith has seasons. Advent becomes a time to wait in hope. Lent becomes a time to face what’s broken. Easter becomes a time to rejoice in what’s been made new. These are not rules to keep, but rhythms to live by – like tides that pull our wandering hearts back toward shore. When I began to follow this rhythm, I noticed my year stopped feeling like a blur. Relearning Time In a world obsessed with what’s next, the church calendar invites us to remember what’s already been done. It dares to repeat the same story, year after year – not because we’ve forgotten, but because we need to be formed by it. Maybe holiness isn’t found in cramming more in, but in circling back – again and again – to Christ. If you’d like a gentle way to begin that rhythm this Advent, I’ve created a free three-day guide called Waiting for Light – a printable devotional sampler to help you slow down, rest, and remember the hope of Christ’s coming. Download your free copy here. © Nathan Cole

Framed artwork photographed by Author in a Luxembourg Castle I heard this quote from one of The Minimalists on their podcast this morning during “pithy comments” shared at the end of episode 509 “The Fix.” To be honest, I don’t recall all the brilliant wisdom he shared after that quote, as my mind began to drift to the mindset matters business I share with others in one form or another from IG reels to professional counseling sessions to evening debriefing with my spouse each day. The ways in which we choose to “frame” events/pictures/perspectives in our mind, empowers us to shift from feelings of self-pity or even depression to attitudes of gratitude and thanksgiving with practice and purposeful intentionality. Honestly, I am learning so much from this podcast on minimalism. I wish I could take notes as I listen to them speak, but because I listen during my work commute, and already struggle enough with leaving my phone down while I’m driving, I feel compelled to remember my favorite golden nuggets of wisdom to the best of my ability. Yes, I could visit their website to read the essays they share, but I’m afraid I would want to quote all of it instead of simply focusing on one or two sentences that really stand out for application purposes in my own life. Recently one of the hosts shared an essay on “Regrets.” It was so well written and deeply profound, filled with lines like this one: I regret every time my actions did not align with my values. At the end he tied it all up neatly with a beautiful releasing bow stating that he will now let all of these regrets go… Before reading the essay on regrets they also shared this thought: To worry is to pray for something bad to happen. Wow. What a powerful concept, right? It immediately made me think of Matthew 6 where Jesus teaches us what to do about worrying in verse 34: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. In the forth chapter of the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul also reminds us not to be anxious (or worry) about anything: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (v. 6–7) Therefore, if I choose to frame my picture within the context of knowing worrying is praying for something bad to happen, I GET TO intentionally replace worry or anxiety with hope, healing, and joy! That sounds much more like praying for something good to happen. Wouldn’t you agree? The purpose for sharing this precious girl and her dog portrait in this love letter to you is this: But ask the animals, and they will teach you,or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,or let the fish in the sea inform you.Which of all these does not knowthat the hand of the Lord has done this?In his hand is the life of every creatureand the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:7–10 NIV) It may very well happen that I will think of 2–5 more ideas I will later wish I had included here before publishing this essay; but I have learned overtime that it is better for me to write and post consistently with the objective of progress over perfection, rather than wait for my work to be complete. My written work is a reflection of me, and I am clearly a work in progress to be sure. But guess what?!? I am CONFIDENT in this promise: … being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6 NIV) Until next time, happy reading, writing, coffee (or other beverage of your choosing) delighting, and Sweet Dreams… P.S. If part of reframing your picture includes taking a break from social media to hit the reset button to clear your mind from the numbing effects of “doom scrolling”, you may be interested in checking out this video series on The 40-Day Social Media Fast shared with you by yours truly, © Grateful Gwen.

Just three words in English. “It is finished.” This wasn’t a defeat. It was a shout of victory. John records Jesus’ last cry in Greek: tetelestai. A single word, but one packed with such significance for all of us. So, what did that one word mean? In the marketplace, it meant: paid in full. Stamped across receipts when debts were cleared. In the military, it meant: mission accomplished. A soldier’s way of saying their assignment was done. In the temple, priests used it when a sacrifice was flawless. The lamb met every requirement. So when Jesus cried tetelestai, He was announcing: the debt is paid, the mission is complete, the sacrifice is perfect. How the Jewish Crowd Heard It Passover weekend. Jerusalem is packed with pilgrims. Lambs being led to the temple. Sacrifices prepared. The Jewish people lived under the rhythm of endless rituals. Every year, the lamb was slain. Every year, the blood flowed. Every year the cycle repeats. When Jesus shouted It is finished, He declared that the cycle had ended. One sacrifice, once for all. The Lamb of God had done what no lamb in Israel’s history could do — close the gap between God and humanity forever. How the Romans Heard It The Roman soldiers had their own take. To them, crucifixion was the empire’s exclamation mark: This man is finished. It was Rome’s way of saying, “Your story ends here. Don’t cross us.” So when Jesus cried out, they probably smirked. Another failed revolutionary, gasping his last. Rome thought it was silencing Him — when in fact, the cross was silencing every kind of death, itself. What Was Finished Let’s make it plain: Debt: Paid in full. No more IOUs hanging over humanity. Law: Fulfilled. Centuries of prophecy and ritual met their goal. Separation: Torn down. The temple curtain ripped top to bottom, access to God is wide open. Death’s Reign: Broken. The grave could not hold Him, and because of that, it can’t hold us either. Why It Matters for Us Fast-forward to today. Our world is full of things that never feel finished. The inbox refills. The bills stack up. The laundry multiplies. The work never seems done. But Jesus’ cry slices through the noise. It is finished means there is one thing that will never be undone: your acceptance before God. You don’t have to keep hustling to earn His love. You don’t have to carry shame like luggage you can’t set down. You don’t have to wonder if you’ve done enough, you haven’t, and you don’t need to. In a culture of exhaustion, It is finished is oxygen. It means the most important thing, the one thing that actually matters, is already settled. Hearing It Today The Jewish listener heard that there was now freedom from endless sacrifices. It was the triumph of love. And you? You can hear it as the end of striving, the canceling of debt, the freedom cry that still echoes two thousand years later. It is finished. Not as in “Jesus gave up.” But as in “Your chains are broken. Your debt is canceled. Your freedom is real.” Here’s a creative cover of “It Was Finished On the Cross” recorded during the 2021 lockdown. Check it out: © Gary L Ellis Gary L. Ellis (1944–2026) served as an editor and contributor to this publication. His work remains part of our archive in grateful remembrance.

I’ve come to realize that God doesn’t always speak through loud signs or flashes of revelation. More often than not, His voice slips in quietly through a calm in my heart that doesn’t make sense in the natural. There have been times I prayed for direction, and though everything around me looked uncertain, there was this unexplainable stillness inside. Other times, even when the option before me seemed perfect, I just couldn’t shake the unease. That’s when I learned that peace and unrest are both languages God speaks in. Peace — The Mark of His Presence Scripture says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15). The word “rule” there means to act as an umpire. In other words, peace helps us discern what’s right. It calls the shots in moments of confusion. When God is leading you, there’s a rest that anchors your heart even when your mind still has questions. You may not know every detail, but there’s a gentle assurance that you’re safe in His will. This peace isn’t the absence of problems, it’s the quiet confidence that God is with you in the process. It’s that inner calm that whispers, “You don’t need to rush, I’ve got this.” “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” ~ Isaiah 26:3 Unrest Is The Holy Spirit’s Red Flag But just as peace affirms His voice, unrest can be His warning. There are moments when the Holy Spirit stirs a discomfort in you, a subtle tension that says, “Don’t go there.” You can’t always explain it logically, but something feels off. That’s not fear, it’s discernment. When Jonah ran from God’s assignment, he found no rest until he returned to obedience. Sometimes, the storm outside is just a reflection of the storm within. Pay attention to that unease because it may be heaven’s way of protecting you. Learning to Listen Within The more you walk with God, the more you’ll notice that His peace is not silent, it’s a voice of its own. The key is to slow down long enough to hear it. Quiet your thoughts, surrender your plans, and invite the Holy Spirit to speak. You’ll begin to recognize that His peace is steady, not fleeting. It doesn’t waver with circumstances, and when it’s absent, that’s often your cue to pause, pray, and wait until He brings clarity. In Stillness God’s voice isn’t just heard, it’s felt. Sometimes through a peace that holds you still, other times through a restlessness that redirects you. Either way, He’s speaking, not to confuse you, but to keep you close. “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace.” ~Isaiah 55:12 © Favour

What Mark 13:32 Actually Reveals About the Nature of Christ "No One Knows the Day or Hour” There has recently been an exchange of opinions regarding Jesus between me and a Muslim student. It was a quiet encounter and quite interesting because it had a touch of déjà vu about it. When speaking about the New Testament, there were times it could have been a Jehovah’s Witness, Christadelphian, Atheist, or a graduate of Yale Divinity School at the other end. The common attribute between the Infidels and the Muslims was that neither of them demonstrated rigorous scrutiny. The same incomplete truths kept surfacing. The investigation doesn’t sift through all the evidence, which is common. This figure shows the frequency of the ordinary types of errors in the claims of error submitted to one of the Creation Websites. It can be seen that there are not that many, and one sticks out — lack of diligence — they stop too early. Another commonality is the recurring claim that Jesus could not be God because of what He said, He hoisted Himself with His own petard. Islam, in particular, applies the basic Laws of Logic to this. There is a lot of impressively heavy thinking. But there is an old proverb, ‘Paying attention is more important than thinking. You may end up thinking about the wrong thing.’ The difference between the pro-Christ and the anti-Christ is that the former searches for Truth and the latter halts at anything that could possibly be construed as a lie. There are a number of instances where Jesus separates Himself from the Father in Heaven. These have been well covered by other contributors to Medium; this article by Hope You Are Curious, for instance, so there is no point in re-ploughing that ground. You are strongly advised to read it. The focus here will be on what is written in Mark 13:32–33 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” The simple logic applied here is, “God knows everything. Jesus admits He doesn’t know; ipso facto He can’t possibly be God.” This same objection gets tackled from a completely different angle in Does John 1:1 Say Jesus Is God or "a god?" — where the Greek text itself settles the question. Worth reading alongside this one. It is admitted that this verse, in particular, has vexed me for a long time. But this morning I was given an Ahasuerus (of Esther’s Xerxes fame) moment. The penny dropped at 02:10 am when the radio was switched on to hear the exact clip of this answer. It is written in Hebrews 2:14–18 "Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. Now read the famous Kenosis, expressed in Philippians 2:5–8. The key text is Philippians 2:7, where Paul writes that Christ “emptied himself” by: • Taking the form of a servant • Being born in human likeness • Humbling himself to the point of death, even death on a cross Reading these two texts together shows that Jesus took on the natural abilities of a mortal human. The Kenosis shows He didn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. In modern, cheap idiom, it could possibly be described as being in a Hiatus (between gigs). There was every intention of Him returning to His former Glory. For reasons best known to Himself, God has ordained His Redemption Plan to be as it is. [Don’t argue with me. Show Him where He is wrong when you get your chance.] So, for those who think along these lines, I have a question for you. Jesus was made to have the same natural abilities that you have. Can you tell the future? Remember, divination is a Capital Crime. Guesses don’t count. you don’t even know if you will be alive tomorrow. © ネ Brad Banardict