Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been tagged as “fear”
Have you ever noticed how Jesus had a way of turning things inside out in the Gospels? He was repeatedly criticized for healing the wrong people, in the wrong places, at the wrong times. He hung out with the riff-raff (Luke 5:30), he ventured off into Samaria (John 4:9), and he even healed people on the Sabbath (Mark 1:21-26). And …
As you’ve probably noticed, it’s World Cup time! The thing about every sport—even a low-scoring sport like soccer—is that it all comes down to keeping score. Television commentators sometimes say profound things like, “Well, one thing we can say for sure is that whoever has the most points at the end of today’s game, will pull out a victory and …
Jesus Is Authority and Mystery By Beth Demme Jesus is an interesting mix of authority and mystery. In Mark 1:21-28, Jesus is teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath and people are “’astounded” at his authority. Jesus is there at the synagogue with a small group of disciples who also responded to his authority. Just a few verses earlier they were fishermen. …
Why I Need Resurrection By Beth Demme On a recent Spiritual Retreat, I was walking through the forest and I was struck by how resurrection was everywhere. I associate resurrection with Springtime, but it’s only the end of summer now, just about to edge into fall. Everywhere I looked I saw new life growing out of the old. I saw …
Some moments in life leave us speechless. Sometimes wonder, or gratitude, or disbelief, or grief seem to steal our words. Sometimes I want to pray, but there are no words. Other times the words come, but I know they are not enough. There are times when I am awe-struck by the beauty of creation or the gift of another day. …
Boat Theology By Beth Demme You know the passage in Matthew where Jesus walks on the water? Jesus and the disciples feed over five thousand people with only five loaves and two fish. (Matthew 14:17-21) Jesus then herds the disciples into a boat and sends them across the Sea of Galilee. Later, Jesus was ready to join them and “he …
The Power of Apology to Soften the Heart & Open the Mind By Beth Demme Apologies are powerful things. I learned this first-hand when I practiced law full-time. I often represented nursing homes being sued for negligence in the death of a resident. You might not believe me, but most of the time people in nursing homes die of natural …
How I’m Making Fear Disappear One Click At A Time By Beth Demme I recently remarked to a friend that I am coming up on my 2-year blog-a-versary. “Wow, that’s great. What have you learned so far?” she asked. It was an innocent, but paralyzing question. I tried to play it off with a silly answer, “I’ve learned that blog …
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Vulnerability is scary. If you know about my worst mistakes (and the shame I feel about them) there’s a chance you will choose to reject me or even mistreat me. Even though I know that everyone makes mistakes, I still wonder if my mistakes are worse and my shame is deeper. It’s as if somewhere along the way to trapping our …
What if? What if? What if? Is it just me, or does each day hold a million or more what–ifs? When I’m at my best (emotionally healthy with a properly adjusted perspective), the what-ifs excite me. What if I get invited to speak at such-and-such? What if I hear back from so-and-so? What if today God uses me to plant …