Heart in prayer

Poem On Delight In Prayer – 5th Century

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Lately I’ve been reading from a 5th century author named Macarius. However, Macarius was only his pen name; his true identity is unknown so he is referred to as Pseudo-Macarius. He lived somewhere in modern day Syria. In his diary John Wesley wrote: “I read Macarius and sang.” His  Fifty Spiritual Homilies are warm, positive and without the intellectual analysis found in many Church Fathers. He talks about the light of God in our souls, the felt love of the Spirit, the transforming power of the incarnation, purification and spiritual sweetness. Following is a selection from Homily 8 of The Fifty Spiritual Homilies. It was not originally written as a poem and has no title. I just arranged it into stanzas myself. Between translation and arrangement it doesn’t have ideal poetic structure, but I still think it is beautiful. It is about the delight that the Spirit sometimes brings in prayer. Even though I can’t experience this right Continue Reading →

Weekly Word Of Encouragement – We Will Be Completely Good!

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“But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.” Gal 5:5 In this life we live in “momentary light affliction” when we fight our old self with its selfish and destructive desires, but we can set our heart on the fact that God will transform us into perfection one day. Application: pick one or two words from the verse that help you and repeat it to yourself throughout the day or week. See The Salvation Of God In Your Life – Weekly Words Of EncouragementOctober 26, 2026God Will Deliver You – Weekly Words Of EncouragementOctober 19, 2026Are You Walking With The Spirit?October 16, 2026

humility

Upside-Down Leadership – Part 2

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Last week we looked at three foundational attitudes for leadership: thinking of oneself as a student, a servant, and a messenger. Together these attitudes form humility in us. Today we build on humility with more ideas that deepen humility and equip us for mature leadership, whether we lead as a parent, a spouse, an employee, or in ministry. This is a straightforward discussion so please don’t get offended. Truly Love People. This means our heart is committed to the well being of the people we serve, with at least some measure of affection. If we don’t truly love the people then we need to find a way to change our heart or reconsider our calling. Be Weak and Strong. We are a flower in the field but also an anchor in the storm. This sounds like a paradox but it actually makes a lot of sense. Jesus made himself vulnerable for Continue Reading →

Rewards For Do-Gooders – Weekly Word Of Encouragement

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“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Gal. 6:9, NASB) We are “do-gooders!” (It sounds strange.) Remember that we will reap a reward for doing good – more of God – if we don’t give up. Application: pick one or two words from the verse that help you and repeat it to yourself throughout the day or week. See The Salvation Of God In Your Life – Weekly Words Of EncouragementOctober 26, 2026God Will Deliver You – Weekly Words Of EncouragementOctober 19, 2026Are You Walking With The Spirit?October 16, 2026

humility

Upside-Down Leadership-Part 1

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You just finished leading a great meeting. Everyone was happy and happy with you. Several smiled and thanked you personally. At home you are feeling thankful for being able to lead. Then as you relax your mind starts wandering and thinking about what a great person you are. You are a fantastic leader, so much better than most…whoa! What happened here? You were just thinking about being thankful then you started getting delusions of grandeur. How quickly spiritual pride rears its head. Scripture teaches that you have an old self, or “flesh” that you have to fight. This explains why these temptations and impulses rise up within us. We also have an Enemy that takes advantage of our old self. So we shouldn’t get discouraged by temptations to pride. The early devout Christians considered pride the deadliest of enemies for those pursuing spiritual growth. They observed that once someone decides Continue Reading →