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SPIRITUAL GRIT
Thoughts on Christ, Counseling, and Soul Care
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March 6, 2017
Great Post! As the Connections Pastor of our Local Church, this information is invaluable as I look at “ministry opportunities” we may present to our church and community at large. I love that scripture is “prescribed” along with homeopathic approaches like mentoring & friendships. Truly the Kingdom has all it needs to be whole, we just have to share the knowledge and receive the Wisdom.
Thanks
Ray Green
Cresthill Church
Bowie Md
March 8, 2017
Thanks for your feedback Ray! I’m glad you found this helpful.
April 12, 2017
I have found Sarah’s story helpful and your bio helpful as well. You mentioned other women’s stories might be posted, related to ppd and ppa. When might that be?
April 23, 2017
I’m glad to hear you found Sarah’s story helpful. For now, Sarah’s story is the only one in addition to her husband that is able to be shared at this time.
June 19, 2017
This quote from Hannah Anderson really stood out for me: “Through His deity, He enables us to be what we are supposed to be. And when we are, when we exist as God has intended us to exist, we will find rest.” Thanks, Beverly Weber, for this book review.
July 31, 2017
Well stated about intercity issues and slow justice. The scriptures are encouraging and the suggestions of Keep Praying, Keep hope in Christ and that God will work in His time. I would add to that list…… as this Pastor has done….remain there in the intercity as a presence and persons who will take action and show the love of Christ, even if taken advantage of in situations of assistance. I think of the partnership that my sister’s friends at Charlestown have with Baltimore Sandtown together working to achieve justice and support there.
August 1, 2017
Well said, thanks! The only way there can be real, long-term change is if there are people committed to that long-term change.
July 31, 2017
Great article, Pastor Locke. God’s timing is not ours. How easy it is to be impatient with day-to-day little inconveniences, not just the larger needs.
August 1, 2017
Thanks, Lori!
July 31, 2017
Pastor Locke gives a perfect description of how justice often flows like molasses. He concludes by asking two key questions that all of us need to answer based on how God is leading us: “How do we respond? What do we do in the mean time?” Pastor Locke and his family are answering God’s call for them to minister and live in the midst of the molasses. God calls others of us to do other things. For me, the call has been and is to work on dismantling/reforming the systems that make the molasses run so slowly. Justice work takes perseverance and a long time as the Biblical reference about the widow seeking justice from the judge shows. So if each us do the work for justice that God calls us to do and we keep on praying and we keep on hoping in Christ and believing that God’s justice is certain, God will use those efforts to unclog the flow of justice so it flows a little faster. If you ask God, He will help you find where and how you can help.
August 1, 2017
Joy, I am grateful that you have committed your life to the pursuit of systemic justice. Blessings to you!
August 1, 2017
Amen….
February 2, 2018
Here’s the songs that speak to me:
Jesus Loves Me, This I know
Amazing Grace (especially Judy Collins’ solo, acapella version)
Isn’t He Wonderful
Precious Name
Jesus Saves
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
All things Bright and Beautiful
Great is Thy Faithfulness
Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine
Me and Jesus, We’ve Got Our Own Thing Goin’ (a country style song way outside my usual preferred music style)
February 2, 2018
Thanks for sharing your list! Here’s another hymn that has been a “life song” for me, especially during my childhood and teen years.
A Mighty Fortress is our God, especially Sheila Walsh’s version, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_9eWkS19kc
February 2, 2018
Audrey Assad, Lead Me On and pretty much ANYTHING else by her
Matt Maher, Your Love Defends Me and Rest
February 16, 2018
Great choices! Thanks for sharing Melissa.
July 5, 2018
Great read-
July 6, 2018
Important perspective.
July 6, 2018
Excellent. Hope lots of pastors and other church leaders will read this.
August 13, 2018
Jennifer and I read this together while on vacation and received a huge spiritual blessing. We were talking about parenting and this blog was awesome with reminders and encouragement. Strong point about extending good relationships.
My best take away was to show more grace and show trust. My add on would be to speak truth and really show love.
August 15, 2018
Thanks Dan and Jennifer. I’m glad you were encouraged by Pamela’s post. Speaking truth and love do go a long way in parenting. We are always growing as parents, just like our kids:-)
December 10, 2018
This is the key phrase you wrote: “Remember, joy flows out of our relationship with Christ,”
Joy comes from:
#1) learning to live as Paul says in Philippians 4: 11: “I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have.”
#2) looking forward to spending eternity with Jesus as Paul says in Colossians 1:27 “this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”
December 10, 2018
I am relieved that our joy is founded in Christ and not on my feelings or perspective. It is tempting to be unhappy as we focus on what we don’t have or what we wish were different however, joy is not based on these earthly things but on Christ and we are empowered to live out that joy which comes from Him by His Spirit.
December 10, 2018
Thanks for this, Aunt Robin! It was really good! It can be so easy to get discouraged when I’m not focused on Christ. It’s so great that our joy isn’t dependent on our circumstances!
-Morgan
December 10, 2018
You’re welcome! God is so wise in basing our joy on Him and not on earthly and temporal things so that it can not be taken away! The struggle is real with the battle for the focus of our hearts and minds but God doesn’t leave us to battle alone.
July 8, 2019
Thank you for such an informative review. Waiting on God and learning patience are most definitely important aspects of learning to walk with Jesus everyday and in every way. Waiting is so counter to our modern American culture of immediate response and gratification. But there can be such blessing in waiting to see how God is revealing Himself in any time of prayerful waiting.
September 18, 2019
I am going through this same battle and your words are so comforting. Thank you for being a beacon of hope and encouragement for us mommies. We may not have chosen this battle but I know God is fighting it for us. God bless you.
October 14, 2019
Thanks for writing Samantha. I’m glad you found this post encouraging. Though you may not feel this way, you are doing a great job and you are the best mom for your child/children! I hope you have a small community of women you can connect with about this topic. There are several great online and in person resources and counselors out there (psi international and 2020Mom). I’m glad you know the Lord is with you, in Him you are strong.
January 22, 2020
Perfect timing for you to post this for us down here in Tampa. Our community just tragically lost a student this week. Thank you for sharing.
January 22, 2020
So sorry to hear of your loss Michelle. I’m glad this was insightful. I will be praying for you and your community.
December 28, 2020
Great intro. Looking forward to Part II.
December 28, 2020
Thanks for reading! Part 2 coming soon.
January 16, 2021
The daily practice of what I call the “gratitude attitude” makes every day better whether in a “pit” or on the “mountaintop.” It draws me toward God and His presence in my life.
Ann Voskamp has some great ideas and tools on recognizing God’s gifts and blessings in the midst of life, especially the difficult times of life. See 1000 gifts – https://onethousandgifts.com/share-your-gifts/1000-things-to-be-thankful-for-3
January 17, 2021
Agreed. A thankful heart to God definitely helps one’s perspective and maintaining hope when life is hard.
January 18, 2021
Thanks for your thought, Joy. You are so right. Thankfulness is a game-changer. It is such a significant part of the Psalms approach to life in general, and specifically when in suffering. Counter-intuitive, isn’t it? And yet so practical. This same idea surfaces frequently in the NT, as well. I appreciate your thoughts. Dave
August 15, 2021
This is such a beautiful post! I’m a homeschooling mom of 2 daughters, the oldest of which is now 12, and I confess there are times when I feel a bit anxious about navigating through the teen years… Thank you for the biblical focus, refreshing honesty, and practical ideas given here! Truly a blessing to my heart ❤
August 15, 2021
I’m so glad you are encouraged in your parenting journey through Pamela’s post! She does share some great biblical wisdom and practical steps to help us in shepherding our kids through this stage of life.
March 6, 2022
Great idea, Thanks, Robin (and Jon) for doing this.
January 15, 2023
Thank you for this post. It was a comforting (and much needed) reminder this morning
January 15, 2023
You’re welcome! I’m glad this was encouraging.
December 11, 2023
This writing is absolutely beautiful, helpful, and timely.
I know Dr. Davis personally. She is so genuine and a God-fearing woman.
December 11, 2023
I also appreciate her helpful words in this post. Thank you for your kind words about her. I too find her genuine and godly.
December 12, 2023
Thank you so much 🙂