June 2010 – Page 2 – 300 words a day

rest

The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,that I may walk before the LORD in […]

by Jon Swanson

growing isn’t an option for followers

Simon Johnson, a devotional writer, talks about a spiritual growth plan: “Do all you can to add to your life these things: to your faith add goodness; to your goodness add knowledge” and then goes on through self-control, patience, devotion to God, kindness toward your brothers and sisters, and love. We think, “That is a […]

by Jon Swanson

Jesus does not need you. (a rerun)

(This first appeared on July 13, 2009) Many of us are pretty convinced that Jesus needs us. If it it weren’t for us, after all, how would he be able to hug people who are hurting? If it weren’t for us, how would he able to comfort the sick and the sorrowing? If it weren’t […]

by Jon Swanson

but what if you don’t want to be a sheep.

Sheep are not cool animals. Lions are cool. Eagles are cool. Swans are cool. Wild horses are cool. Even geese are cool, at least when you can turn them into a team that shares leadership. (If it weren’t for figuring out leadership lessons from geese, they would just be messy pests.) The rest of the […]

by Jon Swanson

Abbondanza

I love pizza. I eat it regularly. At times, I have eaten it daily. When I was growing up, Mama Celeste talked about her frozen pizza using one word: Abbondanza. It is Italian. It means abundant. For pizza, abundance means lots of good ingredients. It means overflowing. It means a little sloppy, a little messy. […]