Apparently Nebuchadnezzar had the same dream night after night until he could not sleep at all. Daniel is able to interpret the King’s dream when the King’s helpers could not. He is able to do so because God enabled him. Many people worry about the future, but as Christians we can choose not to worry because we know that God controls the future. We also know the kingdoms of this world will pass away.Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. Need a Speaker or Presenter? Interested in having me speak for your church, conference, or organization? Follow this link to learn more. Looking for a Speaking Coach? The most successful people are not always the smartest people. But they have one thing in common: they communicate well. I'd love to help you become a better communicator. Click here.
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The Israelites are in captivity in Babylon. They are living in a foreign land with foreign customs and religions. It's no easy thing to live a godly life in the midst of an increasingly godless society. The Old Testament Daniel shows us how. But he did more than just survive; he thrived and changed the entire course of history. Although the chief official changed Daniel’s name, it did not change Daniel’s allegiance to God. We must find our identity and power in God, not in our culture and its constantly changing ways.Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. Need a Speaker or Presenter? Interested in having me speak for your church, conference, or organization? Follow this link to learn more. Looking for a Speaking Coach? The most successful people are not always the smartest people. But they have one thing in common: they communicate well. I'd love to help…
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One of the most impactful books I've read in quite a while is Henri Nouwen's Life of the Beloved. As a priest and professor, Nouwen writes in a compelling way that touches both head and heart. This little book takes four words and uses them to explain our spiritual identity. In my previous post, I wrote about the idea of being taken - or chosen - by God. When we see ourselves as chosen by God, we no longer feel accidental or incidental. This perspective is foundational to a healthy spiritual life. The next word is just as important: Blessed "The feeling of being accursed comes easily. We easily hear an inner voice calling us evil, bad, rotten, worthless, useless, doomed to sickness and death. Isn’t it easier for us to believe that we are cursed than that we are blessed?" - Nouwen "There is little or no neutral territory…
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As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was blessed to have a month-long study break back in June. I loaded up my Kindle with more books than I could read in one month and ended up tackling seven. While all seven were good reads, there were two that were the most impactful -- Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen and The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzaro. I would recommend both of these books to any Christ-follower -- and especially to Christian leaders. Beginning with this post, I want to share a few reflections from Nouwen's book (it's the shortest and most accessible of the two). When it comes to spiritual formation, identity is important. How do you see yourself? How does God see you? How are those two perceptions similar? Different? Nouwen uses four simple words to help us understand our identity as beloved children of God.…
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Everybody talks. Perhaps a better way to put it would be like this: faith speaks … differently. James goes into an extended section about the power of the tongue to bring life or death. Not only have we experienced this truth from the mouths of others, but we have said words of life or death to others as well.Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. Need a Speaker or Presenter? Interested in having me speak for your church, conference, or organization? Follow this link to learn more. Looking for a Speaking Coach? The most successful people are not always the smartest people. But they have one thing in common: they communicate well. I'd love to help you become a better communicator. Click here.
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