dr-caroldr-carol
Standing Firm
Bible Teaching, Christian Life, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Life

If You’re a Christian, You’re a Professional

I’m a professional. And if you’re a Christian, you’re a professional too whether you feel like one or not.

I’m a physician. In my work as a physician I write prescriptions, deliver babies, perform surgeries, and give directions to other members of the healthcare team. I’m expected to provide consistent high-quality care to my patients using the best information and skills available to me. Those expectations are the same regardless of how I feel on any given day. I can’t get away with performing a surgery less skillfully simply because I’m tired, upset about a nasty email, or anxious to get to a birthday party for one of my grandchildren.

I don’t write prescriptions, perform surgery, or give medical orders in order to be a doctor. In fact, if I tried to do those things without the appropriate training, experience, and credentials I’d be hauled off to jail! My behavior flows out of who I have become. I really don’t have much choice in the matter. I’m either a doctor, or I’m not.

As a doctor I don’t TRY to do things; there are some things I simply DO because I AM a doctor.

Do I do those things perfectly every time? Absolutely not. But I’m responsible for giving it my absolute best every single time. I’m also responsible for taking care of myself well enough so that I can do my best, and for continuing to learn so that I remain at the forefront of my profession.

You are a professional too. If you’re a believer, if you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior and have chosen to be a part of God’s kingdom, you are a professional. You may not feel like one much of the time, but you are one. You don’t get a free pass on days when you just don’t feel like it. You probably don’t do it “right” all the time, but you’re either a Christian or you’re not. This is what you signed up for when you said yes to Jesus.

Read More
3 Comments
Holding onto Mom
Christian Life, Emotional and Mental Health, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Struggle

Finding Safety in God’s Presence through Worship

If you’re a parent you know what it’s like to have your toddler run to you when they became afraid or anxious. They would lift their arms for you to pick them up, grab you around the neck, and hold on for dear life. Your presence could make bad dogs, crowds of people, thunder, or anything else scary suddenly be OK. In your arms monsters could disappear, boo-boos become all better, and little wounded spirits would be healed.

That’s what the safety in God’s presence can do for you.

We live in a world where bad stuff happens. Bad people do bad things. Natural disasters and trouble with job, marriage, or money are common. People get sick and sometimes die. Our homes, our church, our nation, our world are under frequent if not constant attack. We’re often left with a sense that so much is out of our control. It’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed and bombarded.

It’s good to know that like a child, we can run into our Father’s arms and find peace, healing, safety, and so much more. “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27)

Worship is the way you get there.

Worship is different than praise. While praise it vitally important, worship is deeper and more intimate. Praise stirs up the soul, and is often directed outward, telling others how great God is. Worship stills the soul, and is directed toward God alone. (Psalm 46:10)

In worship the posture of your soul is like that of John when he saw in person the risen ascended glorified Jesus. John did not express excitement, leap with joy, and rush to gather others around. Instead, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.” (Revelation 1:17)

In true worship you lose sight of anyone and anything else. You forget your surroundings and your troubles, and time has no meaning. All your senses are transfixed by the person and presence of Jesus.

Read More
4 Comments
Couple with Bible
Bible Teaching, Christian Life, Communication, Marriage and Family Life, Marriage and Relationships, Relationships, Spiritual Growth

What God’s Communication can teach us about Communication in Marriage

When we asked couples what they struggle with, communication was Number One. It can feel as though you and your spouse are speaking different languages, and attempts to talk seem to only make things worse. Since we are made in God’s image, looking at God’s communication with us should teach us a lot about healthy communication in marriage.

God is always communicating. The Bible is basically a record of and means of God’s communication with us. “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1-2)

Imagine God trying to communicate with us. He knows everything, has all the answers, and loves us with a heart that is infinite, passionate, strong, and wise. But we struggle to hear and understand Him. Jesus described it like this: “In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’” (Matthew 13:14-15)

Talk about a closed heart! Does that sound like your spouse when you try to communicate?

And perhaps it describes you sometimes as well.

But God doesn’t give up, and neither should you.

Here are some aspects of God’s communication with us that can help you in communicating with your spouse.

Read More
1 Comment
Woman praying
Bible Teaching, Christian Life, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Life, Spiritual Struggle

The Most Powerful Prayer I Ever Prayed

Not all prayer is the same. Intellectually we know that God hears every prayer, but it sure seems some prayers just “work” better than others. I learned through hard experience what the most powerful prayer can do, and that changed everything.

The Bible assures us that God hears us if we ask according to his will (1 John 5:14). And we know He desires our good. It’s also possible to ask “with wrong motives” (James 4:3), or for our prayers to be hindered (1 Peter 3:7). The disciples could see how vital prayer was to Jesus, and asked Him to teach them to pray the same (Luke 11:1). Some prayer is truly effective and accomplishes much (James 5:16).

So if all prayers are not the same, what makes an effective prayer?

As a young professional I went through a period of severe distress that rendered me nearly unable to function. My physical and psychological symptoms went on for some years in spite of professional help. I looked good on the outside, but inside I was a mess. I spent long hours crying, or sometimes literally curled up on the floor.

I knew God had the answer, but I wasn’t finding it. I kept trying this and that, searching and praying for relief. I wondered if I was someone who was destined to live broken. While I’d always gone to church, coming to know Jesus personally during that time began to make a difference, but my progress was still miniscule.

Learning the Most Powerful Prayer

Read More
14 Comments
1 2 3 … 32

FIND US HERE

14900 Avery Ranch Blvd
Suite c200-223
Austin, TX 78717

Toll Free - 1-888-537-2276

SOCIAL

RSS FEED