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In   Mark 14 , Jesus has just had the “Last Supper” with his 12 apostles and is about to be betrayed and led to his cruel death.  He lets them in on some news that probably shook them to their core: 27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” 29 Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” 30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “Today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” 31 But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. As I read those words a few mornings ago, it hit me that – in essence – Peter was saying “I ain’t falling away!! I’ll be a martyr for you, Jesus!”  Then, the thought hit me: “It’s hard to be a martyr!”  Maybe that could be a loose paraphrase of Jesus’ resp...

PRAY OVER THIS “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” ( Philippians 1:19-21 )   PONDER THIS Some teenagers were out, and one of them suggested they do something they ought not to do, but a godly girl in that crowd said, “No, I don’t want to do that.” And one of them began to tease her and said, “Oh, you’re afraid of what your dad will do, aren’t you?” She said, “No, I’m afraid of what I’d do to my dad.” See, that’s the difference between law and love! Every person who says, “I am a blood brother of the Lord Jesus Christ,” wants to be pure when the Lord Jesus comes. We are to be ...

About HER   Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. — Psalm 25:16 To do any sort of justice to a book for women would require me (John) to go deeper, listen even more carefully, study, delve into the mystery (okay, mess) of a woman’s soul. Part of me didn’t want to go there. Pull back. Withdraw. I was keenly aware of this going on inside me, and I felt like a jerk. But I also knew enough about myself and about the battle for a woman’s heart that I needed to explore this ambivalence. What is this thing in me — and in most men — that doesn’t want to go deep into a woman’s world? “You are too much. It’s too much work. Men are simpler. Easier.” And isn’t that the message you’ve lived with all your life as a woman? “You’re too much, and not enough. You’re just not worth the effort.” Now, part of a man’s fundamental reluctance to truly dive into the world of a woman comes from a man’s deepest fear: failure. He fears that having delved into his woman...

What does God’s grace mean to you? Is it unmerited favor? Is it the power to overcome our sin? Well, I might say that grace is a lot of those things and more. The Bible says several things about God’s grace: Ephesians 2:8   - we’re saved by His grace 2 Corinthians 12:9   - His grace is all we need Romans 6:14   - there’s freedom from sin in God’s grace James 4:6   - God gives His grace generously Ephesians 2:5   - we didn’t do anything to earn God’s grace These are just a few examples of what God’s grace is and this week at CR and every week we experience the power, love, and incredible nature of God’s grace.

It doesn’t make sense to me, but my attempts to hold on to my old life through control actually saps the life right out of me. I am tempted in this space to try harder, do better, perform, or even ‘out do’ the bad with good behaviors, but it never works, and is never sustainable in our recovery journey. It’s the letting go that ultimately brings life. I have learned in my recovery journey that it’s so much harder to surrender than it is to accomplish. In my flesh, I am wired to accomplish and perform for love. But Jesus didn’t design me or you that way. He reminds us that our performance doesn’t gain us life. Coming to Him in our brokenness and our old self, and resting in His love changes us to our new in Christ-created self. He reminds us again and again that surrender leads to life. A good reminder for me is to let go of what I’m trying to manage on my own today, yet again. What about you? Is there something you're focusing on and trying to manage that...