Pathway of Purpose

Photo by  Amanda Jones  on  Unsplash Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-17 (CSB) 8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. A prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to eat some food. So whenever he passed by, he stopped there to eat. 9 Then she said to her husband, “ I know that the one who often passes by here is a holy man of God , 10 let’s make a small room upstairs and put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp there for him. Whenever he comes, he can stay there. ” 11 One day he came there, stopped, and went to the room upstairs to lie down. 12 He ordered his servant Gehazi, “Call this Shunammite woman.” So he called her and she stood before him. 13 Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tell her, ‘Look, you went to all this trouble for us. What can we do for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’” She answered, “I am living among my own people.” 14 So he asked, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is ol...

Photo by  Manuel Venturini  on  Unsplash Celebrating the Journey, Embracing the Legacy Welcome to the final stretch of our spiritual formation series! Over the past two weeks, we've sowed the seeds and cultivated the soil, and now, as we stand on the precipice of Week Three, it's time to witness the harvest of transformation. Join me as we explore the lasting impact of consistent spiritual practices and the legacy they create. The Metaphor of Harvest: Imagine your spiritual journey as a thriving garden, ready for harvest. The fruits of your labor, the blooms of growth, and the vibrant colors of transformation are all around you. As we delve into this final week, let's bask in the beauty of the spiritual harvest. Scriptural Insight: Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." This verse encapsulates the rich and diverse fruits of a...

Photo by  Sergio Mena Ferreira  on  Unsplash Scripture: Mark 13 (CSB) Mark 13 records Jesus' discourse about the end times. He forewarns His disciples about the temple's destruction, the signs preceding His second coming, and the need for watchfulness. Jesus emphasizes the uncertainty of the timing and urges His followers to be vigilant and prepared. Observation: Jesus paints a vivid picture of the challenges that will precede His return, urging His disciples not to be alarmed but to watch and be ready. He emphasizes the importance of readiness, knowing that no one except the Father knows the exact hour. Application: Vigilance in Spiritual Awareness: The application is to cultivate spiritual alertness. Just as Jesus urged His disciples to watch for signs, believers are called to be vigilant in recognizing the spiritual climate and the signs of God's working in their lives and the world. Preparedness in Faith: The uncertainty of the end times underscores the importance of...

Photo by  Michael Elliott  on  Unsplash Watering the Seeds of Transformation Welcome back to our journey of spiritual formation! Last week, we explored the foundational principles that serve as the soil for our spiritual growth. This week, we roll up our sleeves and look into the practical steps that will water the seeds we've planted, nurturing the flourishing garden of our souls. The Metaphor of Watering: Picture your spiritual journey as a garden bathed in the refreshing waters of intentional practices. Just as plants require consistent watering to thrive, our souls flourish when we engage in spiritual disciplines regularly. Let's explore some practical steps to keep the soil of our souls well-hydrated. Scriptural Insight: Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him." This verse beautifully emphasizes the ongoing nature of spir...

Scripture: 28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Observation: Jesus extends a compassionate invitation to those burdened and weary. He promises rest to those who come to Him and take up His yoke. His humility becomes a model for learning, and the yoke He offers is described as easy, and His burden as light. Application: 1. Coming to Jesus for Rest: Jesus invites us to bring our weariness and burdens to Him. It's an active invitation, asking us to come into His presence and find rest. This involves surrendering our struggles to Him, trusting that He can provide the rest our souls need. 2. Learning Humility from Jesus: Taking up Jesus' yoke is an invitation to learn from Him. His humility becomes a profound lesson, teaching us to approach life with a lowly and humble heart. I...

Photo by  Robert Bye  on  Unsplash Welcome to a Journey of Growth In the vast expanse of our lives, there exists a sacred garden—the soil of our souls. Just as a gardener tends to the earth, we, too, have the profound opportunity to nurture our inner selves. Join me on a three-week exploration into the depths of spiritual formation, starting with the foundational principles that lay the groundwork for a flourishing journey. The Metaphor of Soil: Imagine your soul as the soil in which the seeds of your spiritual journey are planted. Just as a gardener cultivates the earth to yield a bountiful harvest, we must intentionally nurture our souls. When well-tended, the soil of the soul becomes a fertile ground for growth, resilience, and transformation. Scriptural Insight: Psalm 1:3 (NLT) "They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do." This verse beautifully encapsulates the essence of spir...

Photo by  Benjamin Faust  on  Unsplash Greetings, dear readers! Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey into another realm close to my heart, a realm that resonates with the essence of service, compassion, and unwavering support. Welcome to the inaugural segment of "Serving Those Who Serve: Chaplains Mission," where we embark on a profound exploration of the vital role chaplains play in various settings, from the frontlines of the military to the compassionate realms of hospice care. As many of you know, my journey in the nonprofit sector has been one marked by a deep commitment to service and a passion for uplifting those in need. Having worn various hats, including that of a lead pastor, Auxiliary Chaplain for the Coast Guard, and Hospice Chaplain, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of chaplains in diverse contexts. It is this very passion that drives me to study the intricacies of their mission, to shed light on the profound impact they have o...

Scripture:  6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Observation: Paul encourages believers not to worry but to pray about everything. The key is to combine prayer with gratitude—thanking God for what He has done. The promise is that by doing so, believers will experience a peace that surpasses understanding, guarding their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Application: 1. Prayerful Gratitude: The passage teaches us to approach God with both our needs and gratitude. Combining prayers for our desires with a heart of thanksgiving cultivates a trusting and grateful attitude. 2. Experiencing God’s Peace: The practice of grateful prayer leads to a peace that surpasses understanding. Instead of dwelling on worries, focusing on gratitude sh...

Photo by  Ryan Grewell  on  Unsplash As we welcome the new year, it is important that we all kick it off right. As a nonprofit leader, you set the tone. I have always said this mantra to myself, "So the leader, So the people." You don't know what is in front of you, but take the time to embrace rejuvenation, and it will leave a lasting impact on you and your team. The nonprofit sector is a vital force for positive change in our world. Organizations within this sector work tirelessly to address various social, environmental, and community issues. The pursuit of their missions, however, can be demanding and challenging, often leading to burnout and reduced effectiveness. To ensure lasting impact, it's essential for nonprofit leaders and organizations to embrace rejuvenation. In this post, we will explore the concept of rejuvenation in the nonprofit sector, its importance, and strategies for achieving lasting impact through revitalization. The Need for Rejuvenation in th...