by Bonnie O'Neil | Aug 8, 2023 | Grow, Uncategorized
Scripture is full of references to God as our stronghold. One such Scripture passage I revisited recently is Psalm 46, where the psalmist declares that God is his refuge, strength, and his stronghold. What does it mean that God is our stronghold? The stronghold, or...
by Bonnie O'Neil | Mar 30, 2023 | Grow, Uncategorized
It’s tempting to read the first fifteen verses of the prophetic 59th chapter of Isaiah by only looking outward. The world heaves under the oppression of those who shed blood, whose mouths drip lies and obscenities, whose hands commit wicked acts of violence. These are...
by Bonnie O'Neil | Mar 8, 2023 | Grow, Uncategorized
Lent is one of the harder seasons of the Church year to press into. It’s long and doesn’t have any of the softer edges of Advent. For six-and-a-half weeks, we’re invited to contemplate our sinfulness and Jesus’ atonement. Many of us approach this season asking, how...
by Bonnie O'Neil | Feb 9, 2023 | Grow, Uncategorized
We’ve all experienced it. That person who awkwardly tries to share their faith and ends up being obnoxious in the process. Too many earnest words. Not enough space for their captive listener to ask questions. When we view faith sharing as an argument to be won and not...
by Bonnie O'Neil | Jan 12, 2023 | Grow, Uncategorized
Human nature tells us when we’re overwhelmed by our workload or distraught over the disintegration of a dream that we just need to work harder, faster, longer. When a health crisis or family situation seems insurmountable, we may throw up a few hasty prayers but then...