When was the last time you attended a work training session, or went to a conference or workshop intended to develop your skills? What skills were you developing? Something to do with software or project management? Maybe you were learning the latest and greatest thing to come into your industry or getting ideas and inspiration on how to do your job better? Chances are it was something that would look good on your resume going forward: "Adept at Microsoft Excel..." "Certified in Quickbooks bookkeeping..." "Experience in project management..." These are great skills to have, and ..read more

Beatitudes Devotional Series by Jamie Osborne God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,     for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. ~Jesus (Matthew 5:10-12) When was the last time you were persecuted for choosing to live a Christ-like lifestyle? It’s been a while ..read more

Beatitudes Devotional Series by Jamie Osborne Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God ~ Jesus, in Matthew 5:8 Sometimes, I think I’m doing pretty good. I am a decent human. I mostly don’t break the 10 Commandments. I can give myself an A on good behaviour, or maybe even an A+! Sadly, however, good behaviour alone is meaningless, especially when we see this Beatitude: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." Yikes. Sure, I toe the line to have good behaviour.  But my heart? Pure? Hardly. Yet this is the message of Jesus: he desires a good heart ..read more

Beatitudes Devotional Series by Jamie Osborne Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. ~ Jesus, in Matthew 5:7 I was a single parent for over a decade before Nick and I joined forces. During that time, as much as I hated to admit it, I needed help.  I was a student trying to get a teaching degree while raising a son on my own, which meant I was far below the poverty line. Additionally, I was essentially alone, scared, and in need of someone to walk with me. Some of God’s people were amazing. Groceries would magically appear on my doorstep. Anonymous envelopes of cash ..read more

Beatitudes Devotional Series by Jamie Osborne Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. ~ Matthew 5:6 If you believe the theory behind the Enneagram personality tests, you’ll know that Enneagram 7’s are never satisfied. They are always looking to the next thing, whether it is a trip, an adventure, or a new outfit.  I know, because I am a textbook Enneagram 7 and have come to recognize that I always want more. It is a struggle for me to remain present to and grateful for the good life I already have. However, I don’t think this ye ..read more

Beatitudes Devotional Series by Jamie Osborne Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth ~ Matthew 5:4, ESV Do you desire to be meek? One January, my dad took significant time to pray for me.  At the time, I was a brand new Christian and was trying to extricate myself from a rebellious lifestyle and all the temptations that go with it. Yet I was newly in love with Jesus and wanted to follow him. After his prayer session, he felt like God was saying to him that I was like a wild horse. I had a lot of power and willfulness and had previously used that to do what I like ..read more

Last year, a colleague’s husband tragically passed away, leaving her with two small children. Our school staff did our best to care for that family - coordinating meals, Christmas gifts, and cards.  On one card, someone wrote the second beatitude to encourage her: Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. While the sentiment is nice, it’s a misunderstanding of this Beatitude, and perhaps not the most helpful phrase to share with someone grieving the loss of a loved one. In fact, another friend flatly told me that sharing a phrase like this is entirely un ..read more

You are likely well-familiar with the call of Jesus to follow him. The gospel authors record over twenty times Jesus told people, "Follow me." It was his first command (John 1:43) and his last (John 21:22). However, sandwiched between these invitations to follow him, just before going to the Cross, Jesus introduces a new invitation: "Abide in me" (John 15:4). The invitations to follow Jesus and abide in Jesus cannot be separated. In fact, abiding in Jesus is the only way we will ever be able to follow Jesus from a place of rest or do any ministry in his name.  In her book C ..read more

“He died to no one’s regret and was buried in the city of David but not in the tombs of the kings." ~ 2 Chronicles 21:20 Have you ever wondered what people will say at your funeral? I've been learning a lot about life from reading the biographies of the kings of Israel and Judah as recorded in 1-2 Chronicles of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Christian Old Testament). Take, for example, King Jehoram of Judah. He was the son of the very popular and godly King Jehoshaphat. About Jehoshaphat the Chronicler writes: “He walked in the ways of Asa his father; he did not turn away from it but ..read more

“Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.' And he went away, weeping bitterly." ~ Matthew 26:75 We've all likely been there in one form or another. "What have I done? How could I be so stupid?"  This feeling may have arisen over something most would find innocuous, like if we leave a conversation feeling we said something dumb or over-shared. Perhaps we've said words like these over something much more serious, like committing a serious crime, breaking a vow, or making a terrible financia ..read more