What to Do with Anxiety and Depression
As I’ve been reaching out to our Living Streams family during this lingering season of COVID-19 quarantine, I’ve been hearing of a rise in anxiety and depression. For some, it’s due to loss of employment or
He Knows Me
O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
I Know I Am Loved by the King
Many moments have whizzed by us this year, some full of pain and confusion that we haven’t yet had time to process.
Our God is outside of time. His Kingdom is not weighed down by disease, unrest, or political disagreement. And yet, He sent His son Jesus to intersect with time,
– Psalm 34:4
Take Heart
If you are feeling anxious right now, just turn off the news, get away from social media, get quiet, and dig into God’s word. It is filled with comfort and strength for his people. Here are some verses that can not only calm your fears, but can also build your faith and courage. Maybe you should pick out a few to meditate on today:
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
– Psalm 34:4
Love is the Antidote
At the time of this writing, the ugliness of racial prejudice is once again stirring up powerful emotions across our nation. And we wonder: How can we ever be a united people when hatred exists among us?
Plain and simple, racism is a sin. And God’s people have got to take the lead in humbling ourselves, and in asking him to forgive us as a nation, to change us, and to help us love one another.
Grieve and Let Go
When Moses encountered the burning bush. He was told to do something: “Take off your shoes. This is holy ground”.
When God awakens us in an area or touches us in our whole spiritual life, He usually calls us to “do something”. In my experience, some of the greatest times of awakening and growth have been my deepest points of pain, confusion, or silence in my life. I did not always know what to do, how to do it, or what the next step was.
He Reveals Deep and Hidden Things
A few years ago, I was greeting people in the lobby of Living Streams when I saw a tall, handsome young man. One of our members introduced us and said he was a wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals.
Go Horizontal
No, the kind of fast I want is that you stop oppressing those who work for you and treat them fairly and give them what they earn. I want you to share your food with the hungry and bring right into your own homes those who are helpless, poor, and destitute.
Listen While You Wait
I have vivid childhood memories of those built-in water dispensers that you find on the doors of many refrigerators. My family never had one, but a lot of family friends did and a visit to their house meant water from the fridge door. The reason the memories are so vivid: it takes a long time for one of those dispensers to fill a cup.
Good Reads
We asked our pastors and staff what they are reading while confined at home. We thought we’d share some of their answers with you:
The Family That Prays
Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Give to Others, Even When You're Hurting
Sometimes when we feel down, and so into ourselves, we need to look up and look out. Giving to others when you feel needy can take you out of yourself and bring you into a less selfish place.
Stimulus Checks
Twice in my life I lost my job due to a bad economy and budget cuts. The first time led to my being unemployed for thirteen months. I experienced a wide range of emotions—some of which I did not think I had in me—as I was met with rejection when applying for new jobs,
The Power of Gratitude
“Give thanks in all circumstances.” Easier said than done. When things aren’t going our way, we definitely do not feel thankful. But then, the Bible doesn’t tell us to feel thankful.
Peace in a Time of Trouble
Some Scriptures for Meditation: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. –Jeremiah 29:11
Who Am I?
by Veronica Morrison, Pastor of Women’s Ministry
I was talking with a friend yesterday who had been looking forward to her graduation from ASU this May. We were processing together the disappointment and all the emotions that have come up in light of the pandemic, and the loss of her hopes and dreams with graduation.
The Invitation
by Morgan Breitling
Worship Coordinator/Operations Administrative Assistant
Matthew 11:28 (ESV) — “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
If My People...
by Tammy Valdez
Executive Director of Ministry/Human Resources/Development
“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
– 2 Chronicles 7:14
Why would He say “If”? Oh, maybe He knew we would be distracted