Two Minute Meditations (Page 2)

Thanksgiving!

by Phil Ware · Colossians 4:2-5 · Thanksgiving

Phil Ware reminds us to keep thanksgiving a part of our daily lives even though we face challenging times, difficult circumstances, and discouraging realities.

How do we keep our concerns for the future and our hardships from the last two years of Covid 19 from stealing the joy of our Thanksgiving?

Heartbroken!

by Phil Ware · Genesis 6:5-7 · Hell · Heartbroken

Phil Ware reminds us that God shares our pain in our worst moments of grief and loss, God is heartbroken with us.

In the middle of our grief, loss, and brokenness, we must remember that we are not alone in our brokenness.

Red Boots and Christmas

by Phil Ware · 2 Timothy 1:5-7 · Christmas

Phil Ware remembers his Daddy Gordon and several Christmas memories that ensured his grandfather passed on a legacy of love and faith despite his few years of life.

How do we give the gift of legacy this Christmas, and not just give more stuff that will end up in a landfill a few years from now?

Beyond Trite Slogans to Real Help

by Phil Ware · Romans 8

Phil Ware writes about Romans 8:22-29, the bondage to decay that our world faces, our own troubles and hardships, and slogans that we often use and abuse to try to encourage people who are grieving, wounded, or hurt.

How can we say these things and really mean them when trying to help those who hurt?

Sowing to the Spirit: Finding Power from on High

by Phil Ware · Ephesians 1:17-20 · Holy Spirit

Phil Ware reminds us that God wants us to know that we have the Holy Spirit present and at work with power in our lives!

We can trust God's promises that the Spirit is at work in us!

He Came to a World We Know

by Phil Ware · Hebrews 12:1-3 · Incarnation

Phil Ware reminds us that the grit and gore that surrounds Jesus' birth is there to help us know that he came to a world like our own to redeem it.

Jesus entered a world we recognize as our own. He did it to redeem us from the messes we have brought on ourselves.

Come Home Quickly, Hallelujah

by Phil Ware · John 14:1-4 · Waiting

Phil Ware shares an article about his son coming home from college and how it reminds him of the Father in heaven waiting for us to return home to him.

I know my heavenly Father is looking forward to having me home to enjoy the celebration with him and his other children.

Even Though They Are Small?

by Phil Ware · Hebrews 4:16 · Thanksgiving

Phil Ware reminds us that no matter how difficult our circumstances, because of Jesus we have reason to give thanks!

If we are not careful, the challenges of the moment can wilt the joy right out of our Thanksgiving.

Free to Become

by Phil Ware · 2 Corinthians 3:18 · Holy Spirit

Phil Ware reminds us on the eve of Independence Day in the U.S. and movements all around the world striving for freedom, that the Holy Spirit gives us the greatest freedom of all!

Thoughts of freedom permeate the thoughts of the people of our world right now.

Beginning in Endings: End of Years, Rebirth of Joy!

by Phil Ware · Luke 2:21-38 · Aging

Phil Ware concludes his end of the year series called Beginning in Endings by talking about Anna and Simeon from Luke 2 and what they should teach us about aging and what to expect as we grow older.

How could we have this completely wrong?

Scales on Our Eyes?

by Phil Ware · Romans 16 · Women

Phil Ware concludes his 14 part series on how God values women and their importance in the life of His people.

We're like the apostle Paul right before he was baptized: we can't see!

A Story That Must Be Told!

by Phil Ware · Mark 14:1-9

Phil Ware continues his series of messages of how Jesus values women, focusing this week on the loving and extravagant gift of the unnamed woman who broke her alabaster jar and anointed Jesus with expensive perfume.

Regardless of our reasons in the past, let’s make sure we honor the Lord’s wishes in this circumstance and others like it.

The Most Excellent Way

by Phil Ware · Matthew 19 · Sexuality

Phil Ware continues his series on how God values women and how precious they are to Him, His people, and the future of humankind, this week focusing on sexual intimacy and value.

Beyond sexual equality to the Jesus way of mutuality and sacrificial love.

Treasures Old and New

by Phil Ware · Acts 2 · Women

Phil Ware continues his series on how the Bible and how God values women and their role in ministry.

This trek of discovery was our great joy in a year of deep sorrow. In the process, each of us discovered treasures old and new.

Treasure in the Details

by Phil Ware · Romans 16:1-16 · Women

Phil Ware continues his series of reflections on the importance of women in the Bible, the ministry of Jesus, and the early church.

Paul could not have made the importance of Phoebe's previous work in Cenchrae and her future work with the church in Rome more clear.

The Macedonian Connection

by Phil Ware · Acts 16 · Women

Phil Ware continues his series of reflections on the value given to women and their work in the Bible, with this week focusing on Paul's work in Macedonia.

As we examine the value of women to the work of God in the early church, we must examine the roles women actually performed at the request or with the blessing of the apostolic leaders.

The Women

by Phil Ware · Mark 14:50 · Women

Phil Ware continues his series of reflections on the importance of women in the Bible, to Jesus, to Paul, and to the early church.

They all abandoned Jesus except for this one group!

Unconventional Grace and the Song of Jesus

by Phil Ware · Luke 10:41-42 · Women

Phil Ware continues his series of reflections on what the Bible teaches about the value, importance, and role of women in God's unfolding plan of grace.

Like in other epoch-making moments in the history of God’s people, the movement of God in Jesus’ story began with the valuing of women's voices.

Too Familiar to Feel the Bite?

by Phil Ware · Luke 10:38-42 · Women

Phil Ware continues his series on what the New Testament teaches about God valuing women and the key role they played in the early church of Jesus.

Because we have heard the story of Martha and Mary so many times, we often miss the radical truth Jesus established at this dinner!

Co-Heirs with Christ

by Phil Ware · Galatians 3:26-29 · Healing · Co-heirs

Phil Ware continues his series of articles on the role of women and God's plan for women in Jesus' church; this week focuses on Paul's liberating statements in Galatians 3:26-29 and Romans 8.

Paul's declaration to the Galatians is a racial, social, and gender earthquake.

Important Women, Important Roles

by Phil Ware · Hebrews 11 · Women

Phil Ware continues his series on the role of women and their importance in the story of God's unfolding grace.

If we listen carefully to God’s unfolding story, there are many strong women of faith who played key roles in the life of God's people!

Our New Trajectory in Pentecost

by Phil Ware · Acts 2 · Pentecost

Phil Ware continues his series on the Bible's view of women and their importance to God and his people, focusing this week on the new community created at Pentecost.

Beginning with Pentecost, God's Spirit was making a new humanity.

Restoring the Creator's Intent

by Phil Ware · Genesis 3-11

Phil Ware continues his series on the biblical view of women and God's plan to use Jesus' people to live out his purposes in his kingdom.

The divine goodness of our Creator has been ripped apart by human selfishness and suspicion, leaving behind its insidious and poisonous residues.

Made to Be Complements

by Phil Ware · Genesis 1:26-31 · Women

Phil Ware continues his series on how God values women as seen in Scripture, this is part 2.

In the Lord, we are called to complement, complete, and bless each other so that each can be what she or he is created by God and re-created in Jesus to become!

Of Sacred Value