Dan Shields

Perfection and beauty - the 2 things an artist strives for. We work our craft, practice, hone, develop, mimic, toil and work toward perfection and beauty. But why?

We live in a society where people can live under the illusion of self-made security. Of course, everyone knows it’s all temporary. They know that one day they will die and leave it all behind. So, where or what should we be investing in?

Christian parents often keep silent about the single most important aspect of their lives, their faith in Jesus Christ. But we are told to share our story and the tenets of the Christian faith with the next generation reminding them how salvation is achieved.

We live in a boastful society. People boast about just about everything. The Bible has some harsh things to say about those who boast. Humility is a touted attribute in those who call on the name of the Lord. But we are also called to boast. It’s the object of our boasting that is different though.

Whatever we do as our vocation, we are called to do it with excellence. We are to do all things as unto the Lord, regardless of whether we like our company or the work, whether our boss is kind, unkind, competent, or incompetent.

Sometimes we forget what Christ really did for us on Calvary. We often, once we are saved and God begins the process of sanctification in us, confuse our works with Christ’s finished work. We begin to think that our right standing before God is based on our works.

Jesus, when He was here on Earth, was engaged in a kind of ‘divine dance’ with His Heavenly Father and the Spirit. As Christ followers, we are also engaged in that divine dance. We are to hear our Bridegroom’s voice and respond to Him.

All of us go through times of sadness, sorrow, or even depression. Scripture makes it clear that we live in a fallen world, and that because of sin, we will experience pain in this life. But the purpose of suffering is not to make us let go of life; rather its purpose is to mature us.

Part of what happens as we come into the presence of the Lord is the healing of our souls. He desires a type of redemption that restores our very souls.