Holly Stratton

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a place to strengthen your mind & steady your heart with the hope of the gospel

Category archives: Faith & Practice

The Mercy Of A Savior Who Empties Our Hands Of Merit And Fills Our Heart With Praise

Sometimes God ordains for us to be met with a suffering that renders us wholly devoid of any understanding of our Father's dealings. Left with no strength to speak, we groan as the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and pleads our need to the only trustworthy Captain capable of maneuvering us through the sea of sorrow that churns with waters understood by him alone. Read more

Diving Deep When The World Is Dancing On The Surface

The world is a waltz on the surface of shallow waters where dancers take nothing as seriously as they take themselves. It's a weary troupe masquerading as creatures of strength, living vibrantly on the outside but dying on the inside. Fearful of unmasking the reality of their emptiness, their relationships often suffer more deeply than they are willing to dive. Their only remedy for the pain is to care less. Care less about others, care more about self. Read more

The Limitations of A Human Bellhop With Only Two Arms & One Heart

It isn't glorifying to a God of sovereign power to rebel against human limitation. We end up hurting the Church, not serving it, when we assume a Christian should always have the strength to bear under the weight of another's sin. And it isn't glorifying to a God of grace to rebel against sin's power. We end up hurting the Church, not loving it, when we fail to acknowledge we carry into every relationship personal bags of sin struggle and insecurity. Bags that often keep us from loving others as well as we're convinced we've done in our mind. Read more