Crystal Senter Brown

God-shaped, or not at all- Ephesians 3:17-19

When Lisa described a 'heart shaped cup' in your soul, I totally got it. I used to have one too. And every single day, i'd look for things to fill it. Some days it was food, some days it was material…

Ephesians 3:17 (NIV), Ephesians 3:18 (NIV), Ephesians 3:19 (NIV)

Turning cravings into stepping stones

I've been on a 'diet' merry go round since the birth of my son 18 years ago. Each time I begin a new plan, I am excited and confident that this is the 'time' for me to finally get this excess weight off…

Psalm 5:1 (NIV), Psalm 5:2 (NIV), Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

Waiting for the 'perfect' age-

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 34:1 MSG Josiah was eight years old when he became king. He ruled for thirty-one years in Jerusalem. Reflection: When I was ten, I couldn't wait to be a teenager so that I could…

2 Chronicles 34:1 (MSG)

Does cash rule everything around you?

Scripture: 1 Kings 7:1 NIV It took Solomon thirteen years, however, to complete the construction of his palace. Reflection: When I was reading about Solomon, I knew right away where he went wrong. He…

1 Kings 7:1 (NIV)

Jesus everywhere!

Scripture: But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders. Reflection: I am on the card committee at my church but I also do my own ministry to friends and family, even people…

John 7:13 (NIV)

Trouble in my way

Scripture: I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered…

John 16:33 (MSG)

The most important part of your wardrobe

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-14 MSG So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered,…

Colossians 3:12 (MSG), Colossians 3:13 (MSG), Colossians 3:14 (MSG)

Be Bold!

Scripture: Three days later the Israelite officers went through the camp, giving these instructions to the people: “When you see the Levitical priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord your…

Joshua 3:1 (NLT), Joshua 3:2 (NLT), Joshua 3:3 (NLT), Joshua 3:4 (NLT)

What is your legacy?

Scripture: Exodus 34:7 NLT I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children…

Exodus 34:7 (NLT)

Proverbs 27:17- Iron sharpens iron

Scripture: As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) Observation: One sentence with so much meaning! Iron sharpens iron, one person sharpens another. When I first heard…

Proverbs 27:17 (MSG)

Iron sharpens iron

Scripture: Proverbs 27:17 NIV As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Observation: One sentence with so much meaning! Iron sharpens iron, one person sharpens another. When I first heard…

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

What about your friends?

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24 MSG Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family. Observation: This is one of my favorite Proverbs, one that I think we all can appreciate. And it’s…

Proverbs 18:24 (MSG)

One last try

Scripture: Luke 5:4-7 MSG When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch." Simon said, "Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't…

Luke 5:4 (MSG), Luke 5:5 (MSG), Luke 5:6 (MSG), Luke 5:7 (MSG)

Just a touch, Matthew 9:20-22, The Gospels in 30 days, day 7

Scripture: Matthew 9:20-22 MSG Just then a woman who had hemorrhaged for twelve years slipped in from behind and lightly touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, "If I can just put a finger on…

Matthew 9:20 (MSG), Matthew 9:21 (MSG), Matthew 9:22 (MSG)

Devil-proof, Luke 4:1-3

Scripture: Luke 4:1-3 MSG Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during…

Luke 4:1 (MSG), Luke 4:2 (MSG), Luke 4:3 (MSG), Luke 4:4 (MSG)

The first "On Star"? Matthew 2:9-10, Blogging through the Gospels, day 2

Scripture: Matthew 2:9-10 MSG Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the…

Matthew 2:9 (MSG), Matthew 2:10 (MSG)

You are NOT the Father

Scripture: Matthew 1:24-25 MSG Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream: He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the…

Matthew 1:20 (MSG), Matthew 1:21 (MSG)

To pray like Hannah

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:16-18 MSG Don't for a minute think I'm a bad woman. It's because I'm so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I've stayed here so long." Eli answered her, "Go in peace. And…

1 Samuel 1:16 (MSG), 1 Samuel 1:17 (MSG), 1 Samuel 1:18 (MSG)

"Rocks raining down, but praise going up" Acts 7:56, Bible in 90 days

Scripture: Acts 7:56, 59-60 MSG He said, “Oh! I see heaven wide open and the Son of Man standing at God’s side!” As the rocks rained down, Stephen prayed, “Master Jesus, take my life.” Then he knelt down,…

Acts 7:59 (MSG), Acts 7:60 (MSG)

Tithe or Die? Acts 5:1-5, Bible in 90 days

Scripture: Acts 5:1-5 MSG But a man named Ananias-his wife, Sapphira, conniving in this with him-sold a piece of land, secretly kept part of the price for himself, and then brought the rest to the apostles…

Would you know my name? (If I saw you in heaven?)- Luke 20:34-36, Day 80, Bible in 90 days

Scripture: Luke 20:34-36 MSG Jesus said, "Marriage is a major preoccupation here, but not there. Those who are included in the resurrection of the dead will no longer be concerned with marriage nor,…

Luke 20:34 (MSG), Luke 20:35 (MSG), Luke 20:36 (MSG)

It's all about the benjamins, baby. (or is it?) Luke 18:22, Day 79, Bible in 90 days

Scripture: Luke 18:22 MSG When Jesus heard that, he said, "Then there's only one thing left to do: Sell everything you own and give it away to the poor. You will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow…

Luke 18:22 (MSG)

Guess who's coming to dinner? Luke 14:12-14 Day 78, Bible in 90 days

Scripture: Luke 14:12-14 MSG Then he turned to the host. "The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor.…

Luke 14:12 (MSG), Luke 14:13 (MSG), Luke 14:14 (MSG)

People pleaser no more, Luke 6:26, day 77, Bible in 90 days

Scripture: Luke 6:26 MSG "There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests-look how…

Luke 6:26 (MSG)

Trusting even when I'm afraid-Mark 13:36, Day 75, Bible in 90 days

Scripture: Mark 14:36 NLT “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Observation: Jesus…

Mark 14:36 (NLT)