Enabling you to be more attuned to God’s loving presence and transforming power.
Recent Articles
The Promise of Problems
God, who first ordered ‘light to shine in darkness’, has flooded our hearts with his light. We now can enlighten men only because we can give them knowledge of the glory of God, as we see it in the face of Jesus Christ. This priceless treasure we hold, so to speak, in a common earthenware jar—to show that the splendid power of it belongs to God and not to us. We are handicapped on all sides, but we are never frustrated; we are puzzled, but never in despair. We are persecuted, but we never have to stand it alone: we may be knocked down but we are never knocked out! Every day we experience something of the death of the Lord Jesus, so that we may also know the power of the life of Jesus in these bodies of ours. Yes, we who are living are always being exposed to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be plainly seen in our mortal lives. We are always facing death, but this means that you know more and more of life. (2 COR. 4:6-11 PHP)
What makes life difficult is that the process of confronting and solving problems is painful. And since life poses an endless series of problems, life is always difficult and is full of pain as well as joy. Yet it is in this whole process of meeting and solving problems that life has meaning. Problems are the cutting edge that distinguishes between success and failure. They call for our courage and our wisdom, and indeed they create our courage and our wisdom. It is only because of problems that we grow mentally and spiritually.*
In what specific situation has your relationship with Jesus Christ enabled you to confront and resolve problems you have faced? Were you able to work through it and grow to the point that you’ve helped others? What was that like for you?
Are there individuals, circumstances, or Scriptures that the Holy Spirit uses to adjust your perspective and attitude so you are more in step with Jesus as you face these challenges? If so, what are they?
When do you become aware of that transaction? How does that impact you?
I’ve included a list of Jevoah identities that may be helpful for reflection during your private time, especially in challenging moments.
JEHOVAH
Genesis 22 – Jehovah Jireh – The Lord, my Provider
Exodus 15 – Jehovah Rapha – The Lord who heals
Exodus 17 – Jehovah Nissi – The Lord, my banner
Exodus 31 – Jehovah M’Kaddesh – The Lord who sanctifies
Deuteronomy 33 – Jehovah Chereb – The Lord, my Sword
Deuteronomy 33 – Jehovah Magen – The Lord, my Shield
Judges 6 – Jehovah Shalom – The Lord, my Peace
1 Samuel 1 – Jehovah Sabaoth – Lord of the hosts of heaven
Psalm 3 – Jehovah Kahbodi – The Lord, my Glory
Psalm 10 – Jehovah Malech-Olam – The Lord who is king forever
Psalm 18 – Jehovah Chezeq – The Lord, my strength
Psalm 18 – Jehovah Misqabbi – The Lord, my strong tower
Psalm 18 – Jehovah Naheh – The Lord who smites the enemy
Psalm 18 – Jehovah Seli – The Lord, my Rock
Psalm 20 – Jehovah Hoshea – The Lord, my Savior
Psalm 23 – Jehovah Rohi – The Lord, my Shepherd
Psalm 24 – Jehovah Milchamma – The Lord, mighty in battle
Psalm 27 – Jehovah Ori – The Lord, my Light
Psalm 89 – Jehovah Gannan – The Lord who is my defense
Psalm 91 – Jehovah Machsi – The Lord my Refuge
Psalm 98 – Jehovah Hamelech – The Lord, my King
Isaiah 40 – Jehovah Bara – The Lord, my Creator
Isaiah 49 – Jehovah Goel – The Lord, my Redeemer
Jeremiah 16 – Jehovah Ma’oz – The Lord, my Fortress
Jeremiah 23 – Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord, my righteousness
Ezekiel 48 – Jehovah Shammah – The Lord who is present
* M Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled. (pps. 16-17)
About Michael
Michael Wright is the father of five amazing children (Michael Jr. died in infancy), 10 wonderful grandchildren, and 7 precious great grandchildren. His extraordinary wife Sue died January 2, 2021 after fifty-nine years of a love affair.
He has pastored in Flower Bluff, Texas; Oakland, Hayward and Turlock, California.
Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Corpus Christi, Texas; Master of Divinity Degree and graduate studies in Master of Theology, Golden Gate Seminary, Mill Valley, California; Doctor of Ministry Degree from Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, California; Doctor of Philosophy, Northwestern International University, Cyprus.
He was chaplain to the Turlock Police Department; wrote a weekly advice column in a local area newspaper, The Manteca Bulletin; hosted a Sunday night call in program on radio; facilitated spiritual leader care groups; and served as the on-site Intercession Prayer Facilitator and Co-Director for Reconciliation Networks of Our World (an international reconciliation ministry).
Michael has traveled with teams from his church, Turlock Community Fellowship in the United States and globally supporting local and international ministries, and facilitated workshops on brain science and spirituality.
As director of Sonburst Counseling Services, Michael worked primarily with those affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of physical/sexual abuse, war, accidents, or complex grief. Through his training with a technique which stimulates the brain’s hemispheres allowing the mind to process trauma (E.M.D.R.), he came to realize how much of our trust in God and our relationship to others is impacted by our thinking.
There still exist “broken places” in him: losing the love of his life; closing his practice and beloved church after 36 years; no longer traveling in ministry; as well as his oldest daughter and family moving to Wyoming for jobs.
He communicates about learning to live, “without-ness,” and adjusting to that reality: now who am I?
It is out of those broken places he continues to write and serve, praying you too will come to experience that reality.
About Michael
Michael Wright is the father of five amazing children (Michael Jr. died in infancy), 10 wonderful grandchildren, and 7 precious great grandchildren. His extraordinary wife Sue died January 2, 2021 after fifty-nine years of a love affair.
He has pastored in Flower Bluff, Texas; Oakland, Hayward and Turlock, California.
Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Corpus Christi, Texas; Master of Divinity Degree and graduate studies in Master of Theology, Golden Gate Seminary, Mill Valley, California; Doctor of Ministry Degree from Fuller Seminary, Pasadena, California; Doctor of Philosophy, Northwestern International University, Cyprus.
He was chaplain to the Turlock Police Department; wrote a weekly advice column in a local area newspaper, The Manteca Bulletin; hosted a Sunday night call in program on radio; facilitated spiritual leader care groups; and served as the on-site Intercession Prayer Facilitator and Co-Director for Reconciliation Networks of Our World (an international reconciliation ministry).
Michael has traveled with teams from his church, Turlock Community Fellowship in the United States and globally supporting local and international ministries, and facilitated workshops on brain science and spirituality.
As director of Sonburst Counseling Services, Michael worked primarily with those affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of physical/sexual abuse, war, accidents, or complex grief. Through his training with a technique which stimulates the brain’s hemispheres allowing the mind to process trauma (E.M.D.R.), he came to realize how much of our trust in God and our relationship to others is impacted by our thinking.
There still exist “broken places” in him: losing the love of his life; closing his practice and beloved church after 36 years; no longer traveling in ministry; as well as his oldest daughter and family moving to Wyoming for jobs.
He communicates about learning to live, “without-ness,” and adjusting to that reality: now who am I? It is out of those broken places he continues to write and serve, praying you too will come to experience the reality of God’s “with-ness”.