Lori Boucher

"…the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified." Isaiah 61: 3b Do you ever feel like there is a spirit of heaviness on you?  Sometimes, it feels as though it's on your physical body: like your legs and arms feel like cement, and you feel tired and weary.  Other times, you sense it in your spirit or your emotions: you feel discouraged, down, depressed, unmotivated and struggle to do things you usua[...]

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him… Matthew 14: 30 – 31a (ESV). How often are we in a storm in life, and all we can see is the winds and the waves, and we are terrified - the storm is taking up all the space, filling our gaze and blinding us to the very help that is already with us. Jesus comes walking on the water: A reminder the same God who parted the red sea now stands on the[...]

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day, God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." Genesis 2: 1-3 (ESV). God created everything with a spoken word. He created it and called it very good, and then on the seventh day, He rested from all He had made. He didn't rest beca[...]

"Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope? "Job 4:6 (RSV). Job, Chapter 4, is a conversation between Job and his friends. Job is wrestling with the question: can mortal man be right before God? His friends are trying to convince him that something is wrong with him, and he must repent. But Job is deeply convinced that what is happening is not a result of some hidden sin in his life but has been allowed by God, who is above his circumstances. What amazes me about the[...]

What makes something impossible? Is it something that has never been done before? Is it something that you believe you are not capable of? Is it something that is not possible without divine intervention? Is it something that is not possible without incredible discipline, focus, struggle and pain? In the documentary 14 Peaks: Project Possible, mountaineer Nims (Nirmal Purja) set out to climb all 14 8000m Mountains in 6 months. Everyone said it was impossible, and this only fueled Nims to do it. There were ma[...]

"And consider today (since I am not speaking to your children who have not known or seen it), consider the discipline[a] of the Lord your God, his greatness, his mighty hand and his outstretched arm." Deuteronomy 12:2 (ESV). And consider today (since I am not speaking to your children who have not known or seen it), consider the discipline of the Lord your God, his greatness, his mighty hand and his outstretched arm, God calls us to loving obedience through trusting He is good, his commands are good, and[...]

Radical Obedience Not partial, not convenient obedience, whole and complete submission. The promise attached to this obedience is life, multiplication and possession of new territory, new ground, and new breakthroughs. You have been wandering long enough. Fix your eyes north. Fix your eyes on Jesus. The wandering season has a purpose, to humble you. The wandering is a season of testing to reveal what's in your heart Will you follow in the way of Jesus, or will you go your own way? Will you surrender[...]

“Out of heaven, he let you hear his voice, that he might discipline you.” Deuteronomy 4:36 (ESV). There has never been before, nor ever will be, a God like Yahweh who has chosen a people unto Himself and proven his presence, power and faithfulness through mercy and signs and the provision of everything that was ever needed. When a parent screams at a child who is about to run into oncoming traffic, the motivation is love and protection for the child’s well-being. We don’t often hear correction or di[...]

Peter is an incredible follower of Jesus but isn't without sin. In Luke 22, Jesus shares a final meal with His disciples on His way to the cross. Jesus tells Peter to watch out because the enemy wants to sift him. Peter doesn't see himself how Jesus sees him. Peter chooses a different way to define himself by his truth, not Jesus'. '"Lord,' he told him, 'I'm ready to go with you both to prison and to death.'" Luke 22:33 (CSB). At this moment, this is a deception: Peter[...]

Is discipline a consequence or a gift? The answer depends on where you have rooted your identity. As a little girl, I learned how to gain my parents' approval from a young age. Be good, do good, be better, do better, don't be a hassle, don't make waves. The problem was that no one could always be good, so inevitably, this led to an emphasis on performance: If I appeared "good," I would be accepted, loved and approved. When your motivation is striving to be good to gain acceptance, discipline is a consequence[...]