Faith

I feel compelled to count the cost of following a God I cannot see, but one who I know to be real. The truth of his existence is sewn into my spiritual genetic make up. My family tree bears the names Sarah, Ruth, Naomi, Esther, Lydia, Mary, Elizabeth, even Leah. All of them women who went before me and served a seemingly invisible God with a very visible hand.

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
-Hebrews 11:1

The Sleeper

She sleeps in the shadow of the rising sun, not yet waking to the light of day. But the day still dawns only to find her lost in a slumber from which she may never wake. It will take more than true love's kiss to woo her. It will take more than the American dream to move her.

"But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: 'Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'" -Ephesians 5:13,14

Opportunities

When we take steps of faith, we take steps of uncertainty because we are not guaranteed the outcome, we are only given the moment. It is in those moments we sometimes sit and stare opportunity in the face without even realizing it. So what will you do with the moments you are given? Or better yet, what will you do with the opportunities?

Ministry

Ministry can be messy. But then again, so can life. And sometimes I think we tiptoe lightly around the lives of other people as if they hold a sign that reads, "Caution: Enter at your own risk!" But Jesus did not conduct his ministry that way. So what are we doing?

Remarkable

Some say "Remarkable" when they see the works of their hands, but I say remarkable when I see the hand of God. And yet sometimes the works of God's hands do not look quite so different from ours-but only when our hands are yielded to him.

"She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." -Proverbs 31:20

Provision

In a portrait called Provision, hope dawns on the horizon while despair fades in the distance. It's not Van Gogh, neither is it Monet, it's God.

Forgiveness

Sin is sin. But sin held in the light of forgiveness is redemption.

"But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." -1 John 1:9

Chasing Freedom

She chases after something she can barely see. Some say it is just an illusion. Others call it a fairytale. But somewhere in her once upon a time, a dream stays nestled in her heart. It is not one of romance or one of adventure, but one of freedom. And freedom is neither an illusion nor a fairytale. Freedom, she claims, can be found with a little bit of faith.

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." -Hebrews 11:1

The Prayer Warrior

Some call her a modern day Joan of Arc while others call her a Mother Theresa. I simply call her a warrior. She charges through enemy territory in a battle too great to ignore, with a weapon so fierce it pierces through body, soul and spirit.

Who is the prayer warrior in your life? Or better yet, who do you wage war for?

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." -Ephesians 6:12

Our Daily Bread

Our daily bread nourishes the heart and feeds the soul. It is not french, neither is it made with things like bananas or beer. It satisfies our lives, not our stomachs.

"Give us today our daily bread." -Matthew 6:11

God gives

I keep patience in my pocket because I don't always have enough to go around. But instead of holding on to patience, I should be holding on to prayer. So I let go of the little bit I do have, trusting that God gives so much more.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control." -Galatians 5:22,23

Dusk at the Beach

A small caravan of clouds travels through a golden desert on a journey to a place called night. Each one weary from the heat of day, but hopeful for the gentle breeze to offer a little push to a place where the sky turns pink. Their shadows mirror across a breaking shoreline where children play and seagulls swoop. And one nearby skeptic who doubts God's very existence declares the beauty of a sunset.