Monday, April 30, 2012

Landing

If life is a launching pad, propelling us to do great things, then my feet have not yet hit the ground. I feel as though finding the right place to land can be difficult. I do not see myself landing as an athlete with an incredible reputation for winning, or as a successful celebrity with a faithful fan base, but more so as an author with a future collection of written works. What type of platform do you launch from? Where do you see yourself landing? "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." -Ephesians 2:10

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Made New

My soul gets grimy the way the sand sticks to my skin, or the way the sun burns my face. So I come into your shade, seeking shelter from the world as you wash me in your grace. And my soul feels like it is once again made new. "Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." -Psalm 51:7

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Shaking the Dust Off

Something calls, inviting me to shake the dust off my faith and forge a new trail. I am not sure if it is something to do or something to be or something to become? Maybe it is a sense of adventure or a sense of ambition, but either way I am not really sure. So I wrestle with my thoughts as they get tangled in my heart, leaving me to feel the struggle of trying to make sense of it all. But the only thing that really makes sense is a peaceful patch of faith hiding in the deepest corner of my heart, waiting to grow up a new dream on a new day. And I cannot help but think that the something that calls is actually Someone. "The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” -1 Samuel 16:7

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Making Plans

One thing I've learned is that life is not always about seizing just any opportunity, but it's about seizing the right opportunity. And often times little opportunities lead to larger endeavors. So I make my plans, knowing the master plan has already been made for me. But on the days when there are too many pieces to pull together to form that bigger picture, I start obsessing over feeling productive and perfect, until the Lord reminds me to stop hanging on my every endeavor and start hanging on his every word. Then in that moment, I know that all I can do is really the best thing I can do: pray. "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." -Proverbs 16:3

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Tightly Knit

He lends a listening ear while I tell him all my secrets. Our bond is very strong, as we are tightly knit and even more tightly bound. He has placed his seal upon my heart even though I have not given him much more than a scarlet letter in return. Still, ours is an intimacy that cannot be shaken. Do you know that God desires to know you on this level too? "Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned."-Song of Songs 8:6-7

Monday, April 23, 2012

Pressing into Heaven

What do you do when you don't want to face the fact that reality is rough? How do you push past the obstacles of a difficult day? Do you draw strength from yourself? I have learned that my strength ultimately fails. So I seek help from my heavenly father by pressing into heaven with passionate prayers, knowing he holds more than just my heart. He holds my life in his hands. And for that reason, I would rather be known for having a healthy obsession about my faith, than for trusting in my own strength. "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." -Psalm 73:26

Friday, April 20, 2012

A Note to the Brokenhearted

Something significant speaks to me when I hear about those who struggle and suffer, knowing those hard places are difficult to endure. The things this life has walked me through have been nothing compared to the roads so many others have walked. Still, struggle has not always been a stranger to me. So I lift up in prayer those whose crosses I cannot bear, believing with my whole heart that Christ is the one who can. In Psalm 34:18 I read, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Are you among the brokenhearted today? Please know the Lord is close to you, and you have a sister in Christ who can lift you up in prayer!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

That Little Place

I sang a little song of worship that came from a little place in me. In fact it came from a place that had not already been spent or stolen or broken or bruised. And before I might lose it, I thought it best to offer it. So I gave that little place to the one who already gave all of himself for me. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Stealing

I feel like a thief trying to steal time with you in this moment of silence. Lately silence has been a luxury I cannot afford. But even though silence seems to come at a cost, your presence is always free. So I quickly take the quiet moments when I find them, while longing to lounge in the luxury of your presence from the quiet places in my heart. Then you gently remind me, "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me" (Jeremiah 29:13).

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Changing the Culture

The culture around us finds ways to creep into our lives, but God gives us opportunities to change that. So let’s ask him to speak tenderly to us as he has done before when the deepest things in us cry out for the deepest things of Him. As he responds, let’s watch him carve his name deeply into the surface of our souls to create canals for currents of change to flow, empowering us to change the culture instead of allowing the culture to change us. Is God giving you a reason to change the culture around you? Are you sensing an urgency to speak out? Or perhaps you are simply sensing the need to stay consistent by just not conforming to the culture that pulls you away from the things of God? "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." -2 Chronicles 7:14

Monday, April 16, 2012

Traveling Soul

If life is a journey, then I feel like a traveling soul venturing along a road some call conservative. But I carry a collage of experiences with me, some more conservative, others less. Still, the Lord leads me on little by little as he invites me to "acknowledge him, and he will make my paths straight" (Proverbs 3:6). So I treasure the jewels he hands me along the way, guarding them for safe keeping until he says it's time to share them with another traveler. What kind of road do you walk? What kind of treasures do you hold?

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Resting in Faith

Faith is a tall, tall tree with branches reaching up to scrape heaven and reaching out to offer shelter. It keeps this life from scorching my thin skin, from soaking me to the bone. Faith nourishes my soul with satisfying fruitfulness. My faith is a tall, tall tree. I not only want to be found resting in its shade, but I also want to be "...like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory (Isaiah 61:3)". How do you view your faith in Christ?

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Rest

I want to wake up with the sabbath on my mind and Jesus on my heart. Like a weary traveler I have journeyed through this week, wandering from one day to the next. So for now, the only thing on my mind is worship and rest. How will you spend your sabbath when Jesus says, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30

Friday, April 13, 2012

Dance

He taps me on the shoulder, inviting me to dance throughout the day. Of course I accept, casting my doubts, duties and deadlines aside. And as he proudly holds me close, like a groom serenading his bride, he whispers softly in my ear, assuring me of his goodness and love.

Take time to dance with him today and watch the shadows that darken your heart disappear.

"My beloved responded and said to me, 'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along.'"
-Song of Solomon 2:10

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Embracing Community

My need for community clings to my soul. Sometimes I embrace it, other times I try to shake it off, whether because the need clings too tightly to me or because I cling too tightly to the need. But I find the perfect balance when I cling to Christ instead, trusting him to provide just the right kind of community that keeps me close enough to him.

Have you gaged your need for community lately? What about your dependence on the Lord to fulfill that need?

"All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
-Acts 2:44-47

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The Palate

I realized my somewhere over the rainbow was not so far away when I stopped dreaming dreams that carried no color. But the colors did not come until I encountered Christ and my heart became his palate. Now with each stroke, his brush highlights my heart more brilliantly than the mere coffee stains I could create. And as he continues, it appears more and more like the heart of a word artist who paints pictures with words to illuminate the gospel.

What is it that God wants to paint on the palate of your heart today?

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
-2 Peter 1:3-8

Monday, April 9, 2012

Overgrown

It will most likely be late in the day before I realize how overgrown my life has become, as plans get strewn across the afternoon while people crowd around. Life has a way of suddenly flooding with activity, doesn't it? So when conversations rise as dense as fog, dulling my senses to my surroundings, it should come as no surprise that fatigue will set in, hanging low in the sky, lingering until dusk discovers night. But at the end of the day, despite all the busyness, my heart feels warmed by the people and events that fill my calendar. I believe that the call to live simply comes from a heart that loves deeply. So when our schedules become overgrown, let's take time to count our blessings, not in the same way we count days on a calendar or money in our pockets, but in the way we count answered prayers and priceless relationships.

When your schedule feels overgrown, are you able to find thankfulness for the people who fill it?

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." -Philippians 1:3-11

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Thank You

Once upon a time, I sang a Capella to an audience called "Me". Now I sing Hallelujah to an audience of One.

Once upon a time, the world called me "Daughter". Now I am a Daughter of the King.

Once upon a time, true love was a fairy tale. Now true love is mine.

Thank you, Jesus, for loving me enough to die for me.

"For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life."
-John 3:16

Friday, April 6, 2012

Feeling Stranded?

I liked the look of life until it took me for a ride that left me reeling. I guess I thought character could be built from the comfort of a passenger seat. So with the help of a little bohemian blood in my veins, I tried hitch hiking instead. But after wandering aimlessly without purpose or direction, I started to feel lost. Until one day Jesus met me, sitting on a curbside with my hair disheveled, my clothes stained, and my soul worn.

Has this life left you feeling stranded? Perhaps it's time to turn to Jesus for help.

"The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
-Matthew 28:5-10

Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Dream

I pulled it from the closet to see if it still fit after finding it tucked between the shirts and jackets. I don't think I ever intended to hide it away, but sometime between yesterday and today, I must have. I know there is a season for everything, but my season seemed to have either been hidden or lost. Not anymore! I tried it on and realized my dream never felt or looked better.

Do you have a dream that has been hidden or lost? Perhaps it is time to get it back out and see if it still fits.

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
-Ephesians 2:10

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Tattooed & Taylored

Sometimes I feel more comfortable in my faith when I stand beside a tattooed soul, and other times I feel more comfortable beside a taylored soul. On any given day, it is hard to tell where I stand because my faith feels both tattooed and taylored. I have been tattooed with marks from this life, but I have also been taylored by the love of Christ.

Where do you stand?

"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
-1 John 4:10

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

A Full Heart

Perfectionism knocks on my door as my heart beats wildly at the thought of entertaining her. But as tempting as it is to let her in, I know she will merely find all my failures. So I simply reply that a satisfied heat is a full heart, leaving no room to host her. Then I turn to the Lord, only to feel him quiet me with his presence.

"This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."
-1 John 3:19-20

Monday, April 2, 2012

Untold Stories

At times I feel inspired to write a compelling story dedicated to those who cannot afford the luxury of telling their own. Perhaps they hold their stories close for fear of what they will lose, or even for fear of what they will gain. But my fear is that if I don't step away from my reality and move toward theirs, then their stories will never be told.

What about you? Are there untold stories you feel inspired to write?

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ."
-2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Personal Growth

What if we look at life through the lens of growth? Not the kind of growth we can measure in inches, but the kind of growth we can measure in less tangible ways. Genuine personal growth seeks to measure the distance between where we started and how far we've come. When I look back on my life, I see a series of measurements strung together, marking a great distance. But those measurements are also marked by Christ, and I am convinced that without Christ, there would be nothing significant to measure.

How is your growth coming along?

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
-Romans 12:2