More Than A Feeling

Sometimes my faith feels fragile when frustration finds its way into the places of my life that normally flood with the belief that I can do all things through Christ. And then there are times when my faith feels free of frustration, leading me along the straight and narrow as I trust the Lord to make my paths straight. But even though my faith seems to get fueled by my feelings at times, the truth is that my faith is so much more.

"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 Dreamer

I don't want to live in someone else's dream just as much as I don't want to be seeing someone else's vision. So I seek to dream my own dreams filled with compelling stories I can call my very own, all the while waking to authenticity.

What kind of dreamer are you?

The LORD’s Promise of His Spirit
“Then, after doing all those things,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions."
-Joel 2:28

The Inheritance

We cannot inherit a personal relationship with Christ from the traditions of our family. But we can inherit a religion. Like a patchwork quilt from Grandma's attic, we sometimes pick and choose the pieces of the gospel we want to have sewn into the fabric of our lives. But God offers so much more for us than that.

Are you settling for just an earthly inheritance? Or are you pursuing a relationship your Heavenly Father?

"It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us."
-2 John 4

Living Simply

The call to live simply comes from a heart that loves deeply, so let's count our blessings- only 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. I believe that in doing so we will be able to gage whether or not we are living simply or simply living.

What truly matters most to you?

"But you, dear friends, build yourself up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."
-Jude 20-21

A Little Luke Warm?

I cannot abide in a copy/paste sort of Christianity. And yet I still try to copy/paste scripture to my busy life until I claim the need to catch my breath when the day gets short and my list gets long. But God does not want me to remain there. While I am busy scrambling to catch my breath he is longing to captivate my heart. So that leaves me with one question; am I too busy for God today?

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are luke warm-neither hot nor cold-I am about to spit you out of my mouth.... Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline."
-Revelation 3:15,16,19

My First Love

He whispers sweet nothings in my ear, reminding me of his grace. And he sweetly serenades me, inviting me to soak in his presence. Then it dawns on me that perhaps I have not been loving him, but loving what I can do for him. And I feel crushed, until he lifts my face towards his and wipes my guilt away, singing sweetly of his love for me.

"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first."
-Revelation 2:2-4

A Christian in Crisis

Resentment runs through my veins when I look at the works of my hands, wondering if I have done enough for the cause of Christ. And I find myself looking through little windows of time that have opened to opportunities for me to share the gospel. But then I also look out of windows to the world only to see those who do not have a relationship with Christ doing a better job than me of reflecting Christ. So when I call myself a Christian, I kind of feel like my words fall flat. Because I can lift up my hands to praise God, but do I lend a hand to love like God, who gave his own son as a ransom for me? I might be a Christian in crisis because I carry the gospel close to my heart, but what have I done to carry it to the nations?

Shouldn't His love move me to do more? Or have I been too afraid of getting my hands dirty?

"Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the LORD.

Instead,

“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads."

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good."
-Romans 12:9-21