When We Tiptoe not to Trample, We Blur Lines that God Defined
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We tiptoe around the truth
Lest we trample with our tone
Bending to sin
Weakening our backbone
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His Word > our words. His Truth > our truth.
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I love the book of Ephesians. Today I spent time in Chapter 4, and it made me think ALOT about our words in light of His Word and our tone in light of His Truth. I encourage you to read it, too. I promise it is more powerful than these words I’m about to share with you.
Allie Beth Stuckey put it this way, “It goes back to pride. We think we are more loving than God, we think we are wiser than God, we think we are more compassionate and empathetic than God, we think we know truth better than God. It’s all about exchanging the God of scripture for the god of self.”
When we think we know better than God, and we abandon His Truth, we will inevitably give in to the deception of the enemy. We will buy into the lie by constantly asking the question the enemy himself asked Eve in the garden, “Did God really say?”
He tries to trick us into thinking our tone is more important than speaking the truth.
He tries try to tempt us to believe our words show others love by coddling and comforting them, even if our words condone their sin.
We’re more concerned about how something sounds than what is being said.
Read MoreOnly Then & All for Him
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“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” ~ Joshua 1:8
We can’t obey everything in it if we aren’t in it everyday — Continually and consistently in the Word, not casually and conveniently to receive a word. God wants to speak to us every single day in an ongoing and active way — not just to tickle our ears but to transform our lives.
Two little words in this verse positioned perfectly to perfectly position us in complete submission and total surrender.
ONLY THEN.
Read MoreThe Short-sighted Vision of Woke-ism and Why We Must Stay Awake for Heaven’s Sake
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I know I write about this ALOT, and I apolog... Actually, no, I’m not sorry for sharing what I do, because, in my humble opinion, anything less would be the most unloving, hateful thing I could do. To withhold the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ from a world in desperate need of Him would speak louder than these words I’m about to share. It would say, “I don’t care.” And I do...so very very much!
So, in light of that eternal perspective, I offer this plea...
It’s time to wake up. And if you are awake, it’s time to stay awake and shake others awake. Woke-ism is on the move and it’s coming for me and you. It’s a game the enemy is playing, with rules governed by the lies he is saying, and fueled by the evil he is displaying...
And many are buying into the lies, playing the game, going along to get along, letting evil have its reign.
I came across this video series by Pastor Neil Stewart of Christ Covenant Church in Greensboro, NC, and quite honestly, he says all the things my eyes have been seeing, my spirit has been sensing, and my mind has been discerning (and he says them much more eloquently and concisely than I ever could)!
The series is entitled “Living Against the Darkness,” and this video (Be Woke) is all about the anti-Gospel methods used in counterproductive agenda of woke-ism…
Read MoreStop the Scroll if it’s not Feeding your Soul.
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Stop the scroll if it’s not feeding your soul.
If scrolling has you stressed or depressed, I’d love to offer you two simple words, followed by two more that lead to far more...
Just stop. Then start.
Stop scrolling. Start seeking.
Stop aimlessly and mindlessly reading content that leaves you discontent, and start reading THE WORD. God’s Word. It doesn’t return void (Isaiah 55:11), nor does it leave you feeling devoid.
I know there are accounts you follow that encourage and equip you with Biblical truths, and that is great.
But don’t just snack on sound bites, when you can feast of the Bread of Life.
We must stop the scroll if our feeds are weakening our souls. Our thumbs may be strengthened, but our spirits are weakened.
When God’s Word is read, we are not only fed, we’re nourished instead, and our spirit strengthened while the enemy is weakened.
Greg Boone of Look Up Lodge, says, “The absence of weight gives the illusion of strength.” I love how this pertains to and parallels this spiritual analogy of a well-nourished soul.
Scrolling, liking, commenting, and sharing may give the appearance of being “strong in the Lord” or “well versed in His Word,” but if we are not truly IN the Word, we will never truly live it OUT in the world. It’s merely an illusion or facade.
The absence of true connection with God (because of online connection with others) can give an illusion of intimacy. In time, however, it can lead to a misconnection with others and a disconnection with God.
Webster defines “misconnection” as “a wrong or faulty connection.” I define it this way: “online connection with others that causes a real life disconnection with God”... which makes us all desperately MISS CONNECTION with God!
“Connect with God first so you can connect with others best” has become a mantra of sorts for the way I want to live life and encourage other believers to live as well. But actions speak louder than words, and at times, I can find online connection with others coming before my connection with my the One who is above all others.
And it leaves me feeling frustrated and deflated because snacking on sound bites has me desperately craving more of Christ.
Less of me. Less of the world. Less scrolling.
Stop the scroll if it’s not feeding your soul.
Read MoreFact. Faith. Feeling. What’s Drivin’ Your Train?
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Fact. Faith. Feeling.
What’s drivin’ your train?
Let’s face it, feelings are fickle. On any given day, we can be up or we can be down. While our feelings are real, they are not always right. And if we allow those real, but sometimes wrong, feelings to rule our wayward hearts and fuel our forward motion, we may very well be headed for derailment!
That’s why I love this illustration I learned in college when I was involved with Cru. A train has an engine, freight cars, and a caboose. The engine, the one driving the train, must be fueled by FACT. As a Christian, a follower of Christ, who holds fast to a Biblical Worldview, FACT (Absolute and Objective Truth) comes from the Word of God. Period. There is no other substitute for truth.
That fact must be followed by FAITH (the freight cars), close behind the engine (FACT), Our faith must be pulled and drawn by the Word of God. There must be something to have “faith in” before faith can by attached to and led by that fact.
And finally, FEELINGS. Ah, those fickle FEELINGS. Sometimes I wish we could simply uncouple them and leave them in the train yard, but remember, they’re real...and as long as they are in their proper place, behind the FACT of God’s Word that drives the train and our FAITH in that truth that allows it to reign, then those FEELINGS can remain. As the caboose. The end. They are just along for the ride.
We must have a high view of God and a humble view of ourselves by believing what His Word says about His holy, righteous, and unchanging character as it relates to our sinful, fickle, and forever changing nature. When we do, we can let Him lead us, and that frees us to simply follow, without fear because He will never fail us or derail us.
Read MoredeCONstruction: Does it Always Lead to Destruction?
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Deconstruction. I hesitate even using the word, because it is definitely a term widely used by many people on both sides of the conversations that surround it. And because it’s so widely used, it’s honestly also widely confused because it’s often misused.
Which is why in this post, I pick apart the word itself as it may reveal more about the process.
So, what is it, and is it harmful or helpful? Before we dive into the topic, would you agree with me in this simple prayer…
Father, we ask for wisdom as we seek to understand you and your great love for us. We humbly approach this topic as we humbly approach your throne, asking you for grace in the space of seeking you, knowing that apart from Christ, we will never reach you. We seek you and you alone for discernment and wisdom to know when we are removing you from your throne and placing our trust in men or religion or our own moral relativism. We trust you to help us in the conversations we’re having by drawing us closer to your heart, taking us deeper in your Word, and making us stronger in our faith. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
I have friends on both sides of this deconstruction conversation — friends who have deconstructed because they were hurt by the church and friends who have been hurt by loved ones who have deconstructed and not only walked away from their faith, but also their family.
Some feel it’s a freeing process, others say it’s a fleeing process. Are deconstructionists running to God as they run away from the church and those who’ve hurt them or are they running away from God as they run straight into the arms of the world and a culture that will embrace them?
You may still have no idea what “deconstruction” even is (as it relates to faith). You may know quite well what it is because you’ve walked through it yourself or with someone. Or you may be wondering what the big deal is and why people on both sides need to keep talking about it.
It’s definitely been defined in different ways by different people, and because of that, can breed confusion, which is exactly why I believe the enemy is using it to breed confusion.
The term dates back to the 1960’s and the work of philosopher, Jacques Derrida. It can be applied to a vast number of areas, but as it relates to faith and theology, it is a process that begins with doubting, questioning, and examining (which isn’t wrong or bad and can many times, deepen our faith); however, if done in a way that walks away from the firm foundation of scripture and Biblical truth, the end result is the literal deconstruction of one’s faith — picking apart and dismantling God’s Word and His Authority.
This article is a great description of deconstruction, and in my opinion, it is a non bias and thorough definition of the process.
Got Questions Article on Deconstruction
So, in an effort to apply the principles of deconstruction to the word itself, even picking apart the word De-CON-struc-tion, reveals a three letter word in the center of the word that in my opinion, represents the enemy who loves to weasel his way smack dab into the middle of process. Satan is the original CON artist (a person who cheats or tricks others by persuading them to believe something that is not true). He is the father of lies, and his con artistry started in the garden when he said to Eve, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1) He’s been planting seeds of doubt ever since.
Upon further scrutiny of the word DE-con-STRUCTION, we see, WHEN the enemy is at the core of it, what’s left is DESTRUCTION. WHEN we know his master plan is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), we can recognize his tactics and combat them with the Word of God and the Good News of the Gospel as we claim victory over our enemy through Jesus Christ who sets us free!
I just heard this quote from Pastor Riggins of New Life Church on Sunday, “Satan tempts us to destroy our faith, but God tests us to deepen our faith.” We must recognize the difference. Are we believing lies or standing on truth?
Read MoreWe Can Say All the Right Things in All the Wrong Ways
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We can say all the right things in all the wrong ways.
Even saying there is an absolute truth or only one right way seems rather unpopular these days. And one who holds a worldview that would claim such a thing is seen as arrogant, insensitive, and unloving.
In an effort to not mince words or speak too vaguely about the topic at hand, when I say, “We can say all the right things in all the wrong ways,” the “we” is “me” (and you too if you hold fast to a Biblical Worldview), the “things” are Biblical Truths held by those with a Biblical Worldview.
When Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6), we take Him literally, trust Him completely, and seek Him continually.
When we do that, we find that He never changes, but we should be changing everyday as we become more like Him in our actions and attitudes — in everything we say and do.
So, in these conversations we’re having, knowing we want to say the right thing in the right way, with God’s help, let’s work on our tone, temperament, and timing.
TONE (Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 4:6)
We can say the right thing in the wrong tone.
Instead we should be full of grace, seasoned with salt, avoiding any unwholesome talk.
TEMPERAMENT (Romans 8:5)
We can say the right thing with the wrong temperament.
Instead we should put off our flesh, and be led by His Spirit.
TIMING ( 2 Timothy 4:2-4, Ephesians 5:15-16)
We can say the right thing at the wrong time.
Instead we should remember His timing is perfect, and waiting on Him is always worth it.
So, speak the truth boldly, but as you speak, yield to the Spirit, and do it with love, grace, and humility.
Humility is key to allow grace in the space where hearts can be open to receive the truth that is spoken.
You can say what you mean without saying it mean.
Seek the truth before you speak the truth, so when you speak the truth others will want to seek the truth.
Read MoreThe Word is more than enough when the world is just too much.
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And “too much” is truly an understatement for the amount of absurdity, hypocrisy, and insanity we’re seeing on the daily. Not too much makes a lick of sense. Lies are blatant. Evil is rampant. And as Popeye would say, “I just can’t stands it!”
The enemy is working overtime to bully believers in Jesus Christ— taunting us by telling us our Biblical worldview is outdated, needs upgraded, so let’s just conflate it with things that degrade it!
Like I said, it’s just too much and quite frankly, I’ve had enough!
So, no thank you, enemy. Get thee behind me, because God’s Word will always be my Ultimate Authority.
The lens through which we view things has been defined and refined by the very Word of God. It is a perspective that continually points us to His promise, His provision, and His protection for His people.
Try as we might to hold fast to the Word of God, still “false gospels,” built upon half truths, can attempt to shift our focus from the Ultimate Authority and Absolute Truth of the Bible to a watered down, weak, worldly substitute, subjective in its solution, falling short in its execution, and furthering this great delusion.
There is only one way, one truth, one life — Jesus Christ, the son of God. The Gospel Truth from the Word of God.
Nothing more. Nothing less.
We cannot add to It to make It more powerful. We cannot subtract from It to make It more palatable.
It is what It is, It says what It says, It does what It does, and It is enough. In fact, It is more than enough when the world is just too much.
Read MoreYearn to Learn. Teach to Reach.
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If we are teachable, others will be reachable.
I offer this word of advice with a caveat.
If you are a Christian, a Christ follower, a believer in Jesus Christ as the son of God, that makes you a student of the Word of God, and you should daily be taught by Him through His Word.
So, by “teachable,” I mean able to be taught, Biblically. Open to learning sound doctrine within Biblical Theology. You can do this AND still read other texts and have conversations with those who disagree; however, if your foundation in Biblical Truth is not firm, the enemy loves nothing more than to have you dabble in your doubts while striving to figure it all out.
And while learning requires leaning in and listening, it should not stop us from stepping out and witnessing.
There is so much talk today (especially in Evangelical Christian circles) to lean in, listen, and learn, and while I here for it, I’m also quick to caution against it as I’m witnessing the destruction in it. It’s a dangerous endeavor if not done while standing on the rock solid foundation of the Word of God.
Cordial conversations, even when about controversial topics, are always a good thing. How can we stand up for Biblical Truth if we are not engaging in conversations with those of opposing world views?
Every conversation we have must be from a place of humility. No one on this planet knows it all. The only one who does is sitting at the right hand of the the Father interceding for us (Romans 8:34). He knew and did the Father’s will. He prays for us to know and do the Father’s will, too (Matthew 6:10).
We can’t know and do the Father’s will apart from being a learner of His Word and a discerner of His truth. We can’t reach others with that truth until that truth has reached our own hearts, renewed our own minds, and redeemed our own lives.
YEARN TO LEARN so we can TEACH TO REACH.
There’s a buzz word floating around these controversial conversations we’re having lately — nuance. And just to be clear on how I feel about the word, quite frankly, I think it’s a convenient little word, a crutch to hold up the weak arguments it’s used to defend, arguments that are usually neither for or against, circular in reasoning, never giving way to solutions based on sound reasoning and Biblical teaching.
Read MoreWhen We Get the WORD IN, We Can Keep the WORLD OUT
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You don’t even need to be fluent in Christianese, to be familiar with the phrase, “be in the world but not of it.” What does that even mean? Is it Biblical? And if so, how in the world do we live it out?
Let’s start with this passage from John 17: 14-19, Jesus’ words, a beautiful prayer to His Father, a plea He passionately poured out for His disciples on the eve of his crucifixion:
“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.”
Jesus was willing to GIVE His life so we could HAVE life, eternally with Him and abundantly through Him. God’s WORD became FLESH to dwell among us for 33 years IN this WORLD. And when He both obediently and willingly left this world, He left His WORD with us. His WORD became flesh through Jesus, and it is still ALIVE and ACTIVE through the power of the Holy Spirit today.
His WORD. Our guide. Our compass. Our True North. When the world attempts to lead us astray. The Truth of His Word MUST lead the Way.
Read MoreOne Rock. Many Roles.
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One Rock. Many Roles.
God the Father and Jesus Christ, His son, one in the same, are sometimes referred to by the same name. The name that sets the stage for this post today — Rock.
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” ~ Isaiah 26:4
God is often referred to as a ROCK. Rock of Ages. Rock of Salvation. Rock that is higher and everlasting. Immovable and Unshakeable.
Jesus is known as a STONE. A living stone. A Precious Cornerstone.
We’re going to hone in on that Precious CORNERSTONE, but before we discuss the significance of that stone in it’s form and function as a foundational stone, let’s take a look at two other important stones in architecture, the CAPSTONE and the KEYSTONE.
Both these stone have very significant roles as well. Why then is Jesus called the CORNERSTONE?
The CAPSTONE is top stone of structure or wall. It is usually a higher quality stone to help protect the rubble in between the inner and outer wall. It is commonly sloped or curved and overhangs the top of the wall to allow water to drip off.
The KEYSTONE is the central stone at the summit of an arch that locked the other stones together. It is wedge shaped and is necessary to support the arch. It is paramount and central and is KEY to the arch’s stability.
Again, while the CAPSTONE and the KEYSTONE were designed uniquely and specifically for the architectural role they played, and while they were an integral part of the structure, the CORNERSTONE, in regard to the structure as a whole, is by far the most important stone.
Thus the reason Jesus is called the Precious CORNERSTONE. There is no substitute substantial enough to support the weight put upon it.
The CORNERSTONE plays three roles in a structure, but more importantly, Christ performs these roles in the very foundation and structure of our lives…
Ephesians 2:20 says, "Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.”
Christ, the Cornerstone provides a firm foundation, structural significance, and distinctive direction for our lives.
Let’s take a look at each of these individually...
Read More“A lie doesn’t become the truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good, just because it’s accepted by the majority.”
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A lie doesn’t become the truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good, just because it’s accepted by the majority.
— Booker T. Washington
A lie doesn’t become the truth.
There’s a whole lotta lying going on in this world. Don’t believe everything you hear. Ask questions. Dig deep. Think critically and logically. Once you buy in to a fallacy, your gauge for truth forms a codependency with some alternate reality. Truth becomes relative, which degrades its authority, and removes its validity. Is that the kind of truth you want to believe?
Wrong doesn’t become right.
Right is right, and wrong is wrong, and although I love the movie “Dan in Real Life” (like it’s one of my favorite movies EVER), I don’t agree with this line of Marie’s “There’s a certain rightness to our wrongness.” That’s called compromise. It justifies the wrong because you wish it were right. Like truth, right can’t be relative. If it were, the line between right and wrong is blurred and the fight between wrong and right becomes meaningless and absurd. Also contrary to the way of the world, two wrongs don’t make a right, and one wrong is enough to start the descent down the slippery slope of sin, a path that will never lead to rightness or righteousness.
Evil doesn’t become good.
Evil is borne of darkness, and good of light. 2 Corinthians 6:14 warns us that light and dark cannot have communion or fellowship. We, as children of God, have been called out of darkness and into His marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) The evil of sin and darkness stay evil, sinful, and dark. Thus the juxtaposition of coming out of that darkness and into the light. Evil remains evil, but people can change. By the power of God and the goodness of His light that offers abundant and eternal life, He woos and wins us by His great love for us. He never changes. His love never fails. But we can be changed forever as His love prevails. Evil doesn’t become good, but our good good Father, as He pursues us, can pull us out of the evil that tries to consume us.
Just because it’s accepted by the majority.
Read MoreBelieving is Seeing
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They say, “seeing is believing, “ and I’m sure you’re familiar with that old clichè, but let me caution you to not believe everything “they” say. Based on what I read in God’s Word, which is oftentimes quite contrary to what you hear from the world…
“Believing is seeing.”
What exactly does that mean, or better yet, how do you “believe” more consistently so you can “see” more clearly? I’m glad you asked! And if you asked (like I have, and still do, so often), it’s likely you’re currently having hard time “seeing“ God at work in your life. Am I right? Are the prayers you’re praying becoming mere whispers in the weariness of waiting?
If this is true and it describes you, don’t lose heart because you’re in the perfect place to start! Start believing God at His Word. Start trusting His promises. Start believing He’ll do what He says. Don’t you dare give up. We LIVE by believing. But don’t take my word for it, take His Word for it…
“For we live by believing and not by seeing.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
We regain our strength by holding on to hope, trusting in His timing, and believing He goes before us. He does the work, we simply trust and obey. Listen to Him and do things His Way.
If you are waiting to “see,” simply believe. I promise there is a reason for the wait, purpose in the perseverance, and blessing in the believing.
Believing is seeing, so keep believing His promises, and you’ll see His power and glory as He keeps doing what He says.
“Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”” John 11:40
When Trials Try to Triumph Over Me...
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When trials try to triumph over me,
whether an assault of the enemy
or the fault of my own iniquity,
I will trust in God’s Sovereignty.
In Christ alone I find true victory.
James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials WILL come.
It’s not an “if...then,” it’s a “when...then”
So WHEN they DO inevitably come, THEN this is what we DO...
(v. 2) we consider (NIV & NLT) or count (ESV) it pure (NIV), great (NLT), & all (ESV) JOY...
because the testing of our faith
(v. 3) produces perseverance (NIV), gives endurance a chance to grow (NLT), & produces steadfastness (ESV)
and in light of the victory,
Christ has already won for you and me,
our response to those trials should be...
Simply to embrace God’s grace in them
so He can finish the work He is doing through them.
“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” ~ James 1:4 (NIV)
“So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” ~ James 1:4 (NLT)
“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” ~ James 1:4 (ESV)
Wow. It’s ALL for His glory and our growth, and ultimately, for our good. In order to grow and mature and lack nothing, God not only calls us to endure the trials we face, He also wants us to find joy in them, as we trust Him, knowing that only in and through Him can we triumph over them!
The enemy breeds enmity.
Enmity feeds our iniquity.
Our iniquity impedes our unity.
But God, in His Sovereignty,
because of his great love for you and me
waged war against the enemy,
paid the price for our iniquity,
made a way for true unity,
and claimed the ultimate victory.
Read MoreWhen the world pauses me by fear and fret, the Word causes me to draw near and not forget...
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When the world pauses me by fear and fret,
the Word causes me to draw near and not forget...
🧡In Christ, I am perfectly loved, and Perfect Love casts out fear. (1 John 4:18)
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” ~ 1 John 4:18
🧡In Christ, I do not have to be anxious about anything. (Philippians 4:6)
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:4-7
🧡In Christ, I can confidently call out to God. (Psalm 145:18, Hebrews 4:16)
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” ~ Psalm 145:18
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” ~ Hebrews 4:16
🧡In Christ, I am strong and courageous and never alone. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:6
Read MoreSurrendered and Reawakened
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As I SURRENDER to what
I don’t fully understand,
I can REAWAKEN to His glory
as He reveals what only He can.
Stuck. It may not be a word we’d choose to live by, but it sure is one (especially for the past couple years), with which many of us can identify.
Stuck by the crippling grip of fear.
Stuck under the weight of unforgiveness.
Stuck in the loneliness of isolation.
Stuck on the pedestal of pride.
No matter how you spin the kinda stuck you’re in, only God can truly set you free to begin again.
As I ponder and pray through the two words God’s placed on my heart for 2022, I was struck by (and ironically stuck in) two passages of scripture this morning — two passages about one church, two descriptions praising these people while at the same time pointing out the one thing that had them stuck, and that’s when those two words for 2022 hit a little different.
They stuck out to me in to get me unstuck.
As I SURRENDER to what
I don’t fully understand,
I can REAWAKEN to His glory
as He reveals what only He can.
Those two passages of scripture are Ephesians 1:3-21 and Revelation 2:2-5. I encourage you to go read the first one, a greeting by Paul to the beloved church of Ephesus as a reminder of all the blessings they have in Christ — blessings, We as children of God have inherited, too.
The second passage, I’ll include below — an encouragement from Jesus Himself, through the words of John in the book of Revelation to the church of Ephesus...
“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” ~ Revelation 2:2-7 ESV
There’s ALOT I don’t understand about God, about this world He created, about the people He placed in power, and about His perfect plan and the purpose He has in all of it.
Read MoreInstead of this year being a CATCH 22, Let God, in Christ, by His Word, catch, capture, and keep you!
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Catch 22 — a dilemma or difficult circumstance from which there is no escape because of mutually conflicting or dependent conditions;
a problematic situation for which the only solution is denied by a circumstance inherent in the problem or by a rule;
the circumstance or rule that denies a solution; an illogical, unreasonable, or senseless situation;
a measure or policy whose effect is the opposite of what was intended;
a situation presenting two equally undesirable alternatives;
a hidden difficulty or means of entrapment
Well, we are almost a full week into the new year, and in year’s past, by now, I’ve chosen and shared my “one word for the year” complete with why I chose it and the how I plan on living it.
But this year’s word had been a bugaboo. You could say, it’s been a CATCH 22...
(I’ll interject here, my husband knows me and my love for words well. He knows my word in 2020 was vision, for obvious reasons, so as 2022 has rolled around, he’s been hinting that my word should be “catch,” and while that’s not my word, the whole concept and meaning behind “catch 22” has got me thinking about the significance of choosing a word for the year...)
So even with it being a bugaboo and a bit of a catch 22, with God’s help, I narrowed it down to a few, but in the search, He impressed this upon my heart:
ONLY ONE WORD CAN TRANSFORM YOU.
It’s not a man-made word found in the pages of a dictionary, It’s the very Word of God found in the pages of The Holy Bible — breathed by Him, penned by men — our daily bread given to us by the Bread of Life — sustainable, unchangeable, infallible.
Instead of this year
being a CATCH 22,
Let God, in Christ, by His Word,
catch, capture, and keep you!
Read MoreEven on the Darkest Day, His Perfect Light is Making a Way
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December 21st.
The darkest day of the year.
The day that declares
winter is officially here.
Darker days
coupled with cooler weather
ushering in
the Light of the World,
our greatest treasure.
In the beginning
and still to this day,
God’s light continues
to make a way.
When He made the world
and when saved it,
in the dark of night
by His power and might,
God said,
“LET THERE BE LIGHT!”
And it was good.
And it’s still good today.
Even in the hard times,
the dark times,
it’s making a way.
Jesus is the light
and He shines brighter
against the backdrop
of a cold, dark world.
Winter may be here,
and the world full of fear,
but that darkness and despair
only highlight
the HOPE of LIGHT and LOVE
given for us.
An innocent babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes.
A vulnerable world
wrapped in His unending love.
The darkest night
Wrapped in His perfect light.
Pure and holy.
Blameless and true.
A winter welcoming warmth
For me and you.
Read MoreWords Have Been Hard, But God is Still Good
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Words have been hard, but God is still good.
{Ironically the image I chose to go along with this post is of the Pierce family at Dewayne’s Celebration of Life service where God very powerfully spoke through Dewayne’s wife and each of his five kids with words and tears and supernatural strength. God gave them each perfect words to honor Dewayne — from leading worship to telling funny stories to thanking God for the amazing husband and father Dewayne was and the legacy they’ll each carry on in word and deed.}
I’ve been a little MIA lately on the blog and social media. I know I don’t owe anyone an explanation, but I’m sharing one just the same, because well, God prompted me to attempt to share in words what He’s been sharing with me in and through His Word. So, here goes...
December’s usually when I’m posting the most — Advent’s my favorite, and I usually have lots of thoughts to share as I journey through my Advent devotionals. December’s nostalgic, and I usually have lots of memories to share as I journey through pictures of Christmases past, traditions that have transitioned, and the love that still lasts.
But this year, this season was ushered in by pain, loss, sadness, and questions. Our family lost a dear friend. My best friend lost her husband. My husband lost his best friend. It’s been hard, but God is good.
As we try to make sense of it all, we’re faced with the reality that we will never fully make sense of it all, but even still, God is reminding me in His Word and in this season (that is known for hope and joy and peace) even if...
Words have been hard, He is still good.
Luke 2:18-19 says, “And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
While the weary world rejoices around us as we all wonder and marvel at the goodness of God in the message of the Gospel, God’s calling me (and maybe He’s calling you as well) to embrace verse 19 — “BUT Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
You can treasure and ponder SILENTLY AND PRIVATELY — intimately between you and your Savior, not for the whole world to see. And that’s ok. And God’s still good. And His Word is still true, even when and if words fail you.
Read More