Here I Am

To endure without yielding. I have wrestled with this concept as I walk with God. How do I endure with out yielding? What the heck does that even mean? I am still working my way through this concept but I have come to understand one thing. When I am abiding in Christ I am giving myself to Him without ceasing. I allow Him to work through me and I don't stop Him. Such simple words, yet a concept I have a hard time with some days. As I am going through my day and just living life I am distracted and forget that I am not walking this life alone. I am always filled with Holy Spirit and He is always waiting for me to allow Him to burst out on the day.  So you must remain in life-union with me, [ d ]   for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine. John 15:4, Passion Translation This verse right here tells us that we must remain connected to God a...

I wear purple safety glasses.The one thing I have noticed with my eye protection is how it allows me to see things in a clear, crisp, unfiltered way; yet my eyes are still protected from liquids, nails, screws and metal shavings. I can see the object I am working on without worry something will fly into my eyes and hurt me. As I look at my glasses  and understand what they do I am beginning to see a connection between the glasses and my heart in Jesus's hands. I am able to see what is happening around and even to me at times with strong protection surrounding me. I am not getting hurt, scared, cut or sprayed with anything.  My heart in Jesus’ hands is protective while allowing us to see what is happening around us. It is our choice whether we let Jesus stop the crap from getting through. It doesn’t stop the hurts but lessens them, it makes things more doable with less wounding. 1 Corn 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is fait...

Observe~  notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant. A little word with so much force in saying and doing. Mathew 6:26 HCSB "Look at the birds of the sky: They don't sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you worth more than they?" We are told to observe what the birds do not do and what God does do. It isn't about what we can't or don't do but what God does do. I have learned more the last six months about who God wants to be to me, for me and through me by observing things around me. Watching birds, trees and just asking what God wants to speak to my heart has opened up doors. It has also changed how I see the world and people around me.  I am such a tiny fragment of this universe God has created but with my heart looking for ways to hear from Him has created me to be a huge impact in my corner of the universe. Simple things: such as looking at a painting, watching how trees bend a...

A painting with various pots filled with plants at different stages of growth All exposed to the same light,  same height off the ground, some thriving, bursting with color and growing towards the sun, some wilted, dying and overly bland.  A pastel painting I was staring at on a  Friday evening . Just looking at art and seeing some as fun others as weird and certain ones just down right ugly. Yet, God used this one painting to answer a prayer of how do I  not just grow but thrive with you God?  I have been asking this all summer. Craving more Understanding of how to thrive. And these are the things God said to me: First, no matter what os going on around you,  you have the same love, wisdom, joy, strength and engery. Ya’ll!!!! Just because you are not a pastor, leader, church planter you are still God’s most amazing child!! The things He has for others He has for you! For me!!  Then, how you chose to use it is up to you. That i...

 Here I am. Messed up, hurting, struggling, questioning wanting to love God person saying the most important words I have ever prayed. They are also the most frightful, ugly, hurtful words I have ever spoken. You see, I am a Christ follower who is just now realizing who Christ is, who He really is. I have known about God for over 20 years. I have tricked  other people into thinking I was close to God. In reality I was not reading my Bible, praying or really living like I knew Christ. I bet you are wondering why I would put this out there. Well, I am wondering the same thing. LOL I am telling you my story because I know in my heart that there is someone out there who is walking that same path or just coming to know who Christ really is in their life. I am talking about living with the loving, kind, all powerful, wise Christ. Not the cruel, heartless,  judging God we hear about so often. I am telling this for them and those wondering how to truly worship God...