Called To Love

It amazes me how God will find a way to reinforce whatever message He has for you. This morning I dreamed that I was praying and woke up to myself continuing the prayer that started in my dreams. I asked Him what did that mean and He told me that this was His assurance to me that where ever I was, He was there with me. What a Blessed assurance to know that our Saviour will never leave us no matter our state or condition. As I researched the word, I found that God has stated over 29 times  " I am with you" in His word. What a reminder that He will always be there even when we don't see, or feel Him. One of my sons and I were discussing a difficult situation He was going through. He stated that it felt as if God was not talking to Him. I shared with him some advice someone gave to me years ago, which simply stated that the teacher never talks to the students when they are taking a test. So, if God seems quiet to you, keep pushing through the test, knowing that He is rig

My youngest son has taken on the love of shoes from his older brothers. They all have a plethora of trendy, practical, and favorites in their collection.  There are these one pair of gym shoes that are my youngest son's go-to. The toes are scuffed and raggedy, the laces are frayed, and they possess a mean lean to one side.  Every time he goes to visit his grandparents he wears them, his grandfather insists on making a trip to the shoe store to buy him more shoes. I remind his grandfather that he has a closet full of shoes, but chooses to wear those. God has blessed us all with so many talents, skills, and wisdom that we have gathered throughout our lives. We at times only display what is comfortable, never letting the world see who we really are. As Christ-followers, we must share with others those talents, skills and spiritual wisdom God has given us. They serve His purpose and allow us to walk in that purpose. They serve as a witness to who He is and whose we are. Finally, th

Growing up, I would often hear the term "witnessing" be tossed around in various conversations, Christian education classes, Sunday school and so on. As I listened to the variations of what people said it was, it seemed so intimidating to me. I was never one that would just go up to someone and tell them why they needed to know God. Just meeting people on a social level was awkward enough. The thing is, I know God personally. I talk to God regularly, like a friend... and most important, He talks to me! To me, telling others about someone I love so deeply is just like having a conversation. Bragging on what they have done and what they can do. Sharing our experiences, conversations, and adventures. That is it! The interesting thing is that God always provides an opportunity for those conversations and he also gives you what the other person needs to hear (if you are listening) from Him. So many of my "Conversations" have ended with "How did you know?" T

As a crafter, I have all types of tools, gizmos and gadgets. Each item has it's own unique purpose to help me to complete the projects that I'm working on. One of my favorite objects is my cutting mat. It helps me visualize the size and prospective of my project. What I like most about it is that it is self healing. You can cut into it as much as you want and it just comes back together and heals itself. What's even more interesting is that you can see the scars, but you can no longer feel them.  Our Christain journey should mimic that self- healing mat. Although life may cut us at times, God through the Holy Spirit provides us with what we need to heal. The scars remind us of our journey, but God provides the healing.   “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV) Unapologetically, G

I've had conversations with many people who felt that they had messed up so bad that they could never be loved nor deserved love. Broken spirits, broken hearts, and broken minds are places of vulnerability where Satan hangs out. He travels through thoughts, manipulates emotions, and blocks any and all avenues of escape. I am grateful that Love overcomes. Our God who is love, heals through love all the brokenness in our lives. He unbelievably travels to our dark places and rescues us, binds our wounds, and rehabs us to full recovery. No matter where you are or what you've done, always remember that love overcomes.  "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38–39 (NKJV) Be Blessed, G

I've always been intrigued with watching people jump from planes, cliffs and building. What are they thinking? Are they afraid? Is it exciting? I've come to find out that the first part of the jump is called freefalling. Freefalling is the part of a skydive where you're not using your parachute, you're just  falling through the sky, with nothing to hold you back, no constraints, no cords, nothing but the open air and the wind in your face. When people learn to skydive they are often accompanied by an instructor who is strapped to them and is ultimately responsible for releasing the parachute at just the right time. As we seek a closer and more intimate relationship with God  it's just like experiencing  a Spiritual Free fall. Moving through life without any constraints or fear, enjoying the view that God has set before you. Allowing Gods Holy Spirit to engulf you and His fresh wind to just flow all around you. What's so incredible is knowing t

There is line in a songs that says, "Lord, Break my heart for the things that break yours." I often wondered why would anyone ask God to break their heart. A broken heart is such a deep, painful yet unseen wound. No one is immune to it and  healing is long and difficult.  The process itself is life changing and leaves you with scars. Seeing, and understanding through the filter of the Holy Spirit, I realized that we break our Fathers heart daily.  Our disobedience and sin have left him disappointed and heartbroken at our choices and disregard for the infinite Love He show us.. Our God, our father,  through His amazing love wears the scars proudly for our sake and takes on the heartbreak daily. So out of my deepening love for the father, I ask that you break my heart for the things that break yours. Let my life and  my purpose Glorify you daily. Help me to break your heart less and less each day. "Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be

Have you ever experienced a time in your Life where your own thoughts confused you. You heard things that didnt make no earthly sense and you just wrote them off.   Have you ever heard a quiet voice telling you something that had absolutely no true relevance to your life or any situation in your life? ...well I have and I do!  At first, I wrote it off as just a wondering mind... too much stimulation, noise, or maybe it was something I ate.. lol As time went on I started to pen those thoughts to paper, and eventually share them.  To my surprise people began to ask me, "How did you know?" " Know what?, I asked. "How did you know I needed that?" Truth be told, I didnt know why I wrote what I wrote, nor the relevance of its timing. I succumbed to being obedient to that quiet voice and just did it. As I read and sought understanding, God began to connect the scriptures that were already a part of me to the messages he was giving to me... and

Remember those conversations with your parents as a child as you went on trips...  "where are we going?", you ask... and their replies was... "just enjoy the ride!" As a child we have traveled many places with our parents never knowing where we were going, but always ending up ok... Have you ever found yourself on a spiritual journey that you have no idea where it's taking you... Somedays you just dont want to go... but it's your Daddy, and you let go of your will and get in the car... You know that He has never taken you to a place that was meant to hurt you, so you went... You know that His choices never placed you in danger, so, you went. Your Faith gives you a reason to go, Your trust in His will gives you courage to believe its for your good.... Welcome to Destination Unknown! "   For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a fut

I've heard many people say things like, "I'm waiting for that "Great" opportunity to come", I want a "Great" relationship, God will bless me to find a "Great" church and finally, Have a "Great" day. We slather the word "Great" around to quantify our desires. We want the best of whatever it is we are seeking in life.  What if the "Great" that we are seeking can only be found in us. What if we are the ones responsible for bringing "Great" to the party.  What does "Great" look like? "Great" are those things that are excellent, and worthy of praise, lovely and admirable. "Great" has characteristics of love, joy, patience, peace, gentleness, and self-control.  "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit."  Psalms 147:5 Is "Great" beginning to sound familiar?"Great" is our God! "Great" is how

Lately God has called me to a place of constant prayer. My prayers has been focusing on the needs of those God has placed in my path... Family of course, friends, co-workers, church family, and even strangers. I find myself mulling over a growing list of needs, hurts, wants and desires. During this process I am often finding myself in isolation more often than I desire... As I travel this leg of my journey, the company of travelers have thinned out for reasons I cannot comprehend. In emptying myself out for the sake of others, I constantly find myself  just plain empty. I've heard alot of conversations and discussions on self-care... and I realized that self care requires self-prayer. Self- Prayer is what we must do when we need to refill, refuel, realign and get understanding. It helps us to see and understand through a spiritual filter. It helps to accept the "whys" we don't  understand. It strengthens us to press and persevere to Gods purpose and Glory. Don

I use to have a car that was in pretty good shape. It ran well, good tires, quiet engine, air, and good heat. The only problem was that the gas gage did not work. I would always find myself worrying if I would run out of gas. I would constantly try and remember where I'd been, how far I'd gone and when the last time I filled up. I worried about what I Knew I had, but could not see. Our journey in Christ can sometimes feel like we are walking around with a broken gauge. We know that God has filled us up with what we need,  but we find ourselves second-guessing whether or not we have enough spiritual fuel for the journey. We overthink, underestimate and rely on our flesh and emotions to determine whether or not we can complete, let alone start this leg our of the journey. We must have faith that if God placed His anointing on us and His Spirit in us we are assured that we are enough and have enough for the journey, even when we don't see it. "For I know the plans

The last few weeks for our family has read like a fictional story. One challenge after another. Collectively we have been faced with loss, sickness, disappointment and so much more. As we pushed through in faith, prayed for one another and trusted God, He revealed to me that our challenges were a part of our journey.  Many times when we get knocked down in life, we lay their wounded and whimpering. We react like victims of a crime. Let me encourage you to get up! Know that everything that happens in our journey happens for a reason and can give God glory.  It’s hard to understand how our suffering and loss can glorify God but it can. In our weakest moments, we have to surrender to his will, cast our cares and hurt on him and listen. I often ask God the questions, “what am I to learn from this?” and “what do you want others to see in me in order for them to Glorify you?” The latter question is the hardest because it requires us to shift the focus off of ourselves and onto Ch