My God is BIGGER than that.

You know you've heard it....the message, the call...the statement that "sealed your fate." Caused you to lose hope, and just give up. O how many times I've been given that message, over and over again, and yet, today the Lord reminded me, "Honey, I'm bigger than that." Anyone else need to hear that today? Anyone Else's circumstances got you all bound up in fear, disheartened and just plain ready to throw in the towel. I've got news for you sister (and brother) Jesus Christ the Son of God, is bigger than that. SO today as I heard the, "doom and gloom" message one more time... I turned to the only place I knew that still spoke living, active and reliable (the most reliable) TRUTH. The world of God. It's so packed full of promises. Have you asked the Lord lately to show you His promises to you again? What are His promises? Well, they are what He tells you in form of Hope and Joy for your future. It's the glimpse He gives you that only He knows, and know well, whats in store for your life...He knows because He made you, and after He made me, He wrote the story of my life, your life...and then, He signed the document, and said, "It is good." The day He brought you into the world, and I'm not talking birth, the day He THOUGHT YOU UP... and then chose your parents, and chose your hair color, your eye colour and the number of freckles He'd paint on your nose, YEAH, that's the day He thought up all the things He put into your days, so that you would be the most satisfied and fulfilled on this side of heaven.
The other side of heaven will be even more satisfying but He invites us to start walking in that satisfaction right now, through Him. He has given us a joy, and hope, and hope that will not be CUT OFF.
His perfect, beautiful love ties this whole perfect, beautiful plan all together, and it's that perfect love that casts out the fear that daunts, and teases us to be disheartened.
So when your sitting in the Dr's office and they once again, say..."today is not the day for your yes.." OR, the school sends back your request...or your big plan stamped..REJECTED once more...friends, turn to Him knows. Seek His face again. Ask Him to satisfy you more than the best possible answer ever could. He does have plans. He tells us so in His word. HE does want to give His children good things. He tells us so in His word. But the timing? Only a perfect God knows that. The how and why? Only, and perfect, all knowing, flawless GOD knows that. And I trust Him. I need to look no further than the cross to remember, He already gave me His best. His Son, His perfect, flawless SON was given up for me. SO No, I will not loose heart. I will not grow weary. I may stumble, but I will not fall completely...and besides, even if I do stumble, He's gonna sit right down next to me in the dirt, and after He's done wiping all the tears off of my dirty messy face, He will take my hand in His and pick me up to upright again. Yeah, that's the God I serve. He's personal. He's perfect. He is the only thing that satisfies me fully. SO while we are all in some type of waiting room of sorts...and the promise is out there, but not in your possession yet, remember the GOD you serve beloved...He is your perfect Father. He will go to the depths for you. He already did go to the depths for me and you. How do you feel now? Do you think you can ask Him to help you up? Do you think you can ask Him to refresh your thinking, refocus your gaze, and perhaps remind you of His good and perfect will? I did that today, and I feel like He just literally sat down next to me at the table. Took my face in His hands and said..."DARLING!!! I love you. Lets wipe those tears. HONEY, your beautiful and I love you. Sweet darling, listen to me, I've got this all figured out! You don't have to worry! You don't have to be afraid! I'm going to work this out for you best, for my glory, and you will be so satisfied with what I give you! Let go...Let me take over again...this burden is too heavy for you to carry. I will carry it for you, let me just take over. I've got this. I've got you .."
I sigh. I hand it back to Him. I sit and stare at the cross. And at His beautiful...perfect face. "Yes Lord, I trust you. I trust you more than the things I want, or fear."
"Good.." He says...
AND onward, I go.
Victory in the Lord my friends rests in the laying down of our desires to have all the answers now, and having control of what we think we need, want and can't live without. He's got this. Ask Him to show you today just how much "He's got this."

He'll even sit with you in the mud. I promise.

From the Depths

Way, way, way down deep below the place that hits the bottom that reeks of yuck and hurts like something run over by death. That is the place, the unreachable place, the indescribable place, the beyond your wildest dreams of ever figuring out or getting over...THAT is the place Jesus heals you.

It's the place in the center of your being, your very core, and it aches. It physically aches. Know what I mean? It's that thing in the PIT of your stomach that YOU JUST CAN'T SHAKE. That no matter what you do you sit and you sit and think and you think and wonder, "why in the world can't I break free from this?" I ran 10 miles today! I ate so healthy! I didn't fight with my husband ONCE! My kids are all so healthy and I partied like a rock star last night. Why can't I just be content?? WHY can't this ache just GO AWAY.

Friend...If I speak of something familiar to you, can you entertain the thought that something might just, maybe be missing.

What is it though? Do you need a new job? A new outfit? A new diet? A new husband? A husband? A new....you fill in the blank.

I know. Trust me. Oh how I know the ache that eats at the seams of your being. That will not be settled..no matter what you do. I'm sorry if this sounds depressing but man! It's real! Right?! RIGHT?! You feel it too don't you?

I used to wake up every Monday morning and think...how in the world am I going to get rid of this ache...? I honestly would say that... Nothing in my life was really that wrong. Except for ONE thing. The only ONE thing that would really heal me, was missing.

Oh...a lump in my throat as I write. I'll whisper His name so I don't cry. Jesus. That is what was missing. No man made, hand held, get away for a while getaway weekend of peace would compensate that ache. But literally, with ONE word, He stilled the waves. That's right. The raging sea in the pit of my soul grew still. The waves ceased. The ache dulled...and then disappeared. The longing? Gone...except for the intense longing I had now to know more about Jesus.

Friends...this stuff is real. This solution is real. You and I are here for something bigger than making ourselves happy each day. WE have purpose...and it's not the purpose you think. If your purpose has man's fingerprints ANYWHERE on it, it's not the right purpose. Oh sure, you may have some success, and riches, and you may also have things that the world says..."wow" about. But that's not the ONE thing I'm talking about.

FATHER. SON. FRIEND. LEADER. HELPER. SUSTAINER. WATER. FOOD. NIGHT AND DAY. PEACE AND JOY. NO MORE ACHE.

Are you interested?

Oh friend...

His name is Jesus and I needed Him more than air. I needed Him more than breath. He is the breath of life and once He blew over and through me, I knew what I was missing.

I get it. It's hard to believe that at one point there was nothing on earth but great expanse and God. And over 7 days God blew life into the expanse and created everything you now know and love. I get it...it's not easy to believe...but the alternative? 80 years and then poof...your done. gone. forever. ???? No wonder I felt the ache.

When Jesus swept in, and swept me clean, made me whole and filled me up, all I could say was "thank you" in a bare whisper. I have no thing I could offer in exchange..no from of payment but to say, My life will be my thank you...and YOU GOD are my reward. My hope. My Father and My King. There is no other, and will never be another who will give His life in exchange for me, so my ache could be gone. Lets be real friends...that next glass of wine will never fill you. That pedicure? trust me, the polish fades, as does the polish on your new car. Everything the "world" gives you to satisfy the ache will eventually fade. "I don't have an ache..." you say...

OK. I'll take your word for it. But I'm talking about me here. And the difference I feel? Death to Life. Night to Bright Day.

That is the difference the name of JESUS made in my life. His name will be forever on my lips and in gratitude of what HE did for me as He gave His life up for mine on the cross of my redemption? I dare not look, but I must...so I understand the gravity of my state before, and the immense chasm He crossed to make me whole. From the depths of who I used to be, He plumbed the yuck and filled me with Himself. The raw sewage of who I used to be was scrapped out, and now, I am empty of me, a vessel for Him, (this is my prayer) to live my life until my life in eternity begins...with my Love...the one I love...JESUS.

"Jesus paid it all...ALL to HIM I owe...Sin has lost it's crimson stain, He washed me white as snow...I hear My Savior's voice..."

The Very Last Breath

Do you know someday, (possibly very soon) we will all breathe our last breath? Our eyes will close, our bodies will cease to be inhabited by air and blood and WE will end. Now, before you check out and think that either I'm sick and dying, or this is my suicide note, relax. THIS thought is not meant to be depressing. It is a thought I awoke with from a nap a little bit ago, and the Lord wrote it on my heart, to write this down. SO here I am. Writing it down, in the form a question to all of you. We are perishable. Right? We all know that, and have since the first time we ever attended a funeral, you know how old you were when YOU first went to you very first funeral, possibly a grandparent, or it could have been different circumstances, but it was the day that you realized, "life doesn't go on forever on earth.."

The idea of death does not scare me though. I realize this statement might leave a few of you confused...and perhaps questioning my sanity. But trust me, I have never been more sane. The idea of death does not scare me because I realize that at the point that my perishable body breathes it's last, my imperishable body will rise to be with Jesus.

SO here's the deal, here is what I awoke thinking.... lets just pretend, today is your last day. You will breathe your last breath, today. What type of feelings run through your body. For me, here is what I feel.

"My soul yearns, and even faints for you....for here my heart, is SATISFIED...within Your presence..to sing beneath the shadow of your wings...BETTER IS ONE DAY IN YOUR COURTS, better is one day in your house, better is one day in your courts, than thousands else where..." - A song that sprang to my heart as I thought about the idea of going to be eternal HOME...heaven.

How can you be so certain your going to heaven??? You might be thinking.

I'm glad you asked friend.

I am certain because of this one word: Grace. I'm saved by it. I am redeemed because of it. I am sealed in my fate because of it and I am confident in Christ because of it.

Have you heard the verse, "Where O death is your victory? Where or death is your sting?" Many a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (christian) has taken GREAT comfort in this verse.

you are a fool for believing that nonsense!!! Did you think that ever? Or did what I just say conjure up those thoughts for you??

It's OK if they did. Let me explain why I am so confident friend..

"We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- in a FLASH! In a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality.....and the saying that is written will COME TRUE..."death has been swallowed up in victory." 1 Corinthians 15;51-54

Essentially what this Bible verse is saying is this, death will come. You may not "die" or "sleep" but upon the trumpet of Jesus Christ's return, you will be changed. It's going to happen in a flash. And those who are sealed by Grace, (His death on the cross) will rise...to their imperishable position in heaven. And those not sealed, will not. But life will change for those not sealed as well.

I would much rather focus less tho on those who are not sealed and spend more time focusing on the fact that you still have the chance to take the Lord Jesus Christ up on His offer of the free gift of salvation so that when the LITERAL trumpet will sound and LITERAL DEAD WILL RISE, you will rise as well, (if you are not already certain of your fate). Christ made a way out for you and I. I realized a few years ago that life is not about living forever for ME. I realized, that my life, is a breath. A wisp. A vapor. That WILL END. And quite honestly friends, I'm OK with that idea! Because when my life ends, I'm with Jesus. My true satisfaction forever.

Your sick. you might say. Nope. OK, maybe I am. But call it love-sick. Love sick to be with my Savior. Do you realize my friends that a man, walked the earth, and then said, "Daughter, I'm going to give up my life for you. I'm going to die in YOUR place." ..(I was sitting on death row...in fact they had already hooked me up to my electric chair) and Jesus, walked over, told my prison guard that HE wanted to die for me!!!! Talk about a fairy tale prince. My prince died for me. And as He died, I knew He wanted to do this for me because of His love for me. And in order for my life to go on, He had to die. SO on Calvary, He died. Read about it in the Bible. It will rip your heart out. But it had to happen if you and I wanted to be able to have chance to rise...imperishable.

I realize some of what I said, may seem confusing to some of you. And to others, this all will make perfect sense.

But if it does sound confusing, I would encourage you to go find a Bible, they are only $2.99 at Target. Read the book. Read the story. The true account of His grace, death, Resurrection, and the opportunity for your redemption. Then read the final book. The book of Revelations. Read about the story of the end. It will blow your socks off. The biggest thing that I do not want you to miss is this. Before you read, and as you read, during, before and after you read His word the Bible, PRAY. Pray the Lord would open up your eyes so you could read His word as He wants you to, that it will make sense, and translate to you. Truly. This book will change your life. For eternity.

So, if today is your last day? Now how do you feel? Peace? good. Scared? Do as I said, read the book I suggested. And then.......????? Let Him write the end of the story for you my friend. So that just as He said to the man He hung next to on the cross the day He died for all of your and my sins, He can say the same to you, "Today friend, you will be with me in paradise.." Talk about a beautiful ending.

Something Bigger Going on then ME.

If I told you, that there was something bigger going on in the world than me, would that shock you? Me neither, but there was a time in my life where I thought I was the biggest thing going on in the world, and I lived my life like that. (much to my regret) I spent about....21 years of my life, living for me. Around that time, it was brought to my attention by GOD that I was not in fact the only thing going on in the world today, and thus began my journey in faith. I realized that God did not create the world in 6 days (and resting 1) just so I could be concerned about what I would wear that day. I realized, God did not bring Jesus to die on a cross, so I could flippantly say, "thanks" and go on with my own life. I realized, that God wanted to know me, and every time I told God, "no thanks" I hurt Him. God is a being. And, on earth, in the form of Jesus, He felt. He felt all the things I feel today. Pain, Hurt, Joy and everything in between. SO, yes, God gets how I feel, because He's been there. I however was quite rebellious in nature, and rejected Him with all my choices. As I chose to do things, my way...I rebelled. As I chose to say, "I would rather live my life for me...my desires...my way..." I rebelled. Not everyone is as rebellious as I was...but I thought I was pretty awesome....(oh boy) so it took me a little longer to get it. 21 or so to be exact. Finally, the Lord got my attention. It's like God took my face in His hands...(so beautiful that He cares that much for His children, you and I) and said, "Listen here my dear, I think you are lovely, and you have lots of talents (THAT I GAVE YOU) and I want you to start using those gifts and abilities for ME." At that point I realized my life up until that point had been pretty much futile. Sure, I had some friends, a husband, a son, and a daughter on the way, but generally speaking, my life was about finding a good outfit to wear, and having the best day possible for me. I wanted a diet coke, a latte' and at least an hour to get myself dolled up for my daily walk through Target. (no joke) and of course time to get my nails done, and possibly if my husband was lucky, make him dinner. I'm not kidding. For real. That's how I was.

But OH MY GOODNESS. By the grace of God, I was able to finally see the light so to speak, and see my life as He saw it. He loved me from the moment He thought of me, before He laid the foundations of the earth the Bible tells me...He had me in His mind. (crazy) And that He made me, with gifts and abilities because He, (the God of all) wanted to use me as His instrument. To do works for HIS Kingdom...to minister to others, and be an child of God. A student of Christ. A light to whoever He puts in my path, and this friends, gives me so much more to think about than Me. Come to find out, I really don't think I'm all that great. In fact, the fact that Christ chose me, to use me, wanted me, extended me grace and forgiveness for all of my sins and selfishness...HUMBLES ME. It makes the "saved by grace" idea a whole lot more real, because I know I brought nothing to the equation but MY SIN. I was so selfish. SO self consumed. I acted whatever way I wanted, whenever I wanted, how I wanted...just as long as I was HAPPY...who cared. Well what is "happy" anyways...I mean really. Does "Happy" last? No. It does not. It wears out like a garment. It fades like summer...and it does not bring anything lasting of value. Now, JOY on the other hand, that is something I got in return for my acknowledgement of sin in my life. When I said this simple prayer: "Jesus, I realize I need you. This life feels meaningless all of a sudden, and I want more. Your Word the Bible says that you have more to offer. Can I have that? Can you use me? Can you take me from my selfishness and put me onto more solid ground? Can you take over Jesus? I don't want to drive this car anymore." Well then my friends..that is when the blinders fell off my eyes, and I realized that I was so empty. I saw my life for what it was. A mist. A vapor. Something that in 80 years or so would start, and end and what would I be left with? Dust? NO! I wanted more. And that is what God gave me. SO now, here is how I start every day. I wake up. I see light. (for which I am thankful for...the ability to see) and I begin to pray.."Lord...Jesus...Savior of my VERY LIFE...what do you have in store for me today...Help me to hear your voice as I read your word..SHOW ME JESUS what you want me to learn, understand, do for your Kingdom today...Be BIG today Lord, for I am small...needy...and hopeless without you. My solutions are nothing. Yours Lord, are everything. My plans, are pointless...but Yours O God are perfect because you see my days from beginning to end, and in that I can trust you will do what IS THE VERY BEST for me. " And then, onward I go. Now of course, the prayer varies in length...and there are days I never cease to pray because that day I am feeling that weak, but it seems that when I am weakest, I see HIS strength the most. Isn't God good. Isn't that an amazing thing He did for me? I think so too. You want to know something else that's amazing? He can do the same thing for you too. Did you know that? His gift of walking with Him on a day to basis and the promise of HOPE, JOY and a future in HEAVEN is yours for the asking? Don't you want to know that without a shadow of a doubt that you my friend will spend your eternity in Heaven? No, this is not a sequel to Star Wars. What I say is true. Gospel. Secure. And if this is news for you, then find a Bible, read His story and learn about HIS purpose, for YOUR life, and His plans, for you Future...and your HOPE for all of ETERNITY. You will NOT be disappointed. This is the best thing you will ever do for Him, and yourself. Go ahead. Take a leap...what do you have to loose? Just consider...there might be something bigger going on the world...then your day to day life.

"Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow, great is His faithfulness, mercy and LOVE!" - a line from one of my favorite songs Great is Thy Faithfulness.

My "want" cries out...

I write from a place in my soul tonight that wants to claim the truth, that He has satisified all my wants on desires...that He is my resting place, my reward, my refuge, my "all that I need and want.." and most days, It's pretty easy to believe that...to live that. But today, I am writing out of my deficet...rather than my surpluss.
I guess thats ok though. He wants me to be honest, even in my weakness. For when I am weak, I know He strong.
"Do you know my heart Lord??" I ask Him. "Yes" He replies.

"Then why..." I respond..."are you not fixing this, and give me what I know I NEED.."
He answers, "because I AM enough."
"Oh yes," I say...and I with His strength, I stand again. And walk forward again. And live out His truth for another day...
It's my weakness that says, "I need this now. I want this now. I cannot be complete without this now." And It's He that reminds me, "My grace is sufficient for your weakness. My power made PERFECT in your weakness. I AM all you NEED."
"My heart hurts Lord!!!"
He responds..."I am the healer."
"I am empty Lord.."
He responds.. "I will fill you so full of what you NEED you won't know what to do with yourself! Daughter! Look at me...I alone can fill."
"But Lord, that person over there has what I want."
He gently, takes my hand..."That person over there, is not you. I have different plans for you my dear, and they are good. Trust me. They are good."

"I'm tired of waiting.."
Jesus stops...He looks at me..."My grace is sufficient for you. REST...REST in MY timing. I CREATED YOU...I know what you need, even more than you think you know. I am IN YOU! And I am in the Father. WE know what is best for you. Daughter, be still. Rest in that. Your deliverer is coming. He WILL ride in. He will rescue you. But for now, wait. Wait for His timing. He will come."

"Okay. Lord..I trust you. I will be content in you. You Father, have stilled my want. You Father, fill the void...the void that perhaps is there for MY GOOD...for YOUR GLORY...perhaps...the void is YOUR best for me, and I need to change my perspective THOUGH YOU of what I think I need. Father, will you shape my thoughts to fit yours...?"
Jesus smiles. "Yes. That is something I would LOVE to do for you...Let ME be your contentment. And you will find, even your voids feel right."

"But let all who take refuge in you, be glad; let them sing for joy." Psalm 5:11

What Can I Say?

Yesterday was a day where the Lord asked me to take a very real look at what He did on the cross. What I am about to write are His words to my heart as I sat in communion yesterday. A time where He let me glimpse the suffering He went through for me.

"The walk to Calvary was long. Cold. People were shouting all around me. But I kept walking. For you. Rain was cold. Everything was cold. Even the blood on my brow was cold, but I kept bleeding. For you. The hill was really hard to climb. My body was so tired. But I kept going. For you. I thought about the plan, My LIFE for yours. Once and for all. Your sin, wiped out for good. That's why I did it you know. I did it for you. I know your sad honey. I know your really really sorry I had to do that...die... but I had to. For you. Otherwise darling, you would of had to die. I couldn't let that happen. SO I kept walking...up...that...hill... For you. I see you crying. I feel your sadness. I felt it then. But your sadness would be so much greater if I had not died. SO I did it. For you. This is not an easy thing, but the Father, who loves you so...asked me to do this. For you. So I did. I walked up that Hill. And hung upon that tree. My body for yours. I did it. For you. I died. For you. I spent three days in hell, suffering, for you. Please, accept my gift, the gift of my life, for yours. I did it for you my dear. My darling. My love. My child. My daughter. I did it. For you."

Those words ran through my head as I took communion yesterday. I could not stop the tears. They were flowing down and down. He did it, for me. The one perfect exchange. The life that paid all the debt. And if it were not paid, I would, you would, have to pay it. You see, I cannot pay the penalty for my own sin, because He already paid it. He did it, once and for all. And daily, I will take up my cross and follow Him because of what He did for me. On the cross. He did it. For me. The cold dark day that He died, was the day of my redemption. The day he said, "darling, I paid it all..." And what can I say?? What can I really say...but thank you. I really am at a loss for words, so let my LIFE be my thank you note to Him. The way I live my life, to honor my King. Every single moment, of every single day, is an opportunity to offer thanks to my one true love, and King who gave His everything, so I can give Him mine. My heart was beating out of my chest! I wanted to do something extravagant for Him. Something amazing! Something that would make Him just beam with joy, and pride and...and...and... Oh I just wanted to be the best thing that He had ever had!! I wanted to be an offering. My life to be something that pleased Him. I felt like my heart would pop. "I love you so much I'd do anything to be with you Jesus!!!!" That is what was racing through my mind. And you know what He said, "take up your cross daily, and follow Me. Forfeit your sinful desires. For Me. Lay down your flesh, For Me. Honor Me with your everything. For Me. Delight yourself in Me, for Me! Take each day as an opportunity to thank me with the way you live your life. FOR ME.

Deep breaths. Deep sighs. "Okay Lord. I will do this in your strength. Because you loved me first, you died for me, and I will be united with you through the way I then lay down my "life" (desires, fleshly wants, attitudes, thoughts, hopes, dreams) FOR YOU. Knowing, your already gave me your best. your son. Whom I love, more than words of love could describe. (but only because of your strength and power that You Lord provide me with to Love your Son in) (in myself I am nothing and can do nothing)

So Lord, what can I say? But thank you...and I will say it with my life.

Thank you Jesus, son of God, for dying FOR ME. And FOR YOU, I live each day until the day I get to go home to be with you. For it would be better by far to be with you, but as long as I am at home in this body, I will live with passion for you.

Right here. Right Now. And Beyond. (but NOT behind you)

Isn't that a sweet memory you think...and the memory creates a longing. And the longing turns into a desire, and the desire creates within you either sadness, or the continual long for more of what you USED to have.

Be it, good memories from the past, or bad ones, when we live in the past it robs us of the joy in our present, and the hope for our future. You see if the enemy can rob us of our hope, he can rob us of much peace, joy and contentment for today. Hope deferred makes the heart sick. That's what Proverbs says to us anyways, and Solomon is considered to be the wisest man ever. He might be on to something there. Have you ever spent too much time thinking about the way things used to be? Especially at a time when you were discontent with how things were right then? I have. You know what it did to me? It made me sit in a pile of tears and sobs. I do not struggle with depression, but when I let myself sit in the past, I can easily slip into a very dark place. One, because I tend to glorify the good, and really really focus on my bad. I start out by, "That was so good, and end with, wow I'm a loser." Now doesn't that sound like something Satan would come up with? Yes. That has the FATHER OF LIES name all over it.

I am learning that the enemy knows my weaknesses. And friends, he knows yours as well. So be on your guard against the evils of this dark world. And fight back with spiritual truths that you know from His word.

The past is the past. Going there from time to time, can help us realize how far we have come, but it can also glorify old things that felt good back then, but now are not part of who we are today. Know what I mean? I always glorify old memories and thoughts, even if they were terrible! I somehow can remember the one good thread that ran through my past and then extrapolate it until it makes my ocean of goodness that I have right now dry up in my mind in comparison to the dry puddle of goodness I had back then. Now that also sounds like the enemy.

In the Apostle Paul's past there was lots of yuck. Lots of yuck. (not more than me though) But regardless, Paul once and while would reference his past and say things like "what a wretched man am I..." or, like when Paul referenced how he had run ahead of the Spirit in a sense, and overstepped the Lords direction and then had to escape the place he was ministering in by being lowered down the city wall in a basket. Kind of an embarrassment for him I think. We all have those moments, but Paul did from time boast about his yucky past so that those he was ministering to would know that he Paul, was definitely NOT perfect. No, He wanted those he preached to, to understand that he was not above them in any way. That my friends, is an OK time to go back to your past. But do not live there, stay there, or wallow in your painful past, visit there to encourage others, show your "cracked pots" and let the light of your past sufferings and mistakes show through to minister to others. It also helps in keeping us humble. But I think what I really want to encourage all of you on is this: There is joy for your future. And there is joy to be found right now. I heard someone say one time that when we get stuck in our "ruts" of life, and we just can't seem to get out of them and we wonder why we are so down and out, to "consider the fact that you possibly being very inward. That perhaps, just maybe if you got up of your cute little backside, and did something for someone else, for His Kingdom, for His glory, and His love, you might just maybe, find yourself getting out of your rut."

Doesn't that ring true?! I know it does for me. The more I give, the more I receive, scripture is full of that message Isn't it? And it also say that to he who gives much, much will be rewarded.

As I focus on my past, and pining away over what I used to have, it of course then take my focus off of His goodness, and puts in onto things that fall under that category of "woe is me." Now, woes were common in the Bible, but are they very much fun to read? There is goodness in reading all scripture, and it's good to see what the Lord has taken the "woers" up out of, but one does not want to live in the woe. We want to move forward to those "still waters, quiet pastures..." and focus on the beauty of what He is doing right here, right now. And to instill in us a HOPE for our future...both on this side of heaven, and our eternity with Christ!

If what I say sounds like Chinese to you, will you find yourself a Bible, open up to the gospels, (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and dig a little bit. You will hear much of what I am talking about here. The book of Romans is also full of this Apostle Paul's story...(much of what I am drawing from here in this blog post)

God loves you as you are. He drew you up out of who you used to be. It has been said that true conversion always has a "before" and an "after". And it is true for me, and it was true for Paul. How many times have you friend, as a believer said, "I used to see things so differently." Well that right there is your, "after." And mine too! SO don't go back to Egypt. Essentially, don't live in the old lie, habit, or false joy that you find yourself being tempted to run back to when things here in the present seem dim. His promises for you are big! Full! And lovely. Ask Him even now in this moment to remind you of His promises for you. And if you don't know what I mean by "His promises" then start praying right now, and ask Him to show you what that means for you. Search His word. The Scripture is His words...written for you, and they were as true for the Apostle Paul as they are for you. Do you not have an "after?" Then this my friend, is your chance to have an happy ever after. The past is the past. Don't go back there. Don't live there. Don't believe the LIE for even one moment that it'd be better back there. Cuz' it's not. The past is the past for a reason. And you my friend, have the rest of this life, and all of eternity to find out just how much joy He has in store for you. Just ask Him. Seek Him. Open His word. And see what He says....(i'm kinda excited for you!!!!!) (and for me)

Tomorrow will begin soon, aren't you anxious to see what He has in store???? Go forth...in victory.

"He brought me out into a spacious place, He rescued me because He delighted in me." Psalm 18;19