Chosen for God's Purpose

Have you ever wondered what it would take to have a successful year? Not just the kind of year that you get through, or the kind that you feel OK about. I am talking about a truly life-altering kind of year. The kind that causes you to look back and shout "Hallelujah!!" when you see all the growth and transition God has brought forth in you. What would it take for 2018 to be that year for us? At the beginning of 2018, when everyone was knee-deep in their resolution making process, I had the privilege of listening to a series of messages by world-renowned Bible teacher, Derek Prince. If you have not experienced the pleasure and the challenge of his teaching, I would encourage you to seek him out (derekprinceministries.org) .  In this series, entitled Twelve Steps to a Good Year , Derek walks us through the book of Hebrews, and points out twelve specific verses that point us towards a life more set on God -- more set on service -- and much less s

Are you bold enough to take a leap for Jesus? When you consider people from the Scripture, who would you find to be truly bold ? There are so many to choose from who showed strength amid great travail and adversity; Peter, Paul, Elijah, Ezekiel, Esther, David, and so many more. However, I want to look at someone who  would often be overlooked - Gideon. We see the story of Gideon unfold in chapters 6 and 7 of the book of Judges. Here is a normal, everyday man living in a city struggling against the oppressive forces of the Midianites. He does not see himself as much- in fact when the Angel of the Lord (pre-incarnate Christ) calls him “a mighty man of valor” and informs Gideon that he shall deliver Israel from this current bondage, he responds with a typical statement. He cries out “O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house” (Judges 6:15) . On a sidenote, isn’t God awesome - how He always

Have you ever been to a wedding? I’m sure most have. There are many variations of ceremony out there. Many different cultures and beliefs can alter the way a ceremony proceeds. But there is one moment that occurs in most everyone.  It is that moment…the moment of awe- of reverence- as the chords strike the familiar tune- duh, duh, duh, duh- Here comes the bride. There is a hush that falls on the crowd, and all will rise to watch the bride come towards her groom. They watch to see the love and intimacy that pass between the couple in those moments. They look to see her walking; in purity, in innocence, in love. Here comes the bride, all dressed in white…I am sure that you would recognize that familiar tune if you heard it. But h ave you ever heard the actual lyrics? Here is the first verse for you: Here comes the bride, dressed all in light Radiant and lovely she shines in his sight Gently she glides, graceful as a dove Meeting her bridegroom, her eyes ful

Cracks There is nothing so broken it cannot be repaired by the love of God I see cracks in the sidewalk. Where did they come from...can they be repaired? I see cracks in our souls. How did they get there...can they be repaired? Cracks of discouragement. Cracks of failure. Cracks of broken dreams. Cracks of chaos. Cracks of loved ones lost. Cracks of betrayal. Who can touch them...make them whole? The Father is the glue...The Eternal One is His name. He is the repairer of the breach...the cross to span the chasm of brokenness. Like hot tar that fills the crack in the asphalt, so the Lord fills up the cracks in our souls. Cracks...how did they get there...can they be repaired?

Not all things can be taken at face value- sometimes you must dig a bit deeper *** Spoiler alert- I am going to be writing my thoughts about The Shack , by William P. Young. In this review/discussion, some of the details of the book will be revealed. Some may not have read the book, some may not care to. I pray that my discussion will at least pique your curiosity to investigate it for yourself, but I do apologize for any plot revelations. *** Things are not always what they seem. At least that has been my experience in life. As soon as I think I have a situation/person figured out, they shock the daylights out of me. Some things in life are predictable; we know the sun will rise each morning, most of us have our "routine", but there are times when life just surprises. I was given a copy of the book, The Shack  by William P. Young, from a friend at church who told me, "this book has changed my life; you should read it". I took it from her happily, bei

What do we see when we look? What Is? God is …like the first breath of spring blowing warm across a snow dusted cove God is …like the fires lighting up the skies as the spring storms rage and blow God is … as brilliant as a thousand sunsets; painting endless colors across the vast reaches of an open sky Love is …like the unloved and smelly multitudes being touched with compassionate hands Love is …like the heartfelt caress across the fevered brow of a dying man Love is … like the soft, warm, sweet breath of an innocent newborn babe Faith is …like stepping over the precipice with no guarantee of solid ground Faith is …like seeing beyond the mistakes made to the injured souls who exist within them Faith is …like the sight of new wood peeking out from beneath the ragged, dead skin of a winter-worn tree God exists within Love Love exists within Faith Faith is the hope of an unseen but seen God Because What is…Is.

How well do you wait? Psalm 130:5 "I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word I do hope." We wait for the unseen to become seen Waiting is hard. It can seem like an unending tunnel of darkness. Depending on what you are waiting for, it can be very easy to lose heart and despair. Waiting on a job…while you sit wondering how you are going to make the rent or put food on the table. Waiting on confirmation…when you need an answer from God about which direction to take, while feeling as though time is just ticking away and your life is passing you by. Waiting on a mate…watching everyone around you (or at least you think) live out their lives happily with a spouse or significant other in their life while you eat yet another meal alone. Even waiting in line, at a restaurant, on hold…the list goes on and on and it is never easy. But waiting is a part of life, and it is not going anywhere! Remember this truth though…even in the waiting, Go