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...

Where are you abiding (Psalm 91)? Dwell – Abide – these are words with permanence. When we read Scripture, particularly Psalm 91, we see that the Lord did not use terms for “passing through” or “momentarily pausing” in His presence. He uses words with staying power. In the opening verses of Psalm 91, the writer is speaking of someone who finds permanence in God’s presence…in the safe keeping of His shadow, in the secret place with Him. He uses two words, one right after another "He who dwells in the shelter of the most High, will abide in the shadow of the Almighty". But these are promises with a condition- it is He who DWELLS in the secret place of the most High, that shall ABIDE in the shadow of the Almighty. If we really want to abide with the Lord, we must dwell with Him in the secret places- in the times of prayer and contemplation that draw us closer to Him. The person who does this can truly say that the Lord has become their refuge and fortress...

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...

What we believe is much more important that what we see! Look beyond the outer to see the beauty that lies beneath 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold the new has come" What is perspective? Webster’s defines this as “a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something.” A point of view. A point of view . What is the viewpoint from where you sit right now? The view may be very good. Things may be lining up nicely in your career and finances, your children may be flourishing, your marriage may be fruitful, or you may have just embraced the life of singleness with its inherent freedoms. Maybe you have embarked recently on a new journey and are experiencing the success of attempts at things like new hobbies or regained health and vigor. These are the “mountain top” days…the days when praise comes easy and flows like honey from your tongue. These are the times when a smile seem...