perfectly reconciled
God is Just. The penalty of sin is death. Sin is not just the bad things we do, but a condition we’re born with. So we’re all guilty. We’re all sinners. We have a disease that we can not cure. and God is Just. Justice is receiving what you deserve. So we have a problem. If God is just, then we all deserve death. Death being eternal separation from our greatest good, God. so God is Just? Sacrifice. Throughout the old testament sheep and goats were sacrificed for... Read More
crippled
the other day God was weighing a friend of mine on my heart, and as i began praying for him, i was reminded… my friend can’t use his legs fully because he is physically crippled, but every time i think of him, i don’t think of someone crippled… i think of a passionate man of God whose compassion, kindness, and mercy inspires and challenges me. it would seem that in my friends weakness, He is made greater. and not just in spite of it, but because of it… and... Read More
about a boy
a young couple bore a son. they loved each other and this son with all the love that they were capable of. the young woman raised this son, while the father provided for him. the father found his identity in his work, just as he had seen other fathers do. he worked long hours, night and day. he found assurance in his strength, his wisdom, and the safety he provided. the mother found her happiness in her son, just as other mothers before her had. she loved and cared for... Read More
stare at jesus
i just finished reading “an echo in the darkness,” which is the 2nd book in Francine Rivers mark of the lion trilogy. Francine is a phenomenal writer and story teller. she is able to use words to convey messages few have mastered. but what sets apart her works from others isn’t those qualities, but how beautifully she saturates her writing with the gospel. God has totally used her words to challenge and encourage me… the story is set in biblical times,... Read More
given freely
how often we succumb to the lie that He has abandoned us, that He has left us alone. the pain and sorrow so deep and severe He couldn’t possible be near. we cry out “why oh Lord have you forsaken me?” be strong and courageous. do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. deu 31:6 why are we so easily deceived? He will NEVER leave you or forsake you, His creation, His child, His... Read More
grace and truth
father… i can’t do it! i’m incapable and inadequate. i need you. oh, how i need you. i’m pleading that you grow me in grace, mercy, and compassion. i know truth, i know you are truth and the words you speak are true. but how do i walk in grace and truth. teach me to breath grace! you have me, you know that i love you. give me the wisdom that John possessed. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of... Read More
hopes, prayers, and reflections
marrying a woman of God; a co-laborer, companion, and compliment a woman who’d allow me to serve, love, cherish, nourish, and lead her who loves God with every fiber of her being, and loves people. she sees children as a blessing, and desires to love and disciple them. who mentors other women. whose heart breaks for widows and orphans. who’s always ready to cloth the naked and feed the hungry. who desires a husband to provide and sacrifice for her and her family. whose... Read More
worth dying for
Your worth does not come from your body, your mind, your work, what you produce, what you put out. How much money you make. Your worth does not come from whether you have a man. Your worth does not come from whether or not men notice you. You have inestimable worth that comes from your Creator. You will continue to be tempted in a thousand different ways not to believe this. The temptation will be to go on searching for your worth and validity from places other than your... Read More
thank you
Why in the world did you come after me? Thank you, thank you Words aren’t enough, but for now I can say Thank you, thank you … I can’t understand a love of this kind “Thank You,” Sanctus Real these words took on new depth in my life recently. father, may i learn to love, as you love me. to know my love is inadequate, and that i can only love from the overflow of your love for me. Love is Patient Love is Kind Love does not Envy Love does not Delight... Read More
our failures
i’ve been re-reading Josh Harris’s book “boy meets girl” today, and God weighted heavy these words on my heart, and tears fell as I read them… “Ladies, despite what you may have experienced at the hands of your earthly father, know that this is the heart of your heavenly Father for you. You were never meant to be unprotected. I’m sorry that many of you have never had a Christian father like this to care for you. I’m sorry that negligence... Read More