I am learning to embrace the One who embraced me. He loved us first. The bible tells us this in 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.” With that love God has embraced us, despite our shortcomings, failures and flaws. He knew all of that in advance and loved us all the more. He will never let us go. He will never lose sight of us. He will always pursue us, even if we try to run or detour. He knocked Saul off a horse as he was heading to Damascus for a plea to slay more Christians in Acts Chapter 9. That changed the life of Saul completely. It was then that Saul felt the embrace of God. So much so that he lives a zealous life for God and becoming one of the greatest Apostles ever known. Continue reading
Learning to Embrace
Camouflage
Stop Camouflaging Your Pain! Despite all the colors, distractions and beating around the bush, when you look into the eye you see that pain is still present with you. Pain has a name too. It is called physical suffering or distress, as due to injury, illness; a distressing sensation in a particular part of the body; mental or emotional suffering or torment. As Christians we cannot ever really confess that we are in pain. We have to hide it. We must declare “All is well” when it is not really well. We can speak, yell and cry out but what is happening on the inside of us really? Does that even count? Why doesn’t anyone ever talk about it? Where is my real story in the bible? I don’t see it. The story where hope dies, faith dies, love dies, dreams die, plans die and your heart is not really healed at all because of the frequency. Continue reading
Comfort For My Friends
Comfort…what a soothing word alone. This means as it states to soothe, console or reassure; bring cheer to; to make physically comfortable; to support or encourage; relief in affliction; consolation; solace; a person or thing that gives consolation.
I often times think about how much comfort can I get from others in the time of heavy testing and trial or how I can be of comfort to others. Somewhere along the line I think that even in this we all fall short. I can find that no matter where I am, I can feel a pang of suffering hit me for many reasons. I seek to be consoled. I search for that one true friend that will be there all the time no matter what and I still always come up short. There is always that moment where you feel the pressure, the pain, the hurt, the sadness, the doubt, the fear and turmoil. A whole variety of emotions can overtake us at any moment of the day. That is why it is vitally important to stay plugged in to the power and presence of God. Every day that we wake is another opportunity for us to do whatever it takes to think on His word, to talk to God in prayer, to seek positive things all throughout the day. Seek those things that will uplift your spirit, mind and soul for this is vital for daily strength. Continue reading
The Journey
Did you ever ask yourself this question when you were facing a serious situation in your life, “How long, Lord?” We actually begin to wonder how long is the “how long” stage? How long does the grieving continue? When does the pain go away? When does the healing really take place? When do the tears actually stop? When will the victory come? When will I get over this? When will I break free from this addiction? When will I get this job? When will I move from here? When will I get married? When will I experience victory in my marriage? There could be so many different types of questions that someone could struggle with at a time. At least we know through the scriptures a documented case where a man accurately cried this out as well and we can learn from it. Continue reading
Welcome 