The Consistency of Change

Seasons change
Plans fall apart
The rug gets pulled out
Hearts are broken
Sand shifts
Sudden storms occur
The unexpected happens...

And God stays the same.
Run. Run. Run.
Keep running when you're world falls apart.
He is Faithful.

"Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

His Tabernacle

God...

I want to be Your tabernacle
A place to rest Your head
I want to be Your private Garden
A place of refreshing for You

Will You come and dwell in me
Be alive inside of me
I am lovesick and lonely
I faint with longing for Your presence

Can you hear my deep calling out to Yours
It's crying out with yearning for You
No words can express
How much I want You...just You Jesus

Hungry Enough

Lord, make me hungry for You...

Hungry enough to deny myself food
Hungry enough to wear scars on my knees
Hungry enough to "miss out" socially
Hungry enough to be misunderstood
Hungry enough to lose sleep
Hungry enough to put aside my schedule
Hungry enough to quiet my mind
Hungry enough for You

"I am...your very great reward." (Genesis 15:1)

The Doctrine of Suffering

It has been a world-shattering couple of weeks as I have tried to piece together my theology of suffering, and I can in no way say that I have learned everything there is to know, nor have I included everything that I have learned. I have truly been humbled by the revelation of God's Word, and hope that you will open your heart to this truth as well. I am not sorry if I offend you. My only concern is that I am not offended by God on that day when I stand before Him...

But before we talk about suffering, we must talk about humanism. I didn't even realize how humanistic my worldview was until my study. I was disgustingly shocked and convicted when I realized how much of my Christianity was centered around myself. It's as if I was willing to be God-centered?as long as God was willing to be me-centered. Humanism says that the end of all things is happiness. This is FALSE! The end of all things is the glory of God. That is why in Hebrews 11, the great men and women of the faith can still proclaim, "God is good!", and trust Him even when they did not receive the fullness of His promises to them. Would we even dare to do the same?...

Suffering is foundational to being a true follower of Christ. It is NOT abnormal! But don't just take my word for it. Read this,

"TO THIS YOU WERE CALLED, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."-1 Peter 2:21

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the SAME ATTITUDE, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin."-1 Peter 4:1

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."-Philippians 3:10-11

How can we expect to receive the resurrection from the dead if we never participated in the sufferings of Christ Jesus? In the Kingdom, death comes before life...

I am not saying that we must go look for suffering and persecution. I am saying that we need to repent of our "me-centered" mentality, and devote ourselves to prayer and fasting. In America where we do not experience an onslaught of physical persecution, this is a practical voluntary form of participating in Jesus' sufferings. As a result, when we do experience real persecution, it will not phase us. Our goal should be the glory of God, not our own comfort. You will soon find that the hardships of this life decrease in your eyes as God increases...

"The problem of evil is raised more often by spectators of life than actual combatants. You will hardly ever find that the great sufferers are the great skeptics."-James Stewart

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."-1 Peter 4:12-13

So why would this even concern you? It wouldn't, unless you truly wanted to follow Christ. And why would I even be concerned in laying this out before you? It is because God is going to start shaking things on earth, so that only what is eternal will remain (see Hebrews 12:27), and He is going to start with the Body of Christ (see 1 Peter 4:17), and I want to see you standing firm in that day-unshakable in your faith and commitment to God. Remember that this is not about us. We live and die for the glory of God. And oh how He loves us!...

I understand that this doesn't explain everything on this subject fully, but if you have questions or comments, I would love to dialogue. Most importantly, I hope that you will take this, and continue to study into it and pray about it, and may it change your perspective on life and transform the way you live.

The Urgency For Intimacy

"Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!" (Matthew 26:41)

"The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." (1 Peter 4:7)

My spirit groans inside of me, because I know that the end is near, and I want so much to be wholeheartedly the Lord's. I come up with great plans to spend time with Him and make sacrifices for Him, but when it comes down to it...I back out. Yet, He has encouraged me in this:

"You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand-you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings." (Psalm 40:6)

"...My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness..." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

So Jesus, thank you so very much for loving me, even through my rough spots. Please make me wholeheartedly yours.

Light + Rain = a Rainbow

A rainbow is a symbol of hope and promise. To my great delight, God spoke to me and said that April would be a month of light and rain for me. I really have no idea what this means. Is it Jesus and harships colliding, or does it mean I will be journeying into the dark places of myself with an expectancy of an outpouring from heaven? I have no idea. But I am learning how to hear God's voice, and it is a beautiful thing. I am expectant. Light and rain...