GOSSIP & SLANDER

I strongly believe that we don't even know we do it. How often do you talk about other people? Selah. Our conversation should not be focused on the acts of others, but only/always "what builds up and is fitting for the occasion, bringing grace to those who hear it."

LUKE 9:62

"Anyone who puts their hand on the plough and then looks behind him is useless for the kingdom of God." Like a man who found a treasure, we must drop everything, all we are, to rid ourselves of uncleanness to press on to what He is calling us toward!

NO PAIN...

I've heard it compared to domesticating an animal, what good is it wild and untamed? Or as a boxer training for a fight, the trainer makes him tougher. Likewise, not resenting Him for breaking me down that I may be used by Him; I should be rejoicing and thanksgiving.

A WEEK AGO TODAY

It was easier knowing where I was. Into the wilderness I go again to fend for myself, and fight for Christ. I’ve been close to throwing in the towel since; He’s always there calling me back saying: “This is the way, walk in it.”… I wish you were here.

L O S T

I’ve been waiting all season to write this one. But I have to give props to what I’ve deemed, “The Greatest Fictional Epic Of Our Time.” I have never seen a better developed cinematic form of grandeur. I don’t ever want it to be over, like many other things.

HOW GOD WORKS

How God works is outside of our understanding. Who can know the mind of the Lord? Not me. It’s quite maddening actually. But I’ve seen His goodness, His faithfulness; the way He brings repetitive reoccurring confirmation into the things spoken into our hearts. You could almost say this is…

LACKING GENTLENESS

Titus 3:2, "To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling; but gentle, showing true humility to everyone." True humility in ESV is also, "Perfect courtesy." This hit me like a weight today; something everyone knows I am lacking. Jesus calls me to courtesy/humility; I will try my best.

WIDOW IN AFFLICTION

She trembled as she picked up her drink. This dear old woman, she mentioned her husband dying three months earlier; how she’s stressed and spinning in circles. She said with tears in her eyes, “55 years, I had always hoped it would’ve been me first.” I couldn’t bear it.

THIS IS CYNICAL

"No greater love does a man have than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." How do we love? By never ceasing giving your all; 100 percent, non-stop, self-sacrificing to where it kills you. Then you can say you loved and tried. Once you're dead.

1 KINGS 11:1-10

No king before or after will be like him. Wisdom, respect, riches, righteous in his ways. Turned from God in his old age because of the women he let in close to him. This speaks volumes about who we should let in, lest we be easily persuaded elsewhere. Selah.

VISE

If you are not affecting the people around you in a positive way, you are not doing your job as a follower of Christ. If you are in Him, His will for you is that you win the people in your life to Christ, not having them influencing you.

MOTHER'S DAY

My mom is the greatest mom in the world. A lot of people say that, but you can always look at the fruit. Three children who are walking with God. God blessed me with her parenthood. Thank you for all the love, care, and conversation over the years mom.

FOR WHOM GOD LOVES

"For whom God loves, He chastens." Well, He must LOVE me. This last week was arguably the hardest week emotionally I've gone through... in a great while. He gently revealed to me the inner workings of my heart, all for the better because He’s now restored me to full!

WHY TEACHING.

I've made a lot of mistakes. I desire to teach so that I may, by the power of God by the Spirit, help someone not make the same mistakes I’ve made by learning from my own, by knowledge He’s given me. For this reason I will never stop teaching.

DEUTERONOMY 34:10-12

Moses was uniquely different from the rest of the prophets. God knew him face to face. This is upsetting to me, as my relationship grows, I yearn to see Him… to have His physical presence in the room. Jealousy precedes me, still I can pray to be like Moses.

UNDONE AND UNCLEAN LIPS

All around me is the same thing. I am surrounded by reoccurring mockery, forms of happiness mistaking me for a fellow advocate. I wish it to stop, but it never ceases. I've tried to halter, but still I'm called back to grant it access into the totality of me.

PART 3: DESTROY

Matthew 7:13-27 "...broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat... narrow is the way, which leads to life." The difference is building the house on sand or rock. A foundation with the regular reading of the word leads men from destruction.

PART 2: DRIFT

Hebrews 2:1 "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it." With knowing it in our hearts and not just our minds, we can follow hard after our Lord without wavering or falling. His word is what keeps us straight.

PART 1: DECEIVED

James 1:22 "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." This is the first action of how to stay solidified in Him. If we only hear and do not do what we know is true, we can be classified as hypocritical, only then deceiving ourselves.