For the Love of God....

I'll let go of all I have just to have all of you And no matter what the cost I will follow you Jesus, everything I've lost I have found in you When I finally reach the end I'll say YOU WERE WORTH IT ALL!

 A really sweet lady at my daughter's school handed me a card for her church this morning with an invitation to visit.  As I reached out to grab the card, memories of a past time were brought back to me.  A little over 4 years ago, my husband and I attended a fellowship that was very small, to which we had no objections.  We'd just left a much larger church that wasn't hurting for attendees.  They were hosting three services at the time we left. Anywho, one of the biggest things the smaller church promoted was extending invitations for people to visit the church in hopes that they would join .  The church had business cards, and all members were highly encouraged to pass them out to get more people in the door (I have several theories as to why they were so hungry for members; most of them having to do with money).  There were usually several messages  preached on increasing our faith and believing God for the impossible (this was a heavy signs and wonders ministry, bu

There is a prominent female figure currently on the horizon that has all of the girlies holding their breathe until she breathes her next word.  Her face, her posts, her image and her voice are slathered from thither and yonder on social media.  You never have to wonder what's going on in her life nor in her household.  It is all tracked and recorded via the world wide web.  I've listened to some of her teachings and agree with most of what she says.  While she does not verbally communicate anything that seems detrimental, it is what is not said being (yet seen) that is the most disappointing factor. I first became aware of this young lady and her husband a couple of years ago when another young lady posted on my Facebook page that my husband and I reminded her of them.  I presumed she was referring to the fact that we were married and shared a passion for the Lord.  Being the kind of person I tend to be, I looked them up in hopes of expanding our circle of nationwid

We feign humility because we think we have figured out the formula to Christian "success" usually found in the form of a platform and a ministry readily identified with our name and image.  We humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God only to claim the promise of exaltation in due time (without understanding the intent of the exaltation as referenced in the passage 1 Peter 5:6).  Let us no longer mistake our pitiful efforts to appear humble to keep us from true humility; namely brokenness. This has been a loooooong battle for me that I have yet to master.  I have experienced periods of brokenness when my plans were thwarted and I had no other choice but to FINALLY surrender that area of my life to the Lord, but there is much to be said for the soul who seeks to humble him/herself without the proverbial rug being swiped from under them. I did not pen the words you are about to read below, but this is probably the most difficult message for many to submit to. 

I have another blog out here in cyberspace ( Making it, His Best ) that I started back in 2008 or so to capture my thoughts.  Much like I am doing with this blog.  My last blog post on that particular blog was in 2012.  I have not blogged since then.  I started this new blog because I wanted to start blogging again but could not remember the log in credentials of the old page. As I was reading posts from the other blog, I could identify a couple of things in my writings.  First, it was very clear to me, just in my tone and style of writing, that I was a little less experienced and not quite as hardened then as I seem to have become.  Second, I realized the sincerity and purity with which I wrote some of those posts.  Most of them are masterpieces of grammatical error, but I was typing as the thoughts flowed and wasn't necessarily concerned with its slickness.  There was a pouring out of me that seemed to yearn for Christ in the midst of the hindering religious environments I

The Bible tells us that we will not enter the Kingdom of heaven unless we be like a little child. (Matthew 18:3) Child-likeness The Bible also admonishes us to press on towards spiritual maturity.  (Hebrews 6:1-3, 1 Corinthians 13:11). Below is a link to a timely message by Minister David Pawson titled "Towards Spiritual Maturity" Towards Spiritual Maturity

I was having a conversation with my husband yesterday about what the Lord would have us to do, specifically, as co-laborers with Him.  We began discussing how many Christians become concerned with their calling or God-given assignment pretty early on in their walk with the Lord.  Most churches make it their duty to help believers assess their spiritual giftings in an effort to guide them in discovering their purpose  or calling in this earth.  I began to comment about how this model leaves us more concerned with the personal call of ministry ABOVE the end of all ministry.  There is a preoccupation with trying to discover our specific calling or assignment(s) for the Lord while leaving the very reason for the service at a far second.  In previous ministries we were involved in, there was such an emphasis placed on finding your gifts and calls so you could be "used by the Lord" that it would leave one feeling inadequate and unusable if they do not specifically know their g

I will make an honest confession.  I care what people think about me.  Sometimes to my own detriment.  I encountered a  situation today that left me somewhat emotional.  While I attempted to fight back tears, I had to ask myself why I felt so hurt.  When I came to the realization of the origins of those feelings, I let the tears go and cried. I cried, not because of what the person said to me, but I cried due to the realization that I still greatly care about what people think of me and how they view me.  I was heartbroken that this person I have known and loved for years would utter comments towards me that were not in the affirmative because of a difference in opinion, and I was hurt.  My reaction caught me off guard. I'd done so well pretending not to care how I was perceived by certain groups or individuals and talked big talk like I was ready to let things run off my back like water.  I thought I had shaken the feelings of needing to be liked and accepted by others because

The crux of our existence as persons seeking to abide in Christ is our willingness to surrender our will to God (our wants, desires, plans,ambitions); with an acknowledgment of God's will being more important or higher than our will.  It is by this acknowledgment that we are able to show that we are dedicated disciples concerned with His mission and His purposes; first and foremost.  If we choose not to do this and are honest with ourselves, the implications are clear; God's will is secondary to our own. The process of surrendering our will is a most difficult one.  It is a hard and narrow road not often or easily traveled because of the sacrifices required.  Case in point:  Jesus encountered a rich man one day.  We'll call him, Joe.  Joe was eager to obtain eternal life.  He practically fell at Jesus' feet and begged Him to tell him what he needed to do to obtain it.  First, Jesus listed off a number of commandments Joe should keep.  To that, Joe responded affirma