EN ROUTE

Some times we can feel small. It's not necessarily a negative thing, but it could go south very quickly if we do not continually keep God ever before our faces and the right perspective. So lets be very clear, small is not the same nor does it equate to insignificant. Let me say it again, small and slow is not the same as insignificant and is not the absence of the resurrection power of Jesus at work in our lives. Small and slow does not mean we are forgotten or void of a grand purpose. Although, the enemy would have us believe that lie, wouldn't he? Our culture also leads us to buy into that same deception. However, we must rise up and not cast off our confidence in God. He is working not only within us but around us.  We need to return to God and ask him to help us redefine small and slow. We need the breath of God to breathe on us and give us his eyes and perspective of our and for our lives, including the small and the slow.  Whether people are willing to admit it or ...

In this season, I find that I'm more drawn to peaceful, calming, reassuring, comforting worship and instrumental music. I am particularly enjoying lullabies. Christy Nockels has a great album that is a must hear!  While I'm still all about songs of declaration, proclamation and victory (the air fist pumping songs and the likes), I do think there is an appropriate and necessary time and place for songs that simply sing and speak over us. That is where I am. For me,  it's all about finding healthy rhythms. So as we "go out" to "conquer" and "fight," we also need to retreat back for rest. To simply receive and be.  It is possible to live a life that is free of hustle, grinding and striving. We don't have to rush and race from one thing to the next. We can rest as we truly live from a place of belovedness. And even more encouraging, we can take control (to some measure) regarding the pace and trajectory of our life. While it may require making ...

Our thoughts are not who we are. And we don't have to speak out loud every thing that comes to mind. I hope that helps someone today.  We are bombarded with thoughts constantly, and not all thoughts are of God or from God. Otherwise, why would Paul in the book of Corinthians give us this instruction, " and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge  of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5.  Again, we are not subjects to our thoughts nor do we have to live captive to our thoughts. It's actually the reverse. We are suppose to make our thoughts conform to the ways and truth of God's word and we make it submit to the obedience of Jesus Christ. So if we want to walk in peace and freedom, it's imperative that we recognize the following:  1. Not every thought is from God.  2. Self-control and discipline is required on our part to actively engage and monitor our thought life. What we are allowing into our minds a...

Whatever we choose to magnify will become larger. Not necessarily in true size or form, but definitely in our eyes and in our tiny space of the world; and that might not always be a good thing. So for that reason, Scripture encourages us to magnify the Lord because he is the only one worth magnifying. He alone is able to rescue, fix and redeem. He can talk the talk and walk the walk. He can back up any claim or promise.  Now more than ever, it's so vital that we are aware of what we are magnifying. What are we allowing to influence us? What are we allowing to continually be a voice or within our view and frame?  Again, it's the slow drifts that we must be mindful of. It starts out simple and pure but if we don't keep the proper long view in mind, we may end up growing or magnifying something or someone we never intended.  Whether it be our bank accounts, social standing, name/fame, or the accolades and praises of man, it will eventually leave us bankrupt and empty. W...

Song: I See Heaven by:  Bryan & Katie Torwalt I see heaven invading this place I see angels praising your holy name I sing praises, I sing praises I give you honor worthy Jesus I see Glory falling in this place And I see hope restored, the healing of all disease I sing praises, I sing praises I give you honor worthy Jesus We give you praise and all of the honor You are our God, the one we live for We give you praise and all of the Glory God We give you praise and all of the honor You are our God, the one we live for We give you praise and all of the Glory I see Glory falling in this place And I see hope restored, the healing of all disease I sing praises, I sing praises I give you honor worthy Jesus We give you praise and all of the honor You are our God, the one we live for We give you praise and all of the Glory God We give you praise and all of the honor You are our God, the one we live for We give you praise and all of the Glory All of the glory All of the glory, Jesus Let ...

You will likely become like those you surround yourself with, so choose wisely. Having said that, I have deep compassion for those who recognize and live daily with the reality that they are not in the alignments they want to be in but for this moment, God has not released them or allowed them to move or change. Friend, God is still at work. He has not forgotten. I'm not talking about abusive relationships, but those situations that are not ideal, comfortable or our first choice.  I think about the story of Joseph. He was not his surroundings. And more importantly, he did not allow the company of his surroundings to change or sway his devotion and faith in God. He did not become bitter but rather chose to take a bad situation and became better. He grew and matured all while staying true to his beliefs. He remained true to his God, values, principles, and faith. Was it challenging? For sure. But rather than sit and complain about what he could not control - his situation, circu...

We are all a work in progress. We are all growing. We all have areas in our lives that continually need maturing and developing. As long as there is breath in our lungs, not one person has "arrived." There is always room for improvement. We are in process of becoming more like Christ and being sanctified. There is no question, if and's or but's about that. It's just the facts and plain truth. Now that  we have clearly established not one of us is perfect, let me also say this, alignment matters. While we are all still growing and learning, becoming more of who God has intended us to be, and daily renewing our minds and putting off the old nature and putting on the new, a lignment is important if we're going to walk and live in the fullness of freedom and life. Alignment is crucial.  If you are walking with Jesus daily, in his word, praying, practicing the disciplines of a disciple and continually in communication and fellowship with God and you still feel ...

Today I am thanking God for the breath in my lungs.  The fact that I have seen another day is a gift of grace and mercy.  I confess and remind the enemy that my God has not forgotten us. He will come to our rescue and he is presently rescuing us because he is always at work. Even though we cannot see all that God is doing behind the scenes, we believe by faith He is still at work. Not only is God at work but he is working it all together for our good. He is bringing life and joy out of dark and hard places. He is restoring the ruins and bringing forth life out of the ashes. He is doing a new thing, a deeper work. He only has the best intentions towards us. His plans are good, He is for us, and we are his.  We are not forgotten.  We have been created for good works that have been prepared in advance. We have a purpose and a destiny. There is a seat at his table for us. He makes room for us.  We are not forgotten.  We do not have to fear, worry or fret. ...

Following Jesus takes courage. Living out your calling requires courage. Saying yes to God's plan for our life takes courage. Being obedient - all the way to the last drop takes courage. Living by faith and stepping out in faith takes courage. Obeying the voice of God takes courage.  Jesus never said following him would be easy. The "narrow path" is anything but easy, and definitely not for the faint at heart. But He promised to be with us - in the middle. His grace will carry us through and the breath of the his Spirit will give boldness to our courage.  We need courage every day!  May we be people who continually encourage one another to keep courageously following Jesus.  We can give courage to one another and speak courage over and into the lives of those around us. 

Feed your faith.  Face your fear and starve it.   Focus on what is above.  Fix your eyes on Jesus.  Fan the flame of hope by the wind of the Spirit.  Free yourself from what so easily entangles by continually leaning on and resting in the Father.  Find strength in Jesus - in who he is, what he has done and what he is doing.    Follow his voice and walk in peace. 

 "... living in the present but made for eternity..." Levi Lusko  Proximity and activity don’t always equal connectivity.  Do I walk into situations prepared with the fullness of God in me, free to look for ways to bless others? Or ...  Do I walk into situations empty and dependent on others to look for ways to bless me? Lysa TerKeurst  The word translated as  blessing  in the New Testament is derived from the Greek word,  makarismos , which means “to be indwelt by God through the Holy Spirit and, therefore, because of His indwelling to be fully satisfied in spite of the afflictions of life.”  To be blessed actually means to be fully satisfied.  To thrive on the inside even if life is falling apart on the outside.  To be so filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit within that we are able to endure and taste the sweetness of His love even in the midst of bitter reality. Even when it hurts, even when we do not understand. Dia...

Surely God is working at all times, especially in the darkest moments. When things seem impossible and God seems most distant and far off, he is actually the closest to us. Scripture says, The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18   But it makes no sense. It's seems contrary. It's paradoxical. It's an upside kingdom. When we are weak, we are strong. When we are poor, we are rich. When we are lowly, we are lifted up. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. And God in his infinite wisdom and sovereignty, he makes a way in the dark and desert. He makes a way where there is no way. In our darkest hour, he is most near to us. Our dependency, desperation, and need for God is what draws and attracts his presence.  Please make not mistake, God does not delight in our pain and suffering. He does not take joy or pleasure in seeing his children struggle and live in turmoil. I'm sure it breaks his heart, so much so that he mak...

We do not take for granted but humbly and completely acknowledge it is the grace and mercy of God that has saved our family. By God's grace, both of our children have put their trust in Jesus and asked him to be their Lord and Savior. Thanking God for the empowerment and the work of the Holy Spirit within us as parents to partner with God in saving souls.  As soon as we found out we were pregnant, we immediately began praying for our son's salvation. We asked God to save him at a young age and secondly, we prayed God wold prepare him a wife. (The same for our daughter). We pray that our children would come to know, love and honor Jesus beginning at a young tender age. We were deliberate in praying that their lives would be impacted by the Gospel and love of Jesus early in life because we believe they are called to be world changers.  This past week, we remember and celebrate 4 years ago when our oldest; Noah, prayed and asked Jesus into his heart. I remember that day very clea...

There is something powerful about gathering, linking arm in arm, standing shoulder to shoulder and in one another's presence. There is something incredibly powerful, energizing, and life giving when we gather- for one person and one reason only, Jesus. While my family is grateful for online worship during this season, there is no comparison to being live and in person. I miss the act of gathering corporately, particularly for worship and praise through songs. I can't explain the high or thrill that I get, it's simply electrifying and energizing. You actually *think* you sound better belting alongside the "professionals." Ha! All of this reminds me of God's beautiful design and intent for us and his church. We were created for connection, fellowship, to gather and to grow together. We were not made for isolation. We were created to come close and to be close.  No wonder scripture is very clear in saying this, " And let us consider one another in order to p...

Slow down and take time.  Why am I in such a hurry? Why do I feel rushed? I really don't think we were created to multi-task, most certainly not at the level I have been operating. So here's the thing, I've known this for a long time and I've been really trying to get off. For those very reasons it has been painful and my internal struggle for a good amount of years, reaching a breaking point within the last few years. So much so that it led my family and I to make significant changes to get off this "wheel" that is no longer serving my family or working well for us, and actually one that we didn't ask for and one that we definitely would not have chosen for ourselves. Obedience and love will make you do crazy and uncomfortable things!  As I wait on God, I am learning there are things I can do to take control of my health and well-being not only for this process but for the long haul. While I cannot change the pace, culture, demands or pressure of my work,...

Though the mountains move a nd the hills shake, my love will not be removed from you and my covenant of peace will not be shaken, says your compassionate Lord. Isaiah 54:10 This was my scripture for meditation today.  No commentary or additional words needed, it speaks for itself. A powerful promise and truth, and I really needed it today. 

11  Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.  12  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.  13  For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.  14  Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest,  15  and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.  16  In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  17  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.  18  Pray at all times in the ...

     Beloved, when you’re in the middle of a test or unpleasant circumstance, don’t look for a quick exit. I know how difficult it is. I understand that sometimes it makes you want to run away and forget everything. But in the middle of the process, you are not alone. I’m with you every step of the way. Just as a pregnant woman must pass through the pains of labor, so you also must push through the birthing process of this trial. I promise, you will come out of this with new stores of favor and light. I call for you to be content in the process, without needing an explanation that satisfies your impatience. If there is something you need to know, trust me to reveal it plainly—to pour out my wisdom and unveil the hidden secrets. Listen to my voice and follow its sound. I’ll take you to places of delicate pastures, where you can rest. Simply come closer, and my grace will give you the strength you need to get to the other side. I am with you. I will not leave you. Don’t giv...

Our suffering is not our own.  We carry these moments and experiences in hopes of becoming more like Christ. To grow in compassion, empathy and humility towards our fellow brothers and sisters, our fellow neighbors who may also be experiencing and carrying similar traumas, pains and suffering but without hope or support because they either don’t know Jesus, acknowledge him or perhaps they are isolated and without help.  I want to steward every moment and experience with humility, compassion and gentleness. I want to remain true and faithful to my God in worship and thanksgiving. And in sickness and suffering, I will yet still praise Him all the more. 

Compassion.  A quick google search yielded the following:  Compassion  alludes to kindness and sympathy, but there is something deeper, something even more profoundly powerful, in its  meaning . In Latin, 'compati'  means  “suffer with.”  Compassion means  someone else's heartbreak becomes your heartbreak. Another's suffering becomes your suffering. Throughout scripture we see compassion and compassion in action. Titled as Christian Ethics, Romans 12:15 says,  Rejoice with those who rejoice;  weep with those who weep.  When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples,  “The harvest is abundant, but the workers are few.   Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”  Matthew 9:26-38 When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd, had compassion on them, and...

Pressure points and triggers are not necessarily an indication of something bad or the downfall of something. It's not a marker that something is beyond repair or irreversible. But more often than not, it's a signal that we need to pause and give more careful and special attention to that pressure point or trigger. It is apparent that there is something tender, sensitive and slightly strained. Perhaps there is built up and something needs to be released. However, pressure points can also be an encouraging indicator that "it" whatever "it" is for you, is indeed on the path towards healing. We can compare or look back at what once would have paralyzed or took us out, now is only a nagging limp or tender scar.  It is important to grow in self-awareness and compassionate care towards ourselves. We desperately need and are given permission to be kind and gracious towards ourselves. We are allowed to give pause and space to tend to ourselves so that the garden of ...

Song: Healer  It's still an anointed song. There is nothing that God cannot redeem.  You hold my very moment You calm my raging seas You walk with me through fire And heal all my disease I trust in You, I trust in You I believe You're my healer I believe You are all I need I believe And I believe You're my portion I believe You're more than enough for me Jesus You're all I need You hold my very moment You calm my raging seas You walk with me through fire And heal all my disease I trust in You, Lord I trust in You I believe You're my healer I believe You are all I need Oh, I believe I believe You're my portion I believe You're more than enough for me Jesus You're all I need Nothing is impossible for You Nothing is impossible Nothing is impossible for You You hold my world in Your hands Nothing is impossible for You Nothing is impossible Nothing is impossible for You You hold my world in Your hands I believe You're my healer I believe You are all I...

Song: Cornerstone (Hillsong Worship)  My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly trust in Jesus' name My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness I dare not trust the sweetest frame But wholly trust in Jesus' name Christ alone, Cornerstone Weak made strong in the Savior's love Through the storm He is Lord Lord of all When darkness seems to hide His face I rest on His unchanging grace In every high and stormy gale My anchor holds within the veil My anchor holds within the veil Christ alone, Cornerstone Weak made strong in the Savior's love Through the storm He is Lord Lord of all He is Lord Lord of all, Christ alone Christ alone, Cornerstone Weak made strong in the Savior's love Through the storm He is Lord Lord of all Christ alone, Cornerstone Weak made strong in the Savior's love Through the storm He is Lord Lord of all When he shall come with trumpet sound...

I find myself at an interesting juncture. I'm in process and walking it out so I will refrain from any attempts in trying to fully understand, summarize or conclude what I think is taking place or where I think it is leading me. I am content and very grateful for where I am and where our family is in this moment. God's timing is perfect. He leaves no detail undone. His ways are perfect. I am living the life I am to live right now, doing the things I am suppose to be doing. But yet there is still this tension. It's not a bad tension. I think it's the result of living in a broken world when our hearts were created and designed for perfection. It's life on earth in the temporary but yet we were created for heaven and eternity. Isn't it true though that  we are all  constantly living in some level of tension? So how do we navigate this tension?  While I am content, full of faith and at peace with where I am presently, I would not be honest if I did not say  there is...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2  He was with God in the beginning.  3  All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.  4  In him was life, and that life was the light of men.  5  That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.   John 1:1-5 No matter how dark things appear, feel or can get, it cannot overcome the light of men - our Lord Jesus Christ. The light cannot be overtaken by darkness. The light cannot be overcome by darkness. The light cannot be canceled by darkness. But rather, the light shines all the more brightly as things get dimmer and darker. The light dispels the darkness. The light cancels out the darkness.  We must remember truth in scripture. It's simply not possible because our Lord Jesus Christ is the Light of the World and he has already overcome. He h...

Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because you have created all things, and by your will they exist and were created. Revelation 4:11 It's quite characteristic of our human nature to forget and live in this constant "dance" of back and forth. We have a tendency to zoom in and turn our ears towards the loudest voice - whether that be our feelings, circumstances or what we see going on in the world. But so often, the loudest voice is not always the voice we should allow to be the leading voice that dictates what we do, how we think and what we believe. Yes we should be aware and give it notice, but we are not ruled by it. It should not change who we are and certainty not what we believe, especially about God.  It's easy to go with our feelings though. It's easy to think that what we read on the news is the "majority."  But our feelings and the snippet of what we read does not tell the whole story, and certainty not the f...