Fulfilling Your Calling

I have always enjoyed Mother's Day even before I became a mom. I look forward to watching my mother's eyes well up with tears of joy as she reads every last word I pen in adoration of her inside primrose adorned Hallmark cards. Now that my son is old enough to understand the meaning of the holiday, I was privileged this past Mother's Day to receive a card addressed to me. I gripped it, as soon as it reached my hands, with anticipation to read all that he poured out from his ingenuous seven year-old heart. I wondered at that moment if tears perspiring from an overjoyed heart would well up in my eyes as my mother's did. I wondered if my son would wear a smile on his face as he watched me read and reread all the various ways He chose to say I love you. Well, I can tell you now, this child is good! He began by writing down his appreciation for all the things we do together. He shared how he loves that we sing together, do homework together, and read together. He loves that we have long talks together and how there is no better time than now for us to discuss his problems, even the drama going on between two friends in his 2nd grade class! At the very bottom of this list, he wrote what summed up everything he was trying to say, "I love that you make time for me". That was where I lost it! The tears started forming like the drip of a leaky faucet and they couldn't be stopped. I'm not quite sure that I wanted them to. This was a precious moment that I desired to savor, wrapping him up in arms that were melting like butter.

Prior to this Mother's Day, I spent many days contemplating my effectiveness as a parent. I wondered if I was spending enough time with my son, doing enough for him, teaching him enough, or disciplining him enough. I wondered when was enough? I picked up a book from the Christian bookstore months ago that claimed to hold all of the secrets to raising boys. But, after thumbing through the first few pages, it dawned on me, there is no greater manual on the topic of parenting than the Manual inspired by God. Jesus is the Word and the Word is a lamp to our feet. Therefore, spending time in God's word illuminates our path and provides us the best possible solution in every situation. In the case of parenting, The Bible is rich with examples of God's love for His children. One, of which, involves Jesus' disciple, Peter.

We can think of our role as a parent much like a shepherd. Peter tells the elders in the church, "Shepherd the flock of God, which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock..." (1 Peter 5:2-3). We are entrusted with the care of precious souls and in the likeness of a shepherd, we are called to oversee their welfare willingly and eagerly, leading them by example. We are not called to inflict harsh judgement or place high demands on them. At the end of the day, they are but children. That is something I now try to keep in mind whenever my son doesn't measure up to my unachievable standards of perfection. I'm not perfect and there are countless ways I don't measure up in the eyes of God. Nonetheless, He offers us unconditional love, knowing our frailty. He extends grace and mercy, reminding us of our complete dependence on Him. None of this comes with a price tag because it was paid for in full by the blood of Jesus. As a result, we no longer have to strive for our Father's acceptance, but receive it undeservingly. It is in this love that we find rest. It is in this love that we are called to love others--with or without reciprocation. Our children may fail us, but our love should never fail them. There is an old adage that states, "Home is where the heart is". A home built on the foundation of Christ is infused with the scent of forgiveness and the walls are accented with warm smiles. In the home is where our children form healthy attachments. And to the home, their hearts will guide them, no matter how far they stray, secure with the knowledge that there is an open door and open arms waiting to receive them.

Peter, a faithful follower of Christ, was blessed to witness Jesus during His earthly ministry. He followed close behind Jesus like a child clinging on to his father's coattail. He believed in Jesus' sovereignty, worshiped Him as the Son of God, and loved Him with all his heart. But, his actions on a few occasions suggested otherwise. We all might remember the account written in scripture regarding Peter's invitation to walk on water. As he drew near to Jesus in the middle of the sea, he began to fear. Jesus addresses him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Ref Matthew 14:22-33). When our children discount our authority or doubt our advice, do we become discouraged as parents? We can refer to Jesus as an example in His dealings with Peter. Jesus takes Peter and two other disciples with him to the Garden of Gethsemane in order to keep watch while He prayed. Jesus returns to Peter and the two other disciples three times only to find them asleep. He singles out Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:40-41). Christ admonishes Peter just like a father chastens his son, reminding him to be on guard lest he fall into temptation. All of this was worthwhile instruction that Peter failed to adhere to. Peter's spirit was obviously willing, otherwise he wouldn't have dedicated his life to following Christ. But, the flesh, being weak, led him into the temptation of denying Jesus three times. Have you given your children strict orders to abide by but they are dull of hearing? Do you find your child in a spiritual slumber? Much like our children, Peter heard but did not heed the warning. He indeed falls into the temptation of betraying the Man he loved dearly. As we read further in Matthew 26:69-75, we can almost feel the guilt simmering in his veins to a quick boil. He first swears with an oath that he doesn't know Jesus. Then he curses those who accuse him of knowing Him. As soon as he hears the rooster crow, however, he is reminded that Jesus predicted this betrayal. In the turmoil of deep despair, he weeps bitterly. This is what sin does. It opens us up to the wide range of fleshly emotions--causing confusion, chaos, and finally guilt. I think we can attest to witnessing this in the behavior of our children when they know they have done wrong. But, it is our response to their wrongdoing that holds the most weight. We will soon come to find how Jesus responds to Peter after the betrayal.

Peter must have had this experience in mind when he wrote to his brethren in 1 Peter 5:8-9, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." As a good shepherd, Peter exhorts the church to resist the devil, as he failed to do when he betrayed Jesus. There is no greater witness to Christ's deliverance than drawing from our own testimonies. We can refer to our testimonies, with discretion of course, when advising our children. Peter continues by praying, "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you" (1 Peter 5:10). Peter experienced firsthand the grace of God soon after Jesus had risen from the dead. I can only imagine the emotional state Peter was in, perhaps distressed and burdened with grief, not only for losing Jesus, but even worse, for betraying Him. Nonetheless, when Jesus returns, He summons Peter and asks him three times, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" (John 21:16). Peter answers in the affirmative all three times using a less emphatic word for love. You see, Jesus expressed agape love, a self-sacrificing love, but Peter couldn't respond to Him in the same manner. However, soon Peter would come to know the love of Christ by receiving the Holy Spirit.


Jesus admonishes Peter on a few occasions recorded in the gospels, but in this particular scene, we see the love of God pouring out over all of his shame, guilt, and iniquity. 1 John 3:20 states, "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things". Jesus knew the condition of Peter's heart. He knew his spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak. This is true for all of us. God wants us to repent of our sins, but this is not an isolated event. The process of repentance begins with a work of agape love in our hearts. I like to picture each time Peter professed his love for Jesus as a wave that brushed upon the shore of his heart, washing away the crimson stain of betrayal, and with it, guilt and shame. If you notice, Jesus never points out Peter's sin. He has not come to condemn Peter, He has come instead to establish His presence in Peter's life. His love for Him hasn't failed. He desires to settle his heart and strengthen him for the journey ahead. We come to find that these are the very things Peter prays for over the church in 1 Peter 5:10. Jesus commissioned Peter to shepherd His flock. Peter would soon become one of the great apostles who established the early church. In what ways, have you given up on your children? Are you encouraged in knowing that Jesus never gave up on Peter, regardless of his imperfections? Peter should serve as a great reminder to all of us of God's unfailing love.


"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). Jesus, of course, is our perfect example of love. Scripture tells us, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16). This new commandment given to us by Christ should not be taken lightly. It is with good reason that love is esteemed above any gift, such as knowledge or prophecy. It profits all. Take our role as parents, for example, what good does it do if we only share with our children our knowledge of right from wrong? How much more would it profit them, other family members, as well as a community of onlookers by displaying simple gestures of love? We are to shower others in agape love so that they may come to know Christ working through you.

I realize that I do not stand in my own ability as a parent. I surrender my authority as a mother to the working of the Holy Spirit. For without it, I know that I will fail. I intend to fill my home with the sweet aroma of Christ' love. I intend to spend quality time with my son because there is nothing sweeter than to hear how much he enjoys the time we share. I intend to allow room for error just as Jesus extended mercy upon Peter. I intend to humble myself before my child, admitting my mistakes and asking for his forgiveness. For in this, I pray to set an example of Christ's humility. In this, I pray that he will have an authentic representation of God. And when I am at my wit's end, I pray that God will remind me of my frailty and that His love has never changed for me. "Where [my] sin abounded, [His] grace abounded much more" (Romans 5:20). May this grace and agape love flow from my heart to the heart of my child so that one day when he ventures off into the world, he will remember that home is where the heart is and here he will always find a place where he belongs. May God bless you and keep you, my brothers and sisters. And when you wrap your arms around your little ones, may they feel the warmth of Christ's love. Agape hugs! <3

I sat beside his bedpost and wept. How could this be? Just days ago we spoke, a conversation that ended abruptly though after we exasperated one another on the only topic that sets fire to my veins, turning my blood to a quick boil. We had recently spent a grueling few weeks engaged in a tug-of-war match, vying for the prize of spending time with our son. In my self-righteous opinion, his actions forfeited him this privilege. This man represented my past and I despised him for that. You see, I exhausted several years of my life in a twisted mind game, surrendering to the deceit of folly when I should have been commending this person to the tender love and forgiveness of the Father. But, the mind flirts and often reverts our attention to a self-inflicted pity party and in attendance are all of our trespassers. For me, this meant one person--a man whom I loved in my youth. I often replayed the projector slide in my mind, each scene vividly depicting exactly how I was trespassed against, believing that I could find some kind of relief by looking back. Somewhere in the past, I can justify the present. Somewhere in the past, I pity the young woman who lies helpless on the floor. Somewhere in the past, I am not responsible for bitter resentment. He is.

But then the tables turned. I peered upon the hospital bed before me where the antagonist of my story lay helpless now. I wept and inside every tear drop was the antidote to the sting of unforgiveness. I wept healing.

I made tireless attempts to dismiss the sequence of events that led up to this very moment. If only they could vanish at the snap of a finger and the flick of a wrist. I wanted my presence to blend in with the present because here my battle wounds were unrecognizable. I wanted to be "normal", but soon enough people who knew anything about me would notice that I carried dead weight. I often referred to him as my ball and chain, but little did I know that the burden I lugged around didn't follow me. It was inside me. Locked up in a box I stashed deep in my heart was the one word I could never quite identify with--unforgiveness. But, oh to stare down the harsh reality peering back at me through eyes mirrored on plexiglass! These eyes no longer burned with infuriation though. Instead they sulked back in remorse as compassion stirred within my spirit. In a sequence of events that would soon take place, compassion began to tug at the lock box and then successfully pried it open. Unforgiveness was set free and relinquished into the hands of my Maker. A sigh of relief fluttered from my lips as the weight had been lifted and all the while I could hear the Lord say, "It took you long enough"!

It is often in tragedy that our lives make a 180 degree turn on its axis, giving way to a newly found perspective. In His masterful plan to create peace and order out of my chaotic mess, I watched God's hands piece together the broken vase, a now beautiful mosaic. It is here that I am reminded of scripture that states, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). It was just months ago that I held the fractured pieces in my hand in my own attempt to make things right. But, I let them all go the day I received the news...

In a matter of minutes, my whole world changed. I found myself frequenting John Hopkins' ICU, concerned about the man whom I once couldn't stand to be around. Now, I couldn't stand to be apart from him, wanting to ease the pain of his afflictions. After one of my visits to the hospital, I called a dear friend of mine who happens to be a pastor, desperately seeking her counsel. I first entreated her for prayer regarding his condition and then I asked a simple question that catalyzed a series of events. "Should I get involved any further?" I felt a pit in my stomach and then silence broke forth. She started to softly answer by stating, "Be the good Samaritan". She went on to liken the parable to our situation. To set the record straight, I am in no means trying to compare myself with the good Samaritan, but I share this pertinent detail to reveal how God's word shed light on His desired answer.

In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus encounters a lawyer who interrogates Him about the way in which one inherits eternal life. Jesus responds by stating, "'What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?'" The lawyer gives a summary of the OT law stating, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind', and 'your neighbor as yourself.'" Jesus states that he is correct, but the lawyer inquires even further, "'Who is my neighbor?'". Jesus responds by sharing the parable about the good Samaritan.

As the story goes, there was a certain Jewish man on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho who was met by thieves. They robbed him and left him half dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite both happened to walk down the road where the Jewish man lay, but didn't stop for him. However, a Samaritan who also journeyed down this path had compassion for the man. He went to him, bandaged him, and brought him to an inn to ensure his safety through the night. Jesus then asks the lawyer whom of the three men was the Jewish man's neighbor. The lawyer responds by stating, "'He who showed mercy on him'". Jesus tells him, "'Go and do likewise'".

Those who heard this parable professed from Jesus' lips knew the backdrop of the story. The Jews and the Samaritans had been at odds with another for a long time. They avoided each other at all cost. Using the example of the Samaritan man, Jesus made clear what the law (now written upon our hearts) truly means--not only are we to love our friends, family, and our acquaintances as ourselves, but we are also to love our enemies just the same. Jesus' death broke any barrier causing division amongst humanity and even greater still reconciled us to God. It is out of the great love God has for us, that He gave His Son to forgive us our sins. Love and forgiveness go hand in hand. We aren't called to love only when it's convenient. We are called to love under all circumstances. On the same token, to bear this love (Jesus' love) means we should have no room in our hearts for unforgiveness.

Forgiveness is a vital ingredient in Christ's recipe to fruitful living. It is so essential to our walk that scripture tells us this: "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14-15). Unforgiveness is like a cloud that hovers over a dying plant. The plant needs sunlight in order to rejuvenate its lifeless form, but has no means to survive (let alone be fruitful) so long as it's cut off from its life line. In the same manner, unforgiveness stunts our spiritual maturation. The longer we let it fester in our hearts, the farther removed we are from the Father. If God forgave our filthy, sinful nature, how can we not turn the other cheek to our neighbor?

As I glanced down at the man I had condemned for years, I thought about the Samaritan who looked upon the Jewish man lying helpless on the road. I took his hand in mine and prayed. I prayed for healing and a manifestation of the Lord's presence in his life. As for myself, I prayed that Jesus would show me how to extend mercy just as he instructed the lawyer to do in scripture. I prayed that He would search my heart and cast out any accusatory thought in the same way he dismissed the accusers of the adulterous woman, turning what would have been a public execution into a public display of Christ's love. God not only healed the man whom I now call my friend, but he healed my heart, which became a public demonstration just the same. That's exactly what forgiveness does. It wipes us clean of any residue reminiscent of condemnation and shines the Lord's radiant light through us for all to see. If I remained stifled by unforgiveness, what kind of witness would I be?

Mercy ushers out love that flows from the cross, looking for every opportunity to draw others to its refreshing water. This love takes no account of righteousness, race, or social status. In God's eyes, we are all alike. We all enter into this world in the same manner--born in sin. However, through Christ, we can be reconciled to Him. God deals out mercy daily and it is in the forgiveness he extends to us that we are empowered to forgive others. We are called to put off "bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice" (Ephesians 4:31). Instead, we are to "put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do" (Colossians 3:12-13).

It is the power of the cross that led this bitter soul to the sweet taste of forgiveness. It is the power of the cross that led a lost soul into the arms of his Father. It is the power of the cross that revealed to us both the great love and tender mercy our Father has for His children.

Now, I no longer reach toward the Son, shadowed by the cloud of unforgiveness, but instead reach with anticipation to feel the warmth of His radiant glory!

There are times when we reach a crossroad in our life that forces us to hit the pause button. It is in those times that we feel the need to evaluate our surroundings, entreat the Lord for clarity, and look back at the progress we've made from where we came. It is at the crossroads where lives are transformed, yokes are destroyed, and families are restored. It is also at the crossroads where destruction hides it's ugly face, addictions persist, and failures ensue. It is here where we are given a choice. God will never impose His divine will upon us. He works in our hearts to prepare us for this moment. But, whether we choose left or right is ultimately our decision. One road leads to righteousness and the other leads to regret. We may hit the pause button, freeze frame, and delay, but I encourage us all to contemplate the length of our days. James 4:14 states, "...you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away". You don't have eternity to decide where you will spend eternity. Are you still dancing around the biggest decision you will ever make in your life? Will you choose Him?

God wants you...all of you. Therefore, we are either for Him or against Him. There is no middle ground. Jesus addresses those who exercise lukewarm faith by stating, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16) I know this is a tough scripture to sink our teeth into and the image it evokes is a bit grotesque, however, I believe it necessary as Jesus illustrates the seriousness of the matter. As it makes His stomach turn to watch us play the harlot, we should understand that our God is a jealous God. We walk a very thin wire, giving way beneath us, when we turn our affections toward false idols. This can include our relationships with other people. When do we finally realize that there is no man, woman, nor material possession that can fill the void deep within? Every time we try to satisfy our inner-longing for something more with something new, such as a new look, the latest technological gadget, a new boyfriend/girlfriend or new ways to keep them, we bow down to a lie the enemy has imposed on the human race since the fall of man. The lie is craftily devised and quite simple: feed your need by any means necessary. But no matter how much we feed the bottomless vat, we wind up even emptier than when we began. The common denominator missing in all of our tireless efforts to create "happiness" is the only piece of the equation that fits--God.

For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior yet still struggle with this, it is time for repentance. Our Heavenly Father does not relent from engaging us into relationship with Him. He may chasten us the way a good father should, but He does so in love. Later in the same passage drawn from Revelation 3, Jesus states in verses 19-22, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear...".

The day "I heard" was after I met a young woman in my biology lab class in my freshman year of college. She and I became friends over late night cram sessions before exams. I remember thinking her odd as she would smile about everything, including the C she received on a paper she labored over for weeks. She was overly gracious and in all of our conversations, she reflected the love of Christ. She was (and prayerfully still is) zealous for the Lord. She was enamored by Him and couldn't help but to mention His name at every opportune time. I too had a heart for the Lord as I had recently been "saved", but I was still trying to gain my footing on the fence. I wasn't ready to give up everything, including occasional partying and weekends spent at my boyfriend's house. Admittedly, there were far too many distractions in the way of giving my heart fully to its Pursuer. She and I never became too close for this very reason. I feared she would judge me and frown upon my lifestyle choices. Now I understand the truth behind my shame. She was bearing the light that exposed the dark in my life. One day, very frankly, she said to me, "You can't live a double-life. Being lukewarm in your faith is just the same as if you were on the side of the adversary." I remember thinking how harsh those words felt. They plunged into my heart and twisted it around in knots. Now I realize that it was the Holy Spirit convicting me. Unfortunately, those words didn't register until years later. But, praise God for His incessant knocking until I finally answered. Now I've come to understand the real zeal! If I ever ran into my college comrade again, I would thank her for being so concerned with my soul. When we put God first, His priorities become our own. She was ministering to this lost soul in our every encounter and I had no idea of it at the time. I thank God now for her obedience!

I would like you to consider a passage in the Bible from 1 Kings 13. There was an unnamed man of God called to the city of Bethel where a shrine had been established by King Jeroboam. This king of Israel encouraged his subjects to bring their offerings to the altar he erected. In addition to practicing idolatry, the king made his own sacrifices at the altar and chose priests outside of the tribe of Levi, which was against the Lord's commandment. (Ref 1 Kings 12:25-33) The man of God was strategically called to this location in order to proclaim the destruction of the altar under King Josiah. King Jeroboam heard this and commanded that the prophet be arrested. However, after a demonstration of God's powerful anointing over this man's life, the king invited him to his home. The man, faithfully abiding by the Lord's command, refused to go. Prior to his arrival at Bethel, the Lord had instructed him, "You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came." (1 Kings 13:9)

So, the man of God did not return from where he came but continued to travel further. During his journey, he was met by a prophet who (lying) said that he received a word from an angel to invite the man of God into his home. The man of God trustingly followed him back to his house where they both ate and drank. As he was sitting at the table, the prophet received a word from the Lord, stating that because the man of God disobeyed the Lord's commandment, his corpse would not return to his father's tomb. The man departed from the prophet's home and was eaten by a lion on the road shortly after.

When I first read this passage, I sympathized with the man of God. He had been deceived by a fellow prophet. However, after reading the passage a few times over, I put aside my emotions and gleaned a shimmering morsel of truth, something I can identify with in my own prayer life. The man of God made a sad mistake. He trusted the counsel of man over the counsel of God. It was with good reason that God had instructed him to follow the path He had ordained. For one, the man of God would have hindered the advancement of the Lord's work if he returned from where he came. In addition, stopping for food and water would distract him from fulfilling God's greater plan and purpose. In this historical account, it ultimately led to his demise. Do you find that you sometimes trust fellow man more than our all-knowing and all-seeing God?

It is oftentimes at the crossroads that we lose our footing, sliding down the slippery slope to destruction when we aren't studying God's word or spending time in His presence. If we are bombarded with distractions, place our personal list of priorities before Him, and depend upon the advice and counsel of others, we fall victim to the lies and deceit of the enemy. And yes, we can be deceived even within the church. Scripture tells us, "For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). It is through studying the word of God and spending time in prayer that we become better acquainted with our Maker and can therefore readily discern and guard ourselves against the counterfeit. We will feel empowered by the Holy Spirit to embark on the road less traveled when we choose the path that lead us into God's presence daily.

Do you find yourself at the crossroads? Before you take one step, I encourage you, just as the Lord commanded the man of God, "do not return by the same way you came". In addition, silence the invitations from anyone but your Heavenly Father. For He knows what's best for you. He has been incessantly knocking and patiently waiting for you to answer just so He can offer His love to you at no cost. His affections for you aren't determined by your social status, intelligence, or beauty. Isn't it liberating to know this? Be still while your heart seeks His face and He will reveal Himself to you. He will even give you a glimpse into the life He has tailor designed just for you. There is so much purpose and promise waiting on the other side of your decision for Him. Contrary to what you may think, His way is far more exhilarating, unpredictable, and adventurous than we could ever imagine. Get ready for the ride of your life with Jesus Christ by your side and as your guide!

Those of you who read my previous blog might recall the parched tone of writing as I was meandering through a spiritual drought. I talked about fasting briefly but didn't disclose the details of my fast. Now, several weeks later, and ten pounds lighter (j/k), I have completed the 21-day challenge and I feel compelled to share with you something the Lord placed upon my heart. Before I do this, however, I want to touch upon the purpose of a fast.

Fasting is a vital component in our spiritual make-up. Ecclesiastes 4:12 states, "A threefold cord is not quickly broken". Fasting accounts for one-third of the threefold cord. The other two-thirds include prayer and giving. When this cord is stretched taut through practical use, it strengthens our walk with the Lord. Denying the desires of our flesh, including our natural desire for food, strips the enemy of strongholds, footholds, or any authority he claims over our lives. Just like NOS stimulates the output of power in the engine of a race car, fasting also ramps up our prayers a notch, heightening their effectiveness. If it is a more intimate encounter with the Lord we seek, fasting can help us discern the chafing ingredient that produces a calloused heart. When we fast, we become vulnerable (in a positive sense of the term) and open to change. It induces a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading, presence, and power in our lives.

Remember that a fast is not a way to gain merit or the approval of others. Rather, as Jesus explains in Matthew 6:1-17, giving, praying, and fasting should be done in secret. When we go into a fast with pure intentions, we are humbled by the experience, rather than exalted.

On the first Sunday of my fast, I was invited to visit a friend's church. The preacher who spoke in their morning service based his exhortatation on Isaiah 58. This chapter in the bible describes the type of fast pleasing to God. What he shared with the congregation is summed up in one sentence: When we fast, we are to redirect our focus to those in need if we expect to experience true breakthrough. God calls us to fast, not only to magnify the urgency of our requests, but to be mindful of those without food and shelter. This is what Isaiah 58:6-7 tells us. As you read further, verses 8-9 encourage us that Lord will reply to the cry of our hearts when we make His business our own. But it was verses 10-11 that cut through me like a knife. They exposed and addressed my barren state at the time: "If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, THEN your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." (Isaiah 58:10-11) How's that for confirmation? The Lord reasoned with my heart, preparing me for a fast that is pleasing and acceptable to Him. My faithfulness, in turn, was greatly rewarded!

Just weeks ago, like a fish stranded on dry sand, my soul panted for the Fountain of living water. I thirsted for His divine mercy to fall afresh on me. There is no formula to acquiring it aside from running to His throne of grace with a genuine desire to pursue and be pursued by the Lover of our souls. So, that is exactly what I did. I laid before His feet and waited, denying all things that could potentially drift me back to the deserted shoreline.

During one of these occasions of kneeling and waiting, asking and praying, a thought was deposited into my mind, like a coin in a piggy bank, only this thought had no assigned monetary value. To me it was priceless. I wrote it down in my purple moleskine pocket-sized notebook to insure its safety, fearful that it would get lost in the crowd of useless ideas lingering around in my memory bank. The words I etched in black ink on white paper weren't quite black and white to me at the time, however. The thought read, "Shake the walls of Jericho until they come tumbling down". I interrogated the statement, questioning its meaning, but received no answer. So, I left it there in my notebook, closed the door, and saved questioning for another day. I have learned that if we don't find answers right away, we might have to wait for the answers to find us.

And sure enough, about two weeks later, the statement that pierced my soul with no explanation, suddenly became crystal clear. The day after my fast ended, I woke up early in the morning, as had been my routine, longingly pouring over Scripture. After lapping at the pool of living water, I was refreshed and ready to take on the day. But, my plans were interrupted. The phrase that the Lord deposited into my mind a few weeks ago revisited me. I felt a nudge in my spirit to turn to page 27 of a book I received from a conference a few days prior. I hadn't begun reading it yet and knew nothing about its content. I picked up the book, wasting no time, and started skimming through the first few paragraphs on that page. I suddenly came to a screaching halt when I noticed a phrase peering back at me, appearing all too familiar. It read, "Once you spell Jericho, you need to circle it in prayer. Then you need to keep circling it until the walls come tumbling down".

My heart pounded within my chest. I was ecstatic to receive not only a word from the Lord but a confirmation thereafter, affirming that the small still voice from within was His. Prior to this fast, I had been struggling in my prayer life, going through the motions, and not engaging in genuine dialogue with my God. I found myself imitating how others pray. Their prayers sounded better than mine. But, here I finally understood what God had been trying to show me in His chastening. There is a love language we share embedded in prayer, unique to He and I.

Regarding the revelation, for those of us who may not know the story of Jericho, it is described in Joshua 6. The Israelites were encouraged to lay seige upon the city but they faced one major obstable--its outer walls were impenetrable. Under the leadership of Joshua, however, the Israelites didn't sulk back in defeat. God commanded that they circle the city for seven days. On the final day, with the sound of a trumpet and a unified voice of praise, the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. The Israelites didn't have to strategize or rely on their human strength to combat the looming fortified tower. They circled the city in prayer and God handled the rest.

I went back over the laundry list of prayers written in my notebook and circled each one, symbolic of my plan to ceaselessly pray until something happens. The conditions in the physical realm might tell you that you are underqualified for that career choice, but the Lord says circle it in prayer. Divorce rates are steadily on the rise, but the Lord says circle it in prayer. You might have a family member who is battling addiction and the pathway towards recovery seems hopeless, but the Lord says do not give up! Healing, help, and divine favor is on its way. Do not miss out on what the Lord is doing in your life (or through your life) because you defeatedly stopped praying.

Join hands with others, forming a prayer circle around the issue that won't budge. Circles symbolize the indefinite nature of our God. He has no beginning or end. On the same token, Jesus Christ has never and will never stop making intercession for us. Therefore, why should we? What are the stubborn issues in your life? What have you been praying relentlessly over to no avail?

Imagine if the Israelites quit circling Jericho before the seventh day. They would have missed out on the miracle awaiting them. If I broke my commitment to the 21-day fast, I may not have received the confirmed word the Lord was holding out to reveal. I am grateful for this revelation and hope by sharing it, someone is encouraged to fight through prayer!

I find it interesting that the Lord used fasting in order to single out and strengthen the weak cord in my life. Directly preceding the verse I referenced earlier in Ecclesiastes, scripture states, "Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him". (Ecclesiastes 4:12) Fasting, as well as the application of the exhortation I received on giving, magnified the shortcomings in my prayer life. Stretching these cords helped me to identify the slack rope and God provided a directive on how to get back on track through the revelation.

My friends, let us not grow slack, but be vigilant and sober, longing to be stretched. Let us be fervent in prayer, ceaselessly circling the immovable walls in our life. Let us fast intentionally with pure motives and with a genuine desire to see God's sovereign power and mercy working in our lives. Let us give and do unto others as if Jesus Himself were the recipient. For when adversity comes, and it will come, we will not be moved. We will be the threefold cord, not easily broken!

I sat on the edge of my bed and contemplated for a few minutes just when and where I went wrong. I was numb and uncertain of the reason. I prayed and doubt set in. A question formed over the mind-numbing silence: Is the Lord truly hearing my voice? I quickly tried to dust the thought off the forefront of my mind, but couldn't seem to shake the eerie feeling that I was alone. My soul felt barren and my heart a wasteland, buried under a multitude of burdens. I entered into a spiritual slumber.

Have you ever experienced a season of spiritual drought? Do you ever find it difficult to discern God's voice? I did. In this particular dilemma, I was muttering questions to the wind and expecting God to answer. In all of my futile attempts to draw God near, I failed to remember a vital truth: God is always present. However, our sensitivity to His Spirit can be clouded by what what we feed our souls through the eye, ear, and mouth gates.

After a period of festering in my self-induced pity party, I felt an inclination to commence a fast. I realize now that my "inclination" was the working of the Holy Spirit, attempting to drag me out of the pit. Abstaining from food (or for some whose guilty pleasures also include television or secular music) redirects our focus back on the Creator and Sustainer of our lives.

Think about the world in which we live. It is easy to fall victim to the subtle ploy of the enemy that keeps us distracted by noise, whether it be the grumbling of our stomachs, a gossiping tongue, the tape reel in our minds, our cell phones, television, and/or radio. We are bombarded with ads that convince us to feed our bellies compulsively and spend our earnings impulsively. We fall into the trap of exalting others based on talent, natural wisdom, wealth, and good looks. Then, and particularly for those who enjoy reality television, we become consumed with their lives, coveting their lot and desiring their portion.

When what feeds through the channels of our eyes, ears, and mouths is impure, we start to reaquire and attire ourselves in the dirty rags we left behind when we were made new in Christ. Scripture is very concise about what is acceptable and pleasing in God's eyes. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

A fast brings us back to our roots, the essentials-- God's word (the bread) and living water. When we shut out the distractions that keep us from feasting on His word and diligently spending time with Him in prayer, we begin to naturally crave our true Source of strength and nourishment. We become revitalized and find warmth in the shining glory of God's face. He will reveal Himself to those who seek Him with a pure heart. Do you have a genuine desire to see God in all of His glory?

I enjoy reading biblical accounts of how God has manifested on earth: visibly, audibly, in visions, and in dreams. To be honest, I am a bit envious of some of the New Testament and Old Testament figures who were frequently visited by the Lord. I also admire their sensitivity to the working of the Holy Spirit. In the book of Acts, for example, Paul explains that his journeys to various provinces when furthering the gospel was directly led by the Holy Spirit. He knew what territories to enter and which to avoid. In one particular occasion, the Lord visits him in a vision, encouraging him to continue ministering in Corinth as described in Acts 18:9. I think about the pure heart of Paul. His life was a living sacrifice unto the Lord. As a result, He was met by the Holiest of holies and remained in tune to the desires of His heart. God may speak to us in various ways, even in the small, still voice resounding in our spirit. But, can we readily discern His voice?

As I mentioned earlier, a fast is oftentimes what it takes to silence the noise and center our attention on His ever-present existence in our lives. It is also the catalyst that promotes change, both in the heart of the believer and in the focus of prayer. Since embarking on this fast, the Lord has begun a new work in me, shedding light on faulty thought patterns and chipping away at the residue left behind. In a process known as sanctification, God tirelessly perfects us as it is His desire to see us holy, pure, and whole.

The bible tells us that without holiness "no one will see the Lord". This scripture is drawn from Hebrews 12:14-17. The writer of Hebrews intends to warn fellow believers against a negligent conduct. He provides a list of destructive behaviors or thought patterns that could compromise the state of our hearts and potentially block us from experiencing the presence of God in our lives. The passage reads as follows, "(14) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: (15) looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; (16) lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. (17) For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears".

In verse 15, we are advised to make certain that we do not fall short of the grace of God. This warning was directed particularly to the Jews who observed the law. However, the same holds true for us today. If we look at our relationship with Christ as religion, then we have so sadly missed the mark. Grace is extended to those who believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins. It was all done out of His great love for us, not because we earned it. Despite what our toxic belief system says, it was through His suffering that we are now called into a heartfelt, worship-filled romance with Him. This is the greatest love affair you will ever encounter as Scripture refers to Jesus Christ as the bridegroom and we the bride.

The writer also explains in the same verse that we should avoid bitterness at all costs. I expounded on this topic in my previous blog. Briefly stated, I likened bitterness to a weed. If allowed to spring forth, it will choke the life out of us as well as those around us. Needless to say, how might we be sensitive to the Spirit if our hearts are entangled in this bondage?

Lastly, verse 16 warns against heeding to fleshly desires. The writer uses the example of Esau who sold his birthright for one morsel of food. As I mentioned earlier, we must evaluate the areas of compromise in our lives. Are you submitted to the flesh in the areas of overindulgence or sexual immorality? Yes, overeating is a sin. Even our taste buds need to be subject to the Holy Spirit!

I am not suggesting that these three warnings are a comprehensive list that we must abide by in order to usher in the presence of the Lord. What I am saying, however, is that we should be mindful of and honor the instructions set forth in our Manual. We can not operate fully by the power of the Holy Spirit if we selectively pick and choose what works for us.

This particular passage states that those who pursue peace and holiness will see the Lord. Whether the writer means after death, on Judgement Day, or now, is uncertain. I think what matters most, however, is that we walk today in the understanding of His word and with the same desire to see Him as we did when we first believed. Do you remember the filthy ground the Lord lifted you up off of? He was faithful to meet you in your genuine desire to know Him. For those of us who are born again, we need to remember the days of our yearning and longing for the Lord as infants in our understanding. We may need to get back to that purity in heart if we desire God's touch in our lives.

Even when the light begins to flicker or dim, remember His presence remains. His Spirit is sealed within us. There is nothing that can separate us from His love. However, when we do not screen or filter the windows to our souls (our eyes, ears, and mouths), we allow the impure to infiltrate and take root in our hearts. This in turn clogs the artery that connects us to our lifeline, Jesus Christ. If we are desiring spiritual revival and true encounters with the Lord, remember that Jesus Himself spoke, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).

So, 2012 is finally here! Many of us are hopeful that this year will awaken new beginnings, a fresh opportunity to make things right. Others might be hopeful that this new year will reflect the hard work invested in the previous one, bearing the fruits of their labor. Some of us may not be hopeful at all, consumed with the devastation brought about by trials and tragedies, and now left to pick up the pieces. I often see people bitter towards hope after enduring a track record of failures as well. But, it is time to set the record straight. Scripture states, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

We might be hindering the flow of hope into our hearts because we simply(but so significantly) are not engaging in true communion with God. If we are feeding on the vital nutrients of God's promises as expressed through His word, our hearts will reveal it, pumping joy and hope through the veins of a true believer. If we have abandoned hope, it is time to start off this new year on the right foot, a foot firmly planted on solid foundation. Ask yourself the following: Do I truly believe that Jesus is Lord and that He came to this earth in the form of man to shed light upon our darkened state, to offer us grace, and to provide repentance, washing away our iniquity? Do I believe that He died so that we might have life, not merely to get by, but to live abundantly? Do I believe that through His suffering here on earth He was the perfect sacrifice, identifying with our weakness, pain, and temptation? Do I believe He is our eternal High Priest, interceding on our behalf, our prayers and supplications made known to the Father through Him? Do I believe He conquered the grave so that we would have eternal life and no longer fear the sting of death? Do I believe He is the perfect role model of whom we should emulate and the very core of our existence?

Prayerfully, you responded the affirmative to these questions as they are the building blocks of our faith. If not, pray that the Lord will reveal to you the purpose and plan of His salvation. We must lay hold of these truths and be cognizant of who Christ is in our lives if we have any shot at nurturing true joy and true hope. When our faith is questioned due to our lack of understanding or belief, we can become jaded, which squelches the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The psalmist, King David, states, "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit" (Psalm 51:12). King David was living momentarily apart from joy after committing a covetous act of sin against another man and his wife, Bathsheba. Instead of continuing to seek temporary gratification, he sought restoration of true joy, the joy of salvation! This gift is offered to us by the ultimate sacrifice made on our behalf by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When we truly understand the depth of love that went into God's redemptive plan, we should be filled with joy and hope! The two work hand in hand because a joyful heart hopes for and is expectant to receive God's grace and goodness as promised throughout the Scriptures.

King David also understood that putting on an attitude of joy in turn stirs hope in the hearts of those who don't yet know the love of God. He professes that it is not until the Lord restores the joy of his salvation that he can teach transgressors His ways. He states, "Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You" (Psalm 51:13). This suggests that in order to be a good witness, we must practice what we preach. Why would anyone care to hear what we have to say about the Lord if we constantly nag about our troubles or wear a look of disappointment daily? It is only when we identify with the true joy of salvation that the outward manifestation of God's glory will be revealed through us.

Sometimes it helps to take a step back to examine where we are in relation to where we were this previous year. Despite a divorce, losing a job and/or home, or grieving the loss of a loved one, you are still standing! This means God still has a "future and hope" in mind for you. So, pray that the Lord will restore to you the joy of His salvation. He will uphold you by His generous Spirit this new year. Do not bury your hope because of indifference to God's truth. May your hope be the mirror image of the joy that's born out of walking in the fullness of Christ!

The past few days have proved a bit challenging as I've watched my heart undulate up and down on an emotional roller coaster ride, all while desperately clinging on for dear life! It began after receiving news that someone whom I consider family was admitted to the hospital due to trauma in the brain. The uncertainty of his medical condition daunts the hearts and minds of family and friends. In one of my visits to the hospital, I walked out after saying goodbye and despair filled my chest, his helpless form etched in my mind. Instead of trusting in God's word and His promises, I was leaning on my own understanding, acting in the flesh, and assessing the situation based on the circumstances. My emotions were contradicting God's word as doubt seeped into my mind. How did I let my emotions rule me in this way? I realized that I was certainly not surrendered to the Holy Spirit as the fruits of the Spirit were not evident in this situation. The Lord spoke to me, "My child, tame your mind"!

Yesterday, I attended bible study as part of my Thursday morning routine and afterwards listened attentively to the lecture that ensued. The woman who conducts the lecture wears a warm smile and serves up a word enriched with wisdom every week. This particular week, she focused on Hebrews 3 and then addressed something that I desperately needed to hear. I realized at that moment how important it was that I was there (despite every attempt I made to mope around the house earlier that morning). She spoke about entering God's rest.

The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians in order to encourage them in the faith. Hebrews 3 reminds them to not rebel against the word of God as their ancestors did in the wilderness for forty years. Their rebellion gave way to a hardened heart and as a result they never entered the promised land of Canaan. The author encourages his audience just as the Lord encourages us this day, "Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion" (Hebrews 3:15). We were prompted by the bible study teacher to make a choice TODAY to turn to God's place of rest. In order to do that, we must be conscious about our thoughts. We were reminded that a drifting mind can lead to doubting of God's word, which in turn hardens the heart. Where did the Israelites drift in their minds? They began to romanticize about the past, a life of bondage in Egypt. If they kept their minds fixed on God's promise, they would have entered God's rest, the promised land, in eleven days, rather than forty years! We are not to allow our minds to escape into the past, fixated upon what once was, nor should we entertain shifty thoughts that engage our attention to and fro. We are to be centered on Christ, asking the Holy Spirit to lead us in our thoughts. If we choose to neglect the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we in turn escape the temporal blessing of rest God offers us while we are here on this earth.

Now you might ask, spiritually speaking, what is the difference between the heart and the mind? Our mind dictates what we do when met with a particular circumstance. Our heart is our emotional response to this choice. As I mentioned earlier, the Lord instructed me through prayer that I must tame my mind as the emotional unrest I was experiencing was a result of a thought process diverging from God's word. Jesus is my proper focus. If I had managed the circumstance I faced appropriately, focusing on God's Word and His report, rather than my own, I would have found peace. Scripture tells us to "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23 NKJV). Other translations of the bible state "Guard your heart...". As I mentioned earlier, our hearts gauge the climate of our minds and pour out the emotion that culminates as a result of our thought process.

How then do we guard our hearts? Proverbs 16:3 states, "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established". Strong's concordance defines the word "commit" as "to roll, roll down, roll away, remove". The word is used several times throughout the Bible, encouraging believers to roll our works into God's care. We must work at committing our minds to Christ. If we surrender our minds to His care, then our "thoughts will be established". Our thoughts will be evidence of a sound mind centered on Christ. Naturally, the heart is then guarded because our thoughts are safe within the peace of Christ, the peace that surpasses all understanding! How might a heart respond to a mind at peace? It would be calm and at rest. This is the rest God offers us if we diligently seek it.

I am finally at peace with my circumstances and encouraged to write this blog in hopes that it may bless the lives of others who too might be experiencing spiritual and emotional unrest. I pray that the Lord will reveal to you the gravity of centering our minds on Christ. If we drift away in our thoughts, our hearts will reveal it. So, let us be diligent in seeking God's rest as He has offered it to those who commit their thoughts to Him. As a result, we will sense a protective coat covering our hearts, shielding us from the woes of despair, confusion, and bitterness. If you are in doubt of whether or not you have entered God's rest, honestly gauge your behavior and emotions with that of the fruits of the spirit (ref Galatians 5:22-23). Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into His rest, and be surrendered, allowing yourself to feel every emotion, but trusting that it is only temporary. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5) Be encouraged this week! May God bless you and keep you in His perfect peace!

I once dreamt of a blind man who was imprisoned inside a wired fence. He wore silver hair that glistened much like the surface of the sea when illuminated at the break of dawn. The sun, like a spotlight, focused down upon him as he danced for freedom, I assume to the beat of his heart. I realized at this moment that the gated fence standing firm and tall was on either side of him, and I was perplexed as to why he didn't leave as nothing blocked him from moving forward. I encouraged him to walk towards me and dip his toes in the ocean, where I stood. But, he didn't. I then drifted further away from him out to sea and prayed a simple prayer, "Lord, let him see."

I was reminded of this dream earlier today while reading about the two blind men who received their sight in Matthew 20:29-34. As the story goes, Jesus was leaving Jericho with a great multitude of people following him. Along the way, two blind men were sitting by the side of the road. When they got wind of Jesus' whereabouts, they cried out, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David" (Matthew 20:30). The crowd heard this and tried to silence them, but the two blind men desperately cried out again, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David" (Matthew 20:31). Jesus then stops in his tracks and calls to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" (Matthew 20:32). They requested that their eyes be opened. As this story concludes, scripture reveals that Jesus had compassion for them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received sight and followed Him.

My heart is overwhelmed with joy for these two blind men. Not only did they receive their sight both physically and spiritually, but their story illuminates a simple truth--God honors a desperate heart who earnestly seeks Him. In Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus states, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Despite the rebuke of the crowd, the two blind men did not lose heart. They were determined to receive healing. They asked not once, but twice for the Lord's mercy. It was the second time around that Jesus was compelled to stop what He was doing and attend to their requests. These two men demonstrated action behind belief. They sought the Lord and then made their requests known. As a result, Jesus revealed Himself in all of His authority.

Many of us are hungering for truth. We may skim through the pages of the bible in hopes that something might stick. But, lukewarm faith isn't a part of God's design. Pray, before you enter God's word, that the Holy Spirit would make the living word alive to you. If you desire to know more about the Lord, be diligent in seeking Him, for He has promised to reveal Himself to those who pursue Him. In addition, in the same manner as the two blind men who cried out to Jesus, make your requests known to God. It's not that God doesn't already know the desires of our hearts. He knows everything about us, down to the last strand of hair upon our heads. But, think about it this way, how will a door be opened for someone who desires to be let in, if he or she doesn't knock? James 4:2 tells us, "You do not have, because you do not ask". Something is to be said of a man (or woman) who fervently prays and desperately seeks God's face daily. In doing so, we are admitting to Him that we can't make it through this journey of life alone; we need His supernatural strength to see us through.

When I think back on the dream I had, I wanted so badly for the blind man to abandon his captor, if only he would take action and literally "step" out on faith. However, I realize now, I couldn't want it for him. He would have to make that decision for himself. All I could do (and the best I could do) is pray. I wonder if the man still dances for freedom. Or perhaps, he has been enlightened by the only One sent to set the captives free. I pray the latter is true for all of us who feel imprisoned, much like the blind man. I pray we live abundantly, abandoning the confines of our own demise. Just keep asking, seeking, and knocking, and in so doing, BE ENCOURAGED that God's word is true and it does not return void.

Facebook coined the phrase, "It's complicated", which in turn, became popularized through the media. People use the phrase to make light of serious, deep-seated issues that have an adverse affect on our ability to form healthy relationships. Oftentimes, this is the response you hear when an individual is invested in someone else's life and the boundaries are undefined. "It's complicated" suggests feelings of doubt and frustration due to lack of communication, resulting in misconceptions of expectations on behalf of both parties. I can imagine the burden that weighs upon a heart buried within the confines of confusion. And even if we decide that the shoe doesn't fit, oftentimes, as creatures of habit, we reattach ourselves to "it's complicated" status updates, in a vicious cycle that proves itself defeated every time, but still waits with hope that miraculously one day our news feed will read, "in a relationship" or "married".

Now, I'm not here to offer relationship advice. Lord knows I have no authority on that subject! However, what I do want us to think about is how an "it's complicated" mentality translates into our relationship with God. I remember when I became born-again, a new creation in Christ, I was filled with a burning passion and desire for the Lord. I describe it as pure love. Strong's concordance defines the Greek word for pure (eilikrines) as "tested by sunlight". The very same word can be used to describe something unadulterated by a foreign substance. In the New Testament, "pure" is used in a moral and ethical sense, defining someone or something as devoid of falsehood and hidden motives; genuine and flawless. Now imagine a love interest you have or once had. How would you describe your first encounter with him or her? You probably didn't know anything about the other person aside from your attraction to them. However, when conversations ensue, both verbal and nonverbal, a skewed or tainted image about the individual is formed based on your past experiences. If you care to purse him or her any further, pressure may escalate as a result. You might feel as though you must perform a certain way in order to maintain the affections of the other party. This is a subconscious process that takes place when forming attachments.

1 Peter 2:2-3 states, "as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious". When God wooed my heart, I came to Him like a child. I knew nothing about Him, an infant in my understanding. Yet, when I look back, that was the deepest I ever felt God's love. I tasted the purity of a love that conquers sin--a love that desired me just the way I am, flaws and all. Instantaneously, I wanted to know more about the pursuer of my heart. I began to feed on His word, but not with simplicity of heart, rather with all of the preconceived notions I carried in my back pocket. My perceptions of God were shaped by my experiences. The various male figures in my life played a part in this process. I complicated an otherwise effortless, stress-free relationship because I didn't understand the concept of receiving love without the need to reciprocate it. In addition, fear of neglect (due to a past abusive relationship), kicked in and facilitated works-based thinking. I believed that I had to perform at my utmost potential and constantly work at this relationship so that He (God) wouldn't leave me or be upset with me. You can imagine the pressure I felt, concerned that my every move was magnified by a heavenly microscope. I have now come to realize that I never fully accepted God's grace.

Scripture reveals to us in 2 Peter 1:2, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord". If we are gaining our knowledge and understanding of the Lord based on how others define Him or if our study of Him is external to His word, we will not bear the fruits of grace and peace in our lives. In turn, we will walk in the yoke of bondage. We've all heard this scripture to no avail, but I encourage each of us to meditate on it, asking God to reveal this truth in our lives, [Jesus states] "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). Jesus calls us to come to Him like children for this very reason. When we were infants in our faith, how much more understanding did we have of God's love, before the human mind complicated it? "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it" (Mark 10:15). We can experience the richness and fullness of God's kingdom here on earth if we understand this basic principle. It is a simple truth for those who have childlike faith.

God's love for us has no strings attached. It is simple. It is pure. It requires nothing from you. This revelation surpasses our understanding. Think briefly upon the ways in which you might have complicated your relationship with God. Pray that He would liberate you from futile thinking. All the while, seek His will through His word, aligning your knowledge with that of which is revealed to you. Not only will this free you from religious bondage, but it will aid you in developing and experiencing healthy attachments to other people.

It is freeing to know God's grace and I can assure you that if we accept it into our hearts, it would manifest through us and into the lives of others. It is the lack of grace that hinders us from loving one another. 1 Peter 2:22 states, "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever". We don't have a shot at establishing lasting, fruitful relationships with others if we cling on to our corrupt, old way of thinking. If we are truly born again, then we must understand the gift of grace, the love that was shown to us regardless of our sin, shame, and flaws. If we meditate on the truth of the gospel, we might start to break down the walls of hurt, promoting a love that penetrates our inner-being, instructing us how to love others, while allowing others to love us. Perhaps then, we might start to see a decline in Facebook relationship status updates that read "it's complicated". Nothing is complicated about God. When it starts to be, I suggest we cry out, "More of You and less of me!"

Today a cloud looms over the city, shedding tear drops of rain and bellowing from its belly a tormented roar, as thunder and lightening pierce through the eerily still morning sky. I step outside with my son in toe, jump into my car to transport him safely to the bus stop and all the while my heart stirs in my chest. There is nothing unusal about this feeling. Matter of fact, I experience it every morning as I watch the school bus swiftly pass me by, carrying my little one down the street and around the corner, finally diminishing into a faint yellow blur. It is then that I pick up my heart from the pit of my stomach, praying for the Lord's protection over him, until he arrives safely back into my arms.

This particular morning, after completing the routine, I get back into my vehicle and turn up the radio to one of my favorite gospel stations. I decide to take an extra lap around my neighborhood, engrossed by the conversation going on between the on-air personality and the caller. The caller is a mother of a recently deceased thirteen year-old girl. Between periods of sobbing, she attempts to verbalize a letter that was written to her by a nurse who took care of her terminally-ill child. The nurse starts off by thanking the mother for the opportunity to spend time with her daughter. She beautifully depicts a few fond memories and light pierces through every word, into my heart. As the mother reads on, her mourning flows out from a deep pit of despair and peaks into a brief period of joy as she reminisces upon the indescribable attributes of her daughter. She says, "I couldn't even dream up a more precious child even if I tried."

I can't even begin to imagine her loss and for a moment I experience guilt. I had no right to feel the sink hole that formed in the center of my chest. In just a matter of hours, my son will return home safely to me. But, this woman weeping on the other side of my stereo system doesn't have that luxury. How badly I want to wrap my arms around her, invite her into my home, and offer her a warm cup of comfort. I don't even so much as know her name, but I feel compelled to pray beyond the barrier of unfamiliarity, for in Christ she is my sister.

Mark 5:4 states, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Mourning comes in all shapes and forms. We may weigh out our losses in comparison with others. However, in God's eyes, our mourning is of equal value. We are all offered the same portion of comfort from His cup. All He asks of us is to receive it.

I encourage you, readers, to find somebody today who could use a warm cup of comfort. Stretch out your arms to them, invite them into your homes, and pour over them all the love God channels through you. We are called to be a body who encourages and edifies one another in His love. Are we worthy of this call? Are you willing to take the time out of your busy schedule to help a brother or sister in need? For those who are on the receiving end, please do not hide or shy away from the Source of comfort. I know sometimes we prefer to be alone in our despair, but there is love abounding, just waiting for you to accept the offer. As for the bereaved woman whose voice is forever etched on my heart, I pray that one day soon, your tears of sorrow will be replaced with tears of joy. You shall be comforted and it is here that the healing begins. I pray you do not allow His cup to pass your lips!

In my previous blog, I encouraged us all to redeem the time in which we live, imagining our lives as six months and counting, each day like the minute hand moving swiftly around the clock. I hope by now we all realize the importance of clinging on to our divine dreams, sharing them with others, and making a conscious effort to silence the mundane distractions that get in the way. I mentioned that sometimes we lay our dreams down to rest, unattended and malnourished due to neglect. We let them hide in the shadow of our fear--fear of failure, lack of resources, or going against the grain. We are human, therefore we are of common mind, an easy target for prey if not careful. Society and the media feed us lies that entice us to compromise and take the alternative route when God's promise seems so distant. We may be tempted to look to our right or left, intrigued by what our neighbors have and desiring it all the more. In our efforts to keep up with the Joneses or at least fit in with them, we lose sight of what God says we need. We become impatient and frustrated with our present circumstances until finally we jump on to the next best thing. We are a generation that could use a lesson or two on what scripture refers to as "longsuffering". Sometimes when we are waiting on God to move, our patience is tested. It can feel like a long, drawn-out, painful process, but it is well worth the wait!

Through all of our tarrying, God reminds us that there is encouragement in His word. An example of this is found in 1 Samuel 3. We are introduced to a young boy named Samuel who was physically called out by God and "established as a prophet of the Lord" (1 Samuel 3:20). The first word Samuel received from the Lord pertained to Eli, a priest whom he served personally in his childhood ministry. This comes at a time when prophetic ministry was not very prevalent. Scripture states "And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation" (1 Samuel 3:1). The Lord explained that judgement would be placed on Eli's household for the sins that his sons committed. After receiving this word, Samuel was afraid to share this information with Eli. When we consider the nature of the circumstance, I believe it is safe to assume Samuel was fearful for two reasons. Firstly, he may have been concerned that Eli wouldn't believe him. Secondly, he wanted to protect Eli from the news.

Some vital points can be drawn out of this passage in the bible. For one, we can associate ourselves with Samuel in a way that helps us understand what he may have been going through at the time. It is not often that our ears are in tune to receiving a confirmed word from the Lord. We oftentimes brush aside a prophetic vision or a calling out of fear of the unknown. We might question ourselves in various ways. How might others perceive the news? What if I step out on faith and fail? What will people think if I pursue a dream the Lord has placed on my heart? Samuel feared at first to share the news to Eli, but he was obedient. He hid nothing from him. The verse following states, "So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground" (1 Samuel 3:19). We need to remember that despite our present circumstances, no matter how far off or impossible the dream may seem, His words will never fall to the ground!

We must live by faith, believing what God speaks shall come to pass. In Habakkuk 2:3, the Lord states, "For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." God may give us a vision days, months, or even years prior to its fruition. We may become disheartened when we expect the dream or vision to manifest in our lives right away. This is when many of us fall victim to the mentality of taking matters into our own hands. We start to challenge God in His timing and question if He is capable of ironing out the details. Have we not yet learned that He is in the driver's seat? Yes, the Lord promises that the destination shall be reached, but He never says how we will get there. He just wants to see us willingly waiting in the passenger seat.

We are ambassadors of God's faithfulness in this journey of life. We must prove ourselves worthy of the call. I mentioned earlier that there was no widespread revelation in the days of Samuel. In 1 Samuel 4:1, we find, however, that eventually the word of Samuel came to all of Israel as he allowed God to use him prophetically. What if Samuel shied away from his calling? This would have effected an entire nation. If we do not redeem the time, this season in our lives, we are missing out on a great part of our purpose. Making ourselves available and building the realization of a promise God places in our hearts are ways in which we share our dream with others. We will never know to what degree we can make a difference if we live in the shadow of our fear, lingering on the sidelines.

Even if we must write down what God quickens to our hearts, make sure you hold on to it. The Lord advises Habakkuk to "write the vision and make it plain on tablets..." (Habakkuk 2:1). We must meditate on it. Be filled with promise, purpose, and peace knowing that His word is never void. It is filled with hope and in its appointed time will speak truth! The world may come against you or tempt you with all it has to offer. But, hold out for what God has for you! Remember faith mixed in with a little patience and tenacity is what carries us to the promise land where the fruition of our divine vision manifests under His right hand.

I stepped off the porch that bear-hugs our white colonial home, filled with childhood memories. I thought about how hard my parents worked to achieve the American Dream--a house in the suburbs and a two-car garage with cars to fill it. We as parents want so much more for our children, praying that they will dream bigger and live more abundantly than we did. But, sometimes we lose sight of the purpose of dreaming. As our territory becomes larger through life's experiences, our influence becomes greater, and our circle of family/friends expands. This in turn should remind us that our dreams are meant to be shared! We are not created to walk this journey alone. Now, here I am evaluating the dream I once had. Was it big enough for two? I begin to suck in air, let it fill my chest, and breathe life back into it, only this time I let go of my wants and examine the need. My son may not ever grow up in a house guarded by a white picket fence, but I pray he sees how much I love him, not by what I can provide for him, but how I show him.

The American dream tells us that we are to save money for a rainy day, settle for the sedan, purchase the house walking distance from our child's school, and wait. We wait for the day we can retire, eat the fruits of our labor, watch our grandchildren, and finally take up that hobby we so passionately enjoyed in our youth. In reality however, this isn't how most of our lives play out. We pay into a social security system that is no longer secure. Our bodies and minds are degenerating much faster than our ancestors, partly because we stare at a computer monitor daily that sits atop a desk in an office at a job that we hate! Yet, it ceases to amaze me, that we spend more hours there than at home where we should be building our dream instead of working to afford it. And so the story goes, we come home agitated because the house is a mess, dinner has not yet been prepared, and our little ones (while screaming for our attention) are in desperate need of a bubble bath and bed, not to mention a little quality time with us. All the while, we believe we have cut out our share of the pie, when in reality we have cut ourselves out from our lives, a little something we like to call sacrifice. Then, one day our Maker dots the i's and crosses the t's in the final draft of our story and we are left with a harsh realization. Life quickly blows out like the flint of a candle. And as for our legacy, prayerfully, it is not summed up by the money we left behind in our will.

It is sad, but true. We as humans try our hardest to create a makeshift heaven on earth. But there is no such thing as a perfect world. The only perfection we will ever face is in the promise of eternal life we receive through Jesus Christ. Some people believe we should stop dreaming until then. I don't. We can make our lives worth living if we step back, put it into perspective, and prioritize.

First and foremost, I propose that we stop putting things off for the future, all that we hope to accomplish in our old age. What if that day never comes? I would like for you to visualize the following scenario. One day you are driving and you audibly hear the voice of God. He briefly states that you have 6 months to live and advises that you get your affairs in order before then. Do you think your perspective would change? Would you prioritize your life a little differently? I'm sure none of us would say, "Wow, I really need to be putting in more hours at work!". On the contrary, I believe that most of us would invest our time wisely. How would you choose to live your life?

I might show my son how much I love him without saying a thing. We would ride bikes around the neighborhood and play with his matchbox car set without a care about where I should be or what work I need to complete. I might spend lunches in my sisters' school cafeteria and show up to every game. I might have dinner prepared for my parents before they step foot in the house, a simple gesture of thanks for all they have done. I might complete that project that is now buried under the rubble of fear and distractions. I might finally live!

As for my dream, I picture my life as six months and counting. I am working towards a legacy that is not defined by social status or material gain. It is an imprint left behind on the hearts of those whose lives I have touched, turning their attention and affection to the only One worthy of a legacy--Jesus Christ.

Please stay tuned to the sequel regarding our divine purpose and what scripture states about the fruition of dreams. Also, please take the time out to view a video I have recently posted entitled "Seize the Day" at the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvNcXP4gDZU

Until next time, be encouraged! God bless!

I stood in the center of my grandfather's room, clinging to his bed, as picture frames rattled against the bare white walls. I called out for my grandmother, unsure of where she was at the time. Shortly after, she appeared in the entryway of the bedroom, her fingers tightly clenching the door frame in order to restore her balance. She looked up to the heavens, calling upon the name of Yeshua in her native tongue--Greek. This whole incident probably took place within a minute's time, but it felt like an eternity. I spoke with a friend recently about the day that my hometown experienced its first earthquake in years. I jokingly explained how I believed it was time for the rapture!

Needless to say, the rapture never came or perhaps it did and I've just been left behind! Nonetheless, something significant happened yesterday. I suddenly became very aware of how life as we know it can change in a split second. Earlier that day, I was taking my grandparents to a doctor's appointment and just hours later we were in the midst of an earthquake. I think of all the major disasters that have occurred within my lifetime--the tsunami in Japan, the earthquake in Haiti, Hurricane Katrina, 9/11. These are just to name a few, but so monumental in impact. Thousands of lives were lost in these unexpected tragedies. Those who have survived to tell it would probably describe where they were or what they were doing as just the usual routine before their lives were interrupted and changed forever.

The earthquake that hit Maryland and the neighboring states was minor and I am grateful to say that we suffered minimal damage. Although we did not face disaster in such a large scale as those tragedies mentioned earlier, my spirit was alarmed and my eyes were awakened. The first thought to cross my mind was how I hadn't seized the opportunity to talk about Jesus with my grandfather. I have prayed for healing with him over various ailments, but I never talked to him about receiving the gift of salvation. It made me question how serious I am about witnessing to others, including my own family. After all, the most important decision we make determines whether or not we spend eternity in the kingdom of heaven!

In addition, I have spent some time thinking about what I would be doing now if I knew the exact date, the hour, or even the month of Jesus' arrival. However, Jesus reveals through scripture, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36). What does the bible tell us we should be doing in the interim? In Acts 1:10-11, scripture reveals that the disciples witnessed Jesus' ascension into heaven. "And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven'". In other words, we should not be enslaved to the waiting period which paralyzes us from taking care of business as He's ordained here on this earth. Instead, we are called to action. "'But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matthew 24:43-44).

I encourage us all to live as though the clouds were parting this very moment preparing the way for Jesus' descension upon the earth. If He were to enter your household unexpectedly, what would He witness you doing? He could very well catch our hands rummaging through a cookie jar rather than clasped in an attitude of prayer.

We have no control over acts of nature, terrorist attacks, disease, or famine, but I pray they do not go unwarranted. God makes beautiful things of the rubble and debris that is left in our lives when the walls come tumbling down. But, we must trust that He is in control. If these tragedies we face in life do not stir us up into action and awaken us from our sleepy complacency, what will?

One thing I have learned in the wake of the recent earthquake is that I've become caught up in the distractions of this world. I need to pray more, spend time in His word, witness to others, and trust that He is fully in control. Whether my life were taken from me now or I live to witness the Day of Judgement, I would hope it means something, that I fulfilled my purpose here on earth. I pray to be an instrumental part in leading others to the Lord. But, it shouldn't take these moments for us to put things into perspective. Let us seize the opportunity we have now to love more, pray more, and live in constant view of the second coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Mary sat by Jesus' feet, anointed them with oil, gently gathered her hair now resting down the small of her back, and wiped the remnant. Thereafter, the bible states, “And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil" (John 12:3). As I envision this scripture, I start to sketch the facial structure of Mary, as tears of gratitude roll down the contours of her pale cheeks. I pretend to know her life story, a desperate heart that led her to the Lord. But, more importantly, I attempt to understand what compelled her to open that flask of spikenard, a very costly oil, and pour it on her Master’s feet. I want to breathe in the sweet fragrance of servitude that dripped from the mouth of that bottle, permeating the room where she laid graciously before Him. This scripture serves as a precursor to one of the most monumental displays of humility that takes place in scripture—the night that Jesus cleanses the feet of His disciples before the Feast of Passover.

Scripture reveals in John 13:5-7, “He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, are You washing my feet?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.’” Simon Peter is hesitant at first and perhaps embarrassed to allow His Lord to take on this subservient role. But, Jesus makes it known, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8). We see here that the cleansing of feet is a significant process through which we are made clean through Christ. We must allow Him to prepare in us a clean heart as we enter into the body of Christ.

Later, when Jesus finished washing the disciples' feet, He stated, "’You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you’" (John 13:13-15). What is Jesus teaching us here? I think it is evident that he is reinforcing the simple truth that we are to serve one another humbly, without regard to social status or position of authority. In this example, we witness the greatest authority to ever walk this earth humble Himself at the feet of His disciples. We should be more than capable of humbling ourselves at the feet of fellow man.

Another invaluable lesson that is revealed through this passage is that we are to follow His lead. The feet are the vessel of which we navigate through life. John 13:10 states, "'...He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean...'". When we walk with God, He continuously cleanses us from the defilement we contract along the way. Jesus washed away our sins through baptism, and we now have the choice to sanctify ourselves through repentance. Needless to say, we are all a work-in-progress. However, God ministers to our pain and shame and He uses them just the same. There will come a time when God tells us to go and minister to others. Our testimony is just an open door through which we can share the good news. Scripture states in Romans 15:15, “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” Jesus knew that He would soon no longer be with His disciples in the flesh, therefore the cleansing of their feet was symbolic for the preparation taking place in them before they would witness to others after His resurrection. In the same way, God cleanses our feet as He prepares us to preach in our spheres of influence. Yes, we will still walk through the muck and mire just the same as everyone else, but the difference is this: We have a God who loves us and is concerned with our “hygiene”. In all seriousness though, our sanctification is God’s ultimate will for our lives.

Psalm 119:105 tells us that God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Psalm 91:12 states, “In their [angels’] hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Here we are reminded that our feet are the source of a fall. Therefore, we should remain careful of our steps. If we are in God’s word, He shall illuminate our path. If we remain in God’s will, our feet shall be cleansed by His living water.

How beautiful are the feet of those who profess and proclaim the name of Jesus! How beautiful are the feet of those who serve at the feet of others! How beautiful are the feet of those who humble themselves before the Lord, following His footprints, fragrant with Mary's oil.

Upon returning back to my hometown in Maryland, I have now faced a whirlwind of life-altering decisions, one of which has been trying to find a home church. I have spent various sunday mornings stepping foot into sanctuary after sanctuary, some well-lit and beautifully adorned with gold trim and colorful mosaic windows. Others are less ornate, humble, and difficult to spot as they are tucked away in inconspicuous locations, such as an office park. Naturally, the appearance of the church plays very little part in my decision. However, what I have been taking note of is what takes place beyond the front doors. Will I be met with a body of believers who will love on me and accept me into their spiritual family with open arms? How is the worship? How is the message? But, it is here where I have to stop and remind myself not to base my decision upon emotion. I am not looking for a feel-good service, some place where I go to be entertained. What I am truly searching for is the presence of the Holy Spirit.

What saddens me nowadays is that I have found the church playing church. We dress up nice, enter the corridors of the sanctuary, make friendly conversation with the usher, nodd and wave at our neighbor, sit down, and then stare at the pulpit before us. We are sung to by the worship team and on cue applaud after every song as if sitting through a community theater performance. The message is spoken like a rehearsed monologue. Moments later, a basket is passed around, as members shuffle inside their purses/wallets trying to scrounge up a few bucks to throw in. This reminds me all too much of an empty baseball cap passed around to tourists on the boardwalk of Venice Beach. I hate to make this comparison, but I am only speaking upon what I have seen.

Children that were once taught sunday school lessons behind a desk and in front of a chalk board are now placed in front of a tv screen. There are toys strewn about on the floors of the "classrooms", giving the impression of a daycare center rather than a bible school. There is not a lesson planned nor rehearsal of scripture, no children's worship, and no talk of Jesus. The mention of God has been taken out of our public school systems, are we now taking Him out of church?

There is a dilution of the Word that is being fed to us and a watered-down version of sunday morning service that is offered out like lemonade on various corners of our neighborhoods. No wonder our society has fallen victim to the lies and deceits of this world. We are missing the one vital part of church and that, my friends, is the Holy Spirit. This is the same Holy Spirit that showed up in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost. The bible states "And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they [disciples] were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:2-4). What I would like to address in this scripture is what took place before the arrival of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:1, we find that the disciples "were all with one accord in one place". In other words, they were praying together in agreement, like-minded, and driven with the same purpose in the same place of worship. They were all fervently seeking the presence of the Lord. From this day forward, the Holy Spirit came upon each and everyone of them. The apostles performed signs and wonders. They sold their possessions and distributed their wealth evenly subject to need. Now, each disciple was of no value or rank higher than another. They had all things in common. As a result, we find the church grows by the thousands. "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:46-47).

This scripture states yet again that the disciples were "with one accord". We find the church moving and growing by the power of the Holy Spirit because of the disciples' commitment to the Lord. They didn't seek their own interests or wonder how the church might serve them. Instead, they gave everything they had in order to do just the opposite--serve. They died to themselves daily with "simplicity of heart" and they were content. Scripture doesn't say that the church grew through Paul's exhortation of feel-good messages or outstanding worship. On the contrary, it was the Lord that brought the increase. He searched the heart of the church and found their commitment, obedience, and desire to put the church's needs above their own. As a result, thousands of souls were saved!

Now, let's fast forward 2,000 years later. What is the practical application of this scripture in the church today? I am compelled to believe that the Holy Spirit moves when a body of believers are with one accord. When we come together in fellowship, commune with one another, and have one desire--to see God move, this welcomes the presence of the Holy Spirit. When we shut out the world's view of church as entertainment and take ourselves out of the equation, we make room for the Holy Spirit to sweep in through sanctuaries across the world, just as the gust of wind breezed through the quarters of the disciples' upper room. How often do we earnestly seek God's presence in church? How often do we praise without reservation? How often does a preacher put down his/her index cards and just follow the lead of the Holy Spirit? Not often. But, I urge you, fellow Christians, to not settle for church that conducts business as usual.

We are created to worship a God that manifests Himself in such a powerful way, in ways we can not even imagine. We are given the authority to usher in His presence when we give our all to Him. In Revelation 3:15, the Lord addresses the lukewarm church, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot, I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." However, later we find that the Lord gives an open invitation to receive Him despite the church's faults. Scripture states, "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Revelation 3:20-22).

Are we open to receiving the invitation of the Holy Spirit into our church? Remember, God has no concern for the church that looks good on paper. He desires humility, an unfailing belief in the power of the Holy Spirit, and a desire to see the Holy Spirit move. Let us welcome His Spirit into our place of worship. Let us unite as the church was created with one accord and be prepared to witness miracles, signs, and wonders. Marriages can be restored, the sick can be healed, and our needs can be met when we believe and submit to the power of the Holy Spirit. We are the church. We can make the choice today to accept lukewarm faith or "hear what the Spirit says to the church". Open the invitation and receive. Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

Indescribable, undeniable, and unspeakable are the words that come to mind when I think of the majestic nature of our God. What words come to mind when you think of our God--the God that created heaven and earth in perfect symmetry and harmony? This is the same God that shaped our form, like malleable clay in the palm of his hands. He is an artist, a poet, a judge, a king, our Father, our Savior, the Holiest of holies. When I meditate upon His greatness, I feel a piercing joy of electricity through my veins, a shock wave of emotion that ebbs and flows upon the shores of my heart. Then a hush, a calming peace, sweeps over me and it is here where I find myself in my Father's hands. I feel once again like a child who clings to her father's burly arms and feels safe in the comfort of them. I breathe in the sweet-smelling aroma of grace. I know that as much as I might have shamed and grieved Him through the years of maturation, He has looked upon me with unfailing love. I am His portion and He is mine. He keeps me as the apple of His eye and hides me under the shadow of His wings (para Psalm 17:8).

When I read through the book of Psalms, I realize how great David's understanding of God was. Throughout the Old Testament, you can sense a great fear looming over the hearts of the Jews, a fear that results from disobedience and neglect of the statutes and commandments set place under the Mosaic law. But, as for David, he knew the Lord, not only as he was instructed, to fear and revere Him, but he also deeply loved and honored Him. The words he sung from his lips, which we know read through ink pen and paper, were filled with passion. If you didn't know any better, you would think he was wooing the heart of a love interest. But, how beautiful it is that far greater than this, he was wooing the heart of His God. In Psalm 63:1 he states, "O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water."

The book of Psalms in the Old Testament is to me like a tall glass of cold lemonade on a hot summer's day. It is refreshing to read about a man who truly seeks and knows God's heart in a climate of legalism. In Psalm 86:15 he states, "But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth." This compels me to think about how I view my God. Yes, we all know God is good and worthy of our praise because we are told this through scripture. However, how much do we believe this? I pose this question in hopes to stir us up into action, particularly those of us who have adopted a legalistic belief system. I don't want to go through life as if going through the motions, accepting God for who He is based upon what I am told to think of Him. I want to engage with Him in a deep and meaningful relationship, just as I would with a significant other. I don't want to just place Him upon a shelf and refer to Him when I need Him. I want Him to walk with me hand-in-hand in my coming and going.

Sometimes what helps us through this process is when we reflect upon who God is to us. I previously referred to God as "my God". I do this to connote and stress the importance of personalizing our relationship with Him. He is not some being that floats upon the earth, judging us and ruling earthly domains from the high heavens. He is very much a part of our daily existence and desires that we adopt Him into our daily living. I refer to God as my Heavenly Father and sometimes imagine being that little girl residing in the confines of His secure arms. But, He is not only my Father, He is also my King, which makes me royalty in His eyes.

Sometimes, we negate who we are in God's eyes. If we would start viewing ourselves the way that God sees us, we might believe that we are worthy of love and affection. We might consider ourselves worthy of standing in the shower of God's blessings, not in a prideful way, but in a confident way. But, this all begins with knowing who God is to us and on the same token, who we are to Him; which in turn makes us secure in our relationship with Christ, no longer second-guessing ourselves, waiting for the door to slam on us or our hearts to be broken as due punishment for any wrongs committed in our lives. We no longer walk with a looming cloud of death. Christ died so that we would be given life--eternal life. Do not take for granted this gift. In so doing, let us seek God's face. When He reveals Himself, etch Him in your heart and in your mind. Safeguard it. Meditate on it. Just as David meditated on God's law daily, he also meditated on His goodness. If that wasn't enough, he depicted God through lyric and painted His image in his own understanding. How much more can we, who are now enlightened and are given the gift of renewed vision, see and know who God is to us?

I don't know about you, but it is not enough for me to read God's word without meditating on it. It is not enough for me to pray without being still, awaiting His response. It is not enough for me to view illustrations, created at the hands of fellow man, depicting Jesus with piercing blue eyes, and wooly brown hair and allow my mind to manufacture replicas of this. I want to read God's word and know that it breathes. I want to pray, expecting a response. I want to paint God's image in my mind the way that I see Him, running my fingertips through the seams of His design. I want to press my palm in His and know that it is here that I am safe. "For a day in your courts is better than a thousand" (Psalm 84:10).

I encourage you, readers, that we can not fully know our identity until we have discovered our identity through Christ. That begins with our understanding of Him followed by our understanding of who we are in His eyes. Wherever you are in this journey of life, you are never too far away to receive Him. God doesn't measure distance. He only measures our hearts. The more we seek Him, the more He reveals Himself to us, letting us in on the marvelous and indescribable truths of His majestic existence.