As a child, my innocence was stolen.  Never having had a chance at choice, I wandered through every formative year with a feeling of absolutely zero value.  Every life circumstance that I grew up within only served to reinforce this idea.

Opinions?  No, I wasn’t allowed to have those.  Real feelings and tears?  No, “Stop being so emotional,” I was told.  A safe place at home, school, or relatives?  No, that didn’t exist either. 

So, I hid.

It’s amazing to see it so clearly now, but music and words have always been my refuge.  I sang songs that had no words but would make me cry…even as a very young child.  It seems my heart was determined to find ways to process.  I created a world in my imagination.  I was descriptive in my inner world.  Filled with words and explanations.  I dreamed.  I saw things that gave me hope, in those dreams. 

I was alone, but I wasn’t alone. 

Music has been the cry of my heart for my entire life.  A refuge.  God put something inside of me that couldn’t be taken, and He used that to protect me.  To set me apart and give me a way to cope, even in the darkest days.

From the womb, my life was wildly out of control and fear prevailed. 

What was innocence?  What does it even look like?  Well, if it was yanked from my life so young yet others had theirs still, then that must mean I am not worth anything.

Yes, that was my thought process. 

Good things are reserved for other people, but I was born with something wrong with me.  Something so desperately wrong that I don’t deserve goodness.  Something in me is bad.

These are all real thoughts that I once had.  These are the thoughts that steered the ship of my life from a very young and tender age, all the way through college and to the age of 26.

But God.

When the power and breath of God comes to breathe over the ashes of what once was, you find something you never dreamed.  You see things you’ve never seen.  Life becomes brighter.  More light.

I am not who I once was.  I am restored.  I am redeemed.  I belong.  He is my everything.

Knowing what it is to be bankrupt in life, I treasure every moment with Him.  Every word.  Every opportunity for further growth and healing. 

And like a tender dove, one day, years ago…His purity returned to light on me.  I was innocent once again.  Only a loving Father would do that.  I feel innocent, to this day.  Clean.  I am holy, because He is holiness in me.

In a life-changing prayer moment, years ago, I saw God’s hand holding my spirit…in His hand it swirled like a ball of beautiful, living light, and He spoke, “What did I say about all things I created?  It is good.  I said that when I created you too.”  Like an eclipse hit the earth in one glorious moment and all that was a lie was exposed by the glaring light of Truth, I knew.  I am a wonderfully and fearfully made creation of God.  I was created on purpose.  I have a purpose.  I am whole.

I wonder if you’ve met the God I’m describing.

No matter what your life circumstances have been, they don’t get the final say.  We are made to be more than conquerors.  More than.  We are made to be victorious.  These lies and sins don’t get to keep us down, unless we decide to let them. 

Rise up!!! Rise up and live!!!  God designed the world to make room for exactly who He created you to become. 

Arise and shine, beloved one.  You are worthy.  Called.  Chosen.   

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  And those He predestined, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.  What then, shall we say in response to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all- how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?  It is God who justifies.  Who then is the one who condemns?  No one.  Christ Jesus Who died- more than that, Who was raised to life- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Romans 8:28-34

I long to be rooted and established in His love.  But in order to do so, I must allow Him to dig up any wrong roots and pull out any weeds in my heart.  Digging deeper into God has a cost.  It’s the cost of pruning.  Pruning is sometimes painful.  Sometimes feels unending.  But it’s so necessary and beneficial.

I wonder how willing you are to be uncomfortable.  How willing you are to be inconvenienced.  How willing you are to humble yourself and ask for the insight of a trusted friend or confidante.

I know this one thing, every time I face the discomfort and humility required to dig deeper, I end up with a reward that far surpasses all of that.  I find the prize.  More of Him.  More peace.  More freedom.

Digging deeper does indeed have a cost, but the reward extremely surpasses it. 

I work with people all the time who are facing this choice.  I’ve seen some boldly and bravely face this challenge and come through it with huge reward.  Carrying back the bounty of what was previously stolen.  Being restored.  Ready to move forward in life. 

But all too often I face another scenario.  Those who are so afraid of change that they cling to their identity of brokenness with white knuckles and even though they know what’s happening is unhealthy, they choose to stay in the pigsty because it’s what they’ve always known.  They are afraid of change.  They are terrified that they won’t know who they are if they aren’t broken into a million pieces and continuing in their disfunction.  It grieves me in the deepest of places because there’s so much more to life than that.

Not only do those people hurt themselves by staying in their broken state, but they also create collateral damage all around them.  They hurt family, friends, and random strangers with their broken behavior. 

Now that I’m older and I’ve seen a lot, albeit, obviously not everything, I’ve definitely seen the kind of life I do want to lead and the kind of life that I don’t. 

I’ve learned that I process people and situations by sorting it out into categories of “I want to be more like this.” And “I don’t ever want to be like that.”  And from that standpoint I endeavor any healing or personal growth I will need to attain the best for me and my family. 

I don’t look at anything and think, “Well, it can’t get any better than this, so I guess I’ll deal with it.”

No way!  That is such a lie of the enemy.  He’s even using in a broad sense to stall out the church in America.  Making us feel like there’s nothing we can do.  But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Do you know what is the most powerful thing we can do for America right now? 

Create and cultivate strong and solid family relationships.

Yes, you heard me.  In the face of the destroyer, we can create sturdy family units as he is hell bent on destroying the family.

If you need a place to start, then start there.  But don’t stop there.  From the position of a life devoted to God’s vision of family, continue personal healing.  Never just say, “This is as good as it can get, so I’m done.” 

Reach.  Reach out for the hand of Eternity and allow Him to pull you further and further out of the muck and mire all around us.  In Eternities grasp you can find purpose, wholeness, and the healing you so desperately desire.  Turn to Jesus.

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.  Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.  Many, Lord my God, are the wonders You have done, the things You have planned for us.  None can compare with You; were I to speak and tell of Your deeds, they would be too many to declare.  Sacrifice and offering You did not desire- but my ears You have opened- burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not require.  Then I said, “Here I am, I have come- it is written about me in the scroll.  I desire to do Your will, my God; Your law is within my heart.  Psalm 40:1-8

Do you ever have trouble imagining that God truly desires good for your life?  Do you have difficulty believing that He not only can, but wants to do more than we could ever ask or imagine?

Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!  Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

Are you one of those who knows God can do anything, but you have difficulty imagining He would do it for you?  Or that you are allowed to even ask?  Do you find it easy to believe good things for others, but not yourself?

Today, I’d like to challenge you to lay down your previous understandings and expectations.  Now look into Jesus’ eyes and ask Him what He imagines for you. 

When you sit quietly and close your eyes, ask Jesus to come and sit with you.  Ask Him to come and look at you.  Tell Him you’d like to see into His eyes.  It’s a glorious thing to look into the eyes of eternity.  His eyes are swimming with loving kindness.  His eyes always dance with Light.  His eyes feel safe.  His eyes are like a hug.  He is quite simply amazing.

Will you take this moment?

When you see into His eyes and ask that question… “What do you imagine for me?”  The next step is believing what He shows you.

I can’t tell you how many times I listen to people say they heard Jesus say something wonderful to them, then they immediately question it and wonder if it was their own thought.  In anticipation of that happening for you, I’ll ask this…

Are your thoughts for yourself usually too good to be true?  Or are they usually negative and/or small?

That ought to clear things up pretty quickly. 

His thoughts for us are good.  Often, they feel too good to be true.  I often tell others, “If it seems too good to be true, then it’s probably God.” 

His thoughts aren’t our thoughts.  His ways aren’t our ways.  His are above ours.  His ways are higher than our ways. 

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.  Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.  Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.  “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.  “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth:  It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:6-11

As I walked the other day, I saw a giant glass in front of me.  Through this glass, I saw everything including my reflection on its very crisp clear surface.  It was like a giant window that I saw the world through.  As I continued walking, the glass easily traveled in front of me.  I couldn’t see anything except through the glass.

I was quickly reminded of a few clients that have experienced something similar during times of prayer.  They would find themselves in front of a mirror, except it wasn’t.  What they thought was a mirror was actually just a glass that they could see through, and because it was glass, it cast their reflection back to them.  It was making them think that they were seeing a reflection, when what they were really seeing was a distortion of the truth.  Each time someone I work with finds themselves in this place, they get through the glass in a different way.  One person simply walked through the glass.  Another smashed it and when they did it disappeared.

I knew I was currently seeing the glass in front of myself because of some heart healing that I’ve currently been working through.  There are different phases to our healing process.  We work through things, and He brings healing, then we rest and grow…until He’s ready to move deeper.  Then we have a choice.  Do we desire to be more deeply healed or to simply live with the amount we’ve already received.  We will grow and mature, at the same rate of our healing. 

If you’ve ever wondered why someone is older but immature…it’s a direct correlation to the amount of heart healing and forgiveness they allow God to bring into their lives. 

When a person chooses bitterness and unforgiveness, they also choose immaturity and self-centered ideals about everything.  All of life is a choice, it seems.  A choice about how we will respond to the fallen world.  How we will respond to our own sin and the sins of others.

We all see life through a filter.  Our life experiences, pains, disappointments, victories, proud moments, failures…all of these things can create a filter through which we experience life. 

When God brings us face to face with this, we know it’s time to move past the glass. 

Right now, I want to ask you to take a minute, close your eyes and ask God if you are seeing life through a filter.  Is this a filter He wants to use, or is it a distortion of the Truth?

Now that you have asked, let’s remove any negative distortion to your vision.  Are you willing?

God, I ask that you would dissolve the glass in front of me.  Bring healing to the parts of me that allowed for this glass to be placed before me.  God, I forgive (anyone He brings to your mind) and I release them to you.  I receive back Your vision for my life.  I choose to walk in Truth today and forevermore.  Help me to see clearly, as I worship in spirit and in truth.  Come and be my Vision, God.  Lead me in Truth.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.  When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.  For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  And these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  But the greatest of these is love.  1 Corinthians 13:11-13

I went for a walk to clear my head.  The day had been good, but long and before making dinner, I craved a walk outside.  I truly love the property where we live.

I walked and listened to the birds chirp and the wind whipping around.  I listened to the gravel crunching under my feet.  I invited God to come near…to walk with me…to talk to me.

As I headed back toward my house, I passed one of the ponds and felt drawn to walk closer to it.  So, I left the gravel and traversed the soggy ground to stand at the shore and stare at the water.  It rippled as the wind blew.  I imagined myself walking out onto the water with Jesus.  I love water…it always reminds me of Holy Spirit. 

Then suddenly, I heard the noisy squawking of geese.  Two flew over my head and landed stealthily upon the water.  Delicately skimming it as they came to rest upon it.  Then two others came from a different direction and landed in an equally graceful way.

But what followed was so funny.

The first goose couple landed, and they were so noisy.  One of them kept fussing at the other.  It would stretch out its neck and fuss so much.  Clearly it was angry.  The other couple landed and peacefully swam around right next to each other, in bliss.  

I asked God what He was trying to show me because, quite obviously this hilarious display was no accident.

He reminded me of this scripture…

A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping of a leaky roof in a rainstorm; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand.  Proverbs 27:15-16

And this one…

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.  Proverbs 21:9

And…

Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.  Proverbs 21:19

I’m not picking on the ladies…because I also believe these verses can be used with “husband” plugged into all the “wife” spots.

The point is, why do we waste so much time and effort nagging each other?

That’s what God showed me that day.  He showed me how ineffective and useless it was to fuss at each other…as opposed to traveling alongside each other peacefully. 

I pose this question to you today, is the most important thing in your life…being “right”?

And with that I will end this devotional…and allow you to sit on that thought.

Let’s not be the cranky goose couple…

As I’ve been writing devotionals this year, God has drawn me out for walks almost every day. 

In the past, for many years, I walked every single day.  Then a year ago, I felt led to the gym for something new…weights.  That was an unexpected nudge that I felt, but when I made that change, I completely forsook walking even though I felt like I should continue doing it.  I was often just tired or busy and couldn’t quite maneuver my day to hold that additional activity.  Then a couple of months ago, He told me to begin walking again…but at first, I was distracted from it because I loved lifting weights so much. 

Then circumstances forced me back into the habit of walking.  God always has a way of boxing me in and having me do the things He desires for me to do.  For that, I am eternally grateful.  I also couldn’t be more grateful for the way God always gives me advance warning and an opportunity to make changes on a different timetable if I will just listen and obey. 

That’s the key…to listen and obey.

I honestly can’t tell you how many times I’ve listened, but because of doubt or fear or stubbornness, don’t fully obey immediately.  I am so sorry for those times.  But all I can do is repent and do better next time. 

God has sometimes spoken to me in advance about things in the world too.  In these moments, I would hear or see something in my spirit, and then either not understand or not like what I saw…so I avoided it.

I regret those times too.  But by the grace of God, He keeps allowing me the opportunity to respond differently.  Communicating with God is so amazing…sometimes inconceivable, and at times feels overwhelming.  But I welcome it. 

I hope that one day I will hear, know, and obey every time.  Until that day, I’ll just continue to repent when I get it wrong and try again.

It’s that simple. 

I feel like someone reading this devotional has had moments like I’ve had, and instead of receiving God’s grace for that mistake, you’ve decided that you’ll never be able to hear again.  Friend, that’s not God.  He’s a loving Father.  A loving Father teaches, instructs, allows for mistakes, and never draws away because of your failures.  It’s in our failures that He draws closer. 

No, it’s not the only time He draws closer, but it is one of the times.  It has taken me years and years to be able to comprehend that.  To realize that God reaches for me in my weakness.  He stretches toward me in my mistakes.  He leans in when I am wrestling. 

That’s something I’ve learned from parenting.  Both of my boys have had moments when they’ve needed to wrestle with my husband.  No, I don’t fully understand it, but I do know that in those moments something wonderful is happening.  They are finding out how strong they are, and still knowing that their daddy is stronger.  They need to know that he is stronger than they are.  It makes them feel safe. 

With God it’s similar.  We may need to wrestle, but He always lets us know He’s stronger in those moments and then we can rest.  What a wonderful God we serve.  Wrestling produces strength.  God uses our need to struggle with Him, in order to strengthen us.  What a beautiful image. 

Whether you’re in the wrestling phase or the learning to listen and obey phase, be encouraged.  Our strength is borne in those moments.  It doesn’t push God away, it draws Him near…as Teacher, Father, Savior…all of the wonderful things that He is for us.

Don’t merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror, and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it- not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it- they will be blessed in what they do.    James 1:22-25

Yesterday, I went for a walk and was asking God what we might write about this week.  Suddenly, I saw a giant shield in front of me.  This shield was far to large for me to hold.  It obviously belonged to One much bigger than me.  I realized that I was walking directly behind it.  It was moving ahead of me. 

A sudden feeling of security washed over me, and I felt more protected and confident than ever in my life. 

I heard, “Your shield protects me.”  It was as if my spirit was acknowledging the truth.  Remember, our spirit, once saved, is in full alignment with heaven…it’s our soul (our mind, will, and emotions) and flesh that struggle sometimes.  In that moment, my spirit was testifying to my soul and flesh…that which was true.  What was being seen in the unseen places.  The supernatural places. 

There’s no denying that there is a world operating around us that most don’t see.  When we read scripture, we are made aware of this multiple times.  But for today’s example, let’s remember Elisha…

“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city.  “Oh no, my lord!  What shall we do?”  the servant asked.  “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered.  “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.”  Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.”  So, He struck them with blindness, as Elisha asked.  2 Kings 6: 15-18

If you believe that scripture is the actual Word of God, then we can agree that there are things around us that we don’t always see.  But we could also agree, I would hope, that God allows us to see this world around us sometimes. 

If it happened in scripture, then why couldn’t it happen today? 

What would be the purpose of God showing me the shield protecting me? 

Well, there are probably several reasons.  One reason could be, so that I would walk with more boldness because I know He is going before me, as a shield.  Another reason could be so I would tell the story and others might also begin to see and become bolder.  Those are both great reasons, aren’t they?!

His shield goes before me, and He protects me from my enemies.  His shield goes before me, and He makes my path secure.  His shield goes before me; therefore, I never get lost.  His shield goes before me, and I am never alone. 

His shield goes before you too.  I’m not special.  He loves each of us completely. 

Lord, how many are my foes!  How many rise up against me!  Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”  But You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One Who lifts my head high.  I call out to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain.  I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.  I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.  Arise, Lord!  Deliver me, my God!  Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.  From the Lord comes deliverance.  May Your blessing be on Your people.  Psalm 3

There are so many things happening in our little family right now.  Each one of those things feels so holy and sacred.  I keep feeling overcome with a feeling of how sacred things are right now.  My desire is to protect and hide those things from others because of that holiness. 

Have you ever felt like this?

It’s like the moment you give birth.  A most holy and sacred moment that most don’t desire to share with others.  A moment that those in the room can see is divine.  Heaven is so close. 

I was birth coach to one of my sisters, and during her first labor I saw the angelic around her in the moment right before the baby was delivered.  It was humbling, to say the very least.

I knew we were about to receive a portion of His creative artwork into the world.  I gasped as I felt the presence of God.  He truly does love the little children. 

I feel this same Presence over our family right now. 

We are in the midst of a different kind of labor, but it is equally special and will mark the rest of our lives.

When a new life is brought into the world, it marks a new time.  It begins a new clock.  A new measure of time.  Our family is in the midst of that same type of thing.

Something is being born.  We are laboring to receive it.  Breathing deep.  Staying steady.  Focusing.  Stepping away from distractions and other people, to receive our families blessing. 

Can you feel it? 

The stirring of something sacred.  It’s all around me right now. 

We breathe in and exhale and rest until the next contraction comes. 

In a world that’s become obsessed with oversharing, why not be a person or family that sees the sacred?  I don’t need to share every detail of my life.  I just need to receive every moment from Him.  If only heaven ever sees what’s happening within our family, that’s enough for me. 

Somethings are meant to be holy and sacred.  Are you able to tell the difference between what is to be shared and what is to be honored?

Is your desire for others approval so strong that you feel the need to share everything?  I used to feel that way, I confess.  There have been times in my life that I was so needy for approval that my first response to wonderful happenings was to share with social media.  What a foolish thing for me to do.  It cheapened those moments and robbed from their sweetness.  It’s still embarrassing to remember sometimes.  But I’ve grown.  Now I’m not motivated by the likes and loves or others.  Now I hold things dear in my hands and share them as God leads, not as my insecurities lead. 

For this is a growth, I’m truly grateful.

I encourage each of you to consider yourself.  Look into your life and investigate your motives.  Do you feel led to overshare?  Are you seeking approval of others, over God?  If so, simply repent and ask Him to help you learn how to cherish the holy and sacred.  He’s a loving Father Who is always willing to teach.

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as He Who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:14-16

You are to be holy to Me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own.  Leviticus 20:26

I was listening to a sermon the other day and the guy was talking about a time he ministered in a Nicaraguan prison.  As he described some of the darkness there and the heaviness…I began to realize that even though I’ve never been to prison, I’ve experienced some of those feelings.

Have you ever felt like you are a prisoner?

There have been many nights when I’ve woken up and felt panic.  Where did it come from?  Why was this happening? 

I would wake up with a feeling of suffocation.  As if the sky was pressing down on me and I had no means of escape.  I would have to actively tell myself, “This isn’t real.  I can breathe.  I am free.”

Have you ever felt this?  I know I’m not the only one.

Many bad decisions can come from this position of feeling trapped.  There’s another valuable lesson I’ve learned over the years…never make a decision from a position of panic.  Never.  Never make a decision when you feel rushed on the inside.  Never allow others to make you feel rushed into a decision.  If you do, it might lead to feeling this prison on the inside. 

Is this too vague?  I don’t know if I’m conveying this idea well…but I’m trying.

One trick of the enemy is…rush. 

How many people have ended up in a real prison because of a split second, rushed decision?  Many, I would imagine.  It’s not different for us.

The enemy doesn’t care how he locks us up, as long as we are locked up.  I know so many people who are prisoners of their own sin.  Prisoners of their past.  Prisoners of bad decisions.  Prisoners of the fear of making bad decisions.  The list seems to never end.

We don’t have to live like this!

When we refuse to invite God into our daily life, or our mistakes, we choose prison.  The prison of self-righteousness.  The prison of pride.  The prison of having to hide because we don’t want others to know our real struggles. 

Friends, it’s just not worth it.  Hiding behind pharisaical facades is a waste of our lives. 

As I continued listening to the sermon, I felt my spirit praying and as I did, I heard God saying that freedom resides in our hearts and is not circumstantial.  It’s an inside job, just like joy. 

To be free indeed, our hearts must become free.  Our minds must be freed by the Truth.  Our conscience must be free.  Prison comes for us when we imagine our future without God in it.  Freedom comes when we invite Him back in and allow Him to show us our true future.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”  Luke 4:18-19

I was outside and felt a breeze blow over me and then I saw wheat.  I heard, “Blowing off the chaff.” I saw a lot of chaff being blown off a strong and sturdy stalk of wheat.  I closed my eyes and allowed the wind to blow over me as I listened to the sound of it and felt closer to heaven. 

God is truly in every moment…it’s us that don’t always realize it or notice. 

I believe many of us are in a season where God is removing chaff.  During this season, many things may be shifting, relationships coming and going, opinions are being changed, etc.  This is a good season.

I keep thinking, whatever can be shaken will be shaken.  We are to look for whatever remains. 

Many ideas, beliefs, and opinions are being thrust over us every day.  It seems there is no end to the rules set before us by worldly culture.  It’s become cumbersome and quite ridiculous.

Why on earth would any of us change our theology to fit these flash in the pan ideas?  Why would anyone believe that God Himself would change to suit them? 

When the tumult of forceful ideas and demands comes, it’s time to be steady, not blown about by the winds. 

Chaff is blown about by the ever-changing winds.  The wheat remains.  The Word of God remains.  God never changes.

I am consistently baffled to see many who I believed to be rooted believers, begin to be blown around by the shifting of winds.  It has been a stark reminder that I am only to follow the One.  No celebrity Christian (can you even believe that’s a thing?) or pastor is above the voice of God in my life. 

We are to weigh everything with scripture.  We are to be sensitive to the leading of Holy Spirit. 

I don’t know what circumstance you’re living in, but I do know the One Who remains the same…yesterday, today, and forever. 

Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.  Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid.  Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me.  Say to me, “I am your salvation.”  May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.  May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away; may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.  Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me, may ruin overtake them by surprise- may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.  Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in His salvation.  My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like You, Lord?  You rescue the poor and needy from those who rob them.”  Psalm 35:1-10