Learning to live for HIS glory

Life turning Life changing Changing direction Changing purpose Purpose for living Purpose in dying Dying to self Dying to live Live forever Live for Jesus Jesus Messiah Jesus gives life Life in death Life for all All who trust All who turn Turn to the Savior  Turn and trust Trust His life Trust His grace Grace to live Grace for sin Sin that destroys Sin that condemns Condemns our lives Condemns our hearts Hearts are turning Hearts are softening Softening to truth Softening to God God is molding God is changing Changing hearts Changing minds Minds surrender Minds now trust Trust in Jesus Trust His death Death for sinners Death to conquer Conquer the devil Conquer the grave Grave now empty Grave of joy Joy unending  Joy in Christ  Christ our Savior  Christ our Lord Lord  Savior

In church this morning we talked about pornography.  Heavy stuff.  However, I came out of church encouraged and thankful.  Almost in tears because of how overwhelmed I was (and still am) by the grace of God! I was reminded of this post from back in November:  Thoughts of a Recovering Addict .  I won't tell the story again (you can read it), but Pastor Keith hit the nail on the head when he said, "A woman needs to feel something, and so her porn might be in words that touch her emotionally--romance novels that portray the ideals of new love, depicting a woman being swept off her feet by a hero."    I applaud him for saying that, because ...That's my story... And I know I wouldn't be where I am today if God had not, in His marvelous grace, provided me with a wake up call like the one Pastor Keith offered this morning. Because, I can tell you right now, it's a sneaky addiction.  It doesn't look that wrong!  It's just a book (or to be ...

It's the eve of turning 22, A new year of life's about to begin! I'm ready, excited, and anticipating much. Jesus has brought me far in the year of 21 And I'm thankful for so many things. Mostly though, I'm thankful for Him, His sacrifice, New life, And the joy of each moment spent with Him! So as I turn to 22, My birthday wish would be, To grow in loving Jesus more No matter what life brings. This new year is exciting, With many corners and pages to turn. I cannot see around them, But the One who walks beside me can!   I really don't know All this year will hold, But what I do know is . . . He's doing exciting things. And so I live anticipating, Wondering, Smiling, Trusting. Days will come it's hard. I know, But I want to cling to this: My God is ever faithful. It's in His grace I rest. When I'm weak, He is strong. He is always and ever with me. Life is beautiful. 22, I'm ready for you. (But I'll e...

I'm a recovering addict.  And I suspect those of you reading this are either on the caught up in or trying to get out of side of an addiction.  We're all seeking meaning in life.  Joy.  Hope.  Peace. Love. Problem is, we live in a messed up, twisted, evil world.  It can't deliver on any of those desires.  Neither can anything in it. Where do you run to escape?  When life is cruel, hard, hurts . . . ?  Where do you let your mind go when you just need to "get away"--when you're craving peace?   I know my drug of choice.  It's getting caught up in the dream world of fiction.  Letting myself believe, if only for the hour it takes to devour a book, that the world can be a much more perfect place.  Getting wrapped up in the life of some imaginary person so that I don't have to face the struggles and problems in mine.   For years, I didn't recognize my addiction for what it was.  After all, wasn't it normal for...

Us 9, plus 1.  The subjects needed, but in some ways dreaded.  Thankful, yet unsure of the next steps.  Change coming is always hard . . . regardless of whether good or bad.  This is good change.  Yet hard.  Selfish hearts would have things stay the same, stay comfortable and familiar.  But growth brings change, and change brings growth, and growth is good. At times the air felt tense and warm.  Heated debates?  Eh, a bit.  Much was talked through, not alot decided on.  At the end of it all, weary heads bowed to pray.  Our hearts poured out before the Lord, tensions eased away.  We told Him of our problems, thanked Him for our blessings, and then the perfect words came . . . "Thank You for Jesus."  Yes.  This is where we needed to end.  Thankful for His love and sacrifice.  Reminded of what life's all about.  

Life is about to change in some dramatic ways.  This week has been a week of tears, sadness over the fact that I'm leaving my family for two whole months, and I don't know when--here, there, or in the air?--I'll see my Bridge church family again.  Yet in the midst of the changes and tears, God is teaching me of His steadfastness. I've been meditating on Psalm 46, particularly the first two verses: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea . . ."   These verses give me wonderful reasons not to fear.  God is my refuge, strength, and very present help in trouble!  No matter what changes around me, these are truths that I can cling to.  He is for me, I can rest in that.   In correlation with that I've come across a song that I've decided fits on the soundtrack of my life right now.  Here's the link:  ...