sanctification
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thoughts on sanctification
knee jerk resistance the painful reality “I can’t” feeling like the new anthem, but this realization turning me deeper and closer to the truth: “He can; He is.” bowing, kneeling humbling progress quiet, hidden beneath the normal and noticed natural weakening uncovering an unnatural power at work the end so close and so far new Continue reading
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A Drop
You are a drop. Refreshing, cool, and safe. God’s an ocean. His waves crash against my body. The edge of His glory forcing me to dive in, submitting to His might, or otherwise be hurled to the shore to grovel among broken shells. You are a drop. You wet my mouth and leave me thirsty. Continue reading
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“One who gives me rest”
As these lyrics have run through my mind, I’ve felt the common thread running through all of them. Tonight my anxious mind wanted to stop the running, and I guess you could say “thread the needle” to see them all neatly typed side by side. It looks a bit like a patchwork quilt … one Continue reading
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Perception of God: Experiences + Knowledge
“This was so not worth it!” my six year old said as we walked back toward our car after our one mile hike. I was a little disappointed. “Well, you did find fun things to collect along the way,” I reminded her, “And you got to see the big river at the look out.” “Still Continue reading
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Loving Unbelievers
I was in the break room typing up my note for work. A coworker was divulging to another coworker and I their current relationship situation. Suddenly, they turned their head sharply and looked at me, “Stop judging me. Not everyone is meant to marry young and have a family.” Startled, as I had not said Continue reading
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On the Trail
The other day my six year old started out our mile hike sprinting. My husband and I looked at each other smiling as she continued to run up a hill. She was fast and determined, but we knew what was inevitably going to happen. Halfway up the hill she stopped in her tracks and lay Continue reading
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Keep Me
I wonder if trusting in my faith in Jesus to save me is the reformed version of trusting in my work for Jesus to save me. Yeah … that can be a hard one to swallow. But coming to terms with this has also been one of the most freeing, wonderful things I’ve experienced. And Continue reading
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Stolen Beauty
It’s there when a child lets out a final sighTheir tired body melts into their mom’s arms.It’s in the glow of a sunset in the skyGracing the horizon with intense colors. It’s in conversations, where in the mind’s eye,Lively thoughts dance effortlessly between us. It’s there when an old, happy couple walk byHand in wrinkled Continue reading
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saving hope
nope, it’s not fair. it’s not what I’d choose. sometimes even the good feels like it’s taunting me. but. even still. God is working out my salvationin all of this. He is doing a work I would not believe if He told me.I will rejoice in Him, my saving hope. ““Look among the nations, and Continue reading
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Let’s Not Be Sorry Anymore
I feel anxious.I feel overwhelmed.I feel confused.But I have learnedI am not alone,I am brave,and I am not sorry for difficult things.They are challenges. They are opportunities. They are windowsto see God.When I fail,He is there. When I succeed,He is there. The end is always the same- God with me. I am not sorry for Continue reading
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throne of my heart
I thought I was bullying Youoff the “throne of my heart”every time I failed to obey You. I thought being a living sacrifice meant being tied to guilt for a lifetime. But now? I don’t think You would so easilygive up the throne You died to sit on. You’re there to stay. I’m the one Continue reading
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No Lack
I wrap my hand around a mug – the one with the flowers and leaves. My other hand holds a Bible – the one with the worn leather cover. I say a prayer that my heart would be soft and receptive of the Word as the water heats on the stove. I open the tea Continue reading
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Called
I hear it now:Your call to obedianceis always an invitationto relationship. Apart from the VineI can do nothing. But the Vine’s ability is made evidentin my inability aswe abide. Me in You. You in Me. Your ability running through me.Your fruit on my limbs. You call me to obey. And You call me to witness Continue reading
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kneaded
I feel like dough being kneaded. Folded over, pressed down again and again – grief with hope, joy with sadness. There’s no having one without the other. But there is hope. “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope Continue reading
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Some Things To Leave Behind
Beliefs I’m realizing probably need to be left behind: The belief that my sin separates me from God (despite my profession of faith in the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross). The belief that “we can’t know the depth of God’s love if we don’t know the depth of our sin.” The belief that Continue reading
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When “Purity” Is At the Expense of Holiness
I’m not going to beat around the bush: Sometimes we use “purity” and avoiding “temptation” as a cop out to avoid doing the deeper work required to be in fellowship with the Body of Christ. Pursuing sexual purity is not how we get – or stay – in relationship with God. [moment of huge relief!!] Continue reading
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Shattered
It feels a bit to good be true: probably the most Christian way to live is from a place of rest, security, and love – to love from a place of being loved by God. [When we resist that idea I think it’s insightful to ask why that is. For me, it often involves a Continue reading
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I will dare
I will look into Your eyesand I will dare to tell Youthe truth:I’m scaredto just behere with You.Because then, I think, You might be unimpressed. You might grow impatient.You might lose interest. You might leave.I’ve wanted to be more-to pleaseto self-improveto be needed. But I’m confused.Disappointed.I thought this washow to be with You. When it’s Continue reading
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Building Something New
“What’s that guy doing?” he asked in his drawn out 2 year old voice. “He’s using a jack hammer to break up the street,” I answered. “But whyyyy?” came the infamous question from the back of the car. “Because sometimes,” I said with a catch in my voice, “you have to break down old things Continue reading
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because
Because new life is breathed into us Because growth is abiding all we have to boast in is Christ. People praise God for the good, beautiful things we do because we let people close enough to see that it couldn’t come from us but the light in us. And we learn to accept encouragement and Continue reading
The Worth Of Knowing 