to the core........

To the core of my being I will trust in the Lord my God !!!! Lately,things have been hard in many aspects of my life.What's so amazing is that it's also a time where I'm seeing God encourage me.I'm at this very moment watching some Beth Moore videos online.God has put many people and places in my path to remind me of His presence.He's the only hope I have right now.Laying things down and not being in control of things is very hard for me.however,i'm learning that I haven't really been trusting God like I should.I thought I was trusting Him but I wasn't.He's got some things to teach me.My dear friend Ashley always emphasizes how important it is to have a teachable spirit.I'm
pledging to always be teachable from this point forward.These are trying times but I hope to come out of the "refiner's fire" looking "pure as silver".



Psalm 56:8 (The Message)
The Message (MSG)




8 You've kept track of my every toss and turn
through the sleepless nights,
Each tear entered in your ledger,
each ache written in your book.

So you've become a christian,now what?

Discipleship has always been on my heart.It's been confirmed to be one of my top spiritual gifts along with intercession.also,i believe there are MANY christians in the world in need of discipleship.From the new christian to the person who has never
been discipled,it's essential that a christian learn some biblical foundations for living the christian life.I believe this is an area that churches failed in for a long time but are starting to realize the importance of it now.Since we're seeing a turn towards discipleship in the church and it's near and dear to my heart i thought I would share some of my thoughts.Typically,when someone becomes a christian they understand that they are a sinner and need Jesus to justify them before Almighty God.I think alot of times that is all that is understood.While this is true,there is so much more to being a christian than just being "saved".In most cases there's this whole life you live afterwards.

Romans 6:4-14
We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,that we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him.The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.




This scripture tells us that we now live under grace,are not to let sin reign our mortal body and to allow our body to be instruments used by God.To me this is the "mission statement" of the christian life.This is what we are to be about while here on earth after we become saved.So,let's take a look at what each one of these means.


What does it mean to live under grace?


Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,so that,having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life



This means to know our eternal salvation is secure NO MATTER WHAT !!! We are heirs of salvation which means it belongs to us.We have a "birthright" that entitles us to the blessings and kindess of God.So how does this "flesh out"? It means that we can go about our daily lives knowing that nothing can take our salvation away from us.It also means we have a Holy Spirit that will help us and a Father who will continue to care for our physical and emotional needs.

What does it mean to not let sin reign our mortal body?
Galatians 5:16-23
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Romans 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters,I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

These verses are just 2 that can be found in scripture that speak to our actions and thoughts.There are numerous ones in the Bible.Sin can reign in both of these and that is contrary to our new life in Christ.You can delve even further into this through prayer,accountability,daily quiet time,etc.As a christian I can ASSURE you that you will struggle in these two areas.It's somewhat of an individual issue as to the practical ways you conquer sin's reign over your actions and thoughts.Also,the intensity of this struggle will vary person to person.So,I'm not going to speak too specifically on this subject.But,just know you will struggle with it as will every other christian.Don't feel that you're alone and don't give up.God calls you to not let it reign in your body so you can fight it.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.



What does it mean to allow God to use us as His instruments?

This means that we have things God wants us to do.We've been created for a purpose.It means that we can be God's hands and feet to accomplish His will.So,what does God want us to do?

Ephesians 5:1-2
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.





John 21:15-17
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.


Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."


Acts 5:42
Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

These verses seem to tell us there are 2 things God wants us to do as His instruments.There are 1)love people as He loves them and 2)tell people the Good News. Just like not letting sin reign our mortal body this can seem simple but is really complex.It's an individual decision as to how you practically do these things.BUT,every christian is called to do them.Some may choose to be full time missionaries while others serve in their local neighborhood.Both are doing these 2 things but just in different ways.

So,this is the start of discipleship.This is how a christian lives after being saved.Once you are doing these things you may come across doubts,issues,questions,praises you need to express.that's completely acceptable and appropriate.You will continue this until the day you die.So,let it become a part of you and your daily life.Share with others,get feedback,share testimonies and continue reading scripture.This will help you accomplish these things God wants us to do and see His character even more.

Why Good Friday is Good

Matthew 27:50-54 (New International Version)




50And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

54When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, "Surely he was the Son[a] of God!"


This scripture reveals the last moments of Jesus' life on the day we've termed Good Friday. As I went to bed last night thinking about what today means to me,I was sad. Jesus died. It was a day that had several hours of darkness according to the Word.Nothing about it was good to the people living on the first Good Friday.
So,why do we call it Good? It's because of what the scripture above says. Jesus died and began the process of redemption and eternal victory over death !!!!!!!! That right there is reason enough for it to be GOOD. But let's not quickly skim over these verses and forget 2 things that I've always loved about this particular scripture.
The first is the fact that the curtain of the temple was torn.This allows us as christians a direct access line to God.It means we can approach the Father ourselves
and not depend on an earthly priest.Jesus became THE PRIEST !!!!!! what a marvelous act that allows us now to have an "Abba" we can call on anytime.The second thing is that the centurion and others couldn't help but acknowlege God after what they'd seen.Our actions really can speak louder than our words.We can display God in our lives without even speaking the gospel.That doesn't mean we're not to share but I just want to focus on the importance of our actions.When we live for God and do as He's called according to His plan,others won't have any other option but to say God is in that person. So may God be glorified through you today :)
That will make this day GOOD Friday !!!!!!!

Adoption= a GREAT idea

it seems like I've been hearing about adoptions so much lately.A precious couple friend of mine are leaving tomorrow to pick up their son in Russia. Several other families I know here locally are beginning the adoption process.You can just see the love in their hearts for their children. I have known all my life that I would never have children of my own. I'd decided a long time ago to adopt instead of spending alot of money of trying to become pregnant through alternative means and then pumped full of hormones,etc. I had decided that back in college I guess.Then I started questioning if I would love a child as my own if it didn't come from me at least in some way.Not long after I started really being concerned about this,God brought a little boy Clay into my life.For 3 years I spent alot of time with him as his babysitter and family friend to his parents. I truly loved Clay as my own and still do. God put that little boy in a special place in my heart.He'll always be there too.No matter how old I get,how many children/neices,nephews i have,etc.No one can replace him in my heart.That just proves to me that God has ordained adoption (just as He adopted us into His family) and He is the love giver.He will provide whatever is needed for adopted children and the parents so that they can become the family he's ordained them to be :)