Today's Struggle...

On today, the 23rd day of my birth-month, I am so thankful for comfort and peace.  I say that because today has been a lil’ rough for me as I want so badly to pick up the phone and call my grandmother.  There are so many things I want to share with her, so many events in my life that would make her proud; however, in March of this year she passed away.  While my soul rejoices in the knowledge that we shall meet again, my heart and my mind want so badly to hear her voice.  She was one of my biggest supporters and aided in laying and cultivating my spiritual foundation.  Her wisdom, at times, astounded me and her love for the Father was evident in all she was. 

I am sure the Father knew I would have days like these and for that reason He strategically placed people in my life as a reminder that He is with me.  Although, tears may fall, as my mind plays back memories of conversations gone by, the Holy Spirit comforts and gives an unexplainable peace.  Everything in me knows that grandmother would be proud of who I am becoming in Christ Jesus, but more importantly the Father is proud that I trust Him to lead my life. 

I share this with you because we all have days, days in which we long for something we don’t have (whether it is a person or a thing).  On those days we have to remind ourselves that we have everything we need.  I may not be able to pick up the phone and call my grandmother, as I desire, BUT I am able to call out to the Father and tell Him my heart’s desire and through the Holy Spirit, He speaks and He comforts.  He even uses individuals to smile and brighten your day or say something funny which lightens your mood.  He uses circumstances, events and people to bless His children.  So while my heart aches, I have peace and I know the Father loves me.  The Father loves me so much that He shared my grandmother with the world for 83 years and that gives me peace.

May you, too, find peace through the Father on those rough days.

kRBz

My Everything

Recently, I ventured out to participate in a contest and I had to answer the following question -
How/When did Jesus become my everything?

While, I believe I decide daily to make Jesus my everything, there are moments along the journey of my relationship with Christ that the Holy Spirit reminds of the greatness of the Father.  These are the greatest, most life-altering moments.  Moments when I come face to face with real love.  Love that knows no limits, exceeds all boundaries, overcomes obstacles, removes any doubts, and has no end -- that is some serious love.  Although, the Father's love is evident everyday of my life, there are times when His love simply blows my mind.  After experiencing this love my desire is to keep the Father my center, He is my everything.

I do believe the more we recognize these Father-love moments is the more we want them to be a continual part of our lives.  The more we make the Father an integral part of who we are, is the more we can mirror His love to others.  Oh, to know the Father's love...

Please check out the the video I submitted for the 'Everything' book trailer that addresses this very topic. You can pre-order the book by clicking here

Live Your Life

I read an interesting article today that sparked a question I would like for you to ponder.  First, the article I read stated the following – 

Use of antidepressant drugs has soared nearly 400% since 1988, making the medication the most frequently used by people ages 18-44, areport from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows.  Eleven percent of Americans ages 12 years andolder took antidepressants during the 2005-08 study period, the authors write.They add that though the majority of antidepressants were taken to treatdepression, the drugs also can be used for anxiety disorders and otherconditions.

So my question to you today is - If there is really a pill that can make you happy, then why are so many people angry and sad? Think about that for a moment.  As readily available as various drugs are, that can ‘alter’ one’s chemical balance, you would think the world would be a happy place.  Fortunately, the world is not able to provide what can only be given by the All-Sufficient One.  The One who is More than Enough.  The One Who Gives Peace, Love, and Joy in Abundance, without the need of co-pay.  The One Whose Life was the deductible to our insurance policy, paid in full.  

Yes, temporary satisfaction can be found in drugs, alcohol, sex, and money; however, if you are looking for something long term look to the Father – who is the author AND the finisher of our faith.  Only He can provide us with a peace that goes beyond comprehension, as we keep our thoughts toward Him.  His love is everlasting and never fails, name a lover who can claim that and then PROVE it?  Money may get us the cars, the houses, the clothes and pay the bills but it will not guarantee eternal life or even satisfaction in this life.  

Life has a way taking you through twists and turns, leaps and bounds, and highs and lows.  It is one thing to take that ride without a safety harness and another to take it wrapped in the safety of the Omnipotent One.  When the stresses of life get heavy take a walk and look at the beauty of God’s creation.  There are benefits to exercise and healthy eating, explore them.  But more importantly, know that a Christ-centered life has renewed purpose -- so pursue Him.

kRb

Let's Love

I know it is easy to make assumptions about others and their situations.  We can easily stand back and say, “I woulda’ did this and I woulda’ handled things like that.”  But the truth of the matter is you may not have.  We all have a road that we must walk which leads us to the cross.  For some the road is straight forward, for others it’s a rocky road with many curves and twists, even trails and dead ends.  Who are we to judge those roads, especially when it ultimately leads to Christ.  [Isn’t that the goal?]

Yea, the human side of us questions, “How could they do that?” but Christ says, “Love.”  There is no stipulation on that command to love.  We are not to love only those who look like us, act like us, and have walked the same road as us.  According to John 13 verses 34 and 35 ‘we are to love one another: just as Christ has loved us. By this all people will know that we are His disciples, if we have love for one another.’  When we extend love, it leaves no room for our crass judgment and unnecessary analyzation; rather it opens the door for grace and mercy to be ushered in and hope extended.  

My prayer today is that our hearts will love, even when our minds can’t comprehend.  May we experience and share the love of Christ, though it is too great to fully understand, so we will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 

Let’s love!

kRb

An Urgent Call

Have you ever been waiting to receive a call, constantly looking at your phone to see if you missed it…? 

Well, God is calling us, seeking to give us more.  He wants us to have more of Him.  We don’t have to keep checking because He calls to us daily.  However, many are missing the call - some by choice, others out of fear and many because life is way too loud.  One thing we have to realize about the call to Christ is it doesn’t go away.  There will always be a nudging on our heart to draw us closer to Christ.  He always wants more for us.  He doesn’t want us to become complacent with where we are because His plans for us far exceeds what our minds can comprehend.   

The greatest call we could ever answer, is the call to Christ.  Don’t let the pounding of the pavement as we chase success, the screams of directives as we seek to please people or self-imposed deafness be the reason we miss the great call.

This is an urgent call; our very life depends on our answering…daily.

kRb

What are You Looking For...

Never look to things and/or people to give you what only the true and living God can.  You will only end up frustrated, irritated and aggravated.  “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” Matthew 6:33 NLT.  

This scripture wasn’t thrown into the bible as a page-filler rather it is ‘instruction and promise.’   We are instructed to seek the kingdom of God and live righteously and He will give us everything we need.  As we seek God we find all that we need along the way.  

One can chase success, at the expense of love; search for love and miss happiness; or pursue money and never gain peace.  Yet, in this passage we are promised that if we SEEK the kingdom of God above ALL else, and live righteously He will give us everything we need.  What person do you know who can make such a GRAND promise and keep it?  Let us stop pursuing things that don’t matter and seek God first.  As we make Christ the center of all we do, we will begin to find the love, joy, peace, hope, health, provision, opportunity, balance… that we are longing for just waiting with our name on it. 

 

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns but when you have a promise such as the one given in Matthew 6:33 it gives ‘cushion’ for these bumps.  All that we need can be found, as we seek God’s kingdom, not attention from people or status and acclaim, rather the creator of heaven and earth. 

kRb

Hope in a Hopeless Place...

I just read an article about a seven year old boy who hung himself.  While, that knowledge alone is reason enough to make you ‘wanna holla’ he hung himself because he was ‘depressed about his parents separation, being bullied at school and picked on for being the only boy in a home of eight females.’  The fact that this seven year old CHILD felt as if he had no hope, breaks my heart.  He felt as though he had no reason to go on and he could not see past his current circumstance toward the hope that lay ahead of him. 

How often do we become so consumed by our present condition that we take drastic measures without looking ahead?  How many times do we let the burdens of life weigh us down so heavily we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel? 

In this post I will not get caught up in asking questions because there are far too many that can be asked; however, I will use this post to tell you this  – Regardless of what you are faced with today, THERE IS HOPE! 

Picture me standing in your face, with my hand on my hip saying, “Don’t you dare give up! There is hope for you, yet!  Hold on!! Help is on the way!”

In response I am sure you are saying, “But you don’t understand…”

Admittedly, I may not know your situation first hand but I do know the feeling of helplessness.  I understand the agony of despair and feeling as if all hope was gone.  I know what it is like to cry, what I wanted to be my last tears.  But more importantly I know the joy of finding hope in a hopeless place and that is why I can stand in your face with my shoulders squared and my eyes on you and say, “There IS hope!”

“Where?” you ask --> In Christ Jesus, He is the hope of glory.

Now, wait a minute before you tune me out, hear me out. 

There is a cry for love and hope throughout the world that can only be answered at the foot of the cross.  The cross is where the greatest example of love was shown and hope was given.  It was through this seemingly hopeless and helpless situation that Christ proved Himself to be the strongest.  And it is through your situation and your trust in Christ that you will find yourself to be the strongest.  Trust Him. 

In my moment of desperation, I cried out, “Father, I cannot do this.  You have got to help me!”  Tell, Him the same thing.  Ask God to show you the hope which lies in Christ Jesus.  Remind Him of His promise to never leave you nor forsake you.  Ask Him to come into your heart and take control of your life because right now things are out of control.  Give Him the opportunity to show you He loves you and wants His best for you. He never fails.  Then, tell yourself to ‘be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of (whatever you are dealing with), for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 

To know you are now on a team where the coach never fails, that’s your hope.  Now go WIN!

kRb