When in doubt...

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When in doubt...

When in doubt, don’t look to the world to figure it out, go deeper into God’s Word where you won’t be tossed about.

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about quite a bit lately. You too, huh? Bouts of pensiveness among the craziness of this past year and a half? Even the strongest among us have, at some point, doubted something — doubted the statistics, doubted the science, doubted the mandates, doubted the motives. We may have even doubted God.

Honestly, the thing that has me bothered most as I ponder it all, is the fact that in today’s culture, doubting God is praised, while questioning the motives of man is condemned. Seems a little backward to me, but that’s just typical of this wayward society. Why are we allowed (and even encouraged) to doubt a holy, perfect, righteous God, but we are not allowed to (and extremely discouraged if we) question corrupt, flawed, sinful human beings?

So many have not only questioned their sanity, they’re questioning their faith and many are literally jumping ship as they dive head first into a sea of doubt. I believe this sea of doubt is made up of torrent waves of progressivism, deconstruction, reconstruction, and other forms of evolutionary faith — faith that is fluid and fickle, not foundational and factual. Any faith that is fluid will not hold fast in times of trial. Swimming in this sea of doubt is dangerous and destructive, and it will destroy anyone who lets this doubt consume them.

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. ~ Ephesians 4:14

But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ~ James 1:6

When you choose to swim in a sea of doubt, you will be tossed about. The waters in this sea are dark and deep. There is no anchor of truth to steady you. There is no lifeboat of proof to rescue you. There is no lighthouse of hope to guide you.

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abide.

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abide.

abide. My one word for 2021. I’ve been studying it closely for the past two years, but it only took me a couple days to decide that in 2021 (and beyond) this is where I want to stay. Safe and secure in Him.

abide. Honestly, the mere thought of focusing on this one word throughout this new year brings peace to my troubled heart. There’s no magic formula in picking one word for the year, and believe me there is no power in the word itself, but oh is there power in the Word of God to help us live it out no matter what this year brings about!

{a little aside, and then back to abide... vision was my one word for 2020. Seemed appropriate, right?!? Well, I can tell you now, on the other side of 2020, hindsight truly is 20/20. In a year of so much chaos and confusion, God’s Word, His Truth, His Way has never been clearer. Life Giving Gospel Truth calling me to be brave as I simply stay and abide...}

abide. A small word that silently screams “be still,” yet harnesses so much power and potential. I want abiding to be more than a topic of study, I long for it to be a new rhythm — a pace I’ll learn to embrace as God continues to embrace me. He holds me fast. I stay. He leads. I follow. He speaks. I listen. He prompts. I obey.

abide. The very structure of the word personifies its meaning — symmetrical and seeming to flow rhythmically through the ups and downs of vowel, consonant, vowel, consonant, and vowel. The long “i” — longing to stay planted, rooted, and established in the very center of the word (much like I long to stay planted, rooted, and established in the very center of God’s will. That little letter — safe and secure in that little word — cushioned by the “b” and “d,” as if God is whispering, “I’ve got you. I’m holding you there.”

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His Ever Present Light is Greater Than This Present Darkness

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His Ever Present Light is Greater Than This Present Darkness

This. Present. Darkness.

I heard these three words strung together as Chelsey, the host of the Living with Less Podcast quoted verse 12 of Ephesians 6 in the English Standard Version. This verse is found in the passage of scripture that explains what the armor of God is and why we, as Christians, should take up this armor every single day.

When I heard Chelsey say these words, and read them again in God’s Word, it reminded me of a book I read years ago when I first started walking with the Lord. The book, This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti, is a fictional allegory that sheds light on a spiritual reality. There’s a reason God gives us His armor. We are at war with the forces of evil. Light vs Dark. Good vs Evil. God vs Satan.

The sole purpose of the armor of God is to battle THIS PRESENT DARKNESS.

THIS. As in “This” right here, not “that” over there. It is right in front of us. It is creeping up behind us, and it is all around us seeking to devour us. It is THIS present darkness. This one here, up close and personal. Not “that” one, way over there, far away, staying at bay.

PRESENT. As in present, not absent. It is here and accounted for. It is not missing in action, on leave, or excused. It is PRESENT. It is also PRESENT. As in present tense, not past or future tense (although it was present then and will be until the end). It is PRESENT. Right here and right now.

DARKNESS. As in pure evil. Vile. I think there’s a reason evil and vile are made up of the same letters. It doesn’t matter how you try to change it, rearrange it, or explain it, evil is evil, vile is vile, and both are wicked and sick and lead to destruction and death.

I’ve been thinking about this present darkness quite a bit lately. I know that probably seems pretty morbid, but I think my mind goes there because this darkness is so evidently here. THIS DARKNESS is PRESENTLY PRESENT. Here and now. Not a thing of the past or a future threat. And it is trying to not only dim the Light, but to diminish it altogether.

Yes, the presence of darkness is all around us, and this present darkness is trying to confound us.

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In the War of Words, it's Time for A Better Word

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In the War of Words, it's Time for A Better Word

Are you weary from the war of words in today’s world? Are you confused by the chaos in the words you read and hear (and maybe even repeat and share) from so many news sources and popular opinions? Are you saddened (and sometimes sickened) by the downward spiral these words start in your heart and the vicious cycle they perpetuate in your mind?

Me, too. So, ya know what? I’m at war against them. I’d love to have you join me in battle.

The war that’s waging in our heads and hearts (and in the world at large) is not a war we can fight with weak words, because it’s not a battle against flesh and blood...

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

And in order to battle this “war of words” and defeat the ones that twist & turn the truth and confuse & confound the confident, we must use different words, better words. We must wield THE ONLY WORD, because other words must yield to God’s Word.

God’s Word speaks A BETTER WORD.

DO YOU KNOW THAT BETTER WORD?

Does it ring true in your heart among ideologies that try to influence it?

Does it hold steady in spite of the opinions that try to confuse it?

Does it stand defiant against the condemnation that tries to persuade it?

Does it speak confidently over the lies that try to silence it?

God’s Word is the BETTER WORD. “The precious blood of Christ speaks a BETTER WORD.” The Gospel Truth is the BEST WORD, and praise God, it’s THE FINAL WORD.

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Advent: Restful Anticipating, not Stressful Waiting

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Advent: Restful Anticipating, not Stressful Waiting

Advent 2020 is upon us, and I don’t know about you, but it’s about time 2020 gives us some good news, even if that good news is not necessarily new news since we revisit this familiar story at this time every year, and even if that good news is not necessarily new news since it has been told for over two millennia.

It may not be new news, but it is the Good News, and that is the best news indeed! The Gospel began with a journey, not just a journey to Bethlehem, but a journey to introduce us to Him — that babe in a manger who would become our Savior invites us into that journey with Him.

Regardless of when you first heard this good news, it is never too early or too late to start waiting in hope by observing Advent. To me, that’s what Advent really is — anticipating the most amazing gift that’s ALREADY BEEN GIVEN. Seems like an oxymoron — waiting for something you already have, but that is exactly why…

Advent is restful anticipating, not stressful waiting.

It’s probably a good thing we revisit this story each year, because I, for one, need the reminder. As a mom of boys, more specifically, as mom of four boys, and now, as mom of four teenage boys, I can assure you that over the years my approach to advent didn’t always invite restful anticipating, but rather incited stressful waiting.

In my attempt to manufacture a meaningful journey to the manger for our family each year, I’d try to find the perfect devotional, the perfect activity, the perfect craft, the perfect resource. Oftentimes, in my search for the perfect Advent experience, I’d forget to search for the Savior, the babe in the manager, perfection Himself. I’d miss the meaning altogether, because I was too busy making it about me and my family, when it is not about me and my family, it’s all about Him and becoming part of His family.

Even still, I am thankful for the years I spent struggling through Advent, because honestly, it was in the struggle the meaning and message came alive in my heart. The struggle refined my motives for teaching my boys the meaning and message. I realized it was better caught than taught. Better lived than learned.

Until Advent invited restful anticipating in my own heart, I would continue to incite stressful waiting in the hearts of others.

So, what does restful anticipating even look like? I’m glad you asked!

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Chew the Meat, Spit Out the Bones. Sound Advice or a Dangerous Lie?

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Chew the Meat, Spit Out the Bones. Sound Advice or a Dangerous Lie?

You may be able to chew the meat and spit out the bones, but you can’t chew the meat and spit out the poison.

Maybe you’ve heard part or all of this clever expression, and while it may be quite clever, it’s also rather concerning.

I‘ve actually heard it quoted a couple times recently, once during a conversation between Allie Beth Stuckey and Dr. Neil Shenvi, and Dr. Shenvi’s addition of the poison component resonated so very deeply in my troubled heart.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the seeming innocence of the first part of this expression in juxtaposition to the dangerous toxicity of the latter half.

In light of the many false narratives circulating among our culture and the false gospels creeping into our churches, I’m feeling an urge to call it out — not to stir the pot, but to stir your heart.

What “gospel” are you reading? And who are you believing? Are you listening and learning out of guilt? Are you being convinced your very moral foundation must be rebuilt?

There are a lot of new ideologies floating around out there, with seemingly innocent and somewhat good messages, but the truth of the matter is, there is only one truth that matters — the Gospel Truth.

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In a Year of Curve Balls, Free Falls, and Duty Calls, We need to Align with the True Plumb Line

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In a Year of Curve Balls, Free Falls, and Duty Calls, We need to Align with the True Plumb Line

Oh 2020, you’ve been full of curve balls, free falls, and duty calls.

Curve balls that have consisted of cancelations, closures, and the craziness covid invited into our daily lives.

Free falls that have felt a bit out of control and left us not knowing how to pull the cord, when to open the chute, or where we should land.

Duty calls. We’ve voted so our voice could be heard. We’ve prayed so His voice would be the final word.

We’ve questioned our sanity. But even that doesn’t change reality. 2 + 2 = 4. Always and forever. When things in our world aren’t quite adding up, it’s time to get back to the basics (because it’s highly probable someone’s been skewing the equations)...

Gospel Truth through the lens of a Biblical Worldview. He died once. For all. Sin divides us. Jesus unites us.

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Love what God Loves. Hate what He Hates. Do what He says. Walk in His Ways.

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Love what God Loves. Hate what He Hates. Do what He says. Walk in His Ways.

Love what God loves. Hate what He hates. Do what He says. Walk in His ways.

Love is not love outside of Love Himself. God is love. (1 John 4:8)

We can try as we might to rewrite these truths to better fit our culture, but truth is truth. God is God, and He is love.

Love and Truth do not exist without Him. They exist because of Him.

He has commanded us to love from the beginning. It is not a new concept. There are no new rules to follow.

He hasn’t changed His standard. He hasn’t edited His Word to make it more culturally relevant.

Church, we must stop allowing the world to tell us how to love. We must stop allowing the lies and deception of the world to replace the truth of God’s Word.

It’s dangerous. It’s deception at it’s finest, and God will have no part in it.

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Our Words to Him are More Powerful than our Words to Them.

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Our Words to Him are More Powerful than our Words to Them.

I hate even implying that there’s an “us” and “them,” but it seems to be true everywhere we turn — politically, socially, and even spiritually.

But lest you believe all hope is lost, let me assure you, it is not. The key is to recognize the real enemy and turn our fight against him, not them.

The Gospel of Jesus offers hope that frees us — frees us from being “us” and “them” as it reconciles us all to Him — all who believe and receive His free gift of salvation.

My broken heart longs for true reconciliation and restoration in this broken world, but I know the only way that mend will be sustainable is if we are first reconciled to God and restored back to a right relationship with Him. His unchangeability has the supernatural ability to change us sincerely, so our hearts can long for true unity.

Just because there’s a “them,” God continues to remind me “they” are not the enemy. “They” are merely the ones who just disagree with me. The enemy is the enemy, and fighting him through prayer is the only way to victory.

Victory over our real enemy is the key. We’re not going to achieve perfect unity as we try to mesh conflicting ideologies. A self-centered, worldly ideology will not enhance a Christ-centered Biblical theology.

Perfect unity is for Eternity and can only be achieved through embracing the grace in the victory that took place for you and me — the victory Jesus won by defeating death to give us life. The most effective way to fight from that position of victory is to continually fight this battle on our knees.

So when emotions are high, and the words wanna fly because they’ve been brewin’ and you‘re ‘bout ready to spew them...

Remember these wise words from His Word...

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The WEIGHT of the WAIT: An Election Eve Reflection

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The WEIGHT of the WAIT: An Election Eve Reflection

Well, I don’t know about you, but I will surely be glad when this election is over. Don’t get me wrong, it is an important election, and I feel very passionate about the platforms, policies, and personalities that are on the ballot, but regardless of the outcome, my hope will always remain in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. He will forever sit on the throne, regardless of who sits in the White House.

Waiting for anything carries a weight we can’t quite explain.

But the weight I‘ve felt lately is more than a heaviness of waiting on the results of an election. It’s more of a heaviness of waiting on Heaven. A weight in the wait that burdens the heart and troubles the mind, while simultaneously offering a yoke that is light and a peace that passes all understanding. When we wrestle with that weight in the natural, we find chaos and confusion, but when we surrender that weight to a supernatural God, we find rest, peace, and hope in knowing He is in control even when this world spins out of control.

The weight of the wait tells only part of the story. When we wait for Heaven, we experience the weight of glory.

“Now, if we are made for heaven, the desire for our proper place will be already in us, but not yet attached to the true object, and will even appear as the rival of that object […] If a transtemporal, transfinite good is our real destiny, then any other good on which our desire fixes must be in some degree fallacious, must bear at best only a symbolical relation to what will truly satisfy.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

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Disparity is Not a Rarity Because Our Humanity Disrupts Our Unity.

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Disparity is Not a Rarity Because Our Humanity Disrupts Our Unity.

Disparity is not a rarity among the children of God, because our humanity continually disrupts our unity this side of eternity.

Sanctification, not unification, is the work of the Gospel.

Unity is for eternity.

In Ecclesiastes, the wise King Solomon reminds us “there is nothing new under the sun.”

We’ve always dealt with disparity in the Church — differences that stem from our inferences within. We read, we reason, we respond, and, inevitably our response differs from those who have also read, reasoned, and responded.

Why is that?!? And why can this age old problem not be solved by the timeless truth of the Word of God?

When God’s infinite wisdom and timeless truths are entrusted to the finite reasoning and limited understanding of mere mortals and immoral people, disparity is inevitable.

And yet, we can still praise God because no matter how much we disagree, and how wearying that can be, it is not new, and He will always see us through, because He is still the God who is making all things new. We must cling to Him, His Word, and His truth.

Disparity is not a rarity.

But God’s Word gives us clarity.

And His love is greater than our disparity.

“Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.” ~ Ecclesiastes‬ ‭1:8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Nothing is new “under the sun” (or shall we say “in this world”). Worldly wisdom is meaningless, but Godly wisdom settles for nothing less than His holiness and righteousness.

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A Battle Cry

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A Battle Cry

We the People who are the Body of Christ

It’s time to fight for what is right.

It’s time to let love win by covering a multitude of sin.

I’m feeling a little William Wallace-ish today. No, I am not going to paint my face blue, but I am going to share my heart with you.

After much prayer and many tears, I have written and rewritten what God’s Word, His Truth, His Voice has been stirring in my heart about a call to love, but I must warn you, it is not a gushy, mushy kind of love, and it definitely does not agree with the world’s kind of love.

It’s a God kind of love. A love that lays it all on the line kind of love. A love that does not shy away from the truth kind of love. Because any other kind of love is not love at all. Any other kind of love will not last. It will eventually fall.

And that, dear friends, is what has my heart so stirred. I fear we are falling, and falling fast, because the love we are displaying is a love that will not last.

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Just because the woke have spoke doesn’t mean we have to obey everything they say.

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Just because the woke have spoke doesn’t mean we have to obey everything they say.

Since when has a social movement based on a new ideology been more enlightened or had more to offer than a Biblical way of life based on timeless truths?

The Bible. The very Word of God — breathed by Him, penned by men, given to us as promises to trust.

It’s foundational.

It’s relational.

It’s alive and active.

It will shake us and wake us until it completely remakes us.

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The Word is more than enough when the world is just too much.

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The Word is more than enough when the world is just too much.

God keeps dropping this little reminder in my heart to silence the conflicting messages that are incessantly vying for my attention and trying to change my Biblical worldview — a view that has been defined and refined by the very Word of God. It is a perspective that continually points me to His promises, and it is built upon a truth that is consistently absolute, undeniable, and indisputable.

If you share in this Biblical worldview by professing faith in Jesus Christ, these conflicting messages may be trying to distract and deter you, too.

Even though we hold fast to the very Word of God, still “false narratives” or “other gospels” that seem somewhat Biblical, but are built upon half truths, can easily shift our focus from the Ultimate Authority and Absolute Truth of the Bible by tugging on our heart strings and pulling us toward a worldly version of the truth, subjective in its solution, falling short in its execution, just like we all fall short of the glory of God.

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