chase grace

Ever have those moments where you are browsing Pinterest before bed and a pin catches your eye that makes all the delicious looking deserts, dyi projects, and makeup tutorials seem incredibly pointless in that moment?

There is a lesson to be learned here, and that is that Jesus is on Pinterest!!! Just kidding, but in all seriousness, it never ceases to amaze and dazzle me in the ways the Lord captures my attention sometimes.

As I was killing time, trying to fall asleep, a very plain post caught my eye that simply said, "chase grace".  I was reminded of 2 Corinthians 12: 9 which says, "My grace is sufficient for you..."

Whatever you are facing-be it good, bad, crazy, or ugly, my encouragement to you tonight is to chase grace. A sweet friend of mine back in Texas, constantly poured into me with the encouragement of bestowing grace upon grace...and then grace upon more grace, because that is what Christ constantly pours out on us. In the midst of my worst day, He is showering me with grace. On my best day, that grace is more than enough for me. When I feel distant, dry, and alone, I am reminded it is His grace that draws me in, quenches my thirst, and sustains my every need.

Chase grace friend, and watch as the power of that grace upon grace begins to do more than you could ask or imagine [Ephesians 3:20].

breaking point

My dad always said, "Be a kid as long as you can, you have to be an adult the rest of your life."

As a kid I was in such a hurry to grow up. By the time I was ten, I was counting down the days (literally) until I was thirteen, because that seemed like the "it" age. Then the big 1-3 hit and I was counting down the days until I was sixteen...because hello, you can't drive anything other than a go-cart at thirteen. Sixteen came, and once again I was looking forward to eighteen and college. Once in college, all I wanted was to have my dream job with a cute apartment and a dog.

With college behind me and a degree in tow, I think I am qualified to say, BEING AN ADULT IS THE HARDEST AND MOST EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE.Why? Because when crap happens, you have to act like an adult, when you really just want to ultimate punch whoever or whatever is wrecking shop on your life, right smack dab in the face (just being honest). When bills come in, you can't ask mom and dad for money. When you see a that outfit that your just dying to have, but then become overwhelmingly aware that your refrigerator is empty, and for that matter so is your stomach, the money you were going to spend on the outfit, is now being spent on bananas, Raman, and yogurt.

Now I will be honest, my post college career is in its baby stages, but this morning I broke. No need to go through all the details, but know that as I was cleaning my bathroom to take my mind off of things, I found myself on the bathroom floor.

Throughout Scripture, we read the phrase, "Be strong...". I'd like to think I have a "be strong" mentality, but sometimes even those who think they are strong minded break.

As I sat on my bathroom floor mistaking a Clorox wipe for a Kleenex, I began crying out loud:
"I don't understand God! I don't understand why it's one thing after another!"
"I know that you have a plan in all of this, I do, but right now this REALLY SUCKS, and I could use a break because I'm breaking and don't know how much longer I can hold it together."

All at once the tears stopped.

We are familiar with the phrase found in Scripture that says, "Be strong..." But we forget the next part which reads, "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." [Joshua 1:9]

Friend, life is hard. Life hurts and stings at times. There will be moments when you fill as though you can't catch a break, but He is with you--in the midst of the hardness, hurts, and stings, He is with you.

He says in Jeremiah 31:3, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." and follows this declaration with verse 25, "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."

Whatever is going on in your life that has you at your breaking point, know that He is there and doesn't plan on going anywhere any time soon. He has a purpose and a plan for what is taking place in your life right now. I know it is hard to see, but take courage in the  fact that His best is yet to come and when it arrives, what a glorious day that will be!

the peter in us all

Peter.

One of the more “popular” of the twelve disciples. In scripture we see him go from a fisher of…fish, to a fisher of men. We witness Peter doing the impossible- walking on water [Matthew 14:22-29]. We hear his bold confession of who Jesus Christ is [Mark 8:27-30]. As we read in scripture of the events that take place in Peter’s life while doing ministry with Jesus, we begin to hold him in pretty high regard. I mean, he had been a part of some incredible miracles performed by Christ, had come to love Christ with boldness, and had done what no man had done before…WALKED ON WATER. He was doing so well, and then does the unthinkable- he denies Christ [Luke 22:54-62]. He denied the one who he watched perform those miracles, the one who he declared as THE Christ, the one who called him out onto the water. I can’t imagine what emotions were racing through Peter upon hearing the rooster crow [Luke 22:61-62] hours before Christ was crucified.  

What I love about Peter is his impulsiveness. Some might view that as a negative thing, but to me, I see it as a relatable thing. I can’t relate to doing miracles or walking on water, I can however, relate to declaring Christ as THE Christ and then when tested denying him in the same breath and being consumed with shame afterwards-telling myself I won’t let it happen again.


In my quiet time this morning, I was reminded of Peter’s impulsiveness again. While walking on water, declaring Christ as the Son of God, cutting a total stranger’s ear off, and denying Jesus are many of the events of Peter’s life that we may be familiar with, John 21:1-17 is one that we, I believe, should become more acquainted with and we may find that we can relate to.

Up to this point in the book of John, Jesus has been crucified [John 19:28-37], He was raised from the dead [John 20:1-9], and has appeared to multiple people-Mary Magdalene [John 20:16-18], the disciples minus Thomas [John 20:19:22], and then the disciples and Thomas [John 20:24-30].

What a whirlwind of a couple of days! For me, it is the epitome of an emotional rollercoaster. Watching someone I have spent the last three years of my life with and come to love dearly be brutally put to death. Grieving over the loss of that person, while being terrified that my life would be next -only to find out that I’m grieving for nothing as I stand in an empty tomb. Then as I am swimming in confusion, trying to figure out where the body is, the person I watched crucified and buried all of the sudden appears before me asking for something to eat. I can’t even….

Can you imagine how Peter must have been feeling? Happy. Terrified. Happy. Sad. Over-joyed. Ashamed. Trying to bask in the moment of having Jesus back in his life, only to be overwhelmingly reminded of the fact that he denied him after swearing that he would never do such a thing.

Read John 21:1-17.

Peter’s impulsiveness takes over. The fact that he and those with him just caught an outrageous number of fish isn’t even on his radar.

He sees his Lord standing on the shore, doesn’t think twice [John 21:12b] and jumps feet first, and swims with such desperation and determination, that I’m not sure Michael Phelps could have kept up with him. But let’s pause for a second and take in the irony of this story. It is the second time Peter has been on a boat and stepped out onto the water and made his way towards Christ. The only difference between the first time and now is he was not beckoned to come out of the boat-he just heard the other disciples say, “It is the Lord!” [John 21:7] and knew where the Lord was he wanted to be also even if it was literally a few feet away.

But then the story gets better…

Beginning in verse 15, we read of what I consider the most relatable aspect of Peter’s relationship with Christ. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loved him. Peter immediately answers each time, “YES!” and Jesus’ response was the same, “Feed my sheep.” It’s in this conversation that Jesus reinstates Peter. Peter had done the impossible and the unthinkable, and yet Christ’s plan for using him to make a tremendous kingdom impact never changed. The same is true for us.

We are impulsive. We experience moments of boldness and great courage, but are still prone to doing the exact opposite, like Peter. I love the quote by C.S. Lewis which says, “Take courage dear heart”, the Lord is not done with you after your first, second, or third short coming. He has great plans for you [Jeremiah 29:11] and wants to use you, just like Peter, to feed his sheep.

significance

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine and I went to a worship service in the downtown Dallas area. She had been telling me about how great the worship and messages were, so I figured I would go and see for myself. She was right.

The people were warm and inviting. The worship was on point, and so was the message. Mind you, it has been several weeks since my visit, but one of the speakers main points is still fresh on my mind. He made a statement that I didn't think much of at first, but afterwards carried such depth and weight. He pointed out that, "the significance of the cross died with those who witnessed the cross".

Let that marinate in your mind for a minute.

In biblical times, the cross held great significance. It was a symbol of cruel and unusual torture. It was associated with criminals. It shook people to their core, and as a result they did what they could to avoid it.

The cross, in biblical days, was the equivalent to an electric chair. It was that terrifying.

The significance of the cross died with those who witnessed the cross.

How drastically different does our own culture view the cross? Think about it. I know I have dozens of crosses hanging on the walls in my apartment. I'm wearing a ring with a cross on it. Stores sell cross jewelry, decorations, and clothing with crosses decals in the plenty.

If someone from Jesus' day were to see the mass production of cross in our society today, it would be like seeing millions of electric chairs on display-all day everyday.

Those who witnessed the cross saw with their own eyes how brutal, degrading, and agonizing the cross was to those who unfortunate enough to be sentenced to its punishment. Today we walk around with bedazzled crosses on the backs of our jeans. Since when does the cross belong on our pockets?

The significance of the cross died with those who witnessed the cross.

As spring arrives, so does Easter. With Easter comes eggs, bunnies, chocolate, and yes, crosses. We place crosses in our yards, we decorate our homes with crosses, and wear that favorite cross necklace to go with our new Easter dress.

The cross isn't a decoration. It isn't a seasonal ornament. It is significant and has the power to create a ripple effect of change in each of our lives.

One professor stated that, "Peter knew that meditating on the cross would produce a heart of overflowing gratitude to the One who bore so much on our behalf."

1 Peter 2: 24-25
Through Christ's death on the cross, those who turn to Him are delivered from both the penalty and power of sin.

 

What if the significance of the cross was restored in this generation? What if through the body of Christ, people witnessed and experienced the significance of the cross?

 

We are human, and in this life we are going to struggle and suffer. If you are experiencing emotional problems-guilt, anxiety, depression, anger--guess what? There is supernatural healing in the cross.

 

The enemy, Satan, hates the cross with all of his being. It sealed his fate the moment, "It is finished" left Christ's lips. Satan wastes no time in doing all he can to undermine the power and significance of the cross, but don't give him a foothold.

 

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.

 

The cross reveals to us the character of God. The cross highlights his deep love for those who are lost and living in sin, and establishes his perfect justice that was completed in Christ's sacrifice.

 

As we enter into a season of celebrating the victory that was won, and is still winning, on the cross. I challenge you to make the cross significant not just on Easter, but everyday. Live in such a way to reflect the significance of the cross and the One who endured it for you.

 

Philippians 2:8-11
And being found in appearance as a man, he bumbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knew should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

i loved you before 'it is finished'

Since the beginning...
I have loved you.

I knew the things of this world would be tempting, but I valued you more than silver and gold.

I loved despite the 30 pieces of silver.
I knew what this world thought of me and my Father, but I continued to pray for you in the garden.

I loved you before the betrayal.

I knew the accusations that would be made against me.

I loved you before the trials.

I knew what I would face after the trials was going to hurt.

I loved you before the lashes.

I knew the words the crowd would shout at me.

I loved you before the insults.

I knew how the crown would feel.

I loved you before the thorns.

Arms stretch wide, I knew what came next.
I loved you before the nails.
I knew the end was coming, but also the beginning.

I loved you before the cross.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whosoever believes in him, would not perish by have everlasting life." John 3:16

I loved you before 'it is finished'.

I love you still.

"Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." Psalm 36:5

Since the beginning, He loved you and will continue loving you with an everlasting love when He returns.

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He is RISEN!" Luke 24:5

the great american scream machine

One year my family traveled to Georgia to visit my dad's side of the family. I don't remember all the details of that trip due to the fact I was really young, but there is one facet of the trip that is still fresh in my mind to this day-my first roller coaster.

It was a sunny afternoon. Six Flags over Georgia was packed with people. I can remember riding the kiddy rides with my little brother, "driving" cars with my older siblings, and then watching my dad, big brother, and sister all go ride the rides I was to short to go on. There was always a sinking feeling watching them head to the rides I couldn't go on. 

I don't remember whose idea, it was for me to check my height on one particular ride, probably my big brother's, but to our surprise and excitement I just so happened to be tall enough to ride The Great American Scream Machine.

Forrest Gump's mom said, "Life is a box of chocolates, ya never know what you're gonna get." I've always like that saying, but I think life is a lot more like a roller coaster.

While you are preparing to go over that first drop, butterflies of anticipation quickly morph in to dinosaurs of anxiety in the pit of your stomach. As you reach the top you become unequivocally aware of how high you are and far down the ground is. Instantly you wish you hadn't listened to your big brother convincing you to strap yourself into the seat that's fixing to race down the tracks. You wish you could drown out the chants coming from your older siblings in the seats behind you to put your hands in the air. You wish your arms were long enough to reach the bar in front of you so that you could grip something while your poor little life flashes before your eyes. You desperately try to close your eyes, but realize that they have quadrupled in size at the site of the water, no longer solid ground, that is hovering below the ride you are on, and are unable to close them. With each dive towards death, you try to muster up the words, "STOP!" or "GET ME OUT OF HERE!" but all you can manage is, "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" When the ride finally comes to a stop, you sprout wings and fly to your mom so fast and wrap your tiny arms around her leg. Trying to recover from the last terrifying moments of your life you feel yourself begin to contemplate the meaning of life and can't understand why your brother and sister think that the ride was so much fun and keep imitating what you looked like on the ride. 

The Great American Scream Machine lived up to its name. I might have been small, but this ride managed to get a fierce scream out of me.

It wasn't until many years later that I rode another ride. Judge me.

Life is a funny thing. It's like a roller coaster-full of ups and downs, twists and turns. While you can have the time of your life on one, you can also experience fear that hits you hard and fast. Despite the ups and downs we experience in this life, there is one thing that remains constant-God is faithful. 

He's faithful in the ups.

He's faithful in the downs.

He's faithful in the plot twists of life.

He's faithful ALWAYS.

We all experience roller coasters of every make and kind, with outcomes we can't foresee. It is when we have a personal relationship with Christ that we experience the GREATEST ride of our lives. There will still be ups and downs, twists and turns along the way, but rather than experiencing the fear and uncertainty of what lies over the next peak or below the tracks, we are able to sit back and literally enjoy the ride and experience his faithfulness through it all.

"Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast."-Psalms 119:90

one small step, one giant leap of faith

Today was one of those days.You know, the kind that results in you drinking the orange juice straight from the jug. Eating the peanut butter straight from the jar...okay, I'll admit I do that anyway, but you get the point.

Ever been stress paralyzed? You become so overwhelmed with not just a few things in your life, but the sum of everything consuming your life that you literally can't move. Today was that kind of day.

I was told over the summer by a friend that I showed so much self-control and patience when stressful situations occurred. I laughed. While I'd like to think that I can keep it together when things get crazy, the truth is that I am freaking out on the inside-stress paralyzed, but to proud to let it show.

Paralysis seems to set in the hardest when faced with big, hard decisions or when faced with things close to my heart. Combine the two and I begin to literally unravel-drinking orange juice straight from the jug and eating peanut butter straight from the jar, for example.

All I have to say, is the Lord must be cooking up some kind of wonderful, because the unraveling has officially begun.

There are countless stories I have read regarding many who are actually paralyzed. In many of the stories, they could feel, but couldn't move. Sound familiar? Can you feel everything going on around you, yet can't seem to find the strength, the courage, or even the motivation to take that first step to keep moving?

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Proverbs 3:5-6 has, over the years, become one of my favorite pieces of scripture.The words serve as a source of accountability for me in my own life. In stress-paralyzing, unraveling times, these words bring not just feeling back into my life, but also give me the strength, courage and motivation to continually keep moving. When uncertainty looms, this verse pushes me to put one foot in front of the other. To walk by faith and not become overwhelmed just by emotions. 

Choosing to take that first step, despite the unraveling feeling inside, is a declaration that I am confidently and unashamedly trusting in the Lord. Choosing to continually place one foot after another is a declaration that I not only trust in the Lord, but trust in him with all my heart (and my feet). 

Giving the situations and circumstances that drive me to drink the orange juice minus the cup, is hard, but the promise that, "...he will make your paths straight", is well worth it.

While taking that first step may be one small accomplishment for some, it is one giant leap of faith. Trusting in the Lord with all your heart is one of the most difficult, and yet one of the most rewarding acts of faith we can do. If you are like me, sometimes that first step is unbelievably scary, and even the one after that, but its in those steps of faith and trust that the stress paralyzing, unraveling moments begin to fade and the once unclear path you were walking becomes a little more clear. 

So put the orange juice down and the peanut butter away, (yes, I'm talking to myself). Take a deep breath and get moving.