Stop Biting Your Nails

Something I have struggled with my entire life. Driven by a racetrack mind that rivals the Daytona 500. In the last year alone stress and anxiety consumed my thought life. Bombarding my brain with questions like “What’s going to happen with my job? How am I going to provide for a family of four on my income alone? How can I care for a new baby at my age?” I recognize my issues are real and can’t simply be dismissed. But did they have a right to exalt themselves above the promises of God? Did they have any business taking first place and priority in my mind? Absolutely not.

Slowly over time the snares of worry and anxiety enslaved me. I walked around dazed, checked-out, and deflated. My family and relationships unfairly suffered the wrath of my attitude and quick temper. Even worse, my passion and intimacy with Jesus turned ice cold. Instead of declaring truth and speaking the Word of God over my life I allowed the cares of this world (Mark 4:19) to rob me.

Thankfully, Jesus waited patiently (as usual) for me to bring ALL of it to the cross. Holy Spirit said “Enough is enough. It’s time to cast your burdens on Him (1 Peter 5:7). He is faithful to forgive and pour out His peace over you in exchange for the weight on your shoulders.”

That’s exactly what I did. Tension in my chest released and I inhaled a giant breath of fresh air. Balance and joy was restored. Through that experience I was reminded to cast my worries and burdens on Him DAILY. Not weekly, monthly or yearly.

If worry, anxiety and stress have enslaved you too let me encourage you to bring it ALL to the cross. Jesus will do for you the same He did for me. Look to the hope promised in scriptures like Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 3:20. We are victorious in Jesus name!

How Does God Feel About Violence?

According to Psalm 11:5 The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. Another translation says His soul hates. Gulp…That’s a very serious warning when God, who is Love, hates.

I know so much focus has been on gun violence lately. Gun violence IS a horrible thing. But violence has no preference for the tool it uses to accomplish its will. Be it a van, an airplane, a gas chamber, a fist, the list is endless. History has told the ugly story of the atrocities human beings have committed against each other. So how is it that our country has seemingly been plagued with so much violence lately? Let’s read what the bible says in 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

Unfortunately, as the love of Jesus continues to get pushed out of America the level of violence (and intensity) will continue to rise. So how do we as the Body of Christ bring peace in a world of violence? By living our lives according to Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

We are called to change our culture and to bring light to the darkness. The only hope of the world is Jesus.

I Am Not ____ Enough

I recently prayed alongside a group of high school students who poured out their hearts in desperation for a friend who attempted suicide. She was in critical condition from her injuries. We believed for a radical miracle and recovery. Sadly, a few days later she was gone.

Her story is one of way too many. Kids, youth and adults alike are believing the lie that they are not good enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough, not fill in the blank enough. These are lies from the pit of hell and in complete opposition to the Word of God. We’ve all experienced pain in life. Even the great King David wasn’t immune to it. In Psalm 6:6-7 he said “I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. My eye wastes away because of grief…” But in his trouble he recognized who could deliver him. He knew his only hope was to cast his cares and burdens on God.

Our country and culture is bound by a spirit of depression and suicide. Not knowing where our value and identity comes from leaves gaping holes in peoples’ self-worth. Only Jesus assigns value and worth. All of the world’s promises fall short of that. Thankfully, we can find courage and hope in the promises of God that are always faithful and true. If you are struggling don’t remain isolated and alone. Reach out to someone who can walk through it with you. If you know of someone who is struggling, don’t stand idly by. Fight for them and be an encouragement and light.

“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 The Message

Broken Heart for a Hurting Nation

Like many, my heart hurts from so much tragedy surrounding us. But heartache will continue to stack up in this country as we continue to reject the love of Jesus and kick Him out of our lives.  Why do we try to silence the only one who can help us? 

Religion can't save us. Politics can't save us.  Technology and more knowledge can't save us.

The only hope of the world is Jesus Christ.

The Great Physician

Jesus showed us through His miracles of healing incurable diseases, that He can also heal the seemingly incurable matters of the heart.

“Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Mark 2:17