Contagious Joy
Jesus calls us to be His “witnesses.” When some Christians hear this word, they worry that they need exceptional skill or charisma in order to share the good news with others. Yet to witness is not to merely speak of the “plan of salvation” to someone. The word literally means to see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception; to testify; bear witness to; give or afford evidence of. When John wrote that he was sharing what he had experienced first-hand, he was saying, “I am full of joy because of the experience of knowing Jesus, and I want to invite you to share in that joy!” When you’re in love with someone, you are excited about the relationship and time spent together. Likewise, when you’re in love with Jesus, you can’t keep to yourself the joy that comes from knowing Him—it just spills over, bearing witness and strengthening other believers. In fact, as you give testimony of who God is and how He’s working in your life, it makes no difference whether you speak quietly or with great exuberance: in their spirit, Christians will pick up on the deep, genuine gladness in your heart that goes beyond natural happiness. And people who don’t yet know the Lord will find themselves hungering for the relationship you have. In that way, they will be drawn to His Spirit in you. Witnessing is not a matter of eloquence or talent. It’s an overflow of the personal relationship with Jesus Christ that is conforming you to His image. As you allow the Holy Spirit to increasingly express His life and power through you, contagious joy will be “fruit” of His indwelling presence.
Hayward Family
The Haywards invited me into their lives for an hour to to write a visual essay of their family! Laine has always been a beautiful example of what a woman after God’s own heart should look like, something I have gratefully admired. Her and Kevin’s love for Christ shines in their son Oliver, as well! After a rough start, (crash landing into the wall), we couldn’t get this kid to stop smiling.
Thank you both for investing in my life. See you at Christmas!
Read the context.
Paul wasn’t saying we should adopt all the practices of our culture, but that we should avoid appearances and behavior that detract from our ultimate goal of being believable witnesses for Jesus Christ while demonstrating our Christian faith.
People watch you and your actions. Don’t be a stumbling block - don’t let anyone question your motives as to why you’re doing something. Are they being led to the Lord or away from Him?
1 Corinthians 10-11
If you don’t believe in God
how can you believe in love?
Go He said,
Until rock gives way to sea, gives way to
Salt and air and the elements all -
Until feet touch land that creaks, melts and sighs.
Rippling, crashing, splitting beneath you,
Its tired arms open to the cold of night -
Everything frozen, everything hushed.
And then, with eyes at rest, look closely.
Closer.
Closer still.
And in that moment, you will find me -
Indeed you will see.
Lovely words
Epitome
Ricochet
Bourgeoisie
Tango
Espionage
Camaraderie
Razzmatazz
Rubbish
Petite
Et cetera
Rendezvous
Mesozoic
Panini
Massage
Onomatopoeia
Indubitably
Presto
Voilà
Christ is not my priority
rather my identity
hallelujah
All I have is Christ.
Hallelujah
Jesus is my life.
Faith is not something you simply muster.
If you can simply muster it, then it’s yours and you can own it and you can walk with a swagger. But since you can’t muster it, since it’s not yours to just turn on and turn off, you’re dependent on God so that when He grants it the glory is His. There is no such thing as an arrogant Christian who understands Biblically what being a Christian is. Those two things cannot grow in the same dish. It’s an impossibility. By grace you are saved through faith, and even faith to believe in that grace is given to you by God so that none of you can boast. Faith is given by God. So what does that mean? If you keep coming back and you don’t know why, if you’re drawn and you want faith but you don’t know why it won’t turn on for you, you’re being wooed. You’re being wooed by the God of the universe. He’s wooing you. So here’s what I would encourage. Breathe, stop being so frustrated, keep pressing in, keep asking your questions and dive a little bit deeper.
Matt Chandler
the logic of the world makes sense
but if Jesus would have followed that type of logic, he wouldn’t have gone to the cross.
Instead of following that logic, God said, ‘you know, I’m going to show them a love they’ve never seen before. Even though they’re offending me like crazy right now, instead, I’m going to love them! Not only that, I’m going to show them the greatest love ever. I’m going to demonstrate, put on display, I’m going to send my own son down there. I’m going to let them torture him. Spit on him. I’m going to let them nail my son to a cross.’
That’s not a logical type of love. That’s a supernatural, sacrificing, suffering love. It’s a crazy love. God’s love for me was absolutely insane. He didn’t think about what was fair, he just loved loved loved.
Be an image bearer of Christ.
Colossians 3:1-2 (the message)
So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ - that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.
you satisfy me with your love
and all I have in You is more than enough.
in pursuit of God
What a blessing to stand at midnight on the corner of holly and cornwall and get real with my brothers and sister in Christ. How encouraging to share testimonies - highlighting our faults and how God has proven himself faithful as the intercessor for our sins. How wonderful to confide in fellow believers. How incredible to hand out slices of leftover pizza to Bellingham’s homeless community. How lovely to love! How radical to be in pursuit of God in fellowship with one another.
God, keep us on fire.
mom butts + muffin tops
$3 vintage dresses + 3 wonderful ladies.
You
To be like You is what I want, Lord
To love like You is what I ask for
You are what I’m longing for
‘Cause at the end of the day, this is what will remain…
You.
