Be still my soul

Be still, my soul: The Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain
Be still, my soul: Thy best, Thy heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Be still, my soul:
The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them
While He dwelt below….

Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

Not my writing, but its whats on my heart.

Africa

These are homes we visited in Africa……have we had our coffee today?

Freedom

When I was 20 I was just beginning to understand this walk with Christ. I spent a summer in Daytona on the beach for a thing called Beach Project. It was an intense 8 weeks of growing and learning how to share your faith. I was still very young in my faith, so like most of us I was very zealous and a huge sponge that soaked everything up. I remember being at a grocery store with a girl who was about my age, but was a leader on this trip.  She said she wanted to talk to me about something that she notice and felt she should bring it to my attention. She began to tell me that God had spoken to her about my sarcastic humor, and that I needed to know that it was a sin. At first I questioned her and told her that God knows my heart. He knows I am just playing. Right? I dont really remember the rest of the conversation, but I do remember believing her and leaving in tears. It began two conflicts in me. First, that who I was was not acceptable to God. Secondly, that God spoke to others, about me, before He spoke to me, or in other words He was a gossip. It took alot of grace and time to realize that this girl was wrong.  I say all that to say this,  scripture teaches that we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (phil:2:12b),but if you read the next verse it also says, “ For it is God who is working in you (enabling you) both to will and to act for His good purpose.”  Don’t misunderstand me I am all for accountability, but accountability comes through relationships. Convicting others is not our responsibility it is the Holy Spirits’. We who are mature have to be careful with how we handle a novice.( Read Rom. 14:1-12) We also must remember that, ”It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1) ”   I am happy to say that I am grateful for my sarcastic humor!

 

Who is the Judge?

Teacher: “Who is the Judge?”

Students: “God is the Judge.”

Teacher: “Why is He the Judge?”

Students: “Because He decides who wins and who looses.”

Teacher: “Who is your opponent?”

Students: “He doesn’t exist.”

-The Great Debaters (movie)

I think of this when life is throwing curve balls. In the end only GOD decides.