Consider the Lilly

  Hope is the ultimate form of resistance. I'm not sure who to give credit to for the wonderful quote. Doesn't it activate and bubble up inside your entire being when you read a quote like this? 

 God makes purpose from our pasts, even in the hard, bad, ugly, and even in death. He gives us new chapters of new books. The pain was not from God, but he will use it. He will turn it to help for another one of his dear children. You are not done. You are seen. You are heard. You are valued. You are His. Don't throw in the towel. It's not over. The race is not finished. Don't give up now. One more turn, one more hill, Look, can you see it? It's the finish line. Finish hard, finish strong. Finish. Don't look behind you, don't look beside you, focus, focus on me. Don't retreat, don't shrink back, you are anointed to prevail. I'm in the front, I'm with you, I'm guiding you. Grab my hand, child. I see you. You matter.  Possess it. It's yours. It's your inheritance. Your victory is certain.

  There's this quote that has been going around for years now that says, "this is my story, this is my truth". I get it. It makes you feel better being able to share your side of a story or an event. It may help to being you some sort of closure. It may clear your name from some of the people still talking about "what happened". But the truth of the matter is your story is not all truth. I know, that sounds harsh. But the truth is, we have this funny little thing called perspective. And our perspective is formed and changed by our life experiences. Somewhere along the way, our perspectives change and evolve or stay in that constant fight or flight mode. Your story will always be your story. But the truth will be somewhere in between two versions.  

Has God given you something to say to the culture or the church that is not popular? It's tempting when you're scrolling thru social media, reading all the trendy, uplifting posts, and seeing their thousands of followers...it's tempting to dull the sword and dampen the flame. A nd go the more traveled and popular route. But God has not called us to be a VOICE and speak HIS WORDS to a wicked generation that desperately needs it to shy away and not fulfil the call. Don't ever be ashamed of His words. His Words may not always be "cool" right now, but His Words contain life and healing and redemption. His Words ultimately cost Him everything. and they will cost you as well. But His Words also GAVE mankind EVERYTHING. Everything pertaining to life and godliness. Wouldn't it be amazing if just one person came to you and said it's because of what you said that made me turn to Jesus? So fan the flame. Sharpen that sword.  Speak His Words. Frequently. Boldy. Au...

  The garden laid dormant all winter. Here she is now dressed and ready for her splendor. She will be arrayed in greens, golds, reds, and purple. With bursts of yellows, orange, blue and crimson too. Her time is coming. Her season of resting and waiting is coming to an end. Her season is upon her. The garden is a magical place. She tells us all kinds of the Earth's secrets, if we'll just linger and listen. She speaks of a Creator who so loving and faithful, so creative too. Who else could make the flowers? Only the One True. Soon her bounty will be upon us for so many to enjoy. The bounty does not come without sacrifice. Tending her tendrils is also a secret she'll share. Work is not just work when you see and enjoy the fruits of your labor.  Get outside. Get in the sun. Put your hands in the dirt. Plant something. Enjoy it's growth. Enjoy your stretching and growth too.  We planted only a fraction of the garden last weekend but still it stirs hope! Enjoy friends!