Don't Give Up

If you look up Google’s definition of pride it seems like a harmless characteristic to possess. It simply states that pride is a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. What do you think? It doesn’t seem so bad so does it? However our culture has taken pride to an entirely new level. Phrases like “I’m doing me”  are meant to inspire when really they lead you down the wrong path. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines pride as inordinate self-esteem and conceit. Having self pride, pride in our things or even pride in others is pride misplaced. Psalm 10:4 says this “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” In your daily thoughts what are you focusing on? Are you thinking of your net worth, your accomplishments, your children’s accomplishments or are you thinking about the...

I don’t think much else compares to crucifying the flesh like forgiving someone you “think” does not deserve to be forgiven. I know I am not the only one that has been left feeling paralyzed after being done wrong by someone else. Whether it was being betrayed, assaulted, verbally abused, stabbed in the back or something worse - we are still expected to forgive. The bible says so. How? Honestly knowing the how to doesn’t make forgiving any easier. I don’t think Jesus’ death on the cross was easy for Him simply because it was the only way we could all receive forgiveness of our sins. It was something that needed to be done. Pay attention...it needed to be done. Jesus didn’t have to. We don’t have to forgive. We need to forgive. Maybe...just maybe...God instructs us in His Word to forgive or we cannot be forgiven so we can grasp - how ever so slight - the brutal truth of what Jesus did for us. I have been in a place of such anger - an anger that came from a result of betrayal - tha...

Did you know that you don't have to like someone in order to love them? This has been the absolute greatest revelation in my 20 years of ministry. When I finally understood that I could show love without feeling love it was like coming up for air after holding my breath underwater for a very….very….very long time! Feelings are fickle. They change like the wind, or with your hormones or when you don't get your way. They cannot be trusted with something as important as loving someone. God knew this would be something that would be difficult for us to grasp so He made sure to define it in the bible for us.  1 Corinthians 13 is a popular chapter in the bible. We hear it at weddings and on Valentine's Day but this scripture is so much more than just a staple for celebrations. It is the definition of love. I don't know about you but I want to be loved daily not just on special occasions. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it i...

Just like when you go to put your bum in that random chair at your favorite restaurant trusting you won’t fall flat on your bum in the middle of the floor humiliating yourself and whoever you are with...you have to put your faith in God and trust you have put it in the right place and He won’t let you fall. I know...I know...easier said than done...BUT when you look at the amount of faith you put in that piece of wood holding you 2 feet off the ground...doesn’t it make more sense to put even more faith in the ONE that created you??? Imagine that your current trust issue is your bum...stay with me...and the chair is God. Just take that issue and plop it right down on the Lord and leave it there. Boom! If it helps write it down on a sticky note and then stick it to the chair...not the restaurant chair (that’s weird) but a chair in your home. As it sits there resting in place you can imagine putting your faith in God and know that it is resting right where it is supposed to be. Star...

I just love it when I correct my kids and I get that teenage eye roll with a nostril flared deep throated grunt in return. It makes me want to slap them. Same goes with adults! I’m trying to help you here...LOL… Being a minister has its ups but it also has its downs and giving correction to someone who desperately needs it but refuses to accept it...is a major downer! MAJOR! Excuse me...didn’t you come to me for help? Didn’t you ask for my advice? Weren’t you inspired by my message based off of how God saved my marriage by telling me I was controlling, manipulative and selfish? Oh you were? But you were inspired for me...none of that rang true in your current situation...Oh I see… (insert my eye roll with loud throat grunt).  Let me be honest. If you are troubled in an area of your life and you are seeking help...any kind of help...then be open to receive it ~ in whichEVER form God chooses to send it to you! It might hurt, it might be hard to hear, it might mean making som...