Even our tears of repentance have to be washed in the blood of Jesus.
Tears of Repentance
Even our tears of repentance have to be washed in the blood of Jesus.
Tag Archives: Jesus
Self Love Vs. God’s Love
The problem is not lack of love for ourselves. The problem is lack of belief in God’s love for us.
Paul’s Last Words
What do you want your epitaph to say? Have you ever thought about it? If not, I’d suggest that you do. The way we learn how to live our best life is by thinking from the perspective of death. What do you want said about the summation of your life? Once you decide this, it will define how you live today.
Here is what Paul wanted us to remember about his life, according to Acts Chapter 20. I think it’s a prime example of the way we ought to live in order that one day, we too, might look into the eyes of the Creator of the Universe and hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant…” (Matthew 25:21)
1. I have been faithful to do what Jesus told me to do. (v. 24)
2. I told the truth. (v. 20, 27)
3. I directed people’s attention towards Jesus and not towards me. (v. 19)
4. I finished Strong. (v. 24)
5. I gave more than I took. (v. 33, 35)
If you die tomorrow, what will your epitaph say? Think about it.
An Amazing Story of Facebook and God Colliding
This past weekend, I received an amazing message from my 10th grade History teacher. I hadn’t spoken to him in almost ten years when he reached out to me on Facebook this past weekend. See his message below.
I remember years ago, being in his class and feeling called to write him a note of encouragement. I never heard from him about the note that year, so I assumed it didn’t mean much to him and frankly, as time went on, I forgot about it. Little did I know, God had plans for this note that were far greater than I could have hoped at the time.
This is an amazing testimony to why we must answer God’s calling at the moment we hear it, whether or not we can foresee any positive results. His timing is perfect!
Here was my response…
God is No Thing
Everything on Earth is composed of opposites. We relate to the world through contrasts. Scientists call this The Unity of Opposites.
Just think of nature. Day and night, light and darkness, hot and cold…
Or your daily life. Gain and loss, pleasure and pain, good and bad, and so on.
Nothing has no opposites.
Except God. God is No Thing.
The Bible
The Bible is like a caged lion.
If someone is attacking the lion, don’t try to defend it…
Just unlock the cage.
If God were small enough to be understood, He would not be big enough to be worshipped.
Who’s Your Daddy?
When you know Who your Daddy is, it gives you courage and strength.
Not in your ability or who you are, but in His, and who He is.
Identity in Your Idols
What do you find your identity in?
If you want to know, just ask yourself, “What am I most afraid of losing?”
In the answer, you’ll find your idol. In that idol, you find your identity.
Just Know That You Are Loved – My Personal Encounter with an Angel
Two years ago today, on the worst day of my life, I had my first encounter with an angel, at the baggage claim of the RDU airport.
I stood alone, completely wiped out and broken, waiting for my bag to come around on the conveyor belt. There were a few other people waiting for their bags there as well, not many but a few. After about two minutes, my feet could no longer support the dead weight of my body and I sat down on a nearby bench. A young man, I’d guess my age or younger, came and sat down next to me.
“Excuse me,” he interrupted my empty, swollen stare, “Are you okay?” Hardly able to even turn to face him, I nod my head and mutter back, “Yea I’m fine.” My body language was screaming, “LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!” but he persisted. “It isn’t a death, is it?”
“No,” I snap back, justifying my lie with his increasingly annoying invasiveness.
“Okay, well I just wanted to say, I was in love with this girl for many years and we were happily together. I wanted to be engaged and when I asked her to marry me, she said ‘no’ and we broke up. I know it’s not the same…” he continued, despite my lack of response cues, “…but it hurt like hell.”
I managed to look him dead in the eyes this time, “It’s not the same,” I growled, my eyes piercing into him.
Looking forward, I spotted my large, brown, leather suitcase coming around the belt. One of the only ones left. I began to stand up and head towards my bag when the guy said, “Well, here,” as he handed me a 2-dollar bill, “just know that you are loved.”
I hadn’t intended to take the 2-dollar bill but there it was in my hand as I grabbed my bag from the conveyor belt. Dropping the heavy piece of luggage to the ground, I looked up to see my mom running towards me. I gave her a huge hug, momentarily allowing myself to collapse in her arms.
But wait, I wondered aloud, “Where did that guy go?”
“What guy?” my mom replied.
“The guy who just handed me this,” I waved the 2-dollar bill for her to see.
“I didn’t see any guys around, Sweetie. I saw you standing here by yourself. That’s why I came running over.”
In bewilderment, mixed with the still heavy shock of the day’s event, I stumbled towards my mom’s car, “Hmm…” I thought to myself, “Well, that was strange.”
Two years ago today, I lost my best friend in a tragic accident. He wasn’t far from me that day and he’s still as close as ever now.
My angel, I miss you.