A Holy Pursuit

Everyone’s got their goals for the new year. #firstdayoftherestofmylife style, right? I’ve got a few goals for myself, too. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with working towards something, as long as you’re not setting yourself up for failure. I am hoping to lose a little of my tummy and gain a little arm muscle before my brother’s wedding in April (in which I am a bridesmaid and I want to shriek with delight every time I think of it!). I am hoping to spend time in the Word every day. I am hoping to declutter and organize my life a bit. And PB (Pastor Bryan) and I are hoping to buy a home of our own this year. Talk about a major goal. This one gives me a little anxiety sometimes, but it also brings a whole lot of excitement and intrigue as I think about plans for wall colors, a gallery wall, a new bed (all PB wants to accomplish this year is the purchase of a king size bed for my sleeping calisthenics, haha!), creating a little garden, and just organizing my own space. I get...

Have you ever tried something new and thought to yourself, Why haven’t I been doing this forever?! That’s exactly how I felt this weekend. Bryan and I went to his family’s cottage in eastern Ohio and I absolutely fell in love with something I know I’ll be doing a lot more of now. But let me start from the beginning. It all started this past June when I was supposed to be going on a mission trip with our high school students to Nashville. However, at the last minute my plans changed and instead I spent the week with my family in Indiana after the passing of my uncle. It was a blessed week, although tough, and when Bryan and I were reunited he brought me a pair of Nike trail running shoes from the Nike outlet store in Nashville. I had a couple chances to wear them recently on some “trails”, but the trails in downtown Columbus cannot compare to the trails at the Nass cottage on the lake. So Bryan and I spent Friday night and all day Saturday at the cottage. We kayaked watchi...

This morning as I was perusing Facebook I came across a clip of Ronda Rousey fighting. Whoever had posted it expressed how great she was and my curiosity was peaked. However, after a couple seconds of watching Rousey literally demolish her opponent with face punches and grappling, then finishing her off by dislocating her arm, I couldn’t handle any more. After watching that video I couldn’t help but think of the general loss of human dignity in our culture. Not convinced? Allow me. A few weeks ago a young man I know made a comment along the lines of, “If you’re going to dress like a whore, don’t be surprised when you’re treated like one.” Now, this comment wasn’t directed at me, but this young man, who considers himself a Christ follower, was offering this very derogatory comment to a young lady who apparently dresses without much dignity for herself. So he was determining to treat her with little dignity, as well. Here’s another example: As I was driving home from church toda...

Friends, today it’s lemon infused water that I am sipping on, and it is so clean, crisp, and refreshing. It tastes like summer even when all the rainy weather has me wondering if we’re stuck in eternal spring. Regardless, you know what else is refreshing? This month’s promise! My soul is basking in the truth and promise contained in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5-6. No, I’m not all ambitious and tackling two promises this month. This promise is found in both the Old and New Testaments. I think it’s so cool that what is said in the Old Testament is often reiterated in the New Testament, further proving its value and significance. So anyway, the text in Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” In this passage Moses is speaking to the Israelites and specifically Joshua, as Joshua is preparing to take over for Moses. These words come as much needed encour...

Friends, I want to be honest with you in two areas here. First, I did not have tea or coffee today. Nope. Instead I made a clean chocolate shake and I enjoyed every last drop of it. Second, I have come to the end of this school/ministry year feeling rather exhausted. The trials seem to be a bit relentless and the joy sometimes seems to be a bit lacking. Those are the very reasons that this month’s promise is so refreshing and encouraging to my soul, and I hope it is for you, too. Galatians 6:9-10 holds the precious promise we’ll be looking at today. It says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith”. So let’s break this verse down. First, we are commanded to not grow weary of doing good. Easy for them to say, you might be thinking, right? They don’t have your family, or your coworkers, or your thankless job. I b...

Alright, friends, confession time for me. You know how some people say they have a sweet tooth, symbolizing a desire for candy and desserts? Well I am absolutely convinced that I have a whole mouthful of sweet teeth. All I know is that my often insatiable desire for sweets can’t be caused by just one tooth. It’s often an overpowering temptation for me to gorge myself on sugar and sweet foods, in order to try to satisfy that sweet tooth (or teeth). However, I have come to realize that eating a cookie or a brownie or ice-cream does not satisfy my desire for sugar, instead it seems to intensify the urge and I continue wanting more. I have learned that I have to really watch my sugar temptation or I will allow myself to give in far too often. I find that the same is true for many other temptations. We think that giving in to one little thing won’t be a big deal, but before we know it, that temptation has given way to more temptation and more sin and more destruction, and we have a muc...

Ok guys, I have to admit, I just caved from my normal tea routine and grabbed a decaf coffee. It just sounded so yummy. Even though it’s gorgeous outside, although a little dreary, I was sitting at my computer shivering and needed a little something to warm me up. This coffee is doing just the trick. As I was considering which promise to share this month, one in particular jumped out at me. Maybe because it’s underlined in bold in my Bible, but I think it’s mostly because the Lord knows I need to dwell on the Truth of this verse every day of my life. This particular passage is also a favorite of my family of origin. My parents have had a plaque with this verse hanging in their living room for quite some time. It has a picture of a majestic eagle soaring above the earth. Any guesses on the verse I’m talking about? If you guessed Isaiah 40:29-31 you are absolutely right. It contains such a pertinent promise to those desiring to live a victorious life in Christ. “He gives power to ...