What we forget is that our neighbors surround us in our daily rhythms – trips to the coffee shop, the grocery store, church, school...everywhere. Usually the most annoying and persistent presences in our lives are those whom God is calling us to serve. May God open our eyes this week to truly see our neighbors. Who are they? What do they need? And how will He help us show them His love?

At first, these words took me off guard, because rarely do we humans think about our children doing horrible things. But then the Christlikeness of that statement hit me hard. Isn’t this exactly how God feels toward us? Listening to the emotion in this man’s voice as he spoke, I realized how God must feel when we continue to doubt His love and push it aside due to guilt or shame.

There is beauty waiting to unfold in your life. As you journey through your grief, trust that your heart will heal over time, and that hope will emerge from the shadows. You are loved, you are seen, and your story is not over... it's just another starting point. Embrace the moments of joy, however small they may seem, and carry the hope that brighter days lie ahead.

You and I were created for relationship. Created by a Loving Heavenly Father who desires a relationship with us and in whom all our desires are met…

Today, we use the phrase “stay in your own lane,” or “keep your eyes on your own paper,” to remind ourselves that life is not a competition. But in moments of frustration, do my eyes lift to God?

I had gone into the woods hoping to hear from God, but I think He was delighted for the opportunity I had to simply be with Him. The best kinds of relationships in life are not transactional. Sadly, I have a tendency to treat my relationship with God as if it was. The best and most intimate relationships are ones that don't require an agenda, or an outcome. God keeps gently reminding me that he didn't save me just so that I could serve him (although that is part of it). He saved me simply because He loves me and He wants me to be with him...Today, tomorrow and for the rest of eternity.

The longer we know someone, the more likely we are to be hurt or irritated by them. It is inevitable. However, as Christians we are called to keep each other accountable and help each other grow.

This story reminded me that it's not our job to change people. That's God's job. He simply sends us to love people so they can come to know the Fathers love through us. God has perfectly and generously loved you and me so that we can generously share his love with others in word and deed.

We see it in Jesus' life too, momentarily breaking for prayer. But that could be a whole another post so we won't get into that today. Whether it be in a moment of confusion and breaking for a moment to ask for wisdom, a moment of frustration and breaking for a moment to ask for patience, whatever it may be - let us break and send up arrow prayers. We need Thee every moment Lord! May our prayer lives be a reflection of that.

C.S. Lewis is credited with what I think is one of the greatest quotes on humility. He says, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less”. This posture of “self forgetfulness” is one that I pray God helps me embody. As we engage with people in our neighborhoods, homes, schools, churches, and places of work I pray the Holy Spirit would help us to forget about ourselves and genuinely say “God,please use me. I'm here first and foremost for you and then for others.”

I pray that the peace of Christ takes the throne in my heart, and that every word, action, and thought will then flow through that peace. As long as Christ’s peace dictates my expressions, I can remain calm and confident that God will work through any conflict for my good.

Remember, the Lord commands Israel. Oh wandering Israel, quick to forget what the Lord has done! But, oh wandering church, quick to forget what the Lord has done! Be careful, lest in your financial success, your honor student son or daughter, your promotion at work, your "healthy" marriage - be careful not to forget the Lord your God!

Paul is clear that he didn't just share the good news message and move on, He actually loved the Thessalonians enough to share his very life with them. After reading this verse again, I was reminded that the gospel which means “good news” is not cheap news. It cost Jesus his life and I believe in most cases, when we share it with others it should coincide with sharing our lives with them as well.

I need to be washed by the cleansing blood of Christ, I cannot be clean on my own, just like River cannot! It's as simple as coming to God, admitting you're a sinner, asking for forgiveness and believing Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead. It's not about "doing all the right things," it's about putting your faith in the only one who could, Jesus. Come, and be clean!

If we truly want to be used by God, we need to be willing to answer his call at a moment's notice. Oftentimes we must be willing to let our schedule's be interrupted, our tasks be put off, our "me time" infringed upon.

We can’t live for God without God. We can’t put ourselves in auto-drive mode, and call it good. Our need for God’s help is obvious in the cross. We might be able to land that trick perfectly off that new rail, but we can’t truly perform up to God’s standard of perfection with our whole life. We know this because Jesus had to die. His death proves our flaws and brokenness – but it also proves His love that He would die WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS (Romans 5:8).