Like any restoration, our spiritual renewal can be slow and arduous and it can uncover things that we wish we didn't have to deal with. But I’ve also found, as God restores me into the person he’s created me to be, I feel the weight of my own brokenness being lifted off of me and I can honestly say, “Thank you Jesus, you are worth it”.

Just because our bodies want something, or our hearts long for something, just because something feels good or happens at what we deem the right time, we still need to go to God for wisdom and discernment.

God's nature is not transactional, it’s relational. It’s out of intimacy with our Heavenly Father that He empowers us to do His work. Intimacy with God precedes ministry, not the other way around.

No matter how "good" or "necessary" the task, if it is not done from a heart of worship and thanksgiving to God, it becomes idolatrous very quickly. It becomes worship of productivity or self or others - the list goes on.

If you've put your faith in Christ, you are the sheep of His pasture. It isn't greener in any other pasture! He made you and you are His. His pasture is full of abundance.

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.

We have a God who teaches and reminds us of His goodness through His creation and through the adventures we take! How cool is that? When we live life looking for God in everything around us, we see His truths covering over the entirety of it.

Although, we have hosted our last meal at this point. We’re so amazed by the connections God has created through these times as well as how He will continue to use this service in future seasons.

As followers of Jesus, hospitality means making space in and outside of our homes not only for close friends and family, but also for the outsider, stranger, the non-believer and the skeptic. Jesus set the ultimate example of hospitality for us by giving up his home in heaven, so we could be brought home to our heavenly Father.

Gratitude being a joy in itself is not a thought that had crossed my mind before, but I couldn't agree more. Every day is full of blessings both big and small. Life, breath, food, clothing, shelter, people, beauty…..Praise God! When we express gratitude to God for his blessings it's like we get to experience joy again! Gratitude brings God glory but it is also for our good!

As we head into this new year, let us remember the birth of Christ and consider it in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. God is with us. We do not need to understand the mystery. We just need to give thanks & trust.

Be Encouraged! God is using you in people, in places and in ways that you are not even aware of. Keep demonstrating and declaring the love of Jesus and let him use you to build his Kingdom in ways both seen and unseen!

Jesus was willing to courageously leave the ultimate comfort zone(heaven) and endure the hardships of humanity and ultimately death, all because he loves you...Let that sink in...The gospel of Jesus is not a message of fear or avoidance of pain, it's one of love and sacrifice. I encourage you to live in light of that gospel. How is God calling you to sacrifice your comfort for the love of others this week?

He reminds me of God's love for that child. God's desire for that child to know Him. He does not grumble, although he could list many reasons if he wanted to. THAT is why we do what we do. That is why my husband has worked for years unpaid or part time and has been so committed. Because he loves God and His children! He is passionate and called to sharing about Him with others. This patience, love and grace Nathan has is through the Holy Spirit working in him.

Stories are the most powerful form of communication we have. They captivate our emotions, imaginations and intellect. They build community and have the power to impact our very soul. This isn't just a coincidence... It's by design. We were made by a great Storyteller to take part in and share the greatest story ever told.

As you seek to bear the image of your Creator, I pray that His love for you in Jesus is your greatest inspiration. Remember, you can't reflect him adequately on your own, and he doesn't ask you to! He gives us his Spirit to bear witness to his glory, to lead us into all truth and to transform us into the image of His Son.

In those moments when our anger, frustration or annoyance starts to rise, I pray we can recognize it, but quickly turn to repentance. Then, upon repentance, the joy of being reunited with God and the sin between us removed, would overwhelm and replace any and all of our previous feelings. Lord, help us to have a soft heart that desires to be reunited with You!

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.

By story we share what God has done, whether it be the story of our salvation or of His working in our day to day life. In this sharing we tell of both our struggles and triumphs, things others face each day, and how God has redeemed, is redeeming, or will redeem it. So, tell your story and use it as a bridge to lead into HIS story, the GREATEST story of all time, the story of a Father who loved us so much He sent His Son for our salvation.

We call to remembrance. It seems so simple, yet it impacts our faith more than we often realize and is a practice we need to incorporate more in our lives. Whether it be stopping for a moment in frenzy and anxiety to recall what God has done, placing physical reminders around your house to remember what God has done, putting on a worship song or audio bible to have what God has done spoken over you, ect. - we need to do these things.