Because of God’s great love for us he sent his son Jesus Christ into a broken world to take sin and death upon himself so that we could have a new and greater life. A life in relationship with Him. This life begins today and goes beyond our time here on earth into an eternity spent with our Maker. Because of the love of Christ I have HOPE- hope for Chris, hope for you, hope for me and anyone who calls on the name of Jesus...Because even in death, a life hidden in Christ can never be taken away.

We glorify God when we claim our identity in Him, and call upon him in times of need! When life gets hard, straightening my crown and calling out to my Father should be my first instinct, not my last.

I believe God, in his grace, allows us to fall so that we are reminded that we don't have it all together and we still need His grace, forgiveness, healing, and instruction. This reminder makes me thankful for Jesus, who took the fall for me when he was beaten, mocked, and scorned while he hung on a cross for my sins.

God does not call us to be perfect, He calls us to surrender. When we surrender and give Him our hearts, He will do the work in us to help us overcome our sin. But we are human, so we will always fall short therefore let us always remember that His mercies are new every morning.

I can say without question, when you begin to share your faith with others, you will grow deeper in your faith in Christ. It's important to note that God doesn't ask us to share with others what we ourselves don't already know or have. Many times our issue is not that we don't know enough, it's that we are not willing to live out what we already know with those around us.

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.