Soul Restoration

How are things with your soul? Not sure? Just like your body, your soul can become depleted, tired, overwhelmed and have the life drained from it. That is not what God intended. He desires for you to have a soul full of light, love, peace and rest. Much like a home restoration, your soul may be in need of restoration, repair, and refreshing. 

God is the lover and restorer of souls. He alone turns dark to light, chaos to calm, and despair to love. Perhaps you need a total soul makeover. Has it been a while since you let God in to clear away the cobwebs, break down the walls, remove the old damage and created a fresh and glowing place where you and He can unite and rest?

Ask God in! Say, "Father God, I need you. Thank you for restoring my soul and for sending the Holy Spirit in to wipe away the old and Jesus Christ to create in me the new."

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides quiet waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23:1-2

Scared Encounters

Photo Credit: Casie Steelehttps://www.facebook.com/SteeleaPeekPhotography/

These days, frustrating encounters are all too familiar. You know, they are the encounters where you are mumbling under your breath, shaking your head in disbelief and telling yourself to just be calm, let it go, and take a breath. It may happen in traffic, with an inconsiderate individual at work or a relative that reacts emotionally to something you innocently said. Hopefully, the number of frustrating encounters you experience is lower by far than those of sacred encounters.

Sacred encounters are interactions that touch your heart and soul on a deeper level. It’s a melting of two spirits for what may be a short time, and even so you are amazed, knowing something incredibly powerful just occurred. They are the moments spent being so present and real with someone you actually lose track of time. It’s meeting a total stranger and feeling incredibly familiar and comfortable, as though you have known them your entire life. The encounters you experience where love replaces fear, erases shame, or transcends differences are sacred encounters.You walk away from the encounter changed, moved and a better person as a result. 

Sacred encounter are not to be taken for granted. They are ordained magnificent gifts tied up in a bow of awe. They leave you knowing they were deliberately designed for a purpose by God himself.
This Thanksgiving, remember to give praise to God for the sacred encounters you have experienced, and for the ones he will provide to you in the days to come.

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 
Colossians 3:17

Door Watcher

As a child, I often would sneak downstairs once everyone was asleep to check that our front door was locked. It might have been a result of having had our home broken into once while we were out on a short visit that caused me to do this. All I know is that I secretly became the family door watcher, a role I still play to this day.

The truth is, God is our Door Watcher. He in his supernatural power and wisdom keeps watch over all the doors of our life. He knows which ones to open to allow blessings, opportunity, and perfect circumstances. He know which doors to shut and does so in love with purpose and care. 

God never leaves his post as Door Watcher. He wants what is best for your life. He will act to protect you and do what will be best even when you can't quite see the reason. 

You may not always agree with God's door decisions and be disappointed when he closes one that you prayed to be or remain open. Still, in the long run, looking back over your life you will be better able to understand God's door decisions. His fingerprints are all over the door knobs that opened the way for your journey and those that kept you from experiencing less than your purpose. 

"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name."  Revelation 3:8

What's Ahead

Photo Credit Deborah Duerr

Down the road a bit, just passed the horizon lies the entrance to tomorrow. It's waiting there for you! Experiences, challenges, heartfelt moments and even some promises reside there. You can't exactly see what's ahead nor can you get a sense of what's in store, still it's perched right there waiting to welcome you.

Not knowing what's ahead may cause you to be curious or even anxious. Will tomorrow bring clear skies or will it be stormy? Will the day go smoothly or be sprinkled with interruptions, frustration and delays? Who will you encountered there and what will be the interaction? What lies ahead is really a big question mark. 

In all of this there is one thing for certain. When you get to tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, Jesus Christ will still be on the throne. His love for you will continue. He will still be fighting your battles for you, cheering you on, and providing everything you need exactly when you need it. There will be people and situations that will be in your path that God has set their for your good. His plan for your life will unfold and you will have His grace, strength and spirit to lead you through. 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Pick Up Your Mat and Go Home

Many years ago, I heard my now favorite Bible story in Mark 2:1-12. It literally changed my life. The story is about a paralyzed man. His friends go to great lengths to get him in front of Jesus to be healed. They remove a roof and lower him on a stretcher right in front of Jesus in the middle of a crowded house, with no standing room to accommodate them. Imagine having friends that are so committed to you they stop at nothing to get you to Christ? Maybe you do. Perhaps you are a Christian because you had a friend just like that. 

The story though, is more than about amazing friends. The story touched me because Jesus gave instructions to a man that was paralyzed that He gives to you and me. "Pick up your mat and go home." Don't let this world and all the chaos and challenges paralyze you. You may have the weight of the world weighing you down, keeping you from moving forward, causing you to be stuck or paralyzed. You may have given up trying and quit moving forward. You are not alone. Like the man in the story, you have a friend in Jesus. He is your answer. 

Whatever is causing you to be stuck, dismayed, feeling hopeless, and unable to move ahead is removed when you trust Christ. Get up! Pick up whatever is keeping you down, roll it up, put it away and go forward in Jesus. 

“I tell you, stand up, pick up your mat, and go home.” Mark 2:11