Very Much Alive

Updated: 9/14/15

I have a ton of posts started in my head and on my heart. Some of them are even dividing out into separate bubbles on paper. BUT they are almost too big to flesh out with so little time. Each time I try, I wind up stuck. I guess that it's not his time yet.

In a different stroke, I've come across several small verses lately that make me want to stop and just share it right then. So, I think that I will start trying something new. :)

Here is the one for this morning:

Don't you just love that?!  

As NEW creations, we need to remind ourselves of Jesus. [Reading the word, meditating later.]

His death. His life. The power [and why] behind both. 

He lived to spread the word of God. He died so that the Holy Spirit could live within us and give us power. After giving our own lives to Christ, we receive power that includes: courage, boldness, confidence, insight, ability and authority.

Reflecting on him will renew our strength so that we can withstand temptation. Pausing to consider his choice will also help us decide when we are also faced with our own decisions, reactions and emotions.

Let me share this another way...

The next time that you are tempted to say, "Well, I am only human..." remember that Jesus was also human. We have the same power available to us that he had available to him. Living in Christ doesn't mean that we are no longer tempted or that we no longer have "bad days." It doesn't even mean that we don't have the same feelings that we used to have. 

This passage reminds us that we [and our fleshly side of us] is still VERY MUCH ALIVE. But we CHOOSE to give that part of ourselves over to the one that has already redeemed us because HE IS STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE as well!

And IF we have been redeemed and IF we can be redeemed again in the next two minutes and again after that, shouldn't we be JOYFUL and FULL OF PRAISE and THANKSGIVING. Thus, reflecting all that is new within us?!?!

Thankfully, there is no “IF” in what Christ can do! Let go of your old self this morning. His newness starts right now! What a cause to celebrate! Hallelujah!

Prayer: God I thank you for your wondrous works and the power that you extend to me. Show me how to let YOU be the one that LIVES in my life! If I slip, help me die to the moment of condemnation. So that I can continue in the new life and promise(s) that you never stop extending. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of the goodness that you bring forth! <3

Verse: We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. -2 Corinthians 4:10-11

Tuesday Challenge #31 | Glory to God

This Week's Challenge: Figure out how to work God into at least one conversation each day this week. If you already do this, hooray, now find a way to up it a level. ;) 

If you're not used to doing this, it might feel awkward at first. You might even find that as soon as you get the opportunity to do it, the conversation is over. Don't let the Devil condemn you for that. There will be another conversation.  If you're not sure how to start it, you can talk about this challenge and let it pave the way.

It always helps to pray first and ask to keep your ears open for the opportunity. The verse below is a great one to include in that prayer!

This week's verse: Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. -Psalm 51:15

Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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Tuesday Challenge #30 | Free Style

This Week's Challenge is free style! There's probably something that you've been wanting to try in order to deepen your faith. Or maybe there has been a little nudging to make a change to something that you're already doing now. Well here's your opportunity. Knock it out or at least get that ball rolling!

If you don't have an idea, please spend some time in prayer to come up with something or scroll back through our previous challenges.

This week's verse: Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people. - Exodus 33:13

Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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Tuesday Challenge #29 | Memorization

This Week's Challenge: 

1. Watch this

2. Memorize this week's verse.

If you'd like to continue other memorization projects after this one, check out these from Established Footsteps Ministries or search online.


This week's verse: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. -Psalm 119:11

Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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Tuesday Challenge #28 | Bible Reading Plan

This Week's Challenge: 

If you want to start reading the bible but you're not sure where or how to start. Check out this link from Rachel Wojo. There are many types of reading plans and she lists a few great ones right here!

This week's verse: 

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. - Psalm 1:1-2

Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

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In his presence

This morning I hear Jackson waking and he calls from upstairs. Usually, I hear "Momma come and get me." This morning it is something different. I can't understand what he's saying and so I ask him to repeat himself. He complies but I still can't make out the words.

I walk slowly up the stairs into the darkness, fully prepared to collect him and bring him back down. When I make it to the top, I ask him what he needs, pretending as if I don't know. He returns a long drawn out "nu-u-uffin." He pauses and then says, "Can you do me a favor?" Surprised by his request I say "Sure son, what is it?" He replies with "Lay with me for a few minutes." I chuckle at his cleverness.

Part of me wants to talk him into coming back down with me so that I can continue what I was doing. Instead, I crawl into bed and find him between the mounds of blankets and pillows. As I lay my head down, I feel his arm sweep me into a sloppy headlock. His way of knowing if and when I try to escape. haha. As much as I love being with him, something else calls... Still it does my heart good to stop, wait and touch him. I note the details of his skin and shape and size. Although I can't see him.

Even at this early hour, I am humored at the God-incidence of his timing. As it turns out, I am actually playing hookie today to go to the beach alone. -It's the first time I've done so in years. I've taken the day off before plenty of times but I usually fill it with errands, chores or a more controlled chaos. Some recent events are making me -forcing me to come to a screeching halt.

In this moment, I recognize that a similar reward awaits my willingness to submit again later in the day.

The tasks downstairs are just one of those ways that I cling to my Jesus while I search for answers. Fervently reading scripture trying to stuff every nook and cranny with his word, a hint, a moment of prayer. ...In every drop of quiet time that I have. I want nothing more in my life than to be the Godly, faith-filled woman [wife, mother, daughter, etc.] that he designed.

Challenging myself with NEW and MORE- It's as much something that I love and can't get enough of as it is maybe an obsession. Just as the work of it calls me from being still with my son. It competes for the time that I actually spend resting with our Father. Because while he calls me to be still, I am filling the stillness.

A day at the beach doing nothing seems so wasteful when there are so many things that need doing while I am able. I think of books I can read, posts to finish, lists to write and letters to send. Then I remind myself that my only assignment today is not having assignments.

Fast forward

I go to the beach and collect shells. I admire clouds and practice floating while listening to the sound of the ocean floor. Back on the sand, I allow myself to doze without worry. To my surprise, I am never bored or restless. I flinch at all of the things that work might disguise or invite to tag along.

I think about building faith. Learning to focusing on "anything good" and replacing old habits with new ones like prayer, study, service and meditation. But holding so fast that we cling to them. It reminds me of being white knuckled on a roller coaster as a child. I gripped the bar to keep from sliding. Sometimes we "cling to Jesus" or the rituals that lead us to him because we're afraid we might return to old habits or places; Or for the fear that if we let go it may lead us to stagnation.

Yet even as all of those things are good, holy and fruitful. They cannot replace the time we actually spend with him. The truth in that sentiment keeps surfacing but I just keep sweeping it aside. A pile accumulates like a dune of sand or a mound in the darkness. It blocks my view and makes finding him similar to my earlier experience with my son. I know he's here and I hear him calling. But I-

...am worn out.

I fall to my knees. One by one, my elbows crawl into the sand, stretching out into a position of stillness. Finally prostrate. I have surrendered. It is then that I realize when I cling to him so tightly; I never let go so that I can trust whether or not he's the one that's really holding me.

My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. -Psalm 63:8

Tuesday Challenge #27 | Worship

I listened a new preacher this week. Jeff Maness from Element Church. He gave a great sermon on Worship. It is based of the Chapters 17-20 of 2 Chronicles when Jehoshaphat sent his men into battle against the Moabites and Ammonites. I don't want to give his message away but I needed to write the notes down and well what better way to document them than here.

His point was that God doesn't need our worship but we need what God does in our worship!

There are four reasons why:

1. He unites his people.
2. He ushers his presence, meaning that he descends when we lift up.
3. He unveils his promises.
4. He unleashes his power.

Your challenge this week is to listen to the message, read the chapters, consider what area(s) in your life you also need to give over to worship so that God can reign!

This week's verse: God is enthroned on our praises. - Psalm 22:3


Do you have a testimony about this challenge or a suggestion for another one? I'd love to hear it! Comment here!

What's this about? | Other challenges

Picture Credit [then modified]: Superbwallpapers.com