AnNoWriMo

CAN YOU RELATE?

During a time of great anxiety a few years ago when Covid 19 exploded around the world, tension was palpable. We saw firsthand how selfish people could be (hoarding supplies.) We also saw how selfless people could be (first responders.) On the heels of all that tension we faced racial tension with the Black Lives Matter movement.

We all experienced the negative repercussions of our differences regardless of stance. People will always be in conflict with one another. We can't even agree on coffee or tea let alone on how to run a nation.

How do you think humanity looks from on high?

In the midst of all the turmoil, one of my favorite Christian music groups, For King and Country, introduced the song, Relate. It's a great reminder that we are all created in God's image and all have equal rights to God's love because of Christ's sacrifice.

What would life look like if everyone accepted the grace offered by Jesus and genuinely followed Him?

for KING + COUNTRY | RELATE (Official Music Video) Click here to stream/download "RELATE": https://forkingandcountry.ffm.to/whatarewewaitingforJoin us on tour this Christmas! https://tinyurl.com/fKCCHRISTMAS1...

GUIDING LIGHT

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1

Transparency is vital for a healthy Christian life. Sometimes I feel trapped, unsettled, and weary. Anxiety and depression close in on me with suffocating darkness. Whatever obstacles life presents us with, sharing openly with a pastor, counselor, or trusted friend can alleviate worries and help us find constructive ways to deal with it. Confessing sin to someone we trust holds us accountable to seek God’s strength and wisdom to overcome the next time we’re tempted.

Paul praised and glorified God even from prison. He wrote about his own deficiencies and his willingness to bear his “thorn,’ maintaining firm trust in God. He was transparent about his faith in the face of persecution (even at risk of being imprisoned or death.) And throughout his writing we see him being transparent about his shortcomings: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” Romans 7:19

David praised and glorified God even as he hid in a cave from Saul. The boy who killed a giant with a stone (1 Samuel 17), as a man had opportunity to kill the king who betrayed him when Saul came into the cave. But David demonstrated mercy (1 Samuel l24). Later He bowed before Saul knowing the king could end his life, but David trusted God to protect him. Although David was a sinner just like us, he was a man after God's heart and he was a gifted musician and writer. He journaled his praises, triumphs, regrets, and sorrows in the psalms.

It’s important to think about how Jesus would handle the things in life that I allow to control my emotions. He treated all people with wisdom and grace, offered kindness to the broken, and inspired hope in the hopeless. He never turned His back on difficult people and prayed in all circumstances.

When I am in a cave of despair, even when I can’t see light, I know God is with me. He prompts me to share my concerns and release the anger, frustration, anxiety, or whatever it is I’m experiencing. He employs the Scripturally sound Christians I love to guide me.

Maybe you’ve been carrying a dark secret, bearing a grudge, or just feel like a failure as a Christian. Perhaps you feel persecuted or misunderstood. Whatever troubles you today, He is our light and salvation, and we have nothing to fear! Cast your concerns on Him who cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Pray, meditate on Scripture, and share your concerns with a wise and trusted friend. The Holy Spirit is always with God's children, and He illuminates darkness when we call on His name.🙏❤️

I've been busy working on my pictorial devotional, which I expect to submit for publishing this month. That means it will be close to a year before it's actually published.

I'm posting a few samples from the book here and hope you'll be blessed by them.