where now?

I am a failure in certain aspects of life.
I have regrets and remorse.
I have felt broken and caused brokenness.
I have shamed and felt ashamed.

These failures in life should not dictate the totality of where I go and who I become.
Yes, they shape me, but they do not control me.
Yes, they grow me, but they do not hold me.
Yes, they push me, but they do not overcome me.

Like Peter said: "Lord, to whom shall we go?" John 6:68. Despite these failures, where else would I go?

Latter Part.

12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. (Job 42)

When is the latter part of my life going to start?

nothing but love.

13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14Do everything in love. (1Cor16)

Despite everything that happens and despite anything that we feel, we should NEVER make an excuse for being cranky, irritable, or just plain mean. Even in those petty moments of selfishness or times of unfairness, we must look at the situation with boldness and courage. Can we stand against the foe, even if it happens to be something as trivial as someone cutting us off on the freeway? Can we react with love, even if it means humbling ourselves when someone treats us rudely?

In the small and big things in life, we must remain firm in the faith and respond with nothing but LOVE!

inevitable disaster.

People ALL suffer from disasters, inevitably. However, there are two types of disaster.

1. Disasters caused by people themselves. Their own hands cause their misery.
2. Disasters that affect other people. They just happen to experience someone else's destruction.

We can't avoid every disaster; we're not immune to temptation and our sinful nature. And we, also, can't simply isolate ourselves, hoping that no one else will adversely affect our lives. So, whether or not you've caused your own pain or you're just feeling the pain because someone else did something entirely stupid in your life, it all comes down to one solid concept: It's still your life and God is still sovereign.

You either choose to live it, knowing God is in control or you choose to let the disastrous state of affairs dictate your life. I choose the first option. :)

words of encouragement.

7 The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him,
(Nahum1)

*smile*

battles raging

The battle never ceases, despite the fact that there are long periods in our lives without fighting, without bloodshed, without even fear or weeping. However, do not be fooled. Those times are rest stops; the battle still rages. Do not put down your weapons. Do not give up your defenses. Do not think that you're safe and secure.

The enemy is lurking, and he is waiting for you to give in to the belief that everything will be okay. The truth is that everything is not quiet and calm as you think. The battle rages on, and the rest is only there to help you prepare for battle!

Friends, know God. He is your defense. The battle will continue, and when it does, will you be ready?

a good reminder.

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.[g] 19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."[h]

Enough said. :)