My Jeans Are Not My Worth

When I go away on a trip, I like to pack so that I will be prepared for anything. And I like to pack waaaay in advance.

If I was able to do things in my ideal way, I’d have everything neatly laid out in my suitcase 2-3 nights before the typical night-before packing job. It stresses me out to pack the night before a trip...so I like to do it way ahead of time. I like having time to think about what I forgot, make lists, and wash my favorite items so that they can all come along.

My husband is the complete opposite. He, as well, prefers to not pack ‘the night before.’ What he chooses to do instead, though, is to pack 5 minutes before we leave. THAT SAME DAY. Whereas my clothes have sat neatly stacked for 3 nights in the suitcase, his get shoved in, pretty much on our way out the door. No thought to how clean his clothes are, no preference to any particular pair of jeans. If we’re going for 3 nights, he might bring 2 shirts. I, on the other hand, would typically bring 6. I enjoy packing all kinds of items ‘just in case’ to keep me happily ready for any situation, be it 80 degrees or 40. He’s fine no matter the circumstances in whatever shirt he happened to grab.

All this to say: his method is unbelievable to me. The end.

So anyway, we went on a trip to visit my sister a couple of months ago. When it came time to get dressed for church, he probably wore the same jeans and shirt he had worn the day before on the roadtrip there. I, on the other hand, was in a quandary. I had carefully planned and packed my outfits for each day we’d be there. I had tried on various outfits for Sunday in the packing process and had opted for a dress. However, while getting dressed, I remembered that her church was alot more casual than I was used to, and I suddenly realized that the dress would be too formal. So I threw together another outfit. (By ‘threw together,’ I mean I deliberated between various options for 30 minutes).

It wasn't what I had pictured myself wearing on Sunday morning. It was fine, because I had obviously prepared for such a thing to take place by packing several nice sweaters ‘just in case.’ But it wasn't what I had planned. And do you know what I ended up doing for pretty much the whole time we were at church? Glancing down at my clothes. Deliberating about whether my outfit looked good or not. I even went into the bathroom...not to USE it...but to look in the mirror. At my outfit. I did one of those ‘jump up and down a few times to try to see the bottom half of yourself in a small mirror’ type of numbers.

Ridiculous.

When I find myself in a situation like this, there are so many options for what I conclude. One option could be that I could not even notice that I'm inordinately thinking about my apparel. I could consider it normal, find nothing strange with the fact that the constant background thought as I chat with my sister’s church family is what I'm wearing. Or I could solidify my anal commitment to pack my suitcase 3 days ahead. I could vow to always be even more prepared, and I could freak out if ever I have to <gasp> prepare the night before.

I have another option, though. I can tune into my thoughts, focus on what’s going on ‘inside of me’ and start to ask questions of myself. I could examine what I’m valuing and why. For example, these are helpful questions for this situation: ‘Why are my clothes so important to me right now?’ ‘Is it in balance or excessive that I'd be peeking at my boots from different angles throughout the whole service, trying to catch a glimpse of myself in the windows as I play with my 2 year old afterwards, and jumping in the bathroom?’ ‘What am I wanting my clothes to do for me?’

If I answered those questions right now, on the spot, I'd say: My clothes are so important to me right now because they're not just simply covering my body. They've come to mean something more than that in this moment. Next, it’s pretty excessive that I'd be so consumed with my clothes. I could be focusing on the people around me, focusing on God and what His thoughts are in this moment, but I can't because I'm lost in halfway paying attention to what’s going on and mostly contemplating the way my jeans enter my boots. And lastly, if I were honest about what I want my clothes to do for me, like I said, they're not just providing covering anymore. I’d say that I am wanting my jeans to provide me with worth. I want my clothes to prove I'm valuable. I want them to give me significance and security.

In this situation, the clothes have become all about my worth. I’m internally asking the question, ‘Am I good enough?’ I’m not sure that in and of myself, that I'm good enough, that I'm valuable enough to be approved of, to be wanted, to be accepted. I feel that my clothes need to save me. They determine if I have worth or not. If I’m a loser or not. If I’m significant, valuable and safe.

The truth is that clothes can never do that for me. A word I've learned over the past years is that my clothes can become for me a ‘False Savior.’ They might promise me safety, security and worth when I carefully lay them out 3 nights before the trip, or when I see them in store displays, or when I see someone else wearing something and I think, ‘I need to buy that.’ But they never deliver. There’s never a lasting safety, an unchangeable worth afforded to me. The significance they assure me they’ll bring is a shaky confidence that leaves me silently obsessed instead of having my eyes open to what God is doing all around me.

Anything can become a False Savior. It happens to us all the time, in all kinds of everyday  situations. Something (in my case, it’s often clothes, food, a relationship, the goal of having people like me, people’s opinions, and so on) tells us that if we have it, we’ll have the good life. Our lives will be ideal. But I’ve found that it’s never really true. It never really gives me what I want it to.

Think about it. What does that typically look like for you? What are things that you trust to make you feel significant? What promises to bring you safety? What becomes more than just itself and starts to define your worth for you? And does it ever deliver??

Maybe this New Year can be a year where we take more steps as a Church to intentionally turn away from what has falsely promised to give us significance and safety and fall on the Savior who alone can deliver what He promises.

Sarah Howard

Christmas 2014

(By Thor Knutstad)

Dearest Friends and Family,

Setting the context for the famous passage of Isaiah 53 that describes in detail the prophetic suffering and crucifixion of the LORD Jesus, Isaiah 52:7-10 is a beautiful backdrop for Christmas. Let me “decorate” the setting for you:

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring Good Tidings, who proclaim salvation and say “Your God reigns!”  With shouts of joy, they will see it with their own eyes.  Burst into songs of Joy, for the Lord has comforted His People.  The Lord will bare His Holy Arm in the sight of all the nations and all of the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

For some of you, that may seem like a lot of Old Testament Bible. You may be waiting for key words like Christmas, baby Jesus, family, manger and Bethlehem.  But if you look more closely and reread the passage, it doesn’t look so ancient in list form.

Good News

Peace proclaimed

Good Tidings

Proclaim Salvation

Shouts and Songs of Joy

The Salvation of our God

For any of you that have ever read one of my past annual Christmas letters, you know I will always proclaim to you this Good News, or in New Testament terms, The Gospel.  The apostle Paul, who once was a murderous persecutor of Christ, made it his mission to tell others about Jesus being the Messiah (the Christ, the Anointed One).  He once said that Jesus’ death and resurrection was of First Importance (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).  But Easter only follows the Incarnation of Christ Jesus.  Incarnation means “in flesh”.  It amazes me that we forget the fact that ‘God became flesh in Jesus’ coming as a humble child and selfless servant.  The Lord God, who reigns over Heaven and Earth, came to us as a man.  In an act of mercy and grace, Jesus shows up to bring salvation – as a humble, loving, despised, suffering man. (Isaiah 53)  Creator God lowered Himself to our level, to die for us and save us from sin. (Philippians 2: 1-11)  Then he conquered death by rising from death.  He rises OVER DEATH; His resurrection – defeating all of sin and death.  Victory.

If I had spent the last few paragraphs updating you on our lives, it would not have been a good investment of my words.  So I preach and proclaim this Gospel first.  As for the Knutstads, we are all well.  Early 2014 began with me and Lisa forming our covenant of marriage and bringing together our sons Jordan (20), Bryn (14), Jadon (12) and Elijah (8) into one blended, Christ-following family.  As Lisa and I quickly approach a year of marriage soon, we are truly grateful.  Our sons really love and enjoy each other and get along very well.  Each brings joy to us.  

Jordan is diligently working now and serves on a church worship team band as a keyboard player.  Bryn will finish 8th grade this year and is an avid lover of hunting and competitive airsoft play, aspiring to be a soldier.  Jadon wowed us with straight A’s first marking period and was very successful in both cross country running and soccer.  Elijah played soccer too and just had his 2nd grade Christmas concert where he sang with his classmates so confidently.  Lisa balances the tremendous task of working from home full-time as a Clinical Data Coordinator with taking care of our home and all of us.  Besides being a wonderful wife and mother to all our boys, Lisa also loves on her friends, takes pictures using her gift of photography and serves at Journey Church.  As for me (Thor), I continue to serve in ministry as the pastoral counselor to three churches in Limerick (PA), Langhorne (PA) and Vineland (NJ).  I am grateful to be entrusted with the hurts, struggles and relationships of so many people.

Life has changed a lot for all of us, but we are thankful to our Lord for our family and friends (YOU!) and we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2015.  May the LORD be known and make Himself KNOWN to you in a whole new way!  God bless you dear family and friends as you celebrate the Savior, the LORD Jesus – who has defeated death and will wipe away every tear.  What JOY awaits!

            With much Love,

                Thor, Lisa, Jordan, Bryn, Jadon and Elijah

This Ordinary Adventure : Being called to stay

  A familiar scene plays out before me. A missionary stands up and shares their story about being called to a distant land and people, the crazy circumstances that lead to them follow Jesus to the other side of the world and the miraculous occurrences that allowed them to do so. Having grown up a pastor’s daughter, attended Christian school for thirteen years and Christian college for four years AND regularly attended church, I am “used” to hearing these stories. However, they never get old or cease to amaze me. As the person speaks I feel as though I experience a Walter Mitty type zone out as I envision myself playing with orphans and feeding the hungry. I can share my gospel story with such eloquence and fluency (in another language no less) that people are moved to tears and I am no longer awkward. This is all in a days work on my adventure with Jesus. 

    Usually after these moving experiences as I come back to reality, I feel discontent. Especially in college, my posture before God would evolve something like this. “God I am open and willing to go anywhere you want me to. Home is where you are.” Silence. “I am willing to risk it all like the missionary said and to leave my family and friends”. More silence. “Have I mentioned I like adventure God?” Finally I would resort to being that little kid in elementary school who desperately wanted to be called upon to give the right answer with their hand up waving franticly. “OOOOOO pick me. Pick me!” 

    After college, I looked into doing an internship overseas and an extended missions trip that ended up not working out. Everything I looked into came to nothing. I came home. For a while I was devastated and feeling like a failure. How could I make a difference if I was here especially when I didn’t want to be? It was during one of my rants before God that he reminded me of something I prayed a few months previously. “My home is where you are God.” I had said that assuming that he would take me anywhere BUT home. “Really God? How could it be your plan that I would lead an ‘ordinary’ life? Isn’t there ‘more important/significant’ work to be done than just an 8-5 job?” 

    I wrestled with those questions, but it was clear that I was going to be here in Vineland for a while so I tried to put myself into it by investing in relationship with family and working hard. It wasn’t until I was venting to one of my good friends on the phone about how hard it was to stay put and how I wanted to go and do bigger and better things that I received some clarity. She prayed over me, “Jesus, show Sophia that you are the same. You are the same God that works miracles in the lives of people whether she goes or stays.” 

   It clicked for me after that prayer. It isn’t all about me. God doesn’t need me to do great things for him, but he allows me to come with him as HE does great things. Therefore, I don’t have to be in control. If He is at work, then no matter how seemingly ordinary the circumstance, it is significant and important. If the emphasis is on him then it doesn’t matter where I am. 

    This is particularly freeing news to me as a new mom when most of my days seem ordinary. In the mundane moments I am reminded that I can be fully present and engaged now and HERE in Millville because:

- GOD IS GREAT: So I don’t have to be in control. 

- GOD IS GLORIOUS: So I don’t have to fear others. (I don’t have to make my life sound more epic for fear of what people think.)

- GOD IS GOOD: So I don’t have to look elsewhere for my satisfaction. (I don’t have to wait until “ bigger and better“ things happen to prove this. He is good regardless).

- GOD IS GRACIOUS: So I don’t have to prove myself. (I don’t have to do more in order to be good enough. I am good enough because of Jesus.)

-- Caesar Kalinowski, The Gospel Primer

Finally, GOD IS HERE: So I am home.  

Sophia Howard

Christmas: Jesus Came to Trade Places with Us!

(By Diego Cuartas)

A reality that is central to Christmas is that Jesus came to trade places with us.

There is a story, found in Mark 1:40-45, which tells of a man who had leprosy and was healed by Jesus. The story actually indicates that the man was labeled "unclean" because a person with leprosy, back in that society, was considered defiled and unclean. A person with leprosy was pretty much considered an outcast and was avoided by others. To touch someone with leprosy was to become unclean.

Perhaps there are things in your life that you or others consider "unclean" or undesirable to say the least. Things that make you isolate from others or hide behind some reality or behavior that helps you, in your mind, look better or more presentable to others. What is that thing you wish was not part of who you are?

So Jesus, the Son of God, enters our world, in the most humble possible way, in order to get close to the leper, close to you, and close to me. He gets so close that he is willing to "touch" what others reject in us. So in the story, Jesus touches the leper with great compassion and responds to the request the man made: "if you will, you can make me clean." Jesus addresses the man, touches the man and says "I will, be clean!." This is exactly what Jesus wants to do in your life and mine. He is close, he wants to touch the places that are broken in our lives and with great compassion wants to release the willingness and power to heal us. That is pretty close, isn't?

Have you ever been touched (impacted) by someone that deeply and that compassionately? This is one of many stories where Jesus, the humble Christmas Savior, moves towards the underserving and yet in need as he compassionately considers their condition. Where in your life would you like Jesus to touch and alter your reality?

I can't help but tell you that it gets even better! Let's recap first: Jesus came into this world. He got pretty close to the leper man. He is attentive to his request. He stretches out his hand and touches him and willingly heals the man. Boom! The guy is made clean. No more rejection. This man has been reintegrated into social life miraculously--not to mention, his sickness is gone! But there is one more thing Jesus does. Jesus asks the man keep this quiet and to fulfill the requirements expected before the town leaders. The man couldn't help it but go about telling everyone about this miraculous encounter with Jesus. As a result, Jesus is hindered from entering the town and remains in the place of the leper experiencing seclusion. 

Jesus will do the same for you! He entered this world. Came close to you in fleshly form. He is willing to touch the undesirable realities of your life. And he will even trade places with you. Well....he actually did it already, at the Cross! Learn from the rest of the people in the story. They went seeking Jesus even though he took the place of the leper. They looked for him because they learned that only such PERSON would dare to touch the "unclean"!

If he touches you, you will never be the same.

May that happen in your life this Christmas!

Good Enough: Thoughts Inspired by Frozen

I never thought I’d say this when I first saw the movie Frozen, but I think I’ve reached a saturation point with good old Elsa and Ana. Can any other moms of small people relate?!? I cannot walk through Target or Walmart anymore without my daughter’s little eagle eyes spying out every single little knick-knack that has those two displayed on it. The screeching starts: “Mom! Mom! There’s Elsa! Mom! There’s Ana!!! That’s me! That’s me!” We play alot of pretend in our house (my daughters are 2 and 4), and the majority of the time, we’re pretending to be ‘The White Elsa’ or ‘Little Ana.’ Hence, the excited shrieking of “That’s me, that’s ME!” in Walmart.

    My 2 year-old, Bethie, actually talks about Frozen so much, and pretends to be Elsa so frequently, that I was actually starting to feel a little concerned. This past week, it felt like every conversation, every sentence out of her mouth ended up returning somehow to this now-epic kid’s movie.

    When I noticed this, my next thought was: ‘Is Frozen all she thinks about?? Does she just replay scenes of the movie all day in her mind? How much of her mental capacity is consumed with it? I’m not so sure this is a good thing anymore.’ Those thoughts led straight into worry. So one night, I started sharing my concerns with my husband.

(...just a little thought for anyone out there who is like me and don’t naturally realize this helpful thing: when you get that feeling of a vague, somewhat foggy-type worry floating around in the back of your mind, and you know it’s there, you can feel it, but you haven’t pulled it to the forefront of your mind and examined it, I think that you’ll be doing your emotions and your spirituality a huge favor to use the energy it’ll take to bring that sucker right out into the light and examine what it’s saying and how it’s affecting you. A great way to do that is to talk it out with somebody. Anyway, that’s just today’s free tip. The end.)

So there I was, talking about the all-consuming influence of Frozen on my small friend, Bethany. As I talked, I realized that I had already made some conclusions about what her obsession meant. I had concluded that:

• I should’ve done a better job as a mom. I shouldn’t have let her watch Frozen. I should’ve done the same things with my second daughter that I did with my first. When my older daughter was two, she had never seen anything like Frozen; when she pretended, she would constantly want to play Mary and Joseph making the trek to Bethlehem, looking for a place for their baby Boy to be born. Her mind being constantly occupied with thoughts of the birth of Jesus was not really a concern to me, as you can imagine.

• Because I hadn’t ‘been vigilant enough,’ and because I ‘didn’t foresee’ that the fun moments of enjoying the cuteness of a movie together would so affect my daughter and dictate the course of her 2 year old thoughts, her future would be negatively affected. She wouldn’t have the same advantages in life that her sister has. She wouldn’t have a soft heart to God. She wouldn’t be as intelligent. And so on and so forth.

As I talked out those deeper conclusions, I could start to sense how God-less my conclusions were. I was concluding that for my daughter to experience good things in life, I had to be good enough. I had to perform well enough to merit a good future for her. But do you know what the truth is, though?? I can never, ever, ever be good enough as a parent. It’s not like if I was just a little more strict, or a little more discerning, or a little more engaged with them, then they’d have a good life. No! I’m not even close to ‘good enough,’ and my job has never been to be good enough. My job is to call out for and fall on the mercy and grace of THE LORD as I try to parent the way He’s called me to.

So then, what do I do when I’m concerned about a direction my daughter is going? Oh, how I love the answer to that question! I can realize that realizing something is a little bit off in her life is a gift from God. He’s allowing me to see it to move me. He doesn’t do it to condemn me for not being good enough or to reveal how I already ruined my chances for the future. He is pouring out His grace to move me today to step in and gently direct her onto another path. He’s using me, as her mom, to introduce salvation to her. She’s two; she doesn’t know anything yet. She doesn’t know what she should focus on. She doesn’t know what is valuable for her to contemplate. She needs me to guide her, and God is graciously helping me see one area where I can do that.

I could be caught up in a cycle of perfectionism: ‘Ah! I didn’t do good enough! How did I miss this?!? Now bad things are going to happen!’ But as I talked it out, I saw that I have another option. I can be thankful for God’s guidance for today. I don’t have to make conclusions about the past or the future, except that I can fully lean into His care for me and my children. Because it has never been and will never be about how good I am. It will forever be only that He has been and will always be good enough. Thank you Lord!

Sarah Howard

“I will if” vs. “I will because”

(By Nate Howard)

God is forever reshaping us, like an expert potter. And since God is very relational (think: Trinity), one area in which He is continually attempting to change us is the basic way we relate to each other. Here’s an example to think about. In relationships, is your posture, “I will because” (which is covenant thinking) or “I will if” (which is contract thinking)?

When I’m in the mode “I will if,” I’m looking to the other person to meet certain conditions and IF he/she does what I require, then I WILL act on their behalf. It’s like we have this unwritten contract, I WILL be good to them IF … 

When I’m in the mode “I will because,” I’m not looking first to the condition of the other person (if they are good, bad, worthy, unworthy, etc.). Rather, I look elsewhere, like, perhaps, to my promise to them, or my promise to God. Then, I WILL be good to them BECAUSE my eyes are on something other than them — I do that because that’s my covenant.

I believe if you look at most troubled relationships, you will find “I will if” thinking. Let’s change that and become a church that cooperates with God’s reshaping agenda of the way we do relationships! And I WILL stay in relationship with you, not IF you meet my expectations, but BECAUSE He has called us to be together. 

God With Us

Every year, I get to listen to the outrage about the “War on Christmas.” 

We are besieged by those anti-Christians who want to wish us “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas”!! Nativities are torn down by raging atheists who replace these sacred scenes with generic Holiday Trees! A quick Google search reveals websites, movies, and articles dedicated to fighting this holiday menace and putting Christ back where He belongs!

My problem with this so-called war is not that we shouldn't keep Christ in Christmas. My issue with the war is that it can’t exist. A war is between two powers, each of whom have a chance of winning. Do human ideas stand a chance against the power of the Creator of the Universe? God is big enough to handle naysayers and opposition. He doesn't need to be brought back into anything; He is already there.

As a public school teacher, I face some strong opinions from some fellow believers who see public schools as places where God has been “removed.” I always answer that God is as present in public schools as He is anywhere else. I see God’s presence every day as I teach. Last week I faced a tough and potentially dangerous situation in my job, and the support I received from my kids and co-workers was full of the grace and presence of the Almighty. He hasn’t been “removed” from anywhere; He can't be.

In fact, I find myself doubting God’s power at times, more often than I like to admit. I have had a tough couple of years, and I want answers. I want to know my purpose, my future, His plan, and I want to know it all RIGHT NOW. I take this prolonged waiting period as a sign that God has given up on me. The Truth of His unchanging power and love and goodness escapes my limited understanding. 

During this Advent season, I have been thinking a lot about hope and waiting in darkness. Israel waited in 400 years of silence before the birth of Christ, the Redeemer. And when He did arrive, it was in human form as a “regular guy” from Nazareth, living a modest life as the child of a carpenter. Thirty years of God dwelling among us before He began His public ministry and ultimate mission.

Did the waiting mean God wasn't there? 

Of course not. It was all part of the Plan to save us.

One of Jesus’ names is Immanuel, meaning God With Us. This prophecy from Isaiah 7 is a part of the Christmas story that we return to every year during this season. It would do us good to remember this fundamental Truth year round. God with us.

In modern culture. In our jobs. In our trials and joys. With us, everywhere and always.

Nancy Vasquez

What Joseph Taught Me About Manhood

When you think about it, of all the characters in Christmas story, nobody gets the shaft more than Joseph. Jesus is the birthday boy and has the whole "long-awaited-Messiah" thing going for him, so naturally he gets most of the attention. Mary is the one giving birth to him in a dirty barn surrounded by horse poo, so we can all agree she earns her stripes with that performance. But after that, our supporting cast is rounded out by an angel, pagan stargazers from the East, a bunch of guys hanging out with sheep in a field, two old people, and a local ruler with a really, really bad case of Christmas humbug. We don't even get a quote out of Joseph. All things considered, the fact that that we don't hear more about the man who would one day help raise God Incarnate is stunning. 

Consider the following:

• When Mary tells him she's pregnant (and he's not the father), he doesn't leave her. He does this primarily because he dreams that an angel tells him everything is fine. And we've all been there before, right?
• For nine months, Joseph bears the public shame of being betrothed to a woman who's already pregnant. Imagine if word got out that your husband was a pedophile 9 months before you got married, and you still agreed to marry him. This is the awkwardness and shame Joseph had to live with (unfairly, mind you ) for 9 months.
• During this time, Joseph doesn't have sex with his wife, even after he marries her, until after Mary gives birth to the baby. 
• Joseph walks for five days from Bethlehem to Nazareth with a pregnant woman in tow aboard a stinky donkey. How has no one made a road trip movie about this yet?
• Out of options and probably getting yelled at by his now very pregnant wife, Joseph delivers Mary's baby in the previously mentioned dirty barn surrounded by horse poo.
• I've met men of few words in my life, but the next time we see Joseph, it's 12 years later and he still hasn't said anything. At this point I just want to hug the guy. If ever there was someone who needed a drink and a fishing trip, it was Joseph.

Seriously friends, this is the stuff comedy routines are made of. 

Which is what makes me so curious about Joseph. He's the father of God, but not really, but sorta. What's he thinking? Feeling? What can we learn from Joseph, the man of few words and few appearances despite having such a crucial role?

As a man, I am reminded of a simple, timeless principle: show up for work. God called Joseph, and he answered. He doesn't get much glory, he doesn't get much honor, but he does the job God called him to. This is what "showing up' looks like in my life today. I am reminded to stop expecting everyone to notice how great I am and focus on the task at hand. And God, in his mercy, tends to work things out from there, always for my benefit and never for my harm.

I don't know what happened to Joseph, or why his story was lost to history. But someday, my story will probably be lost to history as well. And what will matter then will not be how great I was, how many giants I'd slain or how many wars I fought. What will matter is how I did my job as a husband. As a father. As an employee to provide for my family. As a friend to those who needed it. This, friends, is a legacy. As the Christmas season steamrolls on, let's keep in mind that our most precious gifts to those we love will not come in boxes or bags. They will not remember those gifts. But they will remember what you did and how you treated them. 

Let's tell good stories together, Church.

Dominick Baruffi

Why Taking Antidepressants Was the Strongest Thing I could Do

This week I want to point you to a blog Diana Lauren recently shared in her personal blog page. I believe her story can be a source of encouragement to many, who perhaps have found themselves facing similar struggles at some point in their life. Or perhaps you know someone who currently is. Two important aspects you will glean from her blog is that neither labeling someone based on their struggle is fruitful or helpful nor offering them platitudes while bypassing their bigger story or experience in life. To read Diana's blog click here.

Sincerely,

Diego Cuartas

Ask, Seek and Knock: An Antidote to Lust.

(By Diego Cuartas)

I am so thankful for how simply Jesus offers us a reason to pray. There are 3 action words (verbs) that describe one and the same thing: ask, seek and knock. In these three words we find the simple revelation of what we can do when we experience desires or deep needs. Prayer, according to Jesus, is where we need to begin as we experience personal need or that deep, ongoing desire we call lust.

Before we consider Jesus' teaching found on Matthew 7:7-11, let's make sure we are on the same page with regard to the word I am using here--lust. Lust does not refer only to sexual desires we may have. Lust is a strong desire for something. So lust can take us on any given day to desiring more food, a better car, the phone upgrade, a relationship, admiration, power, sexual fulfillment or a certain position. The list goes on as long as any desire we can list. Elsewhere in the Bible (James 4:2-4) we learn that often times we don't have what we want because we don't ask or because we ask for the wrong motives.

In Matthew 7:7-11, I find two key realities we can consider to address our lust and even our personal needs (two different realities here). Consider what Jesus says:

 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

The first reality is that Jesus promises to those who actively ask, seek and knock that they will receive something in return. It is as if Jesus is letting us in into his heart and revealing the fact that he wants us to ask, seek and knock.

The second reality is that Jesus points us to the character of our heavenly Father. By comparing our heavenly Father with our earthly fathers, Jesus assures us that our heavenly Father is good and knows how to "give good gifts" to His children--especially to those who ask! This reality in and of itself can offer us comfort. Our asking is met by someone who has our best interest in mind.

One of the benefits of bringing our needs and lusts to our heavenly Father is that we will be more prone to align our heart's direction with His will for us. Asking, seeking and knocking will also prevent us from rallying our own resources or strategies to supply for our own needs and lusts at whatever cost.

What a loving act on Jesus' part to give us exactly what we need to address our needs and lusts: three active imperatives in the present time that are applicable at any moment of our lives--ask, seek and knock!

Interesting that Jesus also gives us in our English language an acrostic to easily remember what is best for us to do regarding our needs and lusts: A.S.K. (ask, seek and knock!).

What are your personal needs or lusts today? First A.S.K.

Christians Don’t Always Look Like You

I’ve always been fascinated by subcultures.  As a child, my dad was really into Christian rock music.  While much of it was admittedly pretty lack-luster, it was the subculture I was raised in, going to music festivals and listening to Petra tapes in the car.  By high school, I was solidly into the “underground Christian alternative music and skateboarding” subculture.  Sure, it was a niche group, but it actually existed, complete with it’s own magazine.  I suppose it was it’s own subset of the  “underground music and  skateboarding” subculture.  (Does that make it a subsubculture?)  Anyway, I was also into the “hiphop” subculture a little, as well as the “youth group coffeehouse” subculture.  

As I grew into adulthood, my ties to these subcultures faded, and were replaced by new subcultures.  I consider myself a part of the “tech nerd” subculture, among others, and I enjoy finding and identifying subcultures that I’m not a part of.  It’s sort of my own little Audubon Society for subculture spotting.

In the American church, and in our own church, there is no shortage of subculture.  Form the “Duck Dynasty loyalists”, the “mainstream quasi-hipsters”, and the “social libertarians”, to the “Bible-study intellectuals”, the “uber-conservative Christian right”, and the “red-letter liberals”, our culture is full of subcultures.  And this is reason to celebrate.  

The fact that we serve the same God, read the same scriptures, and are so very different from each other says something about our Father.  It can also teach us something about grace. And it’s not always easy.  

What comes easily is deciding to what degree someone is a follower of Jesus.  Things like, “well he goes to church, but he drinks,” and “he votes differently than I do, so he must not be a true Christian,” tend to roll off of our collective tongues.  Does God feel this way, or does he accept each of us as we are?  Some Christians smoke, some go to movies, some are racist, some are gay, some drink, some sin more than you, some sin less, some curse, some aren’t very nice.  The hardest part of this for me is that, when people do things that I don’t think are very Christ-like, it’s much easier to judge them than to love and accept them.  

The wide range of subcultures in the church should underscore what a loving and graceful God we have.  We all have our messes.  The beautiful thing is that God meets us in our messiness, embraces us, and moves us toward holiness.  Not in a get-yourself-together sort of way, but in a real way.  In a way that serves others, clothes the poor, loves enemies, shares Jesus with the lost.  That’s the type of subculture I want to be a part of.

Jeff Hyson

Slowing Down to Relate May Cause You To Push Social Media Aside.

Ed Welch offers a helpful perspective regarding how the use of social media forces us to relate at a pace that is not fitting to our humanity. At our church, we have been focusing on 4 values we are encouraged to pursue these days:

• Spend less
• Worship fully
• Give more
• Love all

In order to implement these values we may need to consider the pace of our relationships and what may be substituting what Welches calls "slower relationships" in our lives. Click here and read Welche's blog. I hope it helps you assess what dynamics or attitudes may need to change in your life in these days so at to love others well.

May God bless you,

Diego Cuartas

Why Conspire?

For the last few weeks our church has been discussing “Advent Conspiracy” and how we as followers of Jesus are called to live especially during the Christmas season. There are four themes or practical applications: “Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All” and it has all the feelings of idealistic change and charging in and living radically and getting caught up in the something big. (Obviously I am exaggerating wildly so I’d recommend you check it out for yourself.) My life and schedule are a little chaotic right now and carrying around a growing baby inside me doesn’t help so maybe that’s why it all sounded overwhelming and, frankly, unappealing to me. Something along the lines of, “Ughhh, I just don’t have time to radically change the entire landscape of Christmas commercial culture right now. Maybe next year.”

It all just seemed a little too big to carry home from church and do something with, until I started thinking about it.

Strangely enough, when I started considering the implications of “spending less” and “giving more” and the impact on my schedule and priorities this holiday season, the first emotion I felt was RELIEF. As if for the first time ever, I realized I had a choice in how I spent my time and money from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It almost felt euphoric, like a kid running out of school on last day of class. I felt FREE. If Christmas is all about Jesus and Jesus cares like crazy about people, could that mean I am free to care about the things on my heart - on Jesus’ heart - at Christmastime and not a set schedule of obligations I have to follow?

I don’t mean to imply that every past Christmas season has been a list of tasks I begrudgingly accomplish. But I do mean that there’s something about taking authority over my choices that I didn’t feel I had before- the ability to say no to things that don’t matter and say yes to the people to do matter. For example, I love giving gifts that make people feel known and loved. But often times, that means I drive myself crazy trying to find sales in order to afford more lavish gifts instead of something smaller or simpler. What really matters is loving that person well and that doesn’t need to include them feeling “spoiled” by the amount of money I spend on them.

This season, my “Advent Conspiracy” change might be as small and simple as taking time to catch up with a friend over hot chocolate or planning some extra movie nights with my family and a little less time spending a fortune on Christmas cards. That’s okay, because what I am most excited about is a newfound perspective that allows me to see this Christmas full of joy and cheer and as the celebration that it truly is. 

Jessica Noblett

Where Is The Joy of Advent?

I am pleased to announce that John Piper is making his book "The Dawning of Indestructible Joy" available to all at no cost. The link provided below will re-direct you to the webpage where you can download your free copy. 

Consider Piper's thought which I believe is a good representation of how we are as humans:

"I am prone to be dull, spiritually drowsy, halfhearted, lukewarm. That is the way human beings are, including Christians, even about great things. Peter knows it and is writing to “awaken” or to “stir up” his readers so that they don’t just know but also feel the wonder of the truth." (page 7)

So why consider reading these daily devotionals? Because we all need to be awaken or stirred up deep inside to the reality of true joy in our lives. You could say that joy requires fighting for it-- not because we can generate it or obtain it on our own but because our souls lack the capacity to feel and entertain constantly the indestructible joy Jesus knows and wants for us!

http://www.desiringgod.org/books/the-dawning-of-indestructible-joy 

May our joy increase this Advent season,

Diego Cuartas

The Holidays: Not the Cover of Better Homes and Gardens

(By Lois Robinson)

WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO FELL AND THINK ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS?

 AHHH, the holidays! For some it is an, “AHHH, I can’t wait until the Holidays are over!” And yet others say, “AHHH, Yeah! I can’t wait for the holidays to be here!” Whereas others say, “I’m numb, and it really doesn’t feel like the holidays because of very significant losses that have happened.”

I admit, I have experienced all of the above to some degree. But usually I find myself getting very self-focused and wanting to experience a form of utopia, sometimes literally expecting that picture on the front of a magazine where the whole family is gathered in the beautifully decorated BIG home with the fireplace aglow while everyone smiles and laughs with little appetizers in their hands. The table would be set with more silverware than I know what to do with, the huge delectable turkey in the middle of the table and everyone holding hands thanking God for His blessings. Dinner would be wonderful! No uncomfortable silences, everyone engaged with each other, not a cross word would be exchanged. We would all connect in meaningful ways. Then the coffee and MANY pies would be served. More laughing would occur as we moved into the huge living room with the fireplace (can’t leave that out!) as we began to play games as a family- fully knowing each other, connecting and engaging. Oh, can’t leave out the 6 inches of snow that spontaneously began to fall as well! AHHH, the Holidays!

 FUN WOULD BE HAD BY ALL!!!

 Well, I can honestly say, I have never really experienced that scenario with my family. What I have experienced is some of the above- the fireplace all aglow, some laughing, many awkward silences, forced conversation with some, ministering to some, holding my tongue with others and at times tactfully rebuking inappropriate behaviors demonstrated by the Christians in our family. I believe my family represents a microcosm of the world.

VERY MESSY AND UNCOMFORTABLE

Why is this?? Aren’t the holidays supposed to be celebratory? Hmmm. Yes, but we must remember what we are celebrating!

Is Thanksgiving a time when we engorge ourselves and say thank you out loud for everything we have but make sure we keep it short so the food doesn’t get cold? Laughing and getting a buzz?  Kicking back because, “Darn it, I deserve a break from all the stress!” Christmas has its own scene going on, and unfortunately it doesn’t involve the manger scene- that gets squeezed in where it can fit. It has become a HUGE event that the advertisers enjoy showing more and more commercials of what we need, what to buy so we can be cool (of course) and where to get it. Pipe in the Christmas scents through the store ventilation, play the music and put up the Santa so people will help us make more money for the stores revenue!!! YEAH!!!!!

Friends, is that what the Holidays are really about?  NO!

Thanksgiving is a time that we celebrate what we are thankful for. In the Christian faith, we are primarily thanking God for who He is, what He has done through Jesus and how He has provided for us. It’s not about us. Christmas is about us celebrating Jesus. Yes, Jesus. He came to save us from our brokenness- our broken families, our broken lives, even our broken hearts when our idealistic holiday picture didn’t happen the way we imagined. He came for the picture I described my family to be.

I wonder what your experiences are with the holidays. Where are you in your life? What are you looking forward to? What you are dreading?  Or you may just  want to wake up when it’s all over. I don’t know where you are, but I know where I want to be. I want to keep focused on the One the holidays exist for. I want to be a part of the holiday where I can be used by the Savior Himself to bring about change in a broken world, a broken family, my own broken life. I know that Jesus says in John 12:32, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself (ESV).”

I would encourage all of us to be focused on this verse during the holiday season. I do believe that when we live that verse out, we will actually get closer to the picture I dream about. 

Hmmm, new thought. Maybe that desire I have is actually from God. When we get to the Great Banquet in Heaven :) A promise for all those that have placed faith in the One we celebrate,  Jesus Christ.

                          Blessings, My Friends

Forgotten God

(By Thor Knutstad)

Did you know that the LORD refuses to be a forsaken and forgotten God? Look at Jeremiah chapters 1-6 -- indeed this is a sobering biblical passage from a prophet who mourns sin and addresses it boldly, but he is addressing remembering the LORD foremost. You see, our God wants to be remembered. Remembering is holy. Remembering is a mindset action of worship. This theme permeates Jeremiah's emboldened and grieved heart in his words. The LORD rejects being forsaken and forgotten. He refuses it. Are we acknowledging Him who is Creator-Father-Savior-Redeemer-King Christ-Lord Jesus? Remember the Lord, dear people, for His glory absolutely refuses to be the forgotten King. Remember.

Why do we forget? Why does God-forsakenness seem to abound even in believing Christ-followers? Here is a list of statements (some quoted, some derived) from Jeremiah chapters 1-6 that explains how and why we forget and forsake the LORD God:

1. Idolatry (false worship) 1:16, 11

2. Lack of devotion (as a bride) 2:1-2
3. Leaders don't know the Lord or His Law 2:8
4. No awe of Him 2:19
5. Unfaithfulness/faithlessness abounds 2:20
6. People forget God ("would a bride forget her wedding jewelry on her wedding day?”) 2:32
7. No reverence or fear of the LORD God 3:8, 5:22

8. Perversions are prevalent 3:22

9. People skilled at evil, not doing good 4:22

10. Dishonesty prevails and truth is absent 5:1-2

11. Repentance of turning from evil refused 5:3
12. Assumed God would do nothing 5:12
13. False prophets refuse to rebuke evil and would not point people toward the LORD 5:13
14. Stubborn rebellious hearts are hardened 5:23
15. Wealth and deceit chokes the heart 5:27
16. Prophets lie and rule by their own authority 5:31
17. Real warnings land on closed ears 6:10
18. God's Word is unheard and offensive to them and they find no pleasure in His Truth 6:10
19. Leaders are greedy for gain and deceitful 6:13
20. Leaders treat serious stuff as not serious 6:14
21. Leaders proclaim peace where there is none 6:14
22. No shame or blush over sin found 6:15,26
23. Law of God rejected boldly and outrightly 6:19

Though the prophet Jeremiah addresses the sinful and stubborn hearts of the people in general, we must note that he speaks about the effect of the leaders on the people. It's like he's saying that the leadership takes people south when they should lead them north. Let's not forget the LORD God, and let's abandon the bad theology of false prophets who rule by their authority and are not called by God. Know your Bible and remember the unforgotten God, people. If you do not, deception and confusion will encompass you in the current history and turning tide of anti-Christ.

People had followed the stubborn inclinations of their hearts (God’s exact words).  Jeremiah, the spokesman of God, extends himself by calling them “deceived,” unrepentant, evil, stiff-necked, disobedient, idolatry lovers, thieves, murderers, perjurers, adulterers and oppressors.  He pulls no punches about how sinful they have become in forgetting God. But he does more than declare that they have refused to ‘walk in the Ancient Path’ of remembering the LORD their God (16:6).  Jeremiah steps into dangerous territory by slamming the leadership (prophets/priests/scribes/elders/shepherds) with these direct and bold accusations:

You cling to deceit and trust deceptive words (7:4,8; 8:5). Note:  the word ‘cling’ means to grab or hold tightly to (like fabric) or like a child does to its mother when fearful.

You refuse to return and there’s no repentance (8:5). Note: though they have been repeatedly called to go in the opposite direction, they continue in an opposed path.

You pursue your own course (8:6). Note:  the word ‘own’ differentiates a path not of God.

You act like you are wise and know the Law (8:8). Note: Jeremiah calls the scribes ‘lying pens’ who are not writing or inscribing to circulate the Law of the LORD.

You are greedy for gain and you practice deceit (8:8-9).

You dress wounds of people as though they are not serious (8:10-15) Note: too lightly.

You say peace when there is none. Note: Danger was imminent.

You don’t shame or blush at sinful conduct. Note: brazen, bold sin by hard hearts.

You are a crowd of unfaithful adulterers who do not acknowledge God.

All of you are deceived and none of you speaks the truth because you live in the midst of deception. Note:  All are in the fog of lies/deception/untruth.

You worship dead idols that are as lifeless as a scarecrow (his term). Note: the LORD God is real and alive, while your idols are dead/worthless/lifeless.

You are senseless (10:21). Note: You lack common sense in your thoughts/life/decisions.

You do not inquire of the LORD (10:21). Note: You don’t pray!  Ever!

You refuse many prophetic warnings (10:22).

You always speak of God, but your hearts are far from Him (12:2-3). Note:  The LORD is always on their lips, but their hearts are far from Him.  Not near.  Far.  Way far.  Super far!

You uncalled and not ordained leaders are prophesying lies in the name of the LORD (14:14) and giving people idols, false visions, divinations and delusion of their own minds and by dishonoring God by not keeping the Sabbath Day holy and restful (17:21-22).

Isn’t this a sad depiction of the leadership of Israel during this time?  Jeremiah sadly weeps as he speaks this great unfolding tragedy of lament and confrontational judgment.  The leaders are lost.  Simply stated, they are deceived.  In chapter 9, Jeremiah speaks of weeping a “foundation of tears” as he walks over the sins of the nation and the leaders.  They have, to put it simply, forgotten the LORD their God.  They have not remembered His Word, His world, nor His works throughout history.  And behind this forsakenness are deceived and disobedient leaders. Dear friends who share the burden to lead stubborn sheep to the great shepherd Jesus the Messiah called Christ, the word of Jeremiah to Israel ought to cause us to stop and think and to weep.  Why?  Because there is a deep grief and sadness in seeing that many refuse to remember the forgotten God.  Cry on, brothers and sisters.  But as you shed many tears, with joy, point them toward the Savior their LORD.  Everyday, live and say and speak and share the Gospel.  In being forgotten, the LORD longs to be remembered.  And in your service and work, He will bring many sons and daughters to glory. 

Copyright, 2014.  Thor Knutstad – All Rights Reserved.

Why I’m Afraid of Ebola…Opinions

I spend way too much time reading political posts and the accompanying comments on Facebook. The posts themselves are interesting enough, but I am really fascinated by people’s comments and how they reflect cultural mindsets.

The Ebola virus outbreak has dominated the social media world lately, and the posts and comments follow a common theme:

“Stop all flights from Ebola-stricken nations!”

“Keep all health care workers coming from West Africa in quarantine for 21-42 days!”

“A person in New York City has the virus! Who did he infect???”

The common theme is fear. Panic. A desire to protect oneself from the potential health crisis. 

Is it bad to be informed and want to protect oneself? Of course not. What scares me are the motives that accompany this panic. Most of the comments I have seen are based entirely on protecting Americans from this deadly virus. There is a real sense of protecting here and not worrying about the crisis “over there.”

Where is “over there”? How bad is it “over there” in West Africa? According to Monday’s edition of The New York Times:

“More than 10,000 people in Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone have contracted Ebola since March, according to the World Health Organization, making this the biggest outbreak on record. More than 4,900 people have died.”

In contrast, only eighteen people have been sickened with the virus in the United States and Europe. (This is also according to The New York Times from Monday, October 27, 2014.)

These West African countries most affected by Ebola are among the poorest and most politically unstable in the world. Life is not easy at any time, much less during a deadly disease outbreak. Health care resources and basic sanitation are limited or non-existent in much of the area.

The Gospel is not limited to our little world of South Jersey. I’m afraid when we start focusing on our safety and comfort, we lose any vision we have for other parts of the world. How many of us have prayed for West Africa in the wake of this tragedy? Some of the Americans infected with the Ebola virus were missionaries and other aid workers caring for some of the “more than 10,000 people” affected in Africa. Are we praying for these brave people willing to put their lives in danger to save others’ lives?

Or are we more worried that we could be affected in our safe, insulated little worlds?

It is our obligation as followers of Jesus to bear compassion and hope for the darkest regions of the world. When we get caught up in the hype in our culture that is all about me and mine, it is really easy to lose focus on other people. 

Make it a priority to live the Gospel even in the “little things.” Pray for West Africa.

Nancy Vasquez

Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More, Love All

Advent Conspiracy is for churches to engage in authentic Worship and Giving at Christmas more fully- a simple idea for you to take and run with. Be creative and bless those in need by giving relationally as God gave His Son to us at Christmas. 

Find out more here about what it's all about. If you are looking for creative ideas for gift giving this Christmas season check out this Pintrest page: http://www.pinterest.com/advntconspiracy/

Moses Prays, We Could Gain A Heart of Wisdom

(By Diego Cuartas)

How do we gain wisdom? I suspect there are several answers to this question. A few weeks back I came across Psalm 90:12, and there was something sobering about the message found in this verse. In this Psalm, Moses prayed: "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."

In reading the rest of the chapter, I found more insights as to why Moses would request such a thing from God. I invite you to explore what are the ways we can gain a heart of wisdom. As we will see, perhaps there is more to it than "numbering our days".

A look at the Psalm.

• God is recognized as the "dwelling place in all generations" (ver 1)

• He is also recognized as the everlasting God who existed before everything was even created (v 2)

• God holds the power and right to terminate the physical existence of man by calling him back to "dust" (v 3)

• For God, time is different than the way we experience it. One thousand years for Him are like a day or a watch in the night (v 4)

• The language that describes our fragile existence on earth is depicted by phrases like "swept away", "like a dream", "flourishing and withering like the grass" and ultimately "brought to an end like a sigh" (v 5-7, 9)

• Our iniquities and sins are present before God; they are not a secret to Him (v 8)

• In this Psalm, life-span was considered to be between 70-80 years, the latter being by reason of strength. These years of existence are characterized by "toil and trouble" (ver 10)

• We can see that the question raised in verse 11 is very revealing: "Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?" The question reveals the innate inability of man to consider God's power and judgments over our lives. 

• This is another reason why we are exhorted to learn to number our days: for the purpose of gaining a heart of wisdom (verse 12)

In other words, to live our lives unaware of both our fragile existence and God's supremacy over man it is to live out of a foolish heart, not a wise one.

When we recognize our fragile condition and God's everlasting nature, we then will be more inclined to:

1. Call for His mercy (or pity)

2. Ask Him to satisfy us with His steadfast love 

3. Request the restoration of our gladness

4. Pray that God will reveal His "works" to us and His "glorious power" to our children

5. Ask that His favor be "upon us"

6. Petition that He "establishes the work of our hands upon us"

What an insightful Psalm this is. We are given perspective for life here! The wisdom our hearts can gain as a result of "numbering our days" deals with the most significant needs we have as humans. We need mercy, steadfast love, gladness, the revelation of God for us and the next generation, His favor and a purposeful life. I can't imagine possessing these things and lacking hope and enthusiasm for each new day!

How then can we number our days? From this passage, we can see that two things are essential. One, we need to regard our humanness as fragile and short. This should affect the way I think about today and the future. My experience of today and my plans for tomorrow need to be considered and embraced with humility and dependence on God. Two, we need to consider the fact that God is present in an everlasting way and has the power and freedom to accomplish His own will, in His ways, in His time. He also has knowledge of our situations, sufferings and sins. And He holds the prerogative to judge and deal with each person according to who He is and what He values. 

Is numbering our days enough? I don't think so. What we are being exhorted to do, through this prayer, is to number our days in light of God and who He is. To just number our days will miss our origin, our source of strength, our faithful, merciful and loving Father and our real purpose in life.

Hopefully as we do this we will gain a "heart of wisdom" accompanied with the gladness of being part of something bigger than ourselves: a glorious God!

This is your day; what is God doing? How are you living in light of Him?

What is Jesus Doing Today?

(By Diego Cuartas)

I am getting emotional thinking about what Jesus said in John 17:26, in speaking about his desire concerning his disciples, as He interacts with God, his Father:

“I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and in them.”

Jesus promised that He will continue to make known to you and I the Name of his Father. He also indicates the reason He will continue to do that is so that we will experience the love his Father has had for him. Furthermore, Jesus wants us to get caught up with him in this love he and his Father have going on!

One thing for sure Jesus is doing today is that He insists in making the name of his Father known to us, to you, to me.

Do you find interesting that Jesus wants to reveal the name of his Father to us? Why not go to the point and say he wants to reveal his Father to us? The way Jesus is expressing his intentions is consistent with the way God would be understood in the Old Testament times. The name was a way to refer to the person, the whole person. The name embodied the character of that person. Thus, God would reveal himself through different names.

Whatever your circumstances may be today, you can be sure that one of Jesus' intensions is to continue revealing what his Father is like to you so that you can be rooted in his love.

I encourage you to reflect today about ways in which Jesus is revealing his Father to you in the midst of your situations. Then see if you can connect that to the reality of God's love for you.

For instance, this morning as I was getting ready for the day, I noticed my mind was quickly going to places where I was being critical of several individuals--almost like obsessed with the thoughts that were going through my mind. As I sat for a few minutes and open my heart to God in prayer something happened. I sensed that the Holy Spirit was saying to me "Diego, you are on a dark path right now....let's turn that to praying for those individuals instead." So I did. The Holy Spirit, whom the Father and Jesus have sent to dwell in those who believe, was revealing the compassionate nature of the Father which is contrary to my judgmental heart. In this experience, I was sensing God's love for me and for others. it was beautiful and I am thankful for this God-moment.

May you know God today and be rooted in his love in deeper ways.