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Month: November 2023

Life On The Other Side

Life On The Other Side

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My heart is a little sad. My brother-in-law closed his eyes on this life for the last time today, and opened them in eternity.

I say a little sad because I believe with all of my heart that when a loved one passes away, they are no longer suffering. I believe that God answers prayer. And in my prayers I always ask God to save any of my family and friends that have not given their lives to Him. I believe He not only hears me, but He responds.

Many times, death is so hard for us to accept. Even when the person is ill…we struggle with letting go. What brings me comfort though is believing that even on our death bed, God comes to us one more time. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” He is not willing to let any of us go. I trust God, and I trust His word.

Roman 14:8 also says, “If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” All of us belong to Him. There is nothing about us that God doesn’t already know. And He loves us anyway…warts and all. 

My brother-in-law was one-of-a-kind. He was one of those people that made his presence known in every room he entered. He loved to have a good time, and he didn’t care if anyone else was having a good time, he made sure he did. I loved his spirit. I loved him. I loved knowing him, and I loved that I got to spend time on this journey with him. I pray that God welcomed him with open arms, and that he is enjoying eternity with all of his family and friends on the other side.

Until next time…

Be blessed

I’m Not Going Back

I’m Not Going Back

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There was this song the praise team sang today that just resonated in my spirit. Im not sure what the title was, but the main part of the song (chorus) just kept repeating, “You have rescued my life, and I’m not going back.” The more I sang it, the deeper it went into my spirit. And in that moment, I fell in love with God all over again.

When we think about what God did for us at Calvary; when His Son gave His life for us on that cross, not just for the people there with Him at that time, but for all of us who would be coming later…it’s overwhelmingly beautiful. Nothing will ever compare to that. All I know is that I am on His team for life. I can truly say that there is nothing in my life before Christ that I miss. God even worked it out so that the people I used to hang out with either came over to the Lord’s side, or went totally in the other direction.

I may not know a lot of things, and I may not always get it right, but I know without a doubt that I am not going back. 

I don’t know anywhere else I would rather be than in the center of His will. I want to care like He cares, and love like He loves. I want to give freely, and openly without reservation. I want to go when He tells me to, and know that wherever He leads me is exactly where I need to be…without question.

God has been so good to me…to all of us. He keeps making a way, moving mountains, opening doors, healing the sick, and forgiving our faults. I don’t have enough words to even tell you…I would run out of words, before I run out of ways (smile).

I guess the only way we can even begin to repay Him is to stay close, keep loving Him, and keep loving one another.

Until next time…

Be blessed

I Want To Bring The Fire!

I Want To Bring The Fire!

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Today, I was the lead worshiper at my church. Now I have to tell you…I am a background kind of person when it comes to church. At least that is what I believe. I will work all day if I need to doing any job you need me to do…outside of the pulpit.

The thing is, that is not what God has called me to. 

He keeps pushing me to shake that spirit of fear, and move in whatever direction He tells me. I have delivered the word many times, but there is always a special anointing that God gives us when it comes to preaching. I think it’s because we know it’s not us who is speaking…it’s the Spirit of the Lord speaking through us.

When you are leading worship, people have certain expectations, and the louder you are, the better. 

I don’t know if that’s true, I just know that is what I like when I am sitting in the congregation. I like it when the worshiper brings the fire. I like it when the air is charged with anticipation for what is about to come. I know it is not about that, and it’s not about us. That it is all about God. And God uses us just the way we are. I understand that.

I just want to be able to project on the outside…what I am feeling on the inside.

I just believe that we serve a prayer answering God, and I believe the next time I am called to that assignment, God is going to give me exactly what I have been praying for. I will allow His Spirit to take control, and it won’t be me praising, but it will be the Holy Spirit praising through me.

Until next time…

Be blessed

Place of Surrender

Place of Surrender

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There is this place in God where hope, faith, and love resides. Where there is no judgment. No condemnation. No shame…

It’s a place of surrender.

I think it’s in this place of letting go…of surrendering everything we think we know, and giving it all up to God that we can find real peace. Real joy. I have been contemplating what it feels like to really be all in for God. To do what He wants, and not what feels good to me.

Most of the time, I really think I do, but I had this conversation with a friend recently that made me question my loyalty to Him. I mean I love God with all of my heart, but when it comes to doing the hard things I sometimes fail miserably. Maybe we all do at times. I don’t know. I just know that I want God to know that He can count on me…even when the going gets tough.

When I received Jesus Christ as my Savior, I surrendered my heart to Him. In turn, He gave me life…everlasting life. And although I know there is nothing I can do to repay Him for that…my desire is to always do my best for Him. To make Him proud. 

So I surrender, again and again. Knowing that His love for me will always be enough to lift me up when I feel low. To bring me hope when things feel hopeless. To comfort me when I feel like the world is crashing in. To lead me beside the still waters, and restore my soul (Psalm 23:2-3). 

I’m not sure who else this is for. But just know that we serve a God of second chances, and He loves us so much. His word in Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

And that’s enough for me.

Until next time…

Be blessed