The Church I Grew Up In

The church is very unforgiving.

At least the church I grew up in.

The church I left.

The church that was like a courtroom,

Where people were friendly, as long as you played by their rules.

The church loves conditionally.

As long as you do what they say, you are good to go.

Questions are not welcomed, unless they fit their agenda.

The church I specifically grew up in 

Valued appearances over character.

The church preaches love,

Yet practices hate.

They are so blinded by their love of theology,

That they miss the God they claim to serve.

The One who is more loving than any man.

It's A New Year

For better or for worse

The year has turned and it's a new one.

I've long pondered how a single day, month, and year

Can be so good for someone, and so bad for another.

A new year doesn't automatically mean changes.

It doesn't automatically mean anything good or bad.

It's not a true blank slate.

But the One Who Knows Everything is here.

Christmas in Disorder

Christmas comes, no matter what's going on in the world.
That's part of what traditions and holidays bring - if people let it.

Isn't the miracle of Jesus that He is with everyone who calls on Him,

Caring about everyone and being present with us all, all at the same time?

Even when we are in vastly different circumstances?

The traditions my family carried this year were the same as last year,

Except that my sister and brother-in-law weren't here.

They bring such presence, as people tend to, that they were missed.

They always are on the years they aren't together with us.

It was an unsettled Christmas for me. 

He is greater than politics; greater than His individual people.

He weaves a pattern that includes people from all races,

All nationalities, all areas - united by knowing Him.

This world is struck by much chaos; He is our constant. 

Jesus is much more than Santa Clause ever could be.

The True Present

All the tinsel and light,
Make the presents so bright,
But there's nothing compared to You Lord,
There's nothing like Your Light.

A World of Difference

When I was in high school and a young adult, 

My mentor and pastor prayed,

And he prayed for all churches, all the denominations, 

From the most conservative to the most liberal.

God is not bound by any church,

Nor any creed. 

He is not bound by religion,

But turns to all who turn to Him.

The reason this person was my mentor is because

He loved me, and he showed me God.

And God is not bound by anyone. 

He can reach anyone.

People need to know how much they are loved by God.

If people truly knew how much they are loved 

By the One who created them,

It would change their lives,

And literally make a world of difference.

My (Eternal) Hope

My hope

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness

When darkness veils His lovely face
I'll rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy day
My anchor holds within the veil

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

And His oath

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

Let's just revisit and visualize it
Just think about what that is gonna look like
When we hear that trumpet sound

When He shall come

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found
Dressed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Traditional / Terry Butler

On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand lyrics © Mercy/vineyard Publishing

A Fun in the Fall No Drama Trip

This past weekend I went on a trip with two friends,
Who I've never traveled with before. 

I was so nervous, not because of anything specific,

But just because it was such an unknown.

It was the first time I've traveled with people

Where none of us like to be the center of attention.

We were a we and not an I or we centering around someone.

Even though we are all very different women.

One of my friends - the one whose birthday trip it was - 

Even showed us the menus to make sure there was something we each liked,

The night she got a craving for German food.

Before we went - to see if we were also okay with going (we were).

It was her birthday trip, and it wasn't just about her.

They have a history I do not with them, and yet even when they referenced things,

I did not feel left out. 

Such is how I felt with them (I haven't with other friends).

When we went to the pumpkin patch, the birthday girl

Asked if we were okay going on the hayride 

(Which of course, yes!).

It was more fun in the fall than I've had in years.

I hope we all remain friends for life.

I will say, I would not have had space for 

The birthday girl if I was still friends with

The One Who Should Know Me Better.

It is something I am still reflecting on.