Marks of the True Christian

⁹Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." ²⁰To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." ²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:9-21

.....is this us? Can the world find this in us? Do we strive to wear these marks?

Father,

Give me the strength to always bear these marks so they shall know I am YOURS alone.

Let my cares fall on Your shoulders so I can focus on doing Your work in Your way.

Let thoughts of me and my comfort fade and let me not be distracted by my foolish pride and personal glory

That the world will see that I bare the mark of Your resurrection.

That I am new, because of who You are. That all that is within me shouts of Your glory.

amen.

an Engulfing Journey

WOW has God been at work!

I mean He always is, BUT wow. I am seeing HIM manifested SO VERY clearly.

See I've recently witnessed a mountain move. A HUGE Alpine of a mountain and now I am able to bask fully in the splendid overwhelming view of the fountain of Living Water.

...I know back to me and the Water. I seem to always come back. So thirsty, filled with the only kind of gluttony that's worth anything....I want to drink Him in. Fully, filling, I want to Burst through this flesh and show Him.

I'm not scared to submit now. Contrary to what you may believe that hasn't always been the case. I was timid, I was parched, I was squelched- my bones were dry, and my flesh too absorbing. I was lukewarm and LOVED my fake control. Maybe not at any point you knew me, but I was.

On this fervent journey He's been pouring out BUCKETS full of helpful suplements. Bits to energize me as I stride on towards Him and the fountian of sustaining water. Deep calling out to DEEP.

He calls as I run- Taste and See....I taste, and like a nursing child I can hardly breath as I drink His goodness.

I am so fervent in fact that I often stumble- worse I cause my fellow runners to trip. Its not because I mean too, not because I forget my course- but because I am caught off guard by the distractions and hurdles in this world. I take my eyes off my final destination and get too comfortable Here. But, the journey is far from over. This world is not my home. like David so often laments in psalm I realize what just happened, and the water He so freely filled me with flows from my eyes and before I know it His hands are there, His helpers are there, and I am back first on my knees (oh this is a gloriously humbling place to be) then back on track.

His Water is always calling. I am always thirsty for Him, and hungry for His word.

As I run today, uncertain of His plans BUT sure He's going to use me and my house in His service I find I'd like to share a few supplements that have helped clarify the Path set before me. They have restored my Hope and vision.....

What the real witnesses of Christ really do
Crazy Love (and Francis Chans podcasts)
Jesus of Suburbia
Family Driven Faith ( and other Voddie podcasts)
and the music, Oh the music. That alone could fill a post but I think this song sums it up tonight Hosanna

"I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees"

Oh there is so much more. This journey is so much more then most of us American travelers let it be. Drink deeply from His well, run to His word. Be Hungry. Stay hungry, and don't ever let your heart become satisfied with less then He wants to give, but be content.

Again. He calls as I run- Taste and See....I taste, and like a nursing child I can hardly breath as I drink His goodness. Deep calling out to deep.