I think I want to be real. I mean I want to be all that God meant for me to be when He made me.

I know it’s a process. Sometimes, it’s not a pleasant one. Those sharp edges have to be smoothed out somehow. But the final result is always worth the pain and discomfort.

When God is closely at work in your life and on you, chiseling away and sculpting, it’s impossible for you not to get closer to Him and to His heart.

Trust God’s process over the current pain, lean into all that you know of God, and let Him have His way with you.

It will be more than worth it.

“As a result of this many of His disciples abandoned Him, and no longer walked with Him. So Jesus said to the twelve [disciples], ‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You [alone] have the words of eternal life [you are our only hope]'” (John 6:66-68), Amplified Bible).

Lately, I’ve been hearing and reading about a number of high profile Christian leaders and artists who are publicly denouncing their faith. In a way, it hurts my heart. Some of these have been people that I respected and looked up to.

I’m reminded that maybe I need to stop putting these people on a pedestal. Maybe we as believers need to stop deifying our Christian celebrities. They are just as broken and messed up as the rest of us.

Also, I remember times when I was tempted to give up on my own faith, when the situation didn’t seem to be working out like I wanted and I didn’t see how God could come through.

That’s when the words of Peter ring in my ears.

Where else will I go to find the peace that passes all understanding? Where else can I find security and purpose? What other god out there has promised to never leave or forsake me?

I echo the words of Peter (in a rare moment when he wasn’t sticking his foot in his mouth) when he said, “You [alone] have the words of eternal life [you are our only hope].”

Jesus is my only hope. I literally have nowhere else to go. If I decide that Jesus isn’t for me, I have nothing else.

My prayer is that those who have walked away will turn back. I pray their story will be like the prodigal’s when he came to himself and realized what he had with his father.

I know that in the end, it is not my firm grip on Jesus that will sustain me but His firm grip on me. His love, not mine, is what saves me.

Oh, c’mon. You know it’s funny.

Just yes.

“People are fond of saying God knows my heart. Especially the religious partially obedient half committed people. God does know our hearts, but He means something very different by it. 

He means that our choosing to do or choosing not to do what He says reveals what’s IN our heart. Our hearts are revealed by the choices we make. If you find that your heart isn’t right you can ask Him, and He will give you a right one” (Brother Greg).

FYI, this is a different Greg, in case you were wondering. But he speaks truth.

Jesus said it a little differently. He said we show our love for God by how we obey what He says. Those actions don’t save us, but they are a demonstration of a saving faith at work.

May we all have a heart that yearns and delights to do the will of the Father.

• 

Slow down. Stop the glorification of busy and actually make time for your life. It seems like busyness is one of the few socially acceptable addictions that are not only tolerated but celebrated by many.

God says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

That’s a good place to start.

If you live anywhere near the great state of Tennessee, then the answer is obviously yes, it is humid. Unbearably so. At least for me.

I sweat a lot. I own it. Especially when the temps are in the 90’s and the air feels soggy. It’s like walking into a sauna.

Some people like hot weather. I get that. Some people wear long sleeves and sweaters in hot weather. I don’t get that, but hey, it’s a free country.

I’m over here counting down the days to fall when I can wear flannel and not die from a heat stroke. I’m sure those who are anywhere near me when I’m in high sweat mode will agree. Especially those downwind of me. I do apologize.

The good news is that we’re on the down side of summer. Fall draweth nigh. And I personally can’t wait.

I get sick and tired of having the old two-party system constantly shoved down my throat, as if there were ever only two choices– Republican or Democrat, Liberal or Conservative.

Maybe I want to be an Independent and actually think for myself. Maybe I don’t want to drink the kool-aid anymore.

Maybe I really do believe the Gospel is more than a political party platform or election campaign rhetoric.

Maybe I believe that neither Conservatives nor Liberals get the Gospel 100% right.

Maybe I really do believe that my ultimate allegiance isn’t to any President or flag or political party but to King Jesus and His kingdom.

After all, one day there won’t be a United States. There won’t be Democrats or Republicans. All the hateful rhetoric between the two sides won’t even matter.

What will matter is how you showed people the love of Jesus.

What will matter is how you loved your neighbor as yourself. And Jesus defined the neighbor as anyone who has a need that you have the power to meet.

What will matter is what you did for the least of these, those who were cold and hungry and naked and alone. It won’t matter if you voted red or blue and did nothing for these, because Jesus’ words to you will be, “Depart from Me.”

True faith doesn’t follow a party line. True faith is one that shows itself in good works, essentially how you actively loved God and loved people.

That’s what will matter in the end.

In case you ever wondered about those yellow stripey things, here’s a handy and helpful chart. Because who doesn’t like charts?

I personally have never been good at telling these apart, though I certainly agree that all yellow jackets are jerks. Also, air freshener will not kill any wasps. It will only make them really, really mad. But at least they will smell like misty morning flowers when they are stinging you to death.

It’s one thing to take risks for the sake of taking risks and to be a thrill seeker to the extent that you are careless with your life. At that point it becomes all about you and the adrenaline rush.

But to invest in people and to set out to leave a mark of kindness and service is an adventure in quite a different way. You risk being rejected and misunderstood. But in the end it’s worth any risk to know that there will be more people in heaven because you showed them Jesus.

Not just talked about Jesus. Not just preached sermons about Jesus or led Bible studies about Jesus or discoursed on Jesus but actually lived like Jesus and in a way became Jesus to the least of these. People that would have never picked up a Bible to read it read your life and saw Jesus there.

That’s the best kind of adventurous life.