Living Life for Christ Alone

"'That is the only really satisfactory way of dealing with evil, not simply binding it so that it cannot work harm, but whenever possible overcoming it with good.'" - (Hinds Feet on High Places) ---- "I realized that there is purpose in the pain," I said to my friend as we chatted about my life as a foster mom. I had just been explaining how sad I had been about the whole situation. How heavy the first couple months were.  I didn't know if I could keep living in it. It seemed too heavy for me.  But for some reason, the weight lifted when I realized in a deeper way that there is a purpose in the pain that comes with fostering.  A purpose that goes far beyond just the good that I imagine can come out of it.  --- The enemy is in the business of ripping families apart. I don't know if you've ever noticed that, but it is one of his specialties.  And we have waded into his territory.  Fostering isn't just ministry. It's warfare.  --- "You ...

Love- that which binds us to the burdens, joys and sorrows of God. (Psalm 25:14, John 15:15) Love -that which binds us to the hurts, griefs, suffering and triumphs of others. (1 Cor. 12:26) We are called to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15) But there is one thing that steps between us and the oneness I have just described.  There is one thing that holds us back with an icy grip from being the person who runs towards God and others in love. What is it? You ask.  It is fear. Are we afraid of relating to God wrong?  Are we afraid of hurting or being hurt by others?  You see, fear prevents us from the oneness of love.  Fear motivates us to put up the facade that everything is alright when in reality we are needy and helpless.  Fear prevents us from reaching out to a hurting one in comfort.  Fear prevents us from getting too close to others, because it could get messy. Fear holds us back in our relationship with God...

Several months ago, I convinced myself that I needed my very own power tools. Seriously. ;)  The first power tool I intended to buy was a drill. I had all these visions of me being able to quickly fix some of the broken furniture I acquire for resale without too much hassle.  Finally the day came that Kevin and I went to Harbor Freight to buy that power drill that I had so long dreamed about. It was an exciting day when I first put it to use! However, the very first thing I had to do when I got the tool out was charge the battery, because it arrived home powerless.  I could push that trigger all day, but nothing would happen until that was done. Once it was charged, I could use it. But I could only use it so long before the battery died again. That’s the case with all battery-powered tools, or battery-powered anything. (Disclaimer: I am not- repeat, NOT- and expert with tools! lol)  When I was looking around at all the options, I noticed that ...