In Christ Alone

  "I press on toward the goal for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 Had life gone according to plan, right now we would be in Northern California enjoying a lovely fall day with my niece and nephew, parents, and brother and sister-in-law. Life didn't go according to plan though. While everyone has their own take on Coronavirus and how seriously it should or shouldn't be taken, we decided for the sake of everyone, we would forego our original Thanksgiving plans. We will see them again, so there is comfort in that. Since we couldn't go, we spent yesterday decorating for Christmas. This is the first year I have ever decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving. 2020 has been anything but normal, so I'm all for bringing a little Christmas cheer early. I was pretty sad when our plans were canceled, but I am making the most of sudden free time by cleaning my windows and blinds and blasting worship music. Cleaning blinds sounds boring, yes, but...

It's an odd time to be alive here in the U.S. We have a worldwide virus causing fear, an election that still has yet to be fully resolved, a nation divided by name-calling and opposing ideals. It's not like you can escape it. Every time you even take a peek at the news, you see it. Emotions are running high. People speak before thinking. Or maybe they do think, but anything posted or quoted comes across as glib or uninformed. What we say cannot be erased sometimes. It's forever saved. Be careful then what you say. How should we as Christians live? We have the high calling to be light in an ever darkening world, to proclaim Christ, to tell others that this life is not all there is. We cling to the hope found in Christ, knowing He is sovereign over every nanosecond and every corner of the world is under His control. For some, this brings dread, for others disdain, but for those who love Him, comfort.  How others respond is not something you have control over. Reme...

Philippians 1:21 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Paul referred to himself as a slave to Christ numerous times. If you don't know much about Paul, he was radically transformed by Christ. He had been one of the biggest opponents of the Christian faith, killing many and overseeing the deaths of many more. His conversion was one I'm sure the disciples never saw coming, but that is how God works in His grace and kindness: transforming His enemies into sons and daughters. Paul's life post-conversion was wholly committed to Christ. He was imprisoned, beaten, rejected, and endured trial after trial, but still, he counted all of it worth it for the sake of Christ. We are not apostles, but we are to be like Paul wherever we find ourselves. We are slaves to Christ. Our servitude is not oppressive. It is not joyless. It is not something we are trying to break free from. We have been bought by the blood of Jesus. It is our highest privilege to be...

Philippians 4:4-7 "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Before I knew Christ as my Savior, I was always anxious. I had an understanding that God existed, I just didn't believe He was the God proclaimed in the Bible. Anxiety is hard to hide. It comes out in conversation and actions. I came to saving faith as a teenager preparing to leave home for the first time. I started reading my Bible for what felt like the first time ever. Verses I had seen dozens of times suddenly made sense. I repented. Repentance is a full realization that you have offended a holy God and a desire to not just turn from that sin but to put on righteousness (to do the ...

  Clouds over San Tan Valley, AZ. 11/8/2020 Today I am starting something new with this blog. Blogging isn't new, and it's not even new for me. I used to blog years ago when my oldest (now 13) was little. I also started a blog when I was trying to get fit, and another for healthy meals, but this is my first blog of this sort. My heart is heavy for this world. Social media feels like a breeding ground for bitterness, hostility, misunderstandings, hatred, jealousy, and every other sin you could think of. For all of its good, it has a whole lot of bad. For me it has consumed so much of my time and my happiness. Yes, I love knowing what people are up to, how I can pray for them, etc., but for the most part, I don't feel edified after spending hours scrolling through it. I feel empty and often depressed. And then I realized, I don't have to be here. The election and hoopla surrounding it pushed me over the edge. Perhaps you echo my sentime...