Reflecting the Shepherd

So, being an artsy, creative gal, I love movies and I lines and moments tend to stick with me well after I’ve watched it once, twice or even ten times (we’ll discuss those movies later), but one movie line and one song line that are cliché and yet I can’t always get past is: Attitude reflects leadership in Remember the Titans, and respect is given and not earned- that I am not sure who to attribute that too.

Starting with the first­­—as a believer, our leadership, no matter who it is that walks alongside us, mentors us, disciples us on this earth, our greatest leader will always start with our Great Shepherd- our Heavenly Father.  So then, if attitude reflects leadership, does the attitude you show forth reflect God?  Do you show the love He shows?  Do you reflect his kindness-the kindness that leads to repentance?

Respect is given and not earned reflects the self consumed perspective of today’s culture.  Do for me and I do for you, but what about freely you have received, freely give.  We have received love, grace, and mercy freely from God daily.  It is not held hostage and it is not earned.  We receive from God based on his character…his faithfulness to himself.  So the question I pose to you today, what are you withholding from others that poorly reflects God?  

Why Double Down- When I Can Go All In?

SO....30? For the last 29 years life has been more than a rollercoaster of events and emotions.  It has been a journey, a battle, at times the horrific dream that you want to wake up from, but no matter what, it seems like you can't shake yourself awake.  I have been fortunate enough to have experienced life as the walking dead and to now experience eternal life.  I have had moments where I folded, where I couldn't comprehend the hand I held, and the hand that held me, that secured me.  I think back to the moments that brought to light my greatest exhibits of faith- the moments where I went all in...what made me go all in then and resist in others?  

So in light of songs like Brad Paisley's Letter to Me I write this not just to myself but to every other person that struggles with the notion of going all in with God:

Dear 30 (or whoever else venturing to capture this)-You are Loved by the God of the universe, your Heavenly Father- the King and Creator, and you are His.  He loves and cares for you and has laid a path across a solid foundation in Him.  You've spent the last 29 years splitting hands and betting minimally, expecting to lose.  This year, you will walk hand in hand with the Father and be led of him in a way that will blow your mind.  The miracle working God of the Bible has said and greater works shall you do.  Don't be reserved.  Go all in in your relationship.  Talk to him.  Pour out your heart.  Shed all your tears.  Laugh with with him.  Walk with him.  Love loves you, so love Him back. The same One that holds you, walks with you  and teaches you, is the same Powerful One that delivered you out of darkness and into his marvelous light...the same Eternal One that exist from Everlasting to Everlasting...the same great God that resurrected the same Jesus that hung cursed bearing the weight and debt of your sins.  Live everyday grateful to know you belong to Him and know that searching for love is unnecessary because Love has found you.
Sincerely,
The Old You

To those like me, that have struggled accepting God's love- nothing in this world compares to His love.  No human love compares to being loved by Love itself.

Love ya'll!
~Adri D

The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one's life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.  The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up.  The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous.  They are more desirable than gold-than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb.  In addition, Your servant is warned by them; there is great reward in keeping them. Psalms 19:7-11 HCSB

I'll Never Let Go

So, I know the title sounds a little like the cheesy line from Titantic, but I find it fitting for my first post.  I love going to see my Brailyn, who is like my niece for those who don't know.  Not only is it guaranteed to be a time tilled with laughter, but she is also a vessel God uses to teach me, often unexpectedly.  

This time was no different.  While fixing us a snack, she comes in and begins to chat with me and to sum it all up, she had a desire to be able to touch the ceiling.  As I go to pick her up, she panics and begins to whimper.  I put her down and ask her if she trusts me.  She says yes.  I tell her I would never drop her and she says, "I Know."

I walk back into the kitchen and she comes back and tells me she's ready and after waiting a few minutes, we try again.  This time I have her walk her hands up the wall so she can see how obtainable her goal is.  Three palms from the top, she cries out for me to bring her back down and tells me she's afraid.  I bring her back down slowly and put her  on the couch in front of me.

"Brailyn, do you trust me?"
"Yes."
"Brailyn, have I ever dropped you?"
"No."
"Don't you know that I would never do anything to hurt you or let you get hurt?"  And as I ask this last question, I can hear the heart of God.  I hear God asking me the same things.  Her answer.  The same as mine.  I know.

After getting her to say, I can touch the ceiling.  I will touch the ceiling.  I am going to touch the ceiling.  My munchkins walks her hands up the wall and touched the ceiling.

God so often is trying to pry us from our position of paralyzing fear and move us past a confession of I can to I am.  We have to know that God is constantly whispering to us "I'll never let go."  Move past desiring to do the will of God to living and walking out the will of God.  The joy of purpose fulfilled is far greater than potential paralyzed.