"GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES; FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Life is full of blessings in disguise. Sometimes the worst circumstances in our lives end up opening tremendous doors for God to use us. The key to it all lies not in the circumstances, but in our attitude towards God and whatever life throws our way.
We have one of two options:
1. Turn our focus inward and on everything that is wrong (not what we would choose)
2. Turn our focus upward and on the only thing that has to be right (our relationship with God)
Whenever I choose option one I find myself unsatisfied, irritable and extremely miserable (and everyone else around me). Obviously, this is not the life God wants for His children. He has a better plan. Option two. When we look at what God has done for us in Christ, we begin to experience a life like God intended. A life of contentment, thanksgiving and joy. A life that chooses to give thanks.
Choose to give thanks all of the time, including the worst of times. God has an awesome way of showing off and turning the worst seasons of life into the best (Romans 8:28).
--To our SHCC family--
Sorry, we missed the celebration tonight. The car is out of the shop and we hope to see you all tomorrow night! (Lord willing)
Friday, May 3, 2013
Thursday, May 2, 2013
The truth shall set you free...
"FOR THOUGH THE RIGHTEOUS FALL SEVEN TIMES, THEY RISE AGAIN..." Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)
I never dreamed the day would come that I would find myself struggling to find the right words. Yet, here I am determined to share a little of what God has been teaching me. For a long time I believed leaders had to appear perfect. (We all know they make mistakes...just not big ones). For far too long I thought admitting my struggles would only hurt, not help. I told myself nobody would understand, nobody would care and most of all nobody would still support you as a leader. These were all lies I believed. Lies that come from the father of lies, the devil (John 8:44).
Then, I met the body of Christ. Not just met, but was embraced by the body of Christ. Sure, I have grown up in church all of my life. I have seen God work in amazing ways through the church...yet, I had never felt that I could truly be authentic and transparent until Sunday. Sunday, I stood before my brothers and sisters in Christ and admitted I struggle with alcoholism. Never have I felt so broken and yet so loved.
This blog is my simple attempt to share this journey of recovery with those that choose to bear this burden with me. My wife, Megan, is also blogging to give a spouse's perspective. Her blog is unashameddependance
Our prayer is that God will use our journey to bring Him glory. May God grant you the courage to be authentic. Always remember, the righteous are not righteous because they never fall...but because they "RISE AGAIN."
I never dreamed the day would come that I would find myself struggling to find the right words. Yet, here I am determined to share a little of what God has been teaching me. For a long time I believed leaders had to appear perfect. (We all know they make mistakes...just not big ones). For far too long I thought admitting my struggles would only hurt, not help. I told myself nobody would understand, nobody would care and most of all nobody would still support you as a leader. These were all lies I believed. Lies that come from the father of lies, the devil (John 8:44).
Then, I met the body of Christ. Not just met, but was embraced by the body of Christ. Sure, I have grown up in church all of my life. I have seen God work in amazing ways through the church...yet, I had never felt that I could truly be authentic and transparent until Sunday. Sunday, I stood before my brothers and sisters in Christ and admitted I struggle with alcoholism. Never have I felt so broken and yet so loved.
This blog is my simple attempt to share this journey of recovery with those that choose to bear this burden with me. My wife, Megan, is also blogging to give a spouse's perspective. Her blog is unashameddependance
Our prayer is that God will use our journey to bring Him glory. May God grant you the courage to be authentic. Always remember, the righteous are not righteous because they never fall...but because they "RISE AGAIN."
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