Forged By Faith

Psalm 51:10 NIV What isn’t As of now, at this very moment, that’s all that we know to be ahead in what is now a new so novel and strange that we simply cannot see what will be, what might be, what won’t be. We just don’t know. And this has for all of human existence found for us this almost insatiable fear as met within the reality that we’re not as in control as our ego and vanity would elsewise, have elsewise so often tried to pretend, assume, imagine. Rather the reality of novelty is that it comes at us daily in what’s then such a measured approach that we’re left with nothing but to welcome it the same. In whatever measure it comes when said measurement has been made by whomever has such authority to so define reality and how it moves within the finery of its forming new every morning. And indeed, it all seems to be a quite refined process, this purpose which we meet with, of which we’re met with here atop what is a path that we’ve not paved, not purchased, not planned or at times ...

Ephesians 4:24 NIV What is there? Of this new that I’ve been called to? Of the new that you’ve been called to too? What of new is there to witness within me and you? Do you or I have any proof of living new lives on what’s then the other side of lives left to die in what is then a past we’ve passed on from onto the new that’s defined only in a sort of difference in direction and devotion that it delights in the distance from the past to the present? Or does the present still look like the past? Will our past still be in the future? Does the present even care? Can any of us even pretend we do when we see so little of all things new? I awoke yesterday as I always do, with an almost frantic mind searching to find a word to share in response to a verse the same. And yet what hit my brain was this freight train carrying a cargo of confusion, collapse, catastrophe and an almost caustic reality in which I was asked what of God there is to see in me. For this seems the sort of thing that a chi...

Ephesians 4:24 NIV Where is there better to be found within what's already been? I posed that question yesterday within what are my smaller/shorter posts as posted upon such places as Instagram and Twitter. Can we still call it that? Anyway, I asked it because I fear we’re living in this fear of moving forward simply for the sake of both the effort required in all such movement but also because of the many changes or alterations or novel understandings and undertakings that are bound to come around should we move on from what we’ve already seen, previously known or always been. And it’s within this combined fear of both effort and challenge that I worry we’re losing the very gravity of the fact that this life is a gift. Meant to be lived, and thus moved. For no example of life is forever still. Indeed, as you may have noticed, and judging by the post engagement, you haven't, but on the off-chance you have, you'll have realized we've been talking a lot about change over ...

Galatians 2:20 NIV My life isn’t mine. That’s something that all of us who are in Christ can say. And honestly, it’s one of the most peaceful thoughts I’ve had in a while. If my life isn’t mine then I don’t need to worry about making it last, making it comfortable, making it successful. If my life isn’t mine then I don’t have to worry about losing it or having it taken away. If my life isn’t mine then I don’t have to figure out what to do with it. If my life isn’t mine then I don’t have to worry about whether anyone else hates how I live it. If my life isn’t mine then I can simply live out my time here serving the One who now holds my life! Sadly, that truth gets lost in this innate human lie that makes us take everything personally. The hatred, the persecution, the attacks, the names, the exclusion, all of them are things that we instinctually take personally. But again, these lives aren’t ours anymore! So this world can hate us as much as it wants to because we should know it's n...

Colossians 3:9-10 NIV Over the coming days the world of faith gets to celebrate the fulfillment of the greatest promise that we've ever been given. It's the culmination of not only the old law that we've failed to uphold in every way imaginable, but also the completion of the old lives that we've lived according to the ways and wants of this world. It's the celebration of the death, burial, and resurrection of our promised Savior, and the corresponding death and burial of our old lives in exchange for the rebirth into a new life filled with a desire to know Him more fully. That's why this whole other "gospel" that this modern version of Christianity teaches bugs me so badly. What we celebrate during Easter is what matters. Not the things that we've been taught to desire. Not the pride we get from obtaining something that we've had our eyes on. Not the sense of superiority some feel in taking on a religious label. But the freedom in knowing that...

Ephesians 4:22 NIV Well, we've made it. It's the last day of the year. A day that marks the end of one calendar and the start of a brand new set of days tomorrow. In reality it's just another day. But for many this final day of the year brings a sense of finality. And it also ushers in thoughts of renewal, change, and opportunity. It's a day of looking back where this past year has taken us and reflecting upon all that we've seen, heard, and most importantly learned over the last 12 months. As we prepare to leave 2021 behind, I wanted to encourage you to take this opportunity to leave some other things behind with it. Today's a great day to be honest with ourselves and admit that we've picked up some bad habits and have some things that we'd definitely be better off without in the coming new year. We all learned some valuable lessons. We’ve all make some mistakes. We’ve all gained a lot that can and should help us going forward. We've been talking ab...

2 Chronicles 29:6 NIV I was reading through 2 Chronicles last night and this verse really stuck out to me. Hezekiah is beginning his reforms, restoring the temple, and making a new covenant with God because the prior king had led the people away from their God and done evil in His sight. It really clicked with me for some reason. It's like we need this sort of thing all over again today. We need this reminder that we don't have to repeat what's already been done. You know, I think we settle for what we're handed. I guess we find it easier to just keep doing as those before us have done rather than undertaking the hard work of finding our own way. Maybe we assume that those who came before us knew what they were doing and got everything right. Maybe we don't want to take the time to have to consider things and look for ways to improve. Whatever the case, simply continuing what has been done before us may be easier, but it may also be completely wrong. That's what...