Forged By Faith

1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV We live in a world that never grew up past sticks and stones breaking bones as down here words are still said to hurt. But above all the mockery and belittlement bestowed upon those living a life of faith alongside a majority who aren't, turns out the joke is on them. Because as it just so happens, all those little demeaning designations have become somewhat the proverbial badge of honor for those who have so little interest in fitting in with the world around them that they actually seek to be as different from the downfall as possible. Yes, words may hurt a society still softened by socialized successes and standardized messes, but to us who've welcomed the fire as a means to refine us into something useful for a kingdom greater than all this world can ever accomplish, they only mean we're doing something right. And well, it's just nice to have that validation by whatever means it may come. Halfwit. Idiot. Imbecile. Ignoramus. Blockhead. Buffon....

1 Corinthians 1:28 NIV This world has been invited to lose its grip, its influence, its pressure, its insistence upon us being only what they want us to be so that they can continue to be only all they’ve chosen to be. But for us to find that freedom demands first we accept His gift of redemption from all we’ve been. Because it’s only on the other side of a cross planted on a hill for all the world to see that we can see that we’re invited to be all that nullifies this world’s audacious and arrogant assumption that they’ve the right, the ability, the authority to tell us who to be and how to live. Through Christ we're chosen to be everything everyone says we shouldn't be, all to be living proof that everything everyone says we should be isn't at all worth being as it only keeps us from living. You see, we find ourselves lost in this world that prides itself on this illusionary sense of power which allows the masses to determine and dictate what's considered acceptable, ...

Hebrews 12:1 NIV To know that you've been held back from a life of deeper meaning and more meaningful purpose is altogether gut-wrenching. But to know that millions around you may never care to know true freedom as it exists only on the other side a wrongly lived life laid down is as devastating a realization as a human mind can consider. Because along this narrowing path unto which we’ve been called, it's not just our freedom which is found. No, so too do we find that too few others care to find theirs. And yet, despite the division deepening between us and a world we remain in though no longer of, that the weight of that saddening realization remains firmly in place no matter where we go or how hard it becomes to speak the truth in a world in love with lies testifies to the true purpose of our very existence. It's not what we've always thought it was. We're not here for all we've always assumed we were. Our lives are indeed not our own, and yet that's a tr...

Philippians 4:13 NIV Must be more than me. Because if it’s not where I am nor where I've been, not what I've done nor what I'll do, if it’s not something I can see or feel, know or define then I reckon this prize exists outside of me and these limitations of mine. Ever since God harkened me back to a place and time in which hope was easier and life was sweeter and time was for once seen as the gift it's always been, I've been waking up every morning with a deeper appreciation for the lowliness in which I kneel. I find myself contemplating considerations that have no consideration for my vain glory anymore. Losing a little more of my selfishness by the day. And I legitimately could not be more thankful for the opportunity to do so as it's offering this burgeoning hope that perhaps someday up ahead of me I'll find that place where all I've been has been laid down and all I've left is all that's still to come within the priceless promise of a prize ...

Philippians 3:12 NIV What if life isn't a story for us to write but instead a journey we're to take along which we find inside what He's always known was there? Just the idea that Christ came looking for me is about as overwhelming and confusing a thought as I've ever considered. Doesn't make any sense to me. Because I know me. I know where I am, where I've been and what wrong turns I’ve taken which have combined the two into the heartbreaking downfall of this fallen man. I know the story I've lived as I've been the one trying in vain to write it just right. And I know just how wrong it's turned out. So why me? Why you? Why go through what He went through for people who'd proven all but impossible to get through to? Why step out of Heaven's peace into a place of punishment designed by those who'd long denied any power or authority outside themselves? Why would the spotless Lamb of God take hold a horde of dirty sinners who had only ever l...

Proverbs 4:26 NIV There exists inside each of us an innate resiliency that's there to see us through a life we're not at all ready to face all alone. But the problem is that that resiliency cannot break from responsibility. Because it's God's working to ensure that we're always well aware of what we're doing via both constant reminders of what we're supposed to do as well as incessant realizations of what we're actually doing. And that the two are inseparable leads to this breaking point where one of two things inevitably happen: Either our awareness of our responsibilities breaks down our arrogance or our arrogance resolves to remove all reminder of our responsibilities so that they don't hinder what we've so selfishly learned to crave. Looking around it's clear to see that that inner resolve is sadly among the very first bits and pieces of ourselves that are bought and traded as if nothing more than commodities or stock shares. Parts of our...