Fear limits. Faith builds up. I am not referring to the fear of God, out of respect for His authority, rather the kind of fear that limits our obedience to God rather then drawing us closer to Him. Obedience that requires faith, also has an antithesis known as fear, and it is knocking on the door. The unknown breeds a slew of emotions, especially if we question our circumstances rather than the God who called us there.

We all have our foundational beliefs that form the framework of our core. Where does your truth stem from? From society? Your parents? The Bible? Perhaps you don’t even realize where they came from, they are just so embedded in your personality you continue to live them out. I challenge you-to strip down your preconceived notions of truth, and start building your ideologies on the Word of God. Because ultimately when we say our parting goodbye’s here on earth, the only One we have to give account to is God.

One step at a time we take, as we realize that our faith is not just a one and done phenomenon; but rather a lifetime of drawing closer to God through the highs and lows of life, and believe me their will be both. Yet, despite the peace and joy that God brings, drawing close is still an intentional daily choice of obedience and sacrifice, to stay cultivated and fresh.

Sadness, the aching of a bleeding heart, the kind that sometimes seems unfillable? A void. A stillness in the air that echoes in your heart. Have you ever had days like this?

It was 2002, my boyfriend (now husband) and I decided to take the next step in our journey of faith. We both had accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior and were ready for whatever God had in store for us. So in a local hotel’s pool we openly confessed to others the proclamation that we so intimately made between God.

Her favorite blanket was missing. Sure she has others, but this is her new favorite. A cute blanket with a cow on it that she lovingly refers to as ‘moo-moo’. We looked for a while, but nothing showed up. So she stopped and said, “I know what to do!” With her eyes clinched together she prayed, “Lord, please help me find my Moo-Moo, Amen.”

The snow has already fallen, the Christmas decorations are hung, and thoughts of what Christmas truly means fills my mind. A time of reflection of our Savior, a time of peace. Yet the true meaning of Christmas sometimes slips away as commercials and the “me” mentality take its place. We write lists of what we want, and what will make us feel special.

I was born in the 1950’s and was adopted by hard working immigrant parents which gave me an idyllic start to my sometimes controversial life. They provided a stable & peaceful home filled with kindness and generosity.

Blink. The moment has passed. Someone else has run out of time. The specific number of days that only God knows, yet because of the busyness of life procrastination trumps the most important decision. Where will you spend eternity?

In the famous scene at the end of Schindler’s List, Oskar Schindler looks at his remaining possessions and helplessly reflects on lost opportunities. His anguish is palpable as this strong man’s heart begins to break. He didn’t boast about the hundreds that were spared in his factory, but mourned for those that didn’t get to see the light of another day.