“Oftentimes, the dimensions of relationships change as we go through changes. Sometimes, life brings us friends to teach us the next lesson. We always have more to learn. We do not have to control the course of our relationships, whether these be friendships, family or love relationships. We do not have to satisfy our need for control by imposing a static form or an ideal on our relationships. Let it flow. Be open to the cycles. Love will not disappear. The bond between friends will not sever. Things do not remain the same forever, especially when we are growing and changing and learning to love. Trust God; trust His goodness. And trust the flow. Take care of yourself. The old adage about love still holds true: If it’s meant to be, it will be. And if you love someone, let them go. If they come back to you, the love is yours.” -The Language of Letting Go via Cathy Adams Perez
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:2

(Source: happinessisthesongshesings, via teardownthewalls)

The undiscerning man has always made judgments on outward appearances, while God has always looked on the heart. The Lord expressed His heart to us in the story of the good Samaritan, and instructs us: “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:37

#growth

~The Tender Vine via Cathy Adams Perez (Daily Bread)

‘You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward.’

Dueteronomy 2:3 (NKJV)

Another reblog: Click here to read some great thoughts on Partisanship by Brett McCracken →

Some thoughts on Brett’s thoughts:
For quite a few years, I’ve managed to shut out politics and the media for the most part. Politics is something I absolutely love and I think it’s one of our greatest character points here in America. At least it used to be. Now not so much and I can’t even look at it anymore.

I still read and watch here and there but I managed to stop caring much at all so as not to let it bother me, opting to focus on more important things….like kittens and the NFL. For some mysterious reason, my weakness has gotten the best of me the last couple of weeks and I have been quite frustrated again with this force we call the media.

I read this article I’ve linked you to and it kind of put it all into perspective for me.

Once again, I’m asking that we all back away from this machine. It really is not good for us. I don’t mean the internet as a whole. The internet can be used for good things. I mean the machine that spews rhetoric.

People, it’s not real. It’s just not.

5/10/2012 (1:19pm)

#United#Gay#Christian#Identity

Procrastination: I just want to yell at people. I have so many things coursing through... →

i loved these messy and true thoughts so much I had to share. this is where it’s at. this is the full truth on “Gay” right here.

it’s a tense subject. sex is tense gay or not. so my message to Gays and Christians a like is this: GET OVER IT. we’re bored. sex is not this boring, really it’s not. it’s a beautiful thing let’s try to keep it that way.

now hear this message, it’s much better than mine. :)

thecalmthestorm:

I just want to yell at people. I have so many things coursing through me. I don’t know how to explain all the things I’m so mad about. Yes, it all ties to my religion and the people I’m in community with and these recent days and changes concerning gay marriage. Folks, I don’t KNOW! I’ve had…

5/10/2012 (1:14pm) 3 notes

#Gay

WARRIOR ETHOS

  • I will always place the mission first.
  • I will never accept defeat.
  • I will never quit.
  • I will never leave a fallen comrade.

#Saints#Warrior#Story

5/9/2012 (5:11pm) 1 note

Why is it that when the hurricane hurls it’s way onto our land that we subscribe so deeply into the swirling mass of wind and thunder and water that we forget the truth of the blue sky that still thrives above it?

#Storm

~journeylikejazz

5/4/2012 (7:10pm)

Racing Story

(Thinking of the general temporal nature of the Kentucky Derby, and the shortness of the race compared to the prep, the back story and the lifetime that follow the lone single winner of the whole shebang, as well as the heartache that surrounds the losers and the horses who have a small window to race it, I wanted to share something I read a few days back about “finishing.”)

Saturday April 21, 2012 (Mornings With Jesus)

“Therefore, since we have a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…”

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)

As an author, there is no better feeling than to get to the end of a book and write “The End.” I often sit back, thread my fingers behind my neck and breathe a sigh of relief. It is done.

Of course, “done” is a relative term. There is editing to do. Most of the time there is rewriting. There is talk of cover design and page layout. The “done” when I type “The End” is more like a “done-for-now.”

Thankfully Jesus’ “done” had more finality. “It is finished.. Father into your hands I commit my spirit. (John 19:30; Luke 23:45)

Jesus story continued on of course. We know of the resurrection, of Jesus’ remaining days on earth, and His ascent into heaven. Those who walk on earth today are even part of His story 2,000 years later. Still, Jesus finished a chapter of life on earth we’ll never return to again. The price for sin was paid. We can look back to that moment and accept it for ourselves.

Unlike the books I write, Jesus authored the plan and finished it through. Because of His Finish we can look forward to a life with Christ that never ends and that’s the best conclusion I can imagine!

Faith Step: Have you thanked Jesus recently for His death and sacrifice? Take time to do that now. Also thank God for writing you into His story. And thank Him that your end on earth is only the beginning in heaven with Him.

-Tricia Goyer

#Journey#Story

5/4/2012 (6:26pm)

“….We have a hulk.”

#Saints#movie

“Whatever happens, never stop being fascinated with Him.” -Bill Randall

….rest in who you are.

4/27/2012 (6:51pm) 1 note

Who rescued who?

I saw this on a car the other day and it made me think of my cat. I just spent 700 dollars to save her life. 700 dollars is money I don’t really have.

I love animals. I mean I am a deep deep lover of animals. But animals are just animals. I know this. I am good with my animals because I give them special treatment from time to time, but I treat them as they should be treated, humanely, but as animals not as humans.

Humans live differently than animals. Animals can only function well in their natural habitats. Humans have one habitat, various animals another.I believe treating an animal like a human is inhumane and innaporpriate. It takes them away from their native habitat and way of being.

However, they are gifts to us. Very special gifts, and I also believe in having high regard for that. Combinding all this understanding has proven correct. I’ve never had a bad animal or a very sick animal.

At least until now.

Read More

#God#LOVE

The real bounty scandal....

  • ....fatherlessness is an epidemic in America.
  • Sean Payton is coaching his son's football team this season instead of coaching the New Orleans Saints. Something comes to mind here...
  • "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." -Gen 50: 20
  • #fatherhood > #career
  • "I look forward to cutting the oranges, hauling the Gatorade and watching my son play every game -- and being a part of calling plays for his offense and doing some things like that that really get me excited and I know get him excited." -Coach Payton

#United#Saints#Family#fatherhood

4/26/2012 (1:42pm)

Relevent Mag: "When you can't pray the pain away." →

This is a great article. Lately I’m surrounded by people who are over practical about healing, using strategies and methods and lists as if those methods themselves have a power to heal, when really they are baby steps or guide rails and obsessing over them is just about replacing drugs or alcohol with another less destructive way to cover up the pain. But, I’ve also been around people who are over-ideological or misguided spiritually into thinking that things magically heal themselves and this seeks to avoid really dealing with it as well.

I myself have gone to both extremes in my life. But therapy with licensed pros and studying psychology and other methods of learning about my pain and healing, along with prayer and studying the Bible, and under the umbrella of treating God for who He truly is-a real being, his presence directly in my life a true reality, someone there with me like a friend and counselor through everything-are what got me out of my hole.

The truth is all of those things, completely balanced, have brought major healing and light into my life. But they had to be balanced. That’s the key. I am nowhere near finished, but I am free and getting freer by the minute. I recommend all of you do the same.GET FREE. Deal with your pain, no matter how subtle it is. Doing the full work of healing, not just half of it or the beginning of it…it does wonders for you. I promise. I lived to tell you this story didn’t I?

If you’re in Redding, the Stirring is ripe in the midst of a series on pain and suffering. Come and visit us and talk to us about what you’re going through and start your journey to freedom. If not there, start somewhere. Tell a friend. Find a licensed therapist. Start keeping a journal. Go to a church. Whatever it takes.

I’m writing this out cause I want all of you to experience the freedom I have. I can see some of you hurting and you won’t say anything. You have no idea how hurt I am for you. I see you hurting and I can’t do anything to help you because you refuse to acknowledge it. Others of you talk often about it. You vent to anyone, you vent to me directly.You have begun accepting something is not right and that’s a good start.

4/26/2012 (1:37pm)

#Growth#healing#Identity

I’m sure you’ve heard the verse John 3:16. If not, maybe you’ve seen it on a sign in a football crowd.

It goes like this “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son so that whoever believes in him will not die but have everlasting life.”

Now try it like this…instead of world put your name there.

Like this, see ——-> For God so loved Christina that he gave his one and only son and because she believes in him, she will not die but have everlasting life.

I’m sure it’s awkward for some, exhilarating for others. Let me know if you made you feel anything at all. I want to hear stories.

#LOVE

GOD