faith

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God's Grace = Sins Erased

Call Those Things

Trusting God Through the Long Haul

I’m sitting cozily in a warm European café perched just outside the city center of Brno (in the Czech Republic), sipping hot cranberry ginger cider and wondering:

Dear man to my left, with your interesting choice of three drinks at once (sparkling water, espresso, and wine) and a fat journal full of what I assume is contemplative, expressive writing splayed out in front of you; I see you’re trying to grow a man bun. Touché. Really. I commend the effort. But while you’re playing catch up with the rest of Europe’s models, Jared Leto, and every futball player in the continent, you look so very silly.

This mid-way, awkward phase probably has him confused, too. Should he cut it off? Keep going? Wear a hat? (I’m going somewhere with this. I promise.)

Have you ever felt led by God, the Spirit, or “a sign” to do something? I’ll answer that for you. I’m sure you have. We often look to God for direction – as we should – and find ourselves on the path to somewhere. We always start out gung-ho, like, “God put it on my heart to write this book, and write this book, I will.” It sounds great at first. You look and feel like the champion of chasing a dream. I’m following God’s will for my life. I’m writing this book. It’s going to be great. Skip to a few months later when the sparkle has worn off and you haven’t gotten past chapter 3, you’re out of ideas, and you begin to wonder the very same thing that I suspect man-bun-wannabe may be thinkin’ right about now: Should I turn back? It’s not too late to change my mind. I’ll do something different. A faux-hawk. It’s easier; more manageable. (Please, take lightly my superficial example.) 

It’s moments like these that challenge our faith. That challenge our innate belief in the will and power of God. It’s times like these that we must turn to God and know that though our path is long or winding, though our legs are tired or we are sporting a ridiculous half-bun/half crew-cut, He sent us on this mission. Trust His plan – the one placed on your heart – and carry on. He wouldn’t let you look ridiculous unless there was a lesson to learn or it was a stepping stone to your goal… right? 

You know what goes hand in hand in believing in God’s plan for you? Believing that he equipped you to stick it out for the long haul.

He knows you can handle the quazi-bun with confidence. No one ever said, “God had this great plan for your life and if you believe in Him for five minutes, you’ll have the fruit in your basket.” (You know, combining the whole rub a Genie lamp with planting seeds and seeing fruit - voila!).

God’s plan for you and the path He has placed you on is as important as the life He gave you. And when you get to the end – full length, luscious man-bun that competes with even Brad Pitt's (or something more significant) – you will know that God carried you through to the finish line because He is not a frivolous God. He doesn’t do things He doesn’t mean. He meant for you to realize this dream. #BeInspired #TrustGod #PassitOn

Bible references: Jeremiah 29:11; Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 16:9

Child of the Most High King

At seventeen years old, I found myself. I fell away from the ugly duckling, girl-in-the-shadows image I clung to and discovered the beautiful, confident, smart, and purpose-driven woman God knew me to be.

That was the key, really: finding my identity in Him. See, once you see yourself as a flawed, yet redeemed, heir – or heiress in my case – to the throne, in need of Jesus, you realize there isn't anything you can or cannot do to separate yourself from the Love of God. If He can know everything about me – every secret, every weakness, every flaw – and still love me, forgive me, and plan a beautiful life for me, then what am I waiting for? It's time to love myself back.

For the first time, I was able to look in the mirror and smile, thinking, Hey, I am beautiful, or, that crazy dream doesn't seem so crazy anymore because God put it on my heart. I urge you to see past your worldly desires, flaws, and comparisons; look to the One who created you in His perfect image and likeness; venture past the realistic and consider the extraordinary because that's where you'll find your Heavenly Father waiting for you to step on board. When you begin to love yourself, your heart will be open to love others the way you were created to. And moreover, you will be infinitely more lovable in return.

You are who God says you are, who He made you to be, with a will only you can fulfill.

Scriptural references: Romans 8:37-39; Romans 8:17; Jeremiah 29:11; Genesis 1:27;  John 13:34

Welcome to Today.

Today is the first day of the rest of our lives. Sounds inspiring, right? We believe God has extraordinary plans for each and every one of us and it's our belief in things we cannot see that carries us from day to day until His plans unfold. Today can be the beginning; today you can start fresh; today is a blank canvas for you to craft a masterpiece. We encourage you to stick with us as we take steps towards the dream we feel called to accomplish. Start conversation, ask questions, and share when you feel inspired to! 

With love,

Christine & Desirée

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