Breathe Deep

in an endless cycle of grace, He gives us gifts to serve the world. - Ann Voskamp


I believe that is imperitive in our lives to give to others.  Whether we give our time, our attention, our money, our love;  whatever it is, we must give.  But I also believe it is equally important to reflect.  To sit back and look at our life, where we are and where we are going.  What God has done in us and through us, all around us.  To give thanks and to mark in our hearts the great things He has done.  

The church Kevin and I pastor is a fast moving little thing. :)  I have heard it said from those who attend, that if you miss a week or two, you are left feeling out of sorts, because it moves at such a fast pace.  God has given us vision for our community and for our city, and we do everything we can to fulfill our mission.  We have been covered by His great love, and as the Word tells us, "they who have been forgiven much, love much."  We have no choice but to serve our King, and that translates into taking each opportunity He sends our way to show His heart to others.

Serving in "full time ministry", as it is called, (which all christians should, in my humble opinion, as everything we say and do is ministry) is draining at times.   It is mostly one-sided relationships, with people needing and asking and pulling from you. I must constantly remind myself that if we are connected to Jesus, we never can run dry, because He is never empty;  because He died there is always enough.  But in my fleshly body, I sure can get tired.  Though my spirit is full and content, the kids still whine and argue, the bills still need to be paid, the emails and calls come nonstop, and the refrigerator still must be stocked.  

So I rest in Him today.  I thank Him for His neverending grace.  I thank Him for showing me great and beautiful things that only He can do.  I thank Him for giving me the chance to see through His eyes.  

And I breathe in deep, His grace, that covers and lifts me up and fills every nook and cranny.  Because there is always enough.

<3 Christa

I got some questions...

One of the struggles in this life is the battle within ourselves, the optimist versus the pessismist.  We all have this multiple personality.  The worrier tries to take over from time to time, and choke out the part of us that wants to see the glass as half full, not half empty.  Questions begin to take over our minds in times like these.

Why am I here?  What is going on?  How is this going to happen?
Am I doing what I'm supposed to?  Will this struggle ever leave me?
Do I please Your heart?

I have discovered that when we have a mountaintop experience in our lives, a valley is usually right behind it.  I know this, but sometimes it still takes me off guard.  There I am, on my knees in the valley, and wondering how it happened so quickly, that I was just on the top and here I am again.

God allows these times in our lives, I believe, to shape and mold us. To cut away the things that are dead weight. The things that otherwise, if everything was sparkles and rainbows, we wouldn't see because we wouldn't hit our knees for long enough to see them.  And to see if we've grown from the last time.  To give us perspective.

I don't believe it's wrong to ask God questions.  But I do think it's wrong to doubt Him.  He knows my heart, and knows me deep down.  But I cannot doubt His heart for me, or that He has the best in mind for me.  And I trust Him.  And after my questions, I can rest and be in His love.

These are times when we see ourselves in a mirror, and have a reality check.  Oh, this can hurt, but it can be wonderful at the same time.  We see where we truly stand.  And if we really seek His heart, we will see it.  And will have the courage to keep pressing on.


For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.  1 Corinthians 13:12-13

<3 Christa