Don't Drink the Kool-Aid...Turn It In For Living Water

2 Timothy 2:16

Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.

Purge my heart of the things that break yours

Isaiah 5:6

"Woe to me!" For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.

Cleanse my tongue oh God with burning coal.

Matthew 7:1-2

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

Free my speech from the judgements bestowed upon myself

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Lord I don't want to drink the Kool-Aid.... Sustain me with your living water!!!

A Jounrey Through the Valley

PSALMS 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Whenever I find myself struggling with a situation I always seem to find some solace in the 23rd Psalm. Verse four is particularly comforting to me. The other day I was reading through this passage and began to wonder about the phrase " Your rod and staff, they comfort me". Now I don't know about you, but the idea of an intangible rod (stick) and staff (again a stick) does not seem to be of much comfort to me. So why is it that I find comfort in this verse?

In doing some research I found that while I originally viewed the rod and staff as large wooden sticks, I could not have been more mistaken. According to Strong's Concordance the word rod referred to in this verse is a "mark of authority" and the translation of staff is "support of every kind".

In learning the meanings behind these words, this verse has taken on a whole new meaning to me. The notion that I find comfort in God and the idea of him being there is no longer the message conveyed when I read this verse. In order to find that comfort the Psalmist talks about something is required on my behalf.

To find the comfort talked about in this verse there must first be an acknowledgement on my behalf that the Lord is with me. Next, I must acknowledge and submit to the authority of the Lord in my life. I can see no other way of finding comfort in authority unless I am fully submitted to it. Lastly, I must embrace the support given by the Lord. Often times we take the support offered to us by the Lord for granted. Whether it be the word, other believers, or a strong prayer ethic, God has supplied us with many levels of support throughout our lives.
While I still love the mental image of myself walking through a dark valley alongside a larger than life God, the uncovered meaning of this verse has opened my eyes to the reality that my relationship with the Lord is such a two way street, and obedience and action on my behalf is vital.

Blessings From Above

A tiny little heartbeat with two tiny kicking feet, my world has been rearranged. Two tiny little arms with hands lifted high, my world will never be the same.

May this little life praise you from the womb, may their heart be transformed even now.

Overwhelmed by your blessings I sit speechless in my home. Lord you have given me more than I can even know.

May I honor you with this gift you have given. May your heart be shown in my every move. God give me the abilityto impact a generation, a generation that is growing within my womb.