Gather the Outcasts

We are commissioned James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” Deuteronomy 10:18 says, “He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.” So today you will take a small glimpse into my heart. Since 2013, I have been a foster parent. As of today, I have welcomed exactly 40 children into my home, many of which I still have a relationship with today. Some have stayed for years, others only a few weeks. It is my heart and my passion to be able to open my doors to children and to play a small role in placing families back together. The bible is quite clear that as Christians, we are to care for foster children in one way or another. The call to care for them cannot really be argued or debated and it is my personal opinion that Christians should be the first ones on the front line ready and will...

Relationships are hard. They are worth it but they are hard. From friendships to romantic partners to parents and children, they all come with unique issues that will require time and effort. No one ever really prepared me for that. The level of compromise required to make them work. The amount of effort needed to keep them healthy. If you have a relationship that you want to maintain it is going to take constant and consistent tending to. There will be no off season or break from it. Even with parents and children. As your kids grow up you simply take on new roles in their lives. They may not need you as much for their physical well being but they will need you more than ever to navigate the emotional difficulties of young adulthood. One of the most, if not THE most, important thing that I have learned will negatively impact any type of relationship is the unspoken expectation . There are two types of unspoken expectations. One is basic. The other is deep. Most of the basic ones coul...

Relationships, does anyone exactly understand them? I know relationship experts exist but how in the world do you become one of those? People absolutely baffle me and I must admit, my tolerance for most of God’s creation is very low. I am waiting on the lightning bolt that’s going to come down from Heaven and give me a supernatural acceptance of the stupidity I often observe. Right here is where I would usually insert some motivational quote or ground breaking scripture like, “LOVE LIKE JESUS”.  Until it struck me today as I was reading about the ministry of Jesus...He struggled with relationships too. I am what you call an “observer”. I notice everything. I pick up on everything. I’m aware of everything. Some would call this a curse and believe me, at times it has felt like that. There have been many times when my eyes physically cannot stop moving because I’m drawn to every slightest sensation or change in the wind. I call it a blessing, because it has taught me that the world is...

  Your fighting your daddy's demons... I've been told that a time or two. That what I was dealing with was something generational. Something that I never asked for or invited into my life but it was this thing that had attached to the bloodline of my family. Sounds almost like the plot to a horror film. It's not just Hollywood imagination though. There are things that follow us because of the choices and actions of not only our parents but also long dead relatives. The bible gives us enough teaching to call them generational curses.  Numbers 14:18 ‘The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.’ Doesn't seem fair does it? That the guilty can sentence the generations after them to suffer because of their actions. It is biblical though and it ought to m...

 Isaiah 6:8 (NLT) says, "Then I heard the Lord asking, 'Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?' I said, “Here I am. Send me.” I would like for everyone to meet Sport, the very hungry chipmunk. He plays an important role in our story later on. But first, let’s go on a rabbit trail. Passion - one of my favorite things to talk about. It is described as any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, like love. In the New Testament, we read a lot about the passion of Jesus and how His love was displayed for us on a cross. With a new found grace, God’s people can have a new desire to commune with God like never before (Isaiah 26:9). This new love for God is seen more in our desires and passions than any act a Christian can display. This is why our passions are so important to God. Passion can be a lot of things, but there are some things passion cannot be and this is what I love most about this topic. 1.      Passion cannot be forced or faked...

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. —  Ralph Waldo Emerson In the first book of Samuel, chapter seventeen we read about the moment David was going out to face Goliath. David was angry about how Goliath had been taunting the troops and was moved to go out and face the giant in battle. However, he didn't just run out onto the battlefield. The first thing he did was go to the king to get permission to represent the army. At first Saul doesn't even want to let David go fight but David persists and convinces him to let him go. However, before Saul let's David step onto the field of combat he offers David his armor.  Now, Saul probably thought he was sending David out to his death and felt like giving him the armor was the least he could do. After all, how else was this small shepherd boy going to survive against a giant! Of all the moments that people talk about from this historic confrontation between Da...

“David brought a rock to a sword fight”.  –Casting Crowns  In the book of Samuel chapter 17, we read about one of the greatest stories ever told. The text paints an incredible picture of biblical warriors and champion warfare. So to quote my girl Sophia on Golden Girls…”Picture this! Valley of Elah! 1st Century BCE!” Saul is king over the Israelites. The fight of their life has shown up right at their back door. A fight with the Philistines. The Israelites occupied one hill, the Philistines another, with nothing but a valley separating them. Every morning and every night, for forty days, Goliath would stand between the lines and challenge any worthy opponent to come out and fight him. Goliath was no ordinary soldier and this fight was no ordinary fight. The bible describes him as a champion and this battle would determine the outcome of the war in a single combat, a champion warfare. David, a shepherd’s boy, worked his way into the battle line. As he stood before King Saul, he...