Your Miracle

1The power of the LORD came over me. The LORD brought me out by his Spirit and put me down in the middle of a valley. The valley was filled with bones. 2He led me all around them. I saw that there were very many bones at the bottom of the valley, and they were very dry. 3Then he asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I answered, "Only you know, Almighty LORD."4Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones. Tell them, 'Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD. 5This is what the Almighty LORD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live. 6I will put ligaments on you, place muscles on you, and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you, and you will live. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'"7So I prophesied as I was commanded. While I was prophesying, suddenly there was a rattling noise, and the bones came together, one bone [attaching itself] to another. 8As I looked, I saw that ligaments were on them, muscles were on them, and skin covered them. Yet, there was no breath in them. 9Then the LORD said to me, "Prophesy to the breath! Prophesy, son of man. Tell the breath, 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: Come from the four winds, Breath, and breathe on these people who were killed so that they will live.' " 10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath entered them. Then they came to life and stood on their feet. There were enough of them to form a very large army.11The LORD also said to me, "Son of man, all the people of Israel are like these bones. The people say, 'Our bones are dry, and our hope has vanished. We are completely destroyed.' 12So prophesy. Tell them, 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: My people, I will open your graves and take you out of them. I will bring you to Israel. 13Then, my people, you will know that I am the LORD, because I will open your graves and bring you out of your graves. 14I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live. I will place you in your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.'"

Ezekiel 37:1-14 (GWT)

Right about this time last year, I came to a crossroads in my life.  I found myself at a big Christian conference, surrounded by thousands of people.  Most of them strangers, but some very close to me.  As I was listening to a sermon that was spoken by a man I've never met, the words touched something deep within my sub conscience, something that I realized I have been ignoring for some time.  If you asked me then and there if I believed that God could perform miracles, I would give you a fervent "Yes!".  If you asked me if I believed that God could perform miracles in my life, I would mutter a sad "No".  Somewhere in the hustle and bustle of life, in between high mountains and low valleys of my spiritual life, I realized I was slowly losing my faith.  Not my faith in God - I still believed He existed, and still believed His Word was the ultimate truth.  I still believed He was worthy of my praise, and I still gave Him credit for every breath I took.  I started losing my faith in Him rescuing me, helping me... the "me"  as in myself, an individual that has failed Him so much.  I stopped believing that there was a way out, that certain situations in my life had to stay the way they were.  I stopped believe He'd send a miracle my way.  As the preacher spoke, I started praying for a miracle.

He has sent a few miracles my way since, and the more I seek Him, the more I realize how much His love extends to the undeserving, to the unworthy, to the sad and the sorry, to the weak in spirit.  As I came across the above scripture today, I was reminded once again that my God is a miracle worker.  If your faith or soul or whatever it is that you're struggling to find is as dry bones, lifeless, and hopeless -- ask God for a miracle.  He is capable of working it out for you in ways you won't even imagine.  His ways may take out out of your comfort zone and following in them may be the hardest thing you'd ever had to do, but His love will carry you through.

Pray for a miracle, for your miracle.  Allow Him to breathe life into your hopeless situation.  And believe.  Just believe.

What would Your Room look like?

I recently read this story again, restated by Joshua Harris in his newest book, "Dug Down Deep".  It's a story of a dream he once had, a very real encounter with the gift of forgiveness that Jesus freely gives to those that want it.

So often we feel guilt and shame over sins we think are "bigger" or "more important" than others, forgetting that little sin is still sin.  I pray this dream places things in perspective for you, and helps you and I remember how much we need Jesus.

Read "The Room"

No More Privileged

Although I do not read newspaper daily, an image on the front page of today's New York Times caught my eye.  I was making a quick lunch stop at Starbucks, hanging out by the counter, waiting for my drinks to be made.  And there it was: a row of dead bodies laying on the street, wrapped in white cloth, under the headline that confirms death.

Maybe it was the sweet face of an innocent baby, or the other children that were in the picture, or maybe it was the reality of death that seemed so cruel and untimely, that hit me so hard.  It made me think about the life I live.  I have always considered myself blessed beyond measure: a wonderful job, a loving family, a means of comfortable living.  My reality knows no war or hunger.  I do not know what it feels like to walk out of the house and fear for my life.  Knowing all of this, I am also sure that my life, my existence, and my circumstances are no more important than those losing their innocent lives in Syria or Egypt.

My heart goes out to the innocent civilians of the countries that are fighting wars that can not be won.  My spirit cries out, "Come, Lord Jesus...".

Where The Heart Is

I've recently traveled to a few countries I've dreamed of visiting for several years.  Although the sights were beautiful, the food was delicious, and my travel companion was amazing, after a week and a half I started to feel a little ping of longing for home.  It did not prevent me from enjoying my trip, but it was noticeable enough where I gave into thoughts of comfort of everyday life I've been used to so much.  The hot shower, the warm bed, the fully stocked fridge, the daily routine... I've thought of it all. All of the things I've been deprived of in one way or another while traveling.  I'm going to leave this thought and jump to another one.

I've been following Lady Diarist's writing for some time now, and she recently wrote a post about how fleeting this life is, and how there are no guarantees tomorrow will appear and bring us the things we are used to or expect.  As I was reading her blog post, I thought of my own recent longings for home, and I realized that I don't think of my Heavenly Home as often as I should.  I am only but a traveler on this earth, whose days are numbered, whose hope lies in Christ's mercy and grace to lead my soul to the eternal Home.  That is where my heart needs to be, and isn't as much as I'd like it to be at the moment.

John 14:13

Fickle Feelings

I accidentally stumbled upon this song today.  I love how God has no accidents, and how He speaks again and again, until He gets my attention.  I've been going through a stage in my life when I realize that I can not trust my feelings.  Thank you, Father, for confirming that Your truth rises above anything I may allow myself to feel.

Teddy Said It Well

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

~ Theodore Roosevelt