Crazy (Mercy Me, 2005)

Sassy just needs a minute to state for the record that most insults aimed at me because of my faith don't bother me. So, here's a few sassy thoughts to chew on...

Am I a Jesus Freak?
If that means I love Jesus, know He is real, asked Him into my heart, and seek to live for Him...then...YEP! Pretty much a Jesus freak

Am I very religious?
Yes! But, it's based in a relationship with Jesus Christ not traditions of man.

Do I wear my religion on my sleeve?
No! I wear it in my heart..and what's in my heart shows up in my life. It shows in the things I enjoy, the things I spend time doing, and in the things from which I abstain.

Do I think I'm better than anyone else?
Definitely not! That's why Christ's sacrifice on the cross of Calvary is so amazing to me. He took my sin to the cross knowing how lacking in faith and weak I'd be even after knowing him.

Do I think I'm perfect?
Nope! That's why I need a Savior. I'm far from perfect but completely forgiven! "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23)

Do I believe Jesus is the only way?
Yes. Sorry. Don't get mad at me. It's God's Word. I didn't write it but my faith is in it! "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

Do I believe you have to go to church to be a Saved?
Nope. But, I do believe you need to actively commit and fellowship with the body of Christ (in a church) to be a true disciple. When you look at the 12 disciples, they walked intimately with the Lord and didn't forsake assembling with one another to learn from, worship, be held accountable to, and gain power from Christ. Then, they went out and they 'were the church' in their communities and world. We have the same call. (Heb. 10:25 and Mark 16:15)

Faithful (Brooke Fraser, 2008)

I'm currently doing a Bible study by Priscilla Shirer about the book of Jonah. She asks us to examine how our lives has been interrupted...how life isn't what we though it would be. It led me to reflect on how different people in the Bible lived through the same thing. Can you imagine a twelve year life interruption?

That's what the woman with the issue of blood experienced. For years she lived with the pain and isolation of her condition. It seemed like every attempt to help her had created more suffering. She probably felt forgotten, insignificant, and hopeless. Yet, when she heard Jesus was passing by, she went after him. She pressed through every emotion, experience, and even a huge crowd, to get to Jesus. You see, she needed a miracle. She needed to touch the Savior and receive healing...and nothing was going to stand in her way.

In our hopeless places, we need that kind of faith. Sometimes, it's difficult to see the light or believe that after all this time, God will heal our broken places and situations. But, if we move past our emotions and experiences, if we push through all the chaos and press into the Savior, He has healing just for us! (Matt. 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-47)

I Know Who I Am?? (Israel Houghton, 2008)

I can tell you all about who Jesus is and who I am "in" Him. I know and can explain to others that I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10), a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), a child of light (1 Thess. 5:5), a joint heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17), chosen, holy, beloved (Col. 3:12)...the list goes on and on. But, recently, instead of living in who Christ has said I am, I've tried to fit a self-created identity and failed miserably.

Demanding excellence, I've always been very critical of what I do, how I look, and the things I accomplish. It is not necessarily for God's glory, but for my desire to be the best, that I care about these things. As such, lately, I've fallen into the trap of living to fit a mold to which I told myself I must conform. It's no wonder I've failed. After all, I am trying to be someone I am not. The Lord never required me to be Mrs. Perfect Super Woman/Mom/Wife/Servant. He simply called me to listen to and obey Him--to be His child...His servant...His friend.

Maybe you can relate. Have you ever found yourself trying to 'be' someone that your pride told you to be? Instead of walking in all the grace, peace, and power that comes with your Christ-identity, you settled--like I did--for a lesser identity you imposed on yourself?

If you've been there, then join me today, in allowing the Lord to completely liberate us from the idol of 'image' and transform us by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2). Pray with me asking Him to increase as we decrease (John 3:30). For it's by His grace alone that we are who we are (1 Cor. 15:10).