Shape of My Heart (Backstreet Boys, 2000)

While talking with a friend today, I shared a trial I'm living through. She did the same. In the end, we both decided, sometimes the process of being on the potter's wheel absolutely sucks! Instead of being put on a wheel, turned every which way, and pushed & prodded into something useful, we'd much prefer to just instantly become beautiful vases!

The Word tells us to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds..." But, let's just be honest for a moment. How often do you encounter trouble and think about how excited you are to endure it? Not much? Me neither. Truthfully, sometimes, God is working on me and it's great! Other times, I just want to skip the painful process and get to the good stuff.

But, as I look back over my life and consider all the troubles...I know they

produced great things. Yes! There was plenty of pain and sorrow. But, the work done in my heart for Christ, has been greater. It's been true in my life that the testing of my faith has developed perseverance. More than that, it's taught me to trust the Lord and depend on Him for change and true healing. Only He can do it!

Through every trial, He's proven Himself faithful and true. I often don't understand or even like what He's doing. But, in the end, He brings me through stronger, better, and more faithful. He uses every trial to shape me more into a vessel He can use.

It's so true that His ways are so much higher than ours. So, while we endure these sometimes sucky situations, let's cling to Him and never doubt His love for us. He's not trying to hurt us. He's trying to heal and free us from every hurt...and sometimes, that's a painful process.

(James 1:2-3, Isa. 55:9, Jeremiah 18:1-6)

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)

Point Break (Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, 1991)

I can't exactly explain why, but I feel like I'm on the precipice of a spiritual breakthrough or miracle. Lately, it seems I'm very aware of the Lord working in my life and am seeking Him more each day. I'm reminded of a song by one of my favorite gospel artists, Israel Houghton. The chorus says: "I will search for you and I will find you. I will find you, with all my heart. I will lift my hands to you in worship, I will worship, with all my heart."

Thinking of those lyrics reminds me of Hebrews 11:6. It reads: "But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God, must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of those that dilligently seek Him." In the original biblical language, the word dilligently comes from the Hebrew word, ekzeteo. It implies worshipping God, searching him out, demanding His presence, investigating Him, and seeking Him out carefully. Oh Lord, that's right where I've found myself lately. But, more importantly, I know that's the place God has always been. He's never taken His eyes off me. He's always searched me out and demanded my presence.

So, I don't know what this breakthrough will look like or when it will occur. But, I know it will be something awesome because the Lord rewards those who seek Him. The Chris Tomlin song, God of This City, says it best.

Return of the Jedi (Mark Hamill, 1983)

Okay, so I'm not a Jedi. But, I had to think of some title w/ a Welcome Back message. Yes, Sassy Girl has done it again...

I disappeared from the blog world. But, never fear, life is good! God is great! I've been spending a lot of time in the Word and just reflecting on life. It's brought about a revival in me and a return to what's truly important in my life: Jesus! It's helped me realize that I want to be a Jedi Jesus Girl! Don't worry. I'm not going to change the name of this blog. But, I may have to add a subtitle.

So, what's a Jedi Jesus Girl?

She draws near to God.
She has accepted Christ as her Savior and has been brought near through His blood. Her soul thirsts and longs for the Lord as the deer pants for the water. She doesn't settle for the mediocre Christian life, but strives to excellently worship and serve the Lord with all her heart, all her mind, and all her soul! (1 Ch. 16:11; Psa 42:1; Deut. 4:29, 6:5; Eph. 2:13)

She is full of Faith!
Not only does she believe in God, she's crazy enough to believe Him! She knows that EVERY word from the mouth of God is truth. It is HIS unchanging unwavering truth--not man's relative truth--that sets us free. The Word of God is hidden deep in her heart to hold her from sin. (Psa 119:11; John 8:32, 17:17)


She's powerful!
This girl walks in the power and authority of Christ. She can say "Move" to a mountain and it will move. Like Jesus (because His spirit lies in her), she can cast out unclean spirits, speak healing & peace, and reclaim everything the enemy tries to take from her. (Deut. 11:24; Matt. 17:20; Luke 4:36)

She walks in the Spirit!
Fully equipped in the armor of God and operating in the fruit of the spirit, a Jedi Jesus girl lays down selfish lusts and desires. She no longer majors in the minor insignificant things of life. For, she has crucified her flesh and knows that the abundant life is not just about the tangible. It's about those intangible attributes and blessings promised in the Word of God. Daily, she prays to the Lord seeking more than just blessings & answers to her problems, she prays to grow closer to the Lord and hear His voice. She operates in a spirit of prayer that isn't limited to her kneeling down for a few moments a day. (Rom. 8:26; Gal. 5:22-26; Eph. 6:11-18)

She obeys the Lord!
Even if she doesn't understand where the Lord is taking her, a Jedi Jesus girl, follows the Lord. She obeys Him, recognizing that it's through obedience that she will grow and be blessed. More than that, she knows that her obedience is the ultimate sign of her love for the Lord and belief in who He is! She's moved beyond the lip service of having a theology that does not match her reality. (Deut. 12:28, 28:1-2; John 14:15, 15:10)

Let's go into that land...the land of the Jedi Jesus Girls!!