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)

Satisfaction (Justine Bateman, Liam Neeson, 1988)

"Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." (1 Chronicles 16:10-11)

I've spent countless hours in prayer asking God for things: more of this, more of that, less of this... But, right now I'm wondering how many hours I've spent asking God for the only thing that never passes away: Him!

I know God does not withhold Himself from me. However, to walk in the power of His presence, I must seek His will, ways, and voice in my life daily. I must die to myself and allow Him to increase in me. It's not that He's not there. It's that sometimes I don't acknowledge He's there.

Lately, I've found myself dwelling on many things that do not really matter. They are things that can never ultimately satisfy me. They are distractions. Even some of the good things I want can distract me from the main thing: Jesus and Him crucified.

So, today, instead of asking for more stuff...more blessings...I'm asking God for more of Him! I am asking Him to be so manifest and powerful in my life that I forget all the "stuff" and just bask in the contentment of knowing and belonging to an eternal, living, and loving God! After all, no thing God gives can truly satisfy me. Once I have it, I'm on to the next biggest and greatest thing. But...Jesus...there's no other God like Him. He alone can satisfy all my soul's desires.

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)