Beautifully Broken

Tonight, I'm reflecting on this morning's sermon at Frontline; it never fails to amaze me how God allows us to hear the right message at the exact right time. Today's sermon was from 1 Kings in the Old Testament.  The pastor began by drawing comparisons to the stories in the Old Testament and our current lives, and how unfortunately, our lives look a lot more like those of the false prophets than we would care to admit.  Today's message was on 1 Kings Chapter 18 16-46- the story of Elijah on Mt. Carmel. In this passage, Elijah was talking with followers of Baal, a false God popular with the Israelites at this time.  Elijah calls the people out on their wavering opinions on who they called their God.  Elijah stated "If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him".  Basically, Elijah is telling them to make up their minds and stop switching between the two.  They decide to put it to test and figure out who is truly God.  The f...

This week I volunteered at a camp for kids and teens who have had a special person die.  My sweet campers continued to comment on how much I smile.  I LOVE that this is something people recognize about me, until this assumption is made: “Aren’t you happy all the time?” After losing my own dad, I don’t want those kiddos or anyone else to think I’m invincible to pain and that their own emotions aren’t valid.  I miss my dad. That makes me sad.  People have said hurtful things to me. That makes me angry.  I’ve been bold just to get shot down. That’s hurtful.  Emotions are SO fleeting. But that’s NORMAL! But here are some things that don’t change.  My Creator For we are God’s handiwork,  created  in Christ Jesus to do good works,  which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) My Strength She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (Prov. 31:25) ...