Faith and Fear

"However sometimes, we don’t have a choice. Sometimes, we are placed in a situation where we might normally allow fear to have its way with us, but because there is no turning back we have to push through it. And that is exactly where I found myself as I stood on the ledge; too scared to stay where I was and too scared to keep going. My fear begged me to stop, but my circumstances demanded that I move on...

What powered my forward motion that day was faith. Faith in His word, in His character, and in His sovereignty. Faith that no matter what happens, He is at work. Faith that no matter the circumstance, He is there. Faith that no matter how great my fear, my God is greater. Faith that no matter the end result, He is still God and He is still worthy of all my praise."

- An excerpt from A Grand Experience: Pushing Through The Fear By Chrystie Cole on her blog Path From the Head to the Heart

Are You Just Leaving Messages?

"Lord, let me to never be so focused on surviving my life in my own strength that I forget that life is really about forming such a relationship with You that I victoriously live life in Your strength. Help me to be like Moses, who said in Exodus 33:15, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” As the stresses of life become more and more pressing in my life and the lives of those around me, Lord, please help me to remember that You’re my refuge and that You’re waiting patiently for me to pour out my heart to You."

- An excerpt from Leave Your Message After The Beep by Sarah on her blog Living Between the Lines

We Are His Beloved

"His words wash over me like a gentle, warm summer breeze. He calls me his beloved. He tells me that He is mine and I am His. He tells me that nothing can separate me from Him. He promises that He will never leave me or forsake me. He claims me as His bride and offers Himself to me as the bridegroom. He assures me that my future is secure in his hands, that my heart is safe with Him and that He is ever faithful."

- A quote from A Love Story By Chrystie Cole on her blog Path From The Head To The Heart

Is It Really A Mistake?

"Don’t try to fix a mistake that isn’t a mistake at all.  It’s simply God leading you to trust His greatness in the face of your insufficiency.  His grace is enabling you.  His Spirit is within you and upon you.  His power is being perfected in our weakness."

- A quote from Let Me Help You With That by Jason on his blog Connecting to Impact

The Gift Of Words Through Community

"...God has given us the gift of words through community.

It’s been said that talk is cheap.

I disagree. We all need to hear words of affirmation. Words that speak truth, that help us see a glimpse of who we truly are.

Words change and shape us.  Sometimes for the worse, but thankfully, other times, for the better.

Community is like that, I think.

Just as others have slayed me with their words, God has healed me through others.

I wouldn’t be where I am today, if it weren’t for the lifegiving words of some who were generous with their encouragement and friendship.

These friends made time to listen and stand with me in the process of becoming.

True community isn’t “pretty” because it’s human.  It’s imperfections can hurt, but it opens opportunities to love.  God has used community to open my heart, beyond the borders of myself."

- An excerpt from Community: The Gift of Words by Bonnie Gray on her blog Faith Barista