by Sarah Tucker | Sep 25, 2019 | Featured, Life Advice |
God BE.
God will be good to me in 2019. I wrote a little post and shared it on Instagram back in January of this year and just this week, felt Holy Spirit bring it back to mind.
“God will be good to me in 2019. Repeat after me… God WILL BE good to me in 2019. God has been good to me (you) and God will never stop being good to me (you). I keep hearing “I see your goodness, here” over + over again in my mind. I hear it in my head until it goes to my heart and I live out of the revelation that God’s goodness is HERE. It’s here in the mornings, sitting with my bible open in front of me and a coffee in my hand with the sun peeking through the window behind me. Driving into work, it’s in the strangers eyes smiling back at me at a red light. His goodness is wrapped into the really high highs and the really low lows + every moment in between. The moments we can’t contain the laughter coming out of us and the ones where our hearts physically hurt and we don’t know when they’ll stop. Yesterday I ran into a friend of a someone that broke my heart in 2017, that God spent almost all of 2018 healing (like open heart surgery healing, y’all, making my heart whole❤️), so that in 2019, I could run into him without looking around and wondering if they were together, I could be okay if they were, and I could keep on walking on incline with a sweaty face and a soft heart, and I could say ohhh my God, I see your goodness here. That our eyes would be opened to see the goodness of God. That we would have softened hearts to not reject what He’s doing (like giving us a new heart, that we wouldn’t reject the new heart He’s trying to give us and make out of us and use in us for others, for His glory). That we would be able to in the small, normal, day to day moments see His goodness and in the moments that feel like lifetimes, see His goodness. That we would see His goodness in the pain and in the joy. That our eyes would have a permanent filter through which we see. God is good + God BE good. That we would stop second guessing Him because He’s shown us who He is before and He hasn’t changed, His nature is good. To the core of who He is, good. You see, I can see His goodness here EVEN WHEN and even still, because I know who He is. He’s revealed Himself as kindness in all that He does. He has been good, he is good, he will keep being good to me. Trustworthy in all He promises. Faithful in all He does. And if you can’t see his goodness yet, you can see His goodness in the fact that He’s still working and moving and you will, oh love, you will. And that, that is good.
This year will not be perfect, we can all let that expectation go. But I promise you this, you will see the goodness of God.. Woven into every single day, wooing your heart back to His. God is good. God is good to you. God uses what’s not been good, for good. In everything. I can see your goodness here.”
And in the sweetest, still, small voice I heard, “Don’t forget love, God BE good to you.”
How could I forget?
God be good to me.
I know I probably sound a little grammatically incorrect right here, but let me explain. Be, by definition – and boy oh boy do I love looking up definitions of words – means to exist. To occur, take place, occupy a position, stay in the same place or position, come, go, having the state, quality, identity, nature, or role; amount to, represent, or consist of — God BE. God doesn’t change and so, good is who He is. It’s all that He does, it’s His very nature. It’s what He comes and goes in, all that He amounts to, it’s the characteristic that He occupies. You want to know what good is? Good is God. God is good. God be good to me. God be good to you.
So here’s the thing, It’s so easy, and sometimes so much easier, to toss our hands in the air and call it quits on our goals, the things we’d hoped for, and the dreams we had for the year once October rolls around and they’re nowhere in sight. It feels like there’s not enough time left, too much to do, too much to un-do, not enough money, too far in, no way out. October, while personally the beginning of my absolute favorite season, can sort of bring a damper to the end of a year if you let it. **If you let it.** Don’t get me wrong, this (well, fall, if Tennessee will ever get it!!) is my favorite season!! The chill in the air, the leaves falling and bustling on the ground, Silk almond milk pumpkin creamer (can I get an AMEN and thank you Jesus!?), football on Sunday afternoons, fires, smores, loved ones (like LOVED ones, not just talking family here) gathered around a table, twinkly lights, and all things cozy fill my heart. I LOVE it. So it’s not that I don’t love these next few months of the year, it’s just that sometimes these next few months feel like the hardest. However, this year feels different. I’m not quite ready for it to end because I know God isn’t done being good to me yet. God has been good to me this year. God is being good to me right now. He is not finished being good. And so today I choose to lean into His goodness. I choose to have eyes that see and a heart that receives. I choose to lay down my expectations of what I think GOOD should look like and trust what God sees as good. Trust that God BE good. In all that He does, every part of who He is. Good.
In the past few years I have opened a business, got my heart broken, had God put it back together. I’ve lived at home, moved out, moved back home, moved out, met my best friends, switched churches, etc… I’ve experienced the highs and lows that come along with opening a business. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve laughed a lot. I’ve cried a lot. I’ve had Bell’s Palsy, many sleepless nights, and hives that covered my entire body lasting for weeks at a time. I’ve had to surrender things and people I thought I wanted, thought I loved, and I’ve had to be okay with not getting what I had thought that I’d needed out of them. I’ve been obedient to things God has put on my heart and haven’t been obedient to others. I’ve written bits and pieces of what I hope to one day be a book in notes on my phone so I don’t forget the ways and places and days that I found God. Or rather, God found me. The past few years have been transformative and hard and good.
He was with me there and He was good to me then.
In the next few years, I hope to open more businesses. I hope to see Imago Dei all over the US, with stories upon stories of how they were met by the spirit of God the second they walked in. Coming in one way and leaving more free with more joy, more peace, feeling more loved and seen by the Father… seeing themselves a little bit more made in the image of God than they did before they walked in. I would love to fund orphanages and missions and other people’s dreams and watch and take part in the things that God is breathing His very breath of life into. I want to be so generous it doesn’t make sense, whether I have or have not. I would love to have written a book (or books) on God’s faithfulness and goodness and kindness, His generosity and love, His redemptive power and ability to restore back to better than before and have it published and in the hands of young girls and ladies who need to hear what I needed to hear as I’ve walked through the same things the little bit of life that I’ve lived. I hope to be married and starting a family. I’d love to live in the country across from a field of cows as a stone of remembrance of how God saved me – so much better Your way – and heck, have a pond for fishing and green house for pretty flowers and such. I want to see my parents’ in their dream home, my best friend’s children grow up, my brother and sister in law live close by. I want to see freedom, deliverance, abundance, and joy in areas I haven’t seen them in before… I’d love to see a lot of things, y’all, but none more than I want to see the goodness of my Father. I don’t want to miss Him here looking for Him ‘there’.
I know for me, the beginning of a year can look a whole lot like this. Looking back on past years, you don’t have to dig too deep or go back too far to be reminded of the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, the spotlight moments and the ones no one knows about but you, head on your pillow with a snotty nose and wet pillowcase. Am I right? We know what’s behind us and we can only hope and plan and make goals for what we’d like to see ahead. Hello, New Year’s Resolutions. But months, like years, are just periods of time God graces us with. Can’t go back and can’t skip ahead. He was with us then and He’ll be with us (because He already is) there, but the only place we are with Him is right now. Let’s be with Him. Let’s not miss Him being good to us now. Today is not the final day and God’s not finished with you yet. So you may not be where you hoped you’d be on September 25th, 2019 when you thought about this day nine months ago, but that’s okay, me either. Ohh, but something’s shifted on the inside of me and I hope the same for you… Hope’s not dead and the year isn’t over.
This year feels different.
In the middle of playing the name game of what the past few years have looked like, what the past few months have looked like, what I hope for the next few years to look like or what I feel the last few months of this year should look like, let’s take a second and look at the right here, the ‘right now’. We can’t go back and we can’t jump ahead into what’s not yet come. We can’t anticipate what a year is going to look like or what years to come will actually look like, but we can anticipate the goodness of God. Seeping into every area of our lives. Painting it pretty. Bringing color and life into things that felt dead and dull. We can choose today to see His goodness here. Right where we are.
He’s with us and being good to us in the healing of our hearts, the redeeming of our stories that He’s so beautifully orchestrated. The country drives with the windows down and music up as the weather starts to cool in the evenings. He’s with us in the waiting as we so joyfully celebrate our friends and stand beside them in their weddings. In the endless amounts blobs of thoughts and words, the book in my notes, He’s being good there. He’s being good to us in our apartments and rental homes. Good to us when the business ideas are still in a prayer journals. When things you had lined up fall through. God is being good to us when our heart breaks and aches and we don’t see an end to the feeling. He’s being good as we frantically hop in the car to drive five hours when we find out our first nephew is about to be born. Being good to us as we’re walking around with our moms, coffee in hand, peace in heart. Painting white walls in an old factory warehouse with no AC, He’s with me. Sitting in an attic of girls worshipping on a Monday night and walking through a creek on a Saturday morning because something in me needed to. With me. Being good to me. Loving me.
Shifting my eyes and setting my heart today. God has been good to me and He will be good to me and He’s being good to me right now. Thankful that where there is breath, there is hope, and where there is hope, there is life.
Look around. God’s being good to you.
God’s being good to me.
Sarah Tucker is the owner of Imago Dei in Franklin, TN, where the heart behind the shop is to point people back to Jesus and serve as a reminder to everyone who visits that they are made in the image of God. She loves drinking coffee, long country drives, and spending time with her friends and family!
Follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahatucker
by Emma Jenkins | Sep 23, 2019 | Featured, Life Advice
Note from Team LO: We are SO excited to bring you part 1 of ‘In Him’, an LO Fam exclusive bible study created by our sister and friend, Emma Jenkins! Want to join us over the next four weeks as we study and grow together? The doors are open for this week only! Hope to see you there 🙂
In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus is invited into a woman named Martha’s house. As Jesus was in the home, Martha’s sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him as He taught. In the meantime, Martha was distracted as she was preparing a big supper. I can only imagine all of the details that she was focused on. Dishes needed to be cleaned, the food needed to be cooked well, and the service needed to be excellent. I am sure she was one who liked her kitchen area to be tidy too. Many details were to be invested into, I mean Jesus was in fact at her house, but all the while, Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus as He taught. In frustration, Martha approaches Jesus and claims, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” Isn’t it interesting that Martha feels as though she should be spending her time doing things for Him instead of enjoying being with Him? Jesus responds by saying, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
In Philippians 1, the apostle Paul, prays over the church of Philippi that they would understand what really matters. Have you ever thought about where you are investing your energy? Where you are spending your time? Or, where you are hanging out in your mind? What does it mean to understand what really matters?
To understand what really matters comes from a heart that truly believes that the promises of God are faithful. The Lord promises that He will finish the good work that He began in us, and with this confident hope, we can live our lives focusing on what really matters. Throughout the chapter of Philippians 1, Paul expresses what this looks like. To understand what really matters is to always be filled with the fruit of our salvation-the righteous character produced in our lives by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God. It means to consider our present sufferings as a blessing because we believe that God is working it together for good to help spread the Good News. To focus on what really matters is to rejoice always and continue to rejoice more because we know that it is the joy of the Lord that is our strength. It looks like not being ashamed but being bold in Christ. It is to help others grow and experience the joy of their own faith. To understand what really matters is to walk with a posture of awareness that we are citizens of heaven and we are simply passing through here. It is to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. It is to stand together with one Spirit and with one purpose, fighting together in unity for the one faith. When we are focused on what really matters, we are not intimidated by our enemies because we know that we belong to Christ and we also acknowledge the privilege of trusting in Christ and suffering for Him.
As Paul continues his statement, he says that he wants the church of Philippi to understand what really matters so that they may live blameless and pure lives until the day that Christ returns. Meaning that there is a purpose in focusing on what really matters. We focus on what really matters so that we may continue to live the life that God has called us by name to live until the return of Jesus. Where we invest our energy has purpose. Where we focus our thoughts has power and meaning. But I think that sometimes we think focusing on what really matters means doing enough things, being involved in more organizations, speaking at more events, knowing more people, making more posts, having more bible studies. In Martha’s case, focusing on what really mattered meant cleaning dishes and preparing a big supper, but although these are all sweet and wonderful things, if these things begin to be our determining factor of how “close” we are to Jesus, then we have missed it. Big suppers are important, but if I miss the purpose of sitting at His feet in order to serve a yummy supper, then I didn’t actually taste and see how good the supper could have actually been because it would have been prepared on my own without the One Who wants to cook it with me. Our relationship with Him is not based on how much we do for Him, but it is how intimately we know Him. Are we sitting at His feet? Our actions are an overflow of our focus and I want my focus to be on what really matters. There are many details that are fun and sweet and important. But there is only one thing that really matters, and that is a relationship with Him at His feet, and this will never be taken away from us.
I will leave you with some questions to consider.
- What details are you concerned about that are distracting you from sitting at the feet of Jesus?
- What does it mean to understand on what really matters and how will that impact the way that you live?
- What does it reveal to you about Jesus’ heart seeing how He responded to Martha?
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by Courtney Leatherwood | Sep 18, 2019 | Featured, Life Advice
Have y’all ever had a good shower cry? You know, as alone and vulnerable as it gets? That was me the other night! Crying my eyes out while the water was rushing over me.
There’s something about that. I believe there was renewal that happened that day.
For months, I’ve been in the hustle, the grind, the excitement of wedding planning and working towards preparing for marriage. In that season, my heart was so restless. Days were spent moving through the task list at work, at home, and in my relationships. I was incapable of sitting still for more than a few minutes. Y’all, I couldn’t even watch one full episode of Netflix without getting off the couch to cross something else off the list.
My struggle to sit still was not a problem with my to-do list. It was a heart problem.
My heart was restless. Not for my husband. Not for my wedding. Not for my work. For Jesus.
The happiest season of my entire life was marked by a deeper restlessness because I NEEDED Jesus. You may be thinking, how in the world did this girl struggle through the happiest season?
I tried to live life without Jesus, filled by the pursuit of people (which is good).
There were days spent at my house where I wondered from one task to the next. And by task I mean fluffing pillows, or organizing my closet, ya know the stuff that really isn’t important. The stuff that you only do when you can’t sit still.
Here’s what I learned about restlessness:
- I need God.
- I need to seek God, even when He’s already seeking me out.
- It’s ok to admit that I’m struggling.
Rest is receiving His love. Rest is trusting what might be ahead for your journey, whether you know your destination or not. In rest we find our purpose. We find our need for Jesus.
In my conversations after that night, I started to notice a similar theme of restlessness with the people around me. I started to realize that I wasn’t the only one. I wasn’t alone.
Have you ever had different conversations with friends, and there seems to be a theme that consistently pops into your talks? You know, a theme that is repeated. Some may say “that’s a coincidence” but I like to believe that’s Jesus revealing something to us.
Many of my friends, in different life stages, are going through seasons of restlessness.
Whether you’re preparing to bring a child into the world, you’re starting a new job or semester at college, or maybe you’re just waiting for the next “BIG” thing in your life, I pray that you’re encouraged my these words and the season ahead.
It’s so easy to have a restless spirit. I believe that restless seasons come to a halt when we stop striving and simply trust where God has us today and where He is taking us.
Rest is the equivalent to receiving, of allowing yourself to just be you and be cared for in the midst of your restlessness.
When we are restless, that means we rest, less. Right? Resting less means that we are taking it on ourselves. We are doing it all ourselves. We are believing it’s up to us to do (insert blank) in our lives.
I’ve started to notice the patterns of restlessness. These patterns were revealed to me in and through my conversations with friends in all seasons of life.
Restlessness creeps into your life when…
- We don’t know where we are going.
- We know where we are going but don’t know what to expect.
Key words here: “don’t know.” Things we don’t know in life can bring forth anxiety, fear, wondering, and ultimately striving to take control and work to bring answers to those things.
There are so many things we don’t know, friends.
There are so many things we can’t control, friends.
There are so many things we “should do”, friends.
There are so many reasons to choose striving or performance over resting because it gives us control in the things that we don’t know. (side note: hear my heart and examine the truth and beauty of working hard. That’s what God calls us to do in our days. He does not call us to strive and not trust Him in our efforts though, because ultimately many of our life outcomes are out of our control because of the world that we live in).
Back to the restless days… we work physically and mentally to feel like we are moving forwardand making progress. When we rest less, we tend to forget our purpose. Focusing on the to-do lists and the tasks feeds the need to work without rest.
And friends, you were created to both work and rest. You were created to both accomplish and trust. You were created to dream and do.
That was me. Preparing for what was ahead, yet still entering the unknown.
We have to remind ourselves where our eyes are fixed, whether we can see the destination or not. Paul talks about fixing our eyes on the destination. There’s a story in Acts 27:24-26 about Paul and others in a shipwreck, and though the storm was rough, Paul and friends were encouraged by where they were heading, where their destination was.
Together they turned away from their anxious heartsand fixed their eyes. Today, we fix our eyes. We receive rest. We receive His love. In Matthew 28, rest is a matter of receiving the Father’s love and grace.
Pause today. Rest today. You are worthy of both love and rest.
This song comes to mind in moments when I need to be still, moments when my mind is racing, moments when I desperately need to feel God’s presence and love. Listen to Pieces by Amanda Cook.
I pray that these lyrics come to life in you…
You don’t give your heart in pieces, you don’t hide yourself to tease us
You don’t give your heart in pieces, you don’t hide yourself to tease us
Your love not fractured, it’s not a troubled mind
It isn’t anxious
It’s not the restless kind
Your love’s not passive
It’s never disengaged
It’s always present
It’s hang on every word we say
Love keeps it promises
Its keeps its word
It honors what’s sacred
Cause its vows are good
Your love not broken
It’s not insecure
Your love not selfish
You love is pure
You don’t give your heart in pieces, you don’t hide yourself to tease us
You don’t give your heart in pieces, you don’t hide yourself to tease us
You don’t give your heart in pieces, you don’t hide yourself to tease us
For those of you who have made it this far, and you still can’t tell if you’re restless, read and answer these questions:
- Do you find yourself not able to sit still for more than 5 minutes?
- Are you able to easily share your thoughts with others? Are you writing or journaling?
- Do you know how to spend your free time? Does free time make you anxious?
- Are you thinking about the things that you need to do next while you’re in conversations with people? Are you ready to move on to the next thing?
- Are you fearful of what’s to come?
These questions are some of the things I like to check in with myself on. And a few months ago, I had a serious pulse check on my heart. I’m talking about the spiritual kind.
Yes was the answer to all of the questions above. That doesn’t make me bad human, it does mean that I’m not leaning into God for rest, provision, and security.
With you and for you friend.
Court Leatherwood is a dreamer and a creative. She’s a member of Team LO. Fueled by community, creativity and coffee, she spends her days moving the mission of Team LO through social media and graphic design. Court is passionate about encouraging other women in truth and love, and she loves celebrating small and big moments of life with handwritten cards. Court recently married the man of her dreams.
by Gracie Tucker | Sep 16, 2019 | Featured, Sisterhood
Covered –
to put something in front of (something) in order to protect or conceal it.
Acts 20:7-12 The Message (MSG)
Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas
7-9
We met on Sunday to worship and celebrate the Master’s Supper. Paul addressed the congregation. Our plan was to leave first thing in the morning, but Paul talked on, way past midnight. We were meeting in a well-lighted upper room. A young man named Eutychus was sitting in an open window. As Paul went on and on, Eutychus fell sound asleep and toppled out the third-story window. When they picked him up, he was dead.
10-12
Paul went down, stretched himself on him, and hugged him hard. “No more crying,” he said. “There’s life in him yet.” Then Paul got up and served the Master’s Supper. And went on telling stories of the faith until dawn! On that note, they left—Paul going one way, the congregation another, leading the boy off alive, and full of life themselves.
Okay, so I’m convinced that anyone who thinks the Bible is boring, has not yet read the Bible, because DANG this is quite an interesting situation we have here. You’re at Bible study and then boom someone falls out of a window, dies, and gets brought back to life…that’s definitely not nothing. Try to put yourself there, it’s late, you are listening to Paul preach… I mean this is THE Paul speaking. Like, the damascus road Paul… wrote 13 books in the Bible Paul. What would you be doing? Would you be leaning in, taking notes? Or would you fall asleep too?
I think that this story is really easy to read really fast. It has a quick little takeaway, we often take-away, and run with. The DON’T BE A EUTYCHUS message! Don’t fall asleep, pay attention, be better than him, so you don’t fall out a window and die message. Not sure if that’s what you got from this, but for the longest time that’s ALL I got from this.
Ah, did I miss the beauty in this. The irony. THE GRACE.
I am Eutychus!
I’m the one who does stupid things. I sit on the edge sometimes. Even in the light I fall asleep. I topple. I need revived. I need to be COVERED in a life or death kind of way.
As lame as it sounds to be a Eutychus… I promise it’s not that bad. You see, yes, he fell three stories down and died, but that’s not all that’s written down for us. The story doesn’t end there, thank God! Verses 10-12, that’s what matters. “Paul went down, stretched himself on him, and hugged him hard. “No more crying,” he said. “There’s life in him yet.” Then Paul got up and served the Master’s Supper. And went on telling stories of the faith until dawn! On that note, they left—Paul going one way, the congregation another, leading the boy off alive, and full of life themselves.”
Eutychus fell. Paul covered.
We fall. Jesus covers.
What Paul did that night, is just a taste of what God does for us, each and every day. When we fall, God doesn’t point and say bad. No way! He runs three stories down, at midnight, through all sorts of people, just to get to us. Just to get to you. He runs, he gets down on the ground, he stretches himself over us, and he hugs us hard. He looks to the crowd and yells, “No more crying,” “There’s life in him yet!” Yes, He covers us completely!
In Jesus, under the covering of His blood, when you fall, your covered, and when your covered, what was supposed to kill you God works for His glory!
The focus didn’t end on Eutychus’s fall, but rather on the miracle God had done.
That night people didn’t just leave after Eutychus died, or after he came back alive, they stayed! It says Paul went on telling stories of the faith until dawn! And On that note, they left— and they left full of life. On that note! On the note of what God did! Not on the note of the fall. Because when we let God be God it matters less what we did, and more who he is.That’s what gets remembered, that’s the note we leave on, that’s what gives life! God is so much better than I even think He is. So much kinder, so much gentler, so much more powerful, and so much more gracious. To think about how he works even my mis-steps, even my mistakes for His glory, I will never understand. This story inspires me to live my life always leaving on notes like that. To live my life looking and dwelling on what God has done. To live as a lover of God who isn’t falling out of windows on purpose, but who knows that even in the midst of the most hopeless situation that I am covered and that God can empower me to walk out of the darkest situation. A lover of God who knows that even death is not the end of hope.
No one is too far gone. There is more than enough hope. Let’s dwell on who God is, and what He can do! Let’s let God be God.
No more crying, there’s life in him yet!
You are covered.
by John L. Cooper | Sep 9, 2019 | Featured, Life Advice |
These are confusing times and there is a sea of contradictory voices all striving for our attention and devotion. Everyone says they have the right answer and many claim a new understanding. Confused about whether God is real? Is God listening? Bullied at school? Parents getting divorced? How does a God of love allow people to go to hell? Evolution? Is God mean? Why do bad things happen to good people? Who does God vote for? Where do we go for answers? This leads me to the main question: “Is Jesus really enough?”
This is becoming a complicated question that deserves a simple answer. Let me state it plainly and then expound on some things that I see everyday and that I believe are causing confusion in our lives. Is Jesus really enough? The simple answer is a resounding “YES! Absolutely 100%!” That is, if you are talking about the Jesus of the Bible who is “the way, the truth and the life,” (John 14:6) and whose word never changes. His Word is the absolute authority! “The grass withers and the flowers fade but the Word of our God stands forever.”(Isaiah 40:8). On the other hand, however, the Jesus that I see represented in some of our “influencer” culture such as musicians, singers, celebrities, modern worship songs, etc, seems to be a Jesus that in fact is most definitely, “not enough.” I say this not to be mean or shocking. I say this because if the Jesus we know does not jive with the Jesus of the Bible, then we are in fact not worshipping the one true God, but instead we are worshipping an idol. An idea crafted by our own imaginations of a god that we would prefer, who gives us everything we want, and a god that allows his morality to be defined by us.
First of all, I am not against “influencers”. I am one! But I AM suggesting that influencers should have a proper place of influence in our lives, and that place should be firmly way WAY below the teaching of Scripture and its applications. Christian influencers should point people towards the Jesus of the Bible, and be a source of encouragement etc. We influencers should NOT be a replacement for the teaching of truth.
Secondly, and this is the reason this is becoming complicated, we need to recognize why influencers even exist. Before the existence of YouTube and blogging and the internet, Christian leaders, speakers, pastors and teachers used to be trained PRIOR to performing most serious teaching roles. This may include bible school, discipleship classes, mentoring relationships etc. There is a level of training and discipline required so that we do not thrust leaders in to the spotlight before they are ready. This is for their own protection as well as for the protection of God’s people from unorthodox teaching. Even well-intentioned unorthodox teaching. With the rise of the internet and social media platforms, anyone can be an influencer. With or without training, at any age, with or without understanding of the Bible. This is becoming a real problem because many of the modern Christian influencers do not have a grounding in the word of God and shockingly some do not even believe in the authoritative word of God.
This leads me to my point about Jesus “being enough.” We are being tossed to and fro in our lives because everyone tells us what to do and all of the answers conflict with one another! As a follower of Jesus, we should not treat the Bible, psychology, celebrity twitter feeds, and gossip from our friends all with equal weight. The Bible is THE source of truth. If science or psychology disagree with the Bible, then our decision on what to believe or what to do should be simple. Follow the Bible! Science changes constantly. Psychology changes constantly. Popular opinion on morality changes constantly. The point is that everything changes. We are living in a world that does not believe in absolute truth. Therefore, our culture does not believe in absolute morality. Unfortunately, morality is being defined on a day by day basis, depending on the loudest voices and the agenda of the powerful. Nothing is sure. You cannot count on anything because every single thing in this life will crash and burn except for the solid firm foundation of the unchanging Word of God and the Lordship of King Jesus.
Why is all of this important? There is a movement happening in Christianity that I call the “I’m into Jesus but not into the Bible” people. This is bizarre because Jesus IS the word of God. Literally. If the Bible isn’t true, then how would we possibly know who Jesus is? One may admire Jesus, or agree with some of his principles…but one cannot LOVE Jesus and not believe his word. This movement I speak of doesn’t worship Jesus. Instead, they worship a god that is their own version of light and love, who cares for us so deeply that his world is consumed with chasing us all the while pleading and unsure if we will indeed love him back…a god that lets everything be about me and what I need and gives me everything I want because I am so important…a god that is always “for me” no matter what I choose, and loves and accepts and forgives me even if I forever reject him and die in rebellion against him. If this is our definition of Jesus, then we are in fact not worshipping the Jesus of the Bible, but rather an idol of our own creation! A human idea of benevolence and goodness that is bereft of power, justice, sovereignty, and a jealousy for the holiness of His great name. How many times do I hear people say “all that matters is love and loving and accepting people.” How accepting was Jesus when he saw the money changers buying and selling in the temple? We Christians are very comfortable with Jesus the lamb. We are not so comfortable with Jesus the Lion. Yes, Jesus loves us and yes Jesus cares for us and yes Jesus is with us! But his first and foremost passion is for the authority and fame of HIS OWN GREAT NAME. He doesn’t apologize for his actions. He answers to no one. He defines what is good and right and holy. We should rest affirmed in the knowledge that our God is good and there is no morality higher or superior. We don’t have to defend Him. His honor and supremacy defends Himself. All hail, King Jesus!
So where do we go from here? My advice to all Christians is go to church and experience the family of God. Secondly, let’s begin to have an appetite for truth over our appetite for entertainment. Listening to bible teaching is not as fun as watching influencer YouTube vids. Sooo???? Stop making decisions based on what is fun and start making them based on what is ultimately soul-satisfying. Thirdly, we Influencers need to realize that we are in fact “influencing” people. And I am asking all of us to consider this dire warning: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6). Should we be serious about what we say? About what we post on social media? And finally I would conclude with this piece of advice: if you don’t know where to start in the Bible, then pick up a copy of “Knowing God” by J.I. Packer. Or “The knowledge of the holy” by A.W. Tozer. Spend 10 minutes reading about God’s attributes and read the corresponding scripture references provided. 10 minutes a day and you will fall so deeply, madly, satisfyingly in love with the God of the Bible, that His love will taste so sweet that you will not want to drink from any other well. I dare say that all of the confusing questions that weigh you down will fade in the light of your adoration for the King of Kings. You will experience a spectrum ranging from love, hope, awe, and fear as you are awakened to a God that is both too high to imagine and so humble that he calls you a friend. Jesus is our savior, our hope, our God, our friend, our ALL. Yes. Jesus is indeed enough.
John Cooper is the lead vocalist, bassist and songwriter/producer for Skillet, one of the best-selling rock bands of the 21st century. The two-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated 12x platinum band was recently invited into Pandora’s Billionaire club after garnering 2 billion streams, received a pair of GRAMMY® Award nods, sold over 12 million albums worldwide, taken home a Billboard Music Award and more. Their tenth full-length project, Victorious released via Atlantic Records on August 2nd.
Follow John on Instagram @johnlcooper
by Erica Dutton | Sep 6, 2019 | College, Featured, Life Advice
I’ve always wanted to experience the ocean. To feel the sand beneath my feet and to listen as the waves crash on the shoreline. The only memory I have of a moment like this is a picture taken when I was just a little girl, standing in front of a sunset sky with blue tossed waves soaking my feet. This picture, held tight by a blue and green turtle picture frame from Florida held much more than a memory I vaguely remember. It was the very essence of being a little kid, care free, with a childlike faith. A time of being hopeful and willing to chase big dreams and seek new adventures, to truly say no dream is too big for my God. As we get older, this feeling starts to vanish and replace itself with anxious thoughts, fearful minds, and wondering hearts pointed towards the future.
At what age do we start to feel timid to the idea of chasing our dreams? My dream is to be a songwriter and to create worship music that empowers hearts and brings people closer to Christ. My prayer life consists of fervent prayers asking for God to make this happen. I have to truly believe that He hears this prayer and believe that He will make a way. Matthew 7:7 that says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” With this promise, we should hold true to our childlike faith, a faith that believes the Lord will reveal Himself for all that is good.
After I graduated from high school and began planning for the future, my ideal lifestyle wasn’t matching up with reality. Everything I had thought I wanted for myself slowly fell out of my hands. Here’s what I’ve learned the about planning for the future: Don’t hold onto what you think you have to have, because God may have another plan for you. Here’s my story.
The place I wanted to go to college didn’t work out so I found myself in a college I didn’t dream about. But, there were blessings. I attended a two-year college that allowed me to end up debt free for my general education classes. That’s a blessing in itself, but it also led me to some of my best friends with whom I experienced so many things I would have never gotten to experience.
After those two years, I had another plan for my life. It was now time to attend the college of my dreams. I felt God pulling me there, but once again, I tried to make it in my own timing. (Unfortunately, I have a bit of a problem with patience.) I did everything I could to be there. I even had my bags packed by the door. But, the door shut and I was told “possibly next semester.” I was crushed. I had quit my job, told all my friends goodbye, and even said goodbye to my church family. I wasn’t ready to explain why I still remained in the same place. Even to myself. I was angry with both God and my own self-seeking, big-dreaming heart. Then I began to see blessings unfold before me.
That same month, I started attending a new church that opened my heart up to a new way of worship and to a renewed faith. I built new relationships. It even led me back to being a camp counselor for a second summer. Little did I know that summer would impact my life more than I could fathom. God would use me in more ways than one to reach the hearts of His precious, beloved children. I was able to lead worship and create music with other staff and campers. I was able to create friendships that I truly believe will last forever.
All of this led me to now—this very moment. I find myself walking on the sand, looking out into the ocean. While writing this blog, feeling the salty air blow against my face, I have finally made it. I’m surrounded by hearts that fill me with truth and radiate God’s love. It feels as though I can breathe again.
My heart is at peace. I’m no longer afraid of the future. I’m no longer afraid of the hard times, because they are what got me to this very moment. Without knowing the struggles in life, we will never be able to fully appreciate the blessings that follow. Oh, and by the way, in just about a week, that dream school of mine will no longer be a dream, but a part of my present. God is so good.
I say all of this to tell you this. If you are in a waiting season of life where you feel confined to the same identity; if you feel called, but you have no idea where to begin; if you had all these plans mapped out for your own life, but the doors keep shutting—trust in the Lord’s timing. Trust that He has a plan for your life. That His plan is good, because it is. Count your blessings, chase your dreams and believe that no dream is too big for our God.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13 ESV
