When Your Sin Isn't Cool Enough

As inspiring as it is to hear about God's forgiveness toward drug addicts & murderers, how atheists can do a 180 & serial adulterers can experience fulfillment in the redemptive love of Jesus, these stories can also isolate us. They can make us think, "I'm not that bad - why would God waste His massive, precious grace on someone who just cheats a bit on her taxes or had sex with her boyfriend in high school or secretly judges others for their parenting styles?"

As small as those things may sound, to God they're flashing neon signs of pride. Whenever we fall into the trap of thinking we should be able to fix our low-level sins, that our Lord doesn't have time or interest in our moderate flaws, we are discounting what Jesus did on the cross.

Listen: We can't all have earth-shattering testimonies. And we shouldn't - most people can't relate to them! So let's purpose today to own our sins as sins, no matter their size, and accept that our loving Daddy's grace is just the right size to cover them.

My name is Jessica, and God forgave me for complaining about my boss & coworkers. And He's helping me to learn how to use my words to give life instead of spreading disease.

An Incomplete Intro to Fasting

Fasting. There, I said it.

A lot of you are facing some difficult, even impossible, situations. Prayer is essential! And I also want to encourage you to consider fasting to allow the Spirit greater access to break down those extra-stubborn strongholds of the enemy.

Maybe you can't do a day of fasting from food, but you can forgo one meal & use those hunger pains to remind you of your dependence on the Redeemer & Healer. Maybe you can't do without food because you're EBF'ing or diabetic, but you can go without Facebook for 24 hours. Let the Spirit meet your needs as you go deeper than ever in focused prayer to the One who can do more than you can dream!

Remember, Jesus didn't say if you fast, but when you fast (Matthew 6:16). I'm not an expert on this topic, but I have seen the tremendous work God can do in us & others when we obey this instruction!

~"But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."~
Matthew 17:21

Being the Chosen One

I'm about to get a big sci-fi-geeky here, but bear with me because I think you'll be encouraged by the end.

I've been reading Bill Hybels' call-to-passion book Holy Discontent, and I realized how we all kinda want to be Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, Queen Esther, Sydney Bristow in Alias, Bethany Sloane in Dogma, and all those other "chosen ones". As audience members, we relate with these characters because we rather like the idea of having ancient writings foretell our coming, or other people recognize us as the person who will accomplish what needs to be done. We want to be selected for a specific mission that only we can do.

And here's the awesome news: WE ARE! Our loving Daddy, Creator of time & the universe, Giver of all good things, put you on the earth for the time you are here to do something only you can do. Isn't that incredible? You are Neo in The Matrix!

So be who God has empowered, equipped, & designed you to be, whether it is saving the galaxy, raising an amazing kiddo in spite of hardship, or living your light in front of people at work who couldn't hear the Good News from anyone else.

~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

Wasted Words

As women, so many of us enjoy sharing our life stories & advice we have learned with people we think need it. However, this isn't always helpful - if we were honest with ourselves, all too often we share for ourselves & not to truly benefit the hearer. This act of non-listening can create distance between ourselves & others...and those "others" may be our children or husbands. Let's all ask the Spirit for guidance next time we have an urge to speak into another's life, so that our words are life-giving & blessed by God!

~Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry...~
James 1:19

Purposeful Parenting

We are our children's first understanding of God as a loving Parent. When we look on our children lovingly, wisely, & attentively, they can begin to fathom there is a Divine Being who does the same!

Banishing the Bad Moms

If you find yourself saying, "I'm a bad mom," or even thinking it, those words are not from God. He doesn't label us & send us off to pasture; He loves us where we are & helps us grow from there. He is a loving Daddy who wants us to serve Him in our work & take pleasure in it!

Would you want your child to build a tower then declare, "I'm a terrible builder!"? It would break your heart. And as a parent, it wounds our Creator's heart as well to hear us condemn our efforts! God wants our words to speak life - even about ourselves.

Working with WHIMSY (or Me on Film)

I had the incredible opportunity to present on my book, Raising Unicorns, in Berlin last month at the re:publica conference. I talked about the importance of WHIMSY. Enjoy, my friends!

Thinking Straight

When it feels like your thoughts are out of control or like they're controlling you, starting praising God. Say, "Jesus, You are my Savior. Daddy, I belong to you. You are my King!" Sing from your heart, clap your hands - worship like your mind depends on it, because it does! You'll be amazed at the clarity you receive when you turn to praise instead of letting your thoughts drag you down.

Affection Reflection

We brag about our kiddos because we spend so much time with them, feeling their love, enjoying their uniqueness. This is what happens when we genuinely engage. If our words & attitudes don't reflect this kind of affection for our loving Daddy, it's time for us to take some dedicated time alone to genuinely engage with Him! So listen to the birds, read a Psalm, and bask in His gentle & unconditional grace today.

The Lie of Guilt

A great tragedy is that guilt has become associated with God. Not only is this not one of His choice tools, it's not one of His tools at all! When the Spirit convicts our hearts, the message is not a harsh, "Get this right and then we'll talk," but a gentle, "Hey, see that thing over there? Would you please give it to Me? It's getting in the way of us being closer."

He will take it away or transform it in His power, working within us, not waiting for us to shape up or ship out. We don't try harder - we just let Him get to work.

When the Spirit convicts us, the choice of how to respond is always ours. As are the consequences.