Trust Without Borders

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." Psalm 119:105 #8. Get in the Word As my church is in the middle of a series called "All In" in which we are reading through the book of Acts together, I've never been more in love with the Word of God, and I love so much that the importance of being in the Word is something that was very clearly highlighted at Passion 2012 . From the first session to the last, the focus on reading the Bible and asking the Lord to speak through it was evident. I've never been part of something quite as special as standing with 45,000 people as Ephesians was read over us in complete belief that the Lord was moving and speaking. It was beautiful. But what is even more beautiful is that you don't need 45,000 people or Lecrae and Beth Moore to be in the room with you to hear from God through His Word. The Bible is God's gift to you, and He wants you to use it independently as well as corporately. In our community ...

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 #7. Healing So, it's Saturday morning, and I'm sitting in Starbucks. Just had some awesome quiet time, and I'm ready to write. I'm still not finished with my Passion 2012 reflections, and today I want to write about healing. As I gear up to put my fingers to the keys, however, I can't help but be distracted by each new person who walks in the door of this coffee shop. Just knowing the personal turmoil I've been in before, and how good I was at hiding it from everyone around me, I wonder about the healing that each of these people may so desperately need. I wonder if they know how bad they need it. And I wonder if they know who the only person that could truly provide that healing power is. Healing is an interesting process, but I've learned that it doesn't have to be a difficult one...

"Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly , as I should." Ephesians 6:19-20 #6. Fearless and Unashamed Two words that absolutely haunted me at Passion 2012 were fearless and unashamed . I think they resonated so personally with me because they are something I had already been fighting with before I went to Passion. But isn't that silly? How can someone who clearly knows and undoubtedly believes what Jesus Christ has done for us be ashamed or scared to share that news? What is it about our culture that makes us afraid to care enough about people to introduce them to the one person who can save them? For me, I realized that when I am ashamed and scared, I'm making everything about me. What will people think about me ? What if I say something wrong or stupid? What if they don't want to be my f...

#5. Just a thought.... I was sitting in my seat on the very first night of Passion waiting for the main session to start when a guy came and sat down next to me. We struck up a conversation, and his accent immediately told me he wasn't from anywhere near Atlanta, GA. I asked where he was from, and he told me he was from South Africa originally but is currently studying in Kansas. After I had him explain how in the world (and why!) he ended up in Kansas from South Africa, I started asking him some questions about his transition to the United States. The way he answered one question I asked hasn't left the back of my mind since that night... I asked him what was the biggest shock coming to America or the thing that he didn't expect the most. His response was, "I'm not just saying this because we are at Passion, but I am genuinely surprised at how many people in America say they are Christians but really aren't. You can't do that in Africa. I just don't un...

#4. Redemption Have you ever truly thought about redemption? What does that word really mean? The dictionary defines redemption as deliverance, rescue, and atonement for guilt. Think about this in relation to Christianity, and it means deliverance from sin (aka our salvation). At Passion 2012 , I was absolutely taken captive by this concept. Of course I've thought of it and understood its implications before, but it seems when you are so completely and acutely focused on Jesus and your relationship with Him 24/7 for days on end, you can't help but be overwhelmed and consumed by the beauty of redemption and salvation no matter how much you already believe it. The truth of it is - we have been redeemed. Our debt has been paid, and by the blood of the cross we have been delivered from our guilt. If that doesn't bring you to your knees in gracious thanksgiving, I don't know what will. Our Savior chose to rescue us from ourselves. Not because we did, have done, or will do an...

"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 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9 #3. Remember Of all the reminders I received from the Lord at Passion 2012 , I think the sweetest, gentlest, most loving of those was to remember who I am and who I belong to. Ephesians 2:10 says that "we are God's handiwork." Some versions say we are His workmanship or masterpiece. The Greek for "handiwork" even suggests a work of art. Sit in that for a moment. We are God's MASTERPIECE! Of all the wonderful things the Lord simply spoke into existence, He chose to hand craft each and every one of us. My community group leader, Brad Horton , emphasized to us that the perspective we have of who we are w...

We raise our white flags. We surrender all to you. All for you. We raise our white flags. The war is over. Love has come. Love has won. #2. Surrender The lyrics above are from a song that was our anthem at Passion 2012 this year, and I was absolutely wrecked by the message it portrays. Think of it: surrender. The dictionary defines surrendering as yielding something to the possession or power of another or to give oneself up to some influence, course, or emotion. Ask the world, and surrender is a synonym for weakness. Over history the white flag has represented defeat. But, do you know what's awesome? Our God is bigger than history, and He can redefine anything. As Christ followers, we raise our white flags not for loss, but for gain. When we give up ourselves for Him, we are strengthened. We raise a white flag of freedom and victory. I love knowing that even in something as simple as a white flag representing surrender, we are so opposite the world. It's so importa...

Remember that time I went to Africa and it completely changed my life? Well, that happened again. Except this time I didn't have to leave the country. I just had to go to Atlanta, GA to take part in Passion 2012 . When I left, I was incredibly excited. I was anticipating great things. To be honest, I thought I might be anticipating too much at one point, and I was afraid I would be let down. I wondered if I would really hear from God or be moved by the speakers, music, and people. Sometimes I get myself so worked up about something that it ends up being a disappointment. Turns out, my expectations weren't high enough. The experience I had in the four days in the Georgia Dome rivals my two weeks in Kenya. I never thought I'd experience God move in my life that immediately or obviously again...but He did. It's going to take me a very long time to process all that I learned, which means you'll probably get about 20 installments of "Passion 2012" blogs, so I ...