EN ROUTE

Keeping the main thing, the main thing.  With all that's going on currently, it's so easy to get pulled into the chaos and drama. It's a slow drift. Reading an article here and there, scrolling through social media *just for a few minutes* but you then find yourself hours later, right where you started and with nothing really impacting or meaningful to account for the time you just spent.  So am I against leisure reading? Absolutely not. Am I anti-connecting and staying in the "know" through social media? By all means, have a go at it. While it's not my particular cup of tea, we all have our ways to decompress and go-to outlets for information. However, we should proceed with caution. It's so crucial that we are sober, aware and in control of what we read and how much time we spend. While it's always been the case, but more so now than ever, emotions and tensions are at an all time high and it's so imperative that we are wise and "awake."...

YES. Defined as "used to give an affirmative response" or "an affirmative answer or decision."  Three simple letters but when used can be life changing. It has the potential to change the trajectory of our life. The course of our life and how we live thereafter is significantly impacted by what we say "yes" too.  Many of us said "yes" to following Jesus. And not only that, we also said yes to obeying and keeping his commands. We said yes to exchanging our life for the life he intended for us. And hands down that is the best yes we could ever make. Period. So while there is no dispute that is the single most important decision of our life, that "yes" did not come with a guarantee that life would now be painless, void of suffering and hardships. Saying yes was not the winning ticket to an easy-free life nor did it immune us to uncertainty and struggle. We are still weak at times and find ourselves weary or disappointed or even sad and anx...

Song: This is my Father's World This is my Father’s world, And to my list’ning ears All nature sings, and round me rings The music of the spheres. This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas— His hand the wonders wrought. T his is my Father’s world: The birds their carols raise, The morning light, the lily white, Declare their Maker’s praise. This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair; In the rustling grass I hear Him pass, He speaks to me everywhere. This is my Father’s world: Oh, let me ne’er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world, The battle is not done: Jesus who died shall be satisfied, And earth and Heav’n be one. +++ This has been a tender and sweet hymnal around our house as of late. It's my son's 2nd grade teachers favorite song and has quickly become a favorite of ours too. The words are comforting and could not be more fitting than for such a time...

I heard that phrase not too long ago and I find it very true for myself, and even more so in the face of all that is currently taking place in our country and world today. I don't think anyone could have ever imagined we'd be where we are today. Every infrastructure and institution is severely impacted. We are all experiencing and witnessing the heartbreaking and devastating affects. The hardest part, and there are many, is to see the condition of the human heart. To be fair, not every thing we see or read is complete and certainly not "gospel" because context matters. But what we have seen and witnessed it enough to let us know we are broken. We desperately need healing. We need a touch from God. We need transformation.  While we all process and work through challenging and painful times differently, the only way to eventually get through it is to engage and move through it. Movement is healing. Movement is healthy. We can move at our own pace. However, inactivity ...

Song: Healing is Here -  Healing is here healing is here Healing is here and I receive it Healing is here healing is here Healing is here and I believe it I reach my hands to the heavens I lift my eyes where my help comes from I look to You my rock my healer I trust in You Freedom is here freedom is here Freedom is here and I receive it Freedom is here freedom is here Freedom is here and I believe it Sickness can't stay any longer Your perfect love is casting out fear You are the God of all power And it is Your will that my life is healed Songwriters: Groves Daniel Eric / Stockstill Joanthan L

Song: Jesus We Love You - Bethel Worship     Old things have passed away Your love has stayed the same Your constant grace remains the cornerstone Things that we thought were dead Are breathing in life again You cause your Son to shine on darkest nights For all that you've done, we will pour out our love This will be our anthem song Jesus we love you Oh how we love you You are the one our, our hearts adore The hopeless have found their hope The orphans now have a home All that was lost has found its place in you You lift our weary head You make us strong instead You took these rags and made us beautiful For all that you've done, we will pour out our love This will be our anthem song Jesus we love you Oh how we love you You are the one our, our hearts adore Oh, Jesus we love you Oh how we love you You are the one our, our hearts adore Our hearts adore (we adore you) Our hearts adore Our hearts adore Our affection, our devotion...

Song: Forever I Will - ORU Worship (Joy Werner and Alex Haywood) You are the God who formed my world You are the God who spoke my life into existence Despite my sin your grace unfolds You welcomed me home without any resistance What love, what grace. That I could come to you with simply anew  and meet you face to face Forever I will worship Forever I will song Forever I will lift you high, the king above all kings Forever I will bless you, my God, my faithfulness Forever you be magnified, all your love and graciousness Oh God, I delight in who you are You are the God who healed my heart  You are the God who gave me a brand new start Confused in my pain you showed me the way You've been with me always, even when I went astray  What love, what grace. That I could come to you with simply anew  and meet you face to face Forever I will worship Forever I will song Forever I will lift you high, the king above all kings Forever I will bless you, ...