Thirty-nine ... & counting ...

As I think over the last year, life is so different ... and yet, in many ways, it’s very much the same. The things that HAVE changed ... well, they’ve been the things that have allowed me to meet Jesus as LORD of all ... the good, the bad, & the ugly. I’ve met God the Father in ways I never thought possible. It is the prayer of my heart that these THIRTY-NINE life lessons will continue to challenge me to greater depths in all areas of life ... and to face the unknown holding fast to the One who sought me out when I was in a dark weary valley that only one other person dared to walk through with me without judgment or condemnation  ... By her love, friendship & steadfast encouragement, the LORD radiated HIS light, HIS grace, HIS mercy, HIS love & truth.....The LORD truly sent His redemption in 2020! 

1. Forgiveness is a CHOICE! There’s much to be said for inviting the Holy Spirit into the darkest closets of past trauma that continue to haunt me. By being 100% honest about the trauma, its effects and surrendering it to Him, healing takes place. After the healing, living a lifestyle of forgiveness becomes achievable. 
2. When Jesus is LORD of all, the ALL includes pain/heartache/disappointment ... nothing is too small for Him to be LORD over. 
3. Fellowship over ZOOM can be just as fulfilling as being with one another. There seems to be a deeper authenticity, at times, when online fellowship occurs versus when there’s face-to-face fellowship. 
4. My life is to be lived to please God alone. If other people take issue with it, that is NOT my issue. Rather, it is their issue with GOD. 
5. Life is fleeting. Seize the day you are given. We aren’t promised tomorrow ... CARPE DIEM! SLAY THE DAY!
6. The way I say something is just as important as what I say.
7. Not everything I think needs to be said ... even if it is true.
8. Praying for someone is useless when I choose to gossip/slander them, even if it’s done all in the name of being a prayer request. These prayers are unheard in the halls of heaven.
9. I must scrutinize the sin in my life much harder than the sin in the lives of others.
10. I don’t have to attend every conversation/argument to which I am invited.
11. Gifts & talents come from God. He is honoured when I pursue skill development in these areas of my life.
12. Distance does not matter when the friendship is made in Heaven. My absolute best friends are in Canada. My mentor is in Canada. 
13. Everyone has been through trauma of some sort ... so stop comparing one trauma with another.
14. NOT everyone is trustworthy. 
15. American Christianity is NOT the standard for my faith ... nor is it the standard for Christianity.
16. In matters of faith, do NOT take someone’s word for it. Even if Scripture is quoted specifically, study the Word of God for myself & allow the Holy Spirit to teach me. 
17. Don’t embrace ANY teaching just because the people teaching it say it's right.
18. Investigate as many truth claims of Christianity as possible. Christianity is to be believed by faith; however, it’s based in historical evidence ... Be okay with not having all the answers. Sit in those areas of uncertainty with Jesus. 
19. Embracing the commonalities between two people instead of always dividing over differences can build bridges and bring much needed healing.
20. The darkness is as light to the Saviour.
21. Face your fears .... even when they are irrational ones. It takes the sting out of the fear & the power away from Satan.
22. ”There is enough room in the world for everyone’s unique gifts, talents & passions. Just because someone else is doing it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.” ~ Krystal
23. Be a BIBLICIST ... one who interprets Scripture with Scripture rather than interpreting Scripture with the ideas of men from varying schools of theology.
24. Answer the question: “who am I trusting with my soul at this moment” & then proceed with all matters of life and faith accordingly.
25. Pride and arrogance detract from the Christian faith, especially to those who don’t embrace it.
26. Set goals & be accountable to someone concerning these goals.
27. Establish & strive to keep my ALERT plan!
28. Keep climbing the Freedom Ladder!
29. Watch what I say to myself! The words I use matter ...
30. It’s NOT prideful to like myself.
31. Set boundaries and love others like Jesus loves me.
32. Taking care of my health is important to God. 
33. Living on mission for God has NOTHING to do with my geographic location.
34. Take no offense at being called a “sheep” ... my Saviour said I was HIS sheep & HE is my Shepherd.
35. Read all kinds of books ... even by authors I don’t agree with. I can learn from them, too.
36. This world is NOT my home! Keep everything & everyone held with a heart & hand open towards Heaven.
37. Purge all unnecessary items from life ... this includes things, attitudes, habits, people, ideologies, theologies, philosophies, etc.
38. PURPOSE to find the joy in every day!
39. If God can use something like a global pandemic to captivate my dark, weary soul for His honour & glory, truly, NOTHING is impossible with God Almighty!

Thank You, Father, for these years You’ve given me. Captivate my heart in greater measure this year. Be honoured in my life in 2021. Show me more of Your glory. Send greater revival in my heart and life ... for Jesus’s sake.