Never Doubt

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can CHANGE THE WORLD. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead-

"God is the Giver of Impossible Dreams." :-)

Live ALIVE

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that--because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
-Gil Bailie-

"They Overcome...by not loving their lives unto death."

http://www.biblestudents.com/endtimes_win06.cfm

Fire burns on the altar/This torch will be passed to the younger ones/Will they know how to use the heat…As carriers of a force that can set nations free?/ Will their heart break for the least of these?/ A battle in the natural/ Fought with weapons and human courage/Does not give equal reflection/ To the war raging underneath…/What will it take to stand…Against a culture that murders innocence and belief. / The answer to freedom resides in the fiery one...and those who dare to look into His eyes/ They don't know how to hold a gun/ But they’ve learned how to live without fear. / Will their beauty remain hidden forever—Or will passion override fear…revealing the majesty/ Of the mystery hidden inside?

That's part of a poem I wrote a few weeks ago after spending some time in prayer one Saturday morning before my sociology class. The words started burning in my heart, and I began to see pictures of fire on an altar, and people carrying the torch of the Gospel from previous generations that gave their lives to see the Kingdom of God preached. God kept speaking to me, "Caitlin...I want to teach you how to live free from fear...with the peace that only comes from knowing Me intimately."

There are soldiers who are fighting in the natural to defend "life and liberty for all", who are functioning on human courage and depending on the weapons and strategies they have been trained to use...yet so many of them are desperately afraid deep down inside. Adrenaline and forced bravery can often serve as a mask for fear...but in the quiet place where they can really feel, there is nothing that feels peaceful about the battle they are fighting. Still, these heroic warriors are not even fighting in the most solemn of battles. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 cor. 10, KJV)

There is a battle that rages underneath the surface, and the natural man will never be able to overcome in the intensity of warfare that ensues. Only the Spirit man...the one that has died to the flesh and the fickle emotions of the soul. The fire on the altar...the liquid hot presence of God...is the answer to victory. This fire comes through a habitation in the Secret Place, where hunger and thirst after righteousness are the currency that matters. This is the place where I learn not to be afraid.

As I look at the world, I recognize that God must see so differently than humans. We think that certain religions or certain groups are the enemy. In reality, there is the tendency in every human to perform injustice and evil. The unrighteousness is not in our labels...it is in our hearts. And only God can bring freedom. The islamic jihad may be considered a terrorist group, but even in our own schools there are terrorists who have been so wrecked with hurt on the inside that they express it in violence, showing that bitterness breeds hatred. No one is safe from this disease. History books share that "Christians" have killed in an attempt to "purify" and "expand" what they believe to be the Kingdom of God. Jesus doesn't see "Muslim" or "Christian" or "Zealot". He sees the heart. And that's what He examines. "You cannot say you love God and hate your brother."

That's why Jesus said, "Forgive them." 70 times 7. Unconditionally released.

I learn through Scripture that it's my Faith that overcomes the world. Faith is only perfect in love...God's agape love. When God's love encounters me, it begins to strip me of selfishness, offending my fleshly tendencies and self-centered desires. Without me really understanding how the process is happening, God begins to shape me into an overcomer...into a fiery one who has looked into His brilliant eyes and no longer loves her life...even unto death.

Times and seasons are changing. We need our ears to be open to hear, and our eyes open to see. We have not come this way before....and we have to hear the voice of the Spirit as He leads us. Be a fiery one. Learn how to wait in the secret place and how to be still in the presence of a loving and holy God. This is no time to shrink back in fear. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken, until only those things that are of the Kingdom remain. Walk as an overcomer.


"Jesus, thank You that You are an awesome and holy God! Thank You for the sacrifice that You made--that you bled and died for me, so that I could spend eternity with You, saving me from hell. I ask that You would make me more like You. Place fire in my heart and steadiness in my gaze. Thank You for the promise that You will never leave me alone. God, awaken my generation to Your voice in this hour, and let us be wrecked by Your aggressive love that has the power to set nations that have been held captive free. I love you, Jesus! Thank You for loving me."

Fragments of "poems" I am trying to work on...

Heart Broken
Another friend walks away
Is love enough to compel a return?
When will this deception be exposed…
And the prison chains come off—
the bleeding wrists of the prisoner?

Fire burns on the altar
This torch will be passed to the younger ones
Will they know how to use the heat…
As carriers of a force that can set nations free?
Will their heart break for the least of these?

A battle in the natural
Fought with weapons and courage
Does not give equal reflection
To the war raging underneath…
What will it take to stand…
Against a culture that murders innocence and belief.

The answer to freedom resides in the fiery ones
They may not know how to hold a gun
But they’ve learned how to live without fear.
Will their beauty remain hidden forever—
Or will passion override fear…revealing the majesty
Of the mystery hidden inside?

Will they choose to let the flesh die
So they can run with the horses
And soar like the eagle…
Lightweight and free, kingdom sneak attacks
Flying in right on time, freedom coming through their cry

The weighty truth is this…
One compromise can kill passion
Playing with darkness undermines authority
Purity brings victory
Because that’s the only condition at which vision is
Clear.

Are second chances possible?
Let’s treat our character as if they’re not…
God always forgives.
Man rarely forgets.
One crack in the foundation
Is all it takes to make even the strongest of towers
Fall.

21 years--Faith, No More Fear

"Attacks force churches to boost security."

The story of the Colorado shootings were all over the T.V. today. Although Colorado is far from where I live, I still felt grief over the deaths of 2 YWAMers and 2 teenage girls who were coming home from church. Grief came because these young people could have been my friends. But fear also came because of the lawlessness that roams in the hearts of men...and how such an incident could have happened anywhere, and to anyone. I got shocked into a place of seeing hownfragile life is...and how important it is to keep priorities straight while walking here on earth. Fear is a real emotion, and death and violence are realities while living in an imperfect world. But how I choose to respond in my heart to these realities will determine how I live my life. It's so important to live with an understanding of the Kingdom I represent and the power that comes through that alliance--that I am naturally supernatural as a daughter of the King.

Today I turned 21. I am now "legal"...still, all I drank tonight was a strawberry milkshake. ::-)(I know people say that a little bit of alcohol is okay...but the impaired judgment isn't worth it to me. Excellence comes through abstaining even from things that might seem okay.) Tonight, I want to go to sleep knowing that I took the time to set my heart and my mind on the things above--and my eyes on the face of the Beautiful One. That's why I'm writing this blog. I want this year to start off right.

Tonight, my heart was celebrating another year complete, but for some reason I was battling a lot of fear concerning the future. The recent Colorado news and a bad dream a few nights ago only added to my fear...a fear of death that started disabling my ability to live fully alive. I felt myself grabbing in my mind at everything in this life that I hold valuable--and anxiety hit me about the things that I haven't yet experienced that I want to some day. The list is still there with a lot of spaces unchecked: backpack through Europe, climb really big mountains, go on crazy adventures through nations to tell people about Jesus and watch God show up in out of control ways, surf, learn a new language, get a tattoo that says Beloved, learn how to play the keyboard, get married. But all of those things are so temporary. They are good...but still not eternal. Not even the person I marry is going be able to answer for me when I stand before Jesus to give an account for how I lived my life--for how I loved people...or didn't love them--for how I gave my life as a drink offering...or how I went after my own selfish ambitions.

But more importantly, as I thought about the shortness of life, I realized how asleep I can be to the word written on my heart--eternity. Everyone will die someday. That's just a matter of time. The real question is not how or when, but where will a souls destination be following death? I know that sounds morbid, but it should only be a scary question if you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior...if your heart is not right with God.

Now, as I listen to Over the Rhine on imeem and write my thoughts out, I hope that I can come to a place of truth with the Holy Spirit leading me into a realization once again that perfect love casts out fear. I want 21 to be marked by faith, and not fear--and to live so securely in love, that fear doesn't have a chance at holding me back from walking in the fullness of God.

Who I believe Jesus to be is the most important question I will ever answer. I love how Jesus comes alive through the Gospels--through writings of people who loved Him and knew Him in such a way that they could call Him friend. I love how I can learn to walk with Him through their stories and experiences with the Master. Many of these people gave their lives for this Man. They learned what it means to live by faith, and not fear. For them, Jesus was the Son of God--and with that, their protector, provider, the lifter up of their head. He sustained them, and they knew that He would be there, no matter what life brought their way. They trusted Him in every way. They are heroes--people who traded in the temporary for the eternal. On this life they didn't just survive--they thrived. They knew what it meant to fly, and their secret was in who they knew Jesus to be for themselves. These heroes wanted to know Jesus more than any other pursuit. And because of this love-affair, they were able to live in a place that many people fail to reach.

The Bible says that in the last days, many men's hearts will fail them because of fear. Lawlessness is going to abound. The love of many is going to grow cold. BUT he who endures to the end shall be saved.

I want to be one who endures to the end. I want to live each day in the newness of life, letting God sustain me. I want to, "Live a life less ordinary," with Him, full of passion and perserverance. I want Jesus to teach me how to walk by faith, and not by sight.

God is good.

Live fully alive in Him!!! Each day is new and beautiful. Embrace it.

When the Saints...song lyrics

Lord I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know
It's more than I can handle
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones and I cannot let it go
And when I'm weary and overwrought with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars

And when the Saints go marching in I want to be one of them
Lord it's all that I can't carry and cannot leave behind but your word has compelled me when I think of all who've gone before me and lived the faithful life
And when I'm weary and overwrought with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars I
see the shepherd Moses in the Pharohs court
I hear his call of freedom for the people of the Lord
And when the Saints go marching in I want to be one of them
And when the Saints go marching in I want to be one of them

I see the long quiet walk along the Underground Railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul
I see the young missionary and the end of the spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear
I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sisters standing by the lepers side
I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door
I see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road
I see the world on his shoulders and my easy load

[When The Saints Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]

No Turning Back

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
Though I may wonder, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back,no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

Rejection--Demotion or Promotion?

"A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master." -Matthew 10:24


"He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief..." -Isaiah 52:13

Honestly, I don't know anyone who thinks that rejection is the greatest feeling in the world. Most people, including myslef, don't enjoy getting rejected...or the knife that feels like it's slashing through your stomach when you know you're not accepted. Sometimes I try to figure out why I dislike it so much. Probably a psychologist or counselor could give a studious answer to that question, yet all I can come up with is that being misunderstood and not accepted can be tough.

Yet, Jesus let's me know in His own words that I am going to experience rejection in this life...and not just once, but often. Opposition comes with obedience. People are not always going to understand me when I am obeying the voice of my Father and Best Friend--and the hardest part of that is when those people are close friends or family members (people I expect to love me the most and believe in me the greatest) or an extremely influential and persuasive culture. Still, God calls me to a place of abandonment to His voice, and His voice alone--laying down my human desires for a good reputation and a comfortable existence and pleasing man at His feet.

Which is exactly why rejection is good for me--and why God doesn't protect me from feeling the pain of rejection. In the midst of the pain, I find clarity for what this life is really about. Jesus knew rejection well, especially in the moments of being nailed to the cross. But He already died to Himself a billion times before that moment, making His ministry what it was--bold, lovingly aggressive, and completely submitted to the voice of His Father. Rejection pushed Him through the cross, making His soul and flesh submit to His spirit as He chose the treasures of heaven over the treasures of this temporary life. His message would have never been effective if He was busy protecting Himself. I imagine if that was His priority, He could have lived a very obscure and non-confrontational life as a simple carpenter in His little town of Nazareth. But He knew there was more required of Him--and that the more would require sacrifice...but out of a heart burning with love for His Father and for the people who would be changed because of His obedience.

So...I'm not able to honestly say that I'm at a place of being so dead to myself and alive to the way God operates that I don't even fear rejection anymore. But I am learning that when I choose to let rejection take me not just to the cross, but through the cross (into abundant life), the Kingdom of God becomes more real to me...and the kind of life that is available because of Christ's sacrifice becomes something that I would rather have a billion times over the approval and acceptance of man. On the other side of obedience there is blessing--the blessing of nations becoming my inheritance. And on the other side of death to self is the promise of Resurrection Life.

Conscious Restored to a Nation

Then Queen Esther answered and said, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king’s loss.”

Esther had to make a choice--to give her life completely for the call of God, or live for her own pleasure and comfort as a queen.

"If I perish, I perish."

That was her choice. She cared more about obeying a higher authority than yielding to fear. That choice got her positioned so that she could challenge unrighteousness in a kingdom--and restore the conscience of a nation.

Goo Goo Dolls Before It's Too Late

I wondered through fiction to look for the truth
Buried beneath all the lies
And I stood at a distance
To feel who you are
Hiding myself in your eyes
And hold on before it's too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives
And the risk that might break you
Is the one that would save
A life you dont live is still lost
So stand on the edge with me
Hold back your fear and see
Nothing is real til it's gone
And hold on before its too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives
So live like you mean it
Love til you feel it
It's all that we need in our lives
So stand on the edge with me
Hold back your fear and see
Nothing is real til it's gone
Hold on before its too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives
Hold on before its too late
Until we leave this behind
Don't fall just be who you are
It's all that we need in our lives
It's all that we need in our lives
It's all that I need in my life

A favorite poem!!!

The Road Not Taken
by: Robert Frost

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the tother, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy ans wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference."

Brilliant Light

Tonight I was at a Bible Study with about eight other students from my college. We had such a great time fellowshipping and sharing from the Word. While we were talking, one of the Scriptures that came up really stuck with me. It's one that I hear a lot, but I think it's very important to remind myself of it, especially with the culture as it is right now. In Matthew 5:14--16, Jesus was teaching His disciples up on a mountain about the Kingdom of God. He knew that He was only going to be with them a short time, and they needed preparation for what was ahead. Starting with the Beatitudes as His very first sermon, He breaks it down for them in a way they can understand the essence of what a son/daughter of God looks like. That is a whole new blog, but this one is focused more on the part that follows the Beatitudes. Jesus told them,

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Wow! To be the light of the whole world means God's children should be giving off some major shine. For some people, that light is going to bug the heck out of them--like this morning when my sister had to wake up before me, and she left all of the lights on in our room. I almost threw about three pillows at her because I was agitated that my sleep was interrupted. But eventually, I decided to just wake up and start my day with a cup of coffee (with tons of milk) and a longer than usual one-on-one time with Jesus. It ended up being an awesome day.

Now, to put that into a spiritual context--People who are asleep need to wake up! They need to be agitated. Someone already awake is going to love the light--like my sister. But the person who encounters the light while still in darkness is going to experience friction because their comfort level is being challenged. That doesn't mean just unsaved people--but also those who know Jesus and start walking in sin that grieves God's heart. I want to be awake--and I want those around me to be awake, too. I guess everyone has a choice to either check out the light or roll over in bed and fall back asleep, but I'm going to pray they choose the first option. And I'm going to pray that they get so agitated that they can't help but find out why the light is so bright.

So, how do I be that "light"? I know for sure I don't have all of the ansers, but the whole concept of being a "light" seems to get overspiritualized in the church. I think it comes down to just being in love with the most Brilliant one we've ever known, and letting Him shine brilliantly through us. Sometimes that brilliance will show up by loving those labeled unlovable. Sometimes it's by standing up for truth, even when everyone else disagrees. Sometimes it's just allowing the peace and calm of Jesus to show through us to those whose hearts are anxious, or choosing purity when compromising situations arise. Gods brilliance isn't limited to just one form or expression. But when we just make the choice to shine, people are going to notice. And then I know God will guide us on what to do from there, because He receives glory through us.

Glorious Bride

"...a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:27, NIV)

Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They're really doing themselves a favor—since they're already "one" in marriage. (Ephesians 5:25-28, the Message)


I love asking questions. If I meet someone for the first time, and I'm in a talking mood, I find myself drilling them with questions about who they are, what they enjoy, what causes their heart to come alive, etc. (At least if they don't start drilling me with questions first...)

I ask God a lot of questions too. One of my favorites (but probably also the most dangerous because it requires death to self in order to see it achieved) is, "God, what are the dreams of Your heart?" I want to know what He is dreaming about! I want to know the things that move His heart and makes Him want to show up in all of His glory and beauty.

One time I was telling a friend about this conversation I have a lot with Abba, and she replied, "But we are God's dream!" That kind of shook up the way I approached this whole question. I like it when that happens, though. God's dream isn't some far away, mystical thing that only certain people can participate in. And really, the answer isn't hard to figure out. God wants His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth. Period. And how is that accomplished? Through His Bride! Through the ones who are supposed to know Him the best--who have taken the time to learn how He thinks and how He speaks.

The amazing thing is that God loves to use us just as we are, in all of our incompleteness. But His love refuses to leave us the same. I love how the Message Bible says, "Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness." When God looks at His church, He knows that we have a lot of issues, but I don't really think that's what He focuses on. I think He focuses on who we are becoming, and that's what He speaks to--with words of love that evoke beauty and bring wholeness. It's easy to become cynical and judgmental of the church because of all of the obvious flaws, but it's a lot harder to have faith that we can actually become the Church God has called us to be. I don't want to be a cynic--that's a lazy way of refusing to live in the Spirit. Cynicism rots away hope and faith. I want to believe that God can make me and the church glorious--normal sons and daughters who have chosen the radical path of being carriers of His glory.

So, my question to God is beginning to change. It's more personal. "God, how can I live today to make Your dream come true?" The answer isn't difficult to hear--He tells me that He just wants me to listen and obey Him. My prayer then becomes, "Okay, Jesus. I know what You desire, but I need You to be my strength. I can't do it on my own." I think He really likes that prayer because it lets Him show up in all of His beauty to make His name glorious on the earth.

Prison breaks. Informal dinners. Living in community. Crazy evangelistic trips. Making sure everyone always had enough of whatever was necessary for life. These were the activities of the early church--An out of the box community that wasn't perfect, but that loved with a passion that could not be contained in four walls. And the results of this lifestyle are apparent in the pages of history, with salvations and healings and miracles being recorded in record numbers. The label "institution" would never fit the early church. So WHY does the church seem more like an institution these days?
Maybe being an institution is safer. Maybe it's easier. Maybe it just makes more sense to our natural minds since we live in a world where institutions are everywhere. In an article I was reading tonight countering the church as an institution, the author wrote, "In my understanding, the evidence confirms that the church is a community, a community that places its faith in Jesus, that exists in the love of God, and that loves and cares for all community members as they seek to share Jesus with others." I wonder what it would be like to once again live out such a pure and undefiled faith...one that loves and is free from the religious bondage of man's workmanship.

Forward Movement

Forward movement can be hard. Often, when I think of having to move forward, it's usually because I have to get over a disappointment in my life or I need to believe that I can still do something, despite failing at it once or twice. But today I realized that one of the biggest hindrances to moving forward can be success and safety. When things are going great, it's easy to get comfortable and not want to move. I wonder if that was the rich ruler's problem. He was rich, had good connections, came from a good family, had a great reputation. Jesus challenged him to give up his possessions so that he could follow Him. But the ruler walked away from the challenge because he didn't want to get that uncomfortable. Jesus brought friction to his safe zone by daring him to move out of what made sense. It makes me sad that he didn't obey because now I'll never know what could have been. Who knows what his life would have been like if he walked away from the comfortable into the unknown. That's why my perspective is starting to change about friction. I want Jesus to make me uncomfortable. Even when it means I can't be safe. Even when it requires I give up some friendships, some dreams, some "riches" in the natural. Even if it means sometimes I'll be misunderstood or misevaluated--because I'd rather be misunderstood by the "wise" if it means I don't have to live with the regrets of not choosing the narrow path. I want to keep moving forward because God is always advancing. And the safest place seems to be right in the fire, where I feel the most friction, because that's where I'm becoming more like Jesus.

Choose Friends Wisely

Jonathan chose his friends wisely. He got his armor bearer to go with him to get the Philistines out of the land. That took guts...and the right people surrounding him...who were crazy just like him.

I was listening to a teaching by Banning Liebscher tonight. He said, "You've got to pick friends who are a little bit crazy, too. And you have to pick friends who want to change the world...who have made the same choice as you."

Choose friends who are CONSUMED!!! They need to BURN like you burn. Otherwise, you won't change history. Your focus and affection will be divided, because you are trying to keep your friends. Acquaintances are good...be kind to everyone...shine the light of Jesus and love them with his passion. BUT a poor choice of who you let close to your heart could cause the fire God has burned in your heart to be completely snuffed out.

So....choose your friends wisely. BURN FOR JESUS. And trust Him to bring the right people around you, even if it means that you don't have any friends besides the Holy Spirit for a season.

Live Like Hell...and Still Get Heaven?

As the daughter of parents who are full-time pastors, I know a lot of people who identify themselves as Christians. Yet, I've noticed that many people think that being a "Christian" is only a Sunday morning thing--like putting on a different kind of coat for a specific function. The rest of the time they live just like they want to, some claiming that such a lifestyle is what "freedom" really looks like.

I'm pretty sure that although God is full of compassion and slow to anger, He can still get angry. And hurt. And feel betrayed. I wonder how His heart must hurt when He sees the lack of commitment His so called children have for Him and His cause. It amazes me that He can still love us. Still fight for us. Still call us beautiful.

Paul understood the fervent love God had for him...that even while Paul was dead in sin, Christ would not just die for him, but meet him on the road to Damascus. Paul lost everything only to gain everything. For him, Christianity was not just a culturally moral name or a title to get him accepted into certain circles. Paul ate and drank and slept Jesus. His life was consumed with the One who paid the highest price possible so that he could be saved from sin and hell.

I want to live like that...with an abandoned to Jesus lifestyle that is always aware of how great a salvation I have been given. When I leave the four walls of the church where I worship with other believers, and start hearing the voices of the world screaming out to me, "Follow me! Follow me!" I want to be able to say, "My heart is satisfied by Him alone. This world has nothing for me."