Inspired by Life

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this poem during his time in prison in the 1940s. He was a determined man of God that influenced many for Christ during the harships of Hitler, yet struggled with the same fleshly battle all of us face. "Who am I? They often tell me I stepped from my cell's confinement calmly, cheerfully, firmly, like a Squire from his country house. Who am I? They often tell me I used to speak to my warders freely and friendly and clearly as though it were mine to command. Who am I? They also tell me I bore the days of misfortune equably, smilingly, proudly, like one accustomed to win. Am I then really that which other men tell of? Or am I only what I myself know of myself? Restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage, struggling for breath, as though hands were compressing my throat, yearning for colours, for flowers, for the voices of birds, thirsting for words of kindness, for neighbourliness, tossing in expectation of great events, powerlessly trembling f...

Forever. Integrating. God's. Holy. Truth. i was challenged the last couple weeks through "ROOTS" to grow in areas of daily disciplines in my life through little acts of obedience. Already i have seen some of the fruit of being faithful in the little things. For example: maybe this is silly, like something i should have learned in grade school, but the simple act of making my bed every morning. i share a small twin sized bunk bed with my little sister, where i sleep on the bottom. And since i'm usually pretty groggy in the morning, making my bed isn't exactly one of those easy things that i get down on my hands and knees to do...no it's more like i squeeze into my tiny triangle of space, contort my body, and with a lot of flopping and flailing of arms, hope that covers come out on top. But challenge or not, i was convicted of my lack of faithfulness in this small area of my life. So i became determined to change. Every day...every morning, whether it was a good...

Jacob knew he was not worthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which God had shown to him (Genesis 32:10). Job knew he was not worthy to reply to God before His presence (Job 40:4). John the baptist knew he was not worthy to stoop down and untie the straps of the sandals of Jesus (Mark 1:7). The centurion knew he was not worthy to have Jesus come under the roof of his house or even come to Jesus to ask for help (Luke 7:7). Do you ever feel unworthy? i feel unworthy A LOT. i feel unworthy to be called a bond servant of the Most High King. How could He choose me? What did He see in me that looked promising at all? i am not worthy of His grace, His mercy, and His daily forgiveness. How is He so infinite in patience? Why does He take pride in calling me His child? Like really? Like really...He does! And it is absolutely NOTHING that i have done. He didn't choose to bring me out of darkness b/c i looked "promising" NO! He brought me out of darkness b/c i w...