The grace to let go and let God be God flows from trust in His boundless love. – Brennan Manning

I have plenty I could say about this quote. I think it’s so true, and really spoke to me when I read it. But I want to hear from you: What do you think about this quote, and what does it mean to you? Post a comment, or email us with your answer.

]]> http://ignitionchallenge.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/the-grace-to-let-go/feed/ 0 Kylie http://ignitionchallenge.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/the-grace-to-let-go/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIgnitionBlog/~3/SCKgl71b2Zc/ http://ignitionchallenge.wordpress.com/2009/10/23/i-will-extol-the-lord/#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:02:14 +0000 Kylie http://ignitionchallenge.wordpress.com/?p=486 ]]>

Praise the LORD.
I will extol the LORD with all my heart
in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

² Great are the works of the LORD;
they are pondered by all who delight in them.

³ Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
and his righteousness endures forever.

⁴ He has caused his wonders to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

⁵ He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.

⁶ He has shown his people the power of his works,
giving them the lands of other nations.

⁷ The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy.

⁸ They are steadfast for ever and ever,
done in faithfulness and uprightness.

⁹ He provided redemption for his people;
he ordained his covenant forever—
holy and awesome is his name.

¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all who follow his precepts have good understanding.
To him belongs eternal praise.

(Psalm 11)

My favorite phrases in this Psalm are “I will extol the Lord with all my heart” and “To Him belongs eternal praise”. It’s so good to remember that no matter what, the Lord is to be praised. In fact, He is so incredible that we should praise Him for all eternity. It makes me happy to think that in Heaven, that’s what we will be doing… bringing joy to our Creator, and reveling in His indescribable glory. I can’t wait, and I hope you’ll be there too.

Book Review: The Case for Christ

By Lee Strobel :: Review by Kylie

We all struggle with our own doubts about what we believe, what is real, and what role God plays in our lives today. Often times, we try not to let these doubts bother us; we set them aside or “shove them in a drawer”. Lee Strobel didn’t.

A prominent journalist, not to mention an atheist, Lee Strobel had it all. Or so it seemed. He had a great job, a great marriage, and overall great circumstances. But when his wife got saved, Lee started to wonder whether his convictions were as firm as they appeared. This set him on an epic quest – to discover the evidence about the seemingly outrageous claims behind Christianity. If what he discovered was false, he could throw it away like a dirty dishrag. But if there was actually something that supported these claims, Lee might just have to give it a second thought.

So, Lee’s search for the truth began. This book chronicles his experiences. From investigating how we know the Bible is true to looking at how we know Jesus was really the Christ, Lee Strobel presents the facts he discovered in a clear and straightforward way. What he found out, and what you will realize as you join him in this journey, is very remarkable.

While I am already a firm believer in Jesus and the Bible, this book was so helpful and only helped solidify my beliefs. The evidence Lee Strobel presents is truly amazing. I literally couldn’t put the book down and finished the book in less than 24 hours. Since I had the Student Edition, it was a fairly quick read.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, especially if you have any sorts of doubt about what to believe. Viewing the confirmation of everything the Bible says will help you build a foundation that is unshakable.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ” From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known. — John 1:1-18

I read this passage last night and it really made me think. Jesus is the true light, true glory. He came down, out of His own grace, so that we may know God. Jesus is the light that shines in this darkness.

Psalm 119

 ¹ Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
         Who walk in the law of the LORD!
 ² Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
         Who seek Him with the whole heart!
 ³ They also do no iniquity;
         They walk in His ways.
 ⁴ You have commanded us
         To keep Your precepts diligently.
 ⁵ Oh, that my ways were directed
         To keep Your statutes!
 ⁶ Then I would not be ashamed,
         When I look into all Your commandments.
 ⁷ I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
         When I learn Your righteous judgments.
 ⁸ I will keep Your statutes;
         Oh, do not forsake me utterly! 
         
  

 ⁹ How can a young man cleanse his way?
         By taking heed according to Your word.
 ¹⁰ With my whole heart I have sought You;
         Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
 ¹¹ Your word I have hidden in my heart,
         That I might not sin against You.
 ¹² Blessed are You, O LORD!
         Teach me Your statutes.
 ¹³ With my lips I have declared
         All the judgments of Your mouth.
 ¹⁴ I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
         As much as in all riches.
 ¹⁵ I will meditate on Your precepts,
         And contemplate Your ways.
 ¹⁶ I will delight myself in Your statutes;
         I will not forget Your word.
         
   

¹⁷ Deal bountifully with Your servant,
         That I may live and keep Your word.
 ¹⁸ Open my eyes, that I may see
         Wondrous things from Your law.
 ¹⁹ I am a stranger in the earth;
         Do not hide Your commandments from me.
 ²⁰ My soul breaks with longing
         For Your judgments at all times.
 ²¹ You rebuke the proud—the cursed,
         Who stray from Your commandments.
 ²² Remove from me reproach and contempt,
         For I have kept Your testimonies.
 ²³ Princes also sit and speak against me,
         But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
 ²⁴ Your testimonies also are my delight
         And my counselors.
         
   

 ²⁵ My soul clings to the dust;
         Revive me according to Your word.
 ²⁶ I have declared my ways, and You answered me;
         Teach me Your statutes.
 ²⁷ Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
         So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
 ²⁸ My soul melts from heaviness;
         Strengthen me according to Your word.
 ²⁹ Remove from me the way of lying,
         And grant me Your law graciously.
 ³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth;
         Your judgments I have laid before me.
 ³¹ I cling to Your testimonies;
         O LORD, do not put me to shame!
 ³² I will run the course of Your commandments,
         For You shall enlarge my heart.
         
   

 ³³ Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
         And I shall keep it to the end.
 ³⁴ Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
         Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
 ³⁵ Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
         For I delight in it.
 ³⁶ Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
         And not to covetousness.
 ³⁷ Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
         And revive me in Your way.^[a]
 38 Establish Your word to Your servant,
         Who is devoted to fearing You.
 ³⁹ Turn away my reproach which I dread,
         For Your judgments are good.
 ⁴⁰ Behold, I long for Your precepts;
         Revive me in Your righteousness.
         
   

⁴¹ Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD—
         Your salvation according to Your word.
 ⁴² So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me,
         For I trust in Your word.
 ⁴³ And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
         For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
 ⁴⁴ So shall I keep Your law continually,
         Forever and ever.
 ⁴⁵ And I will walk at liberty,
         For I seek Your precepts.
 ⁴⁶ I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
         And will not be ashamed.
 ⁴⁷ And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
         Which I love.
 ⁴⁸ My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
         Which I love,
         And I will meditate on Your statutes.
         
   

 ⁴⁹ Remember the word to Your servant,
         Upon which You have caused me to hope.
 ⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my affliction,
         For Your word has given me life.
 ⁵¹ The proud have me in great derision,
         Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
 ⁵² I remembered Your judgments of old, O LORD,
         And have comforted myself.
 ⁵³ Indignation has taken hold of me
         Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
 ⁵⁴ Your statutes have been my songs
         In the house of my pilgrimage.
 ⁵⁵ I remember Your name in the night, O LORD,
         And I keep Your law.
 ⁵⁶ This has become mine,
         Because I kept Your precepts.
         
   

 ⁵⁷ You are my portion, O LORD;
         I have said that I would keep Your words.
 ⁵⁸ I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
         Be merciful to me according to Your word.
 ⁵⁹ I thought about my ways,
         And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
 ⁶⁰ I made haste, and did not delay
         To keep Your commandments.
 ⁶¹ The cords of the wicked have bound me,
         But I have not forgotten Your law.
 ⁶² At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
         Because of Your righteous judgments.
 ⁶³ I am a companion of all who fear You,
         And of those who keep Your precepts.
 ⁶⁴ The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy;
         Teach me Your statutes.
         
   

 ⁶⁵ You have dealt well with Your servant,
         O LORD, according to Your word.
 ⁶⁶ Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
         For I believe Your commandments.
 ⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray,
         But now I keep Your word.
 ⁶⁸ You are good, and do good;
         Teach me Your statutes.
 ⁶⁹ The proud have forged a lie against me,
         But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
 ⁷⁰ Their heart is as fat as grease,
         But I delight in Your law.
 ⁷¹ It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
         That I may learn Your statutes.
 ⁷² The law of Your mouth is better to me
         Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
         
   

 ⁷³ Your hands have made me and fashioned me;
         Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
 ⁷⁴ Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,
         Because I have hoped in Your word.
 ⁷⁵ I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,
         And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
 ⁷⁶ Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
         According to Your word to Your servant.
 ⁷⁷ Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;
         For Your law is my delight.
 ⁷⁸ Let the proud be ashamed,
         For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood;
         But I will meditate on Your precepts.
 ⁷⁹ Let those who fear You turn to me,
         Those who know Your testimonies.
 ⁸⁰ Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes,
         That I may not be ashamed.
         
   

⁸¹ My soul faints for Your salvation,
         But I hope in Your word.
 ⁸² My eyes fail from searching Your word,
         Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
 ⁸³ For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
         Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
 ⁸⁴ How many are the days of Your servant?
         When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
 ⁸⁵ The proud have dug pits for me,
         Which is not according to Your law.
 ⁸⁶ All Your commandments are faithful;
         They persecute me wrongfully;
         Help me!
 ⁸⁷ They almost made an end of me on earth,
         But I did not forsake Your precepts.
 ⁸⁸ Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
         So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.
         
   

 ⁸⁹ Forever, O LORD,
         Your word is settled in heaven.
 ⁹⁰ Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
         You established the earth, and it abides.
 ⁹¹ They continue this day according to Your ordinances,
         For all are Your servants.
 ⁹² Unless Your law had been my delight,
         I would then have perished in my affliction.
 ⁹³ I will never forget Your precepts,
         For by them You have given me life.
 ⁹⁴ I am Yours, save me;
         For I have sought Your precepts.
 ⁹⁵ The wicked wait for me to destroy me,
         But I will consider Your testimonies.
 ⁹⁶ I have seen the consummation of all perfection,
         But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.
         
   

 ⁹⁷ Oh, how I love Your law!
         It is my meditation all the day.
 ⁹⁸ You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
         For they are ever with me.
 ⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers,
         For Your testimonies are my meditation.
 ¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the ancients,
         Because I keep Your precepts.
 ¹⁰¹ I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
         That I may keep Your word.
 ¹⁰² I have not departed from Your judgments,
         For You Yourself have taught me.
 ¹⁰³ How sweet are Your words to my taste,
         Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
 ¹⁰⁴ Through Your precepts I get understanding;
         Therefore I hate every false way.
         
   

 ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
         And a light to my path.
 ¹⁰⁶ I have sworn and confirmed
         That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
 ¹⁰⁷ I am afflicted very much;
         Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.
 ¹⁰⁸ Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
         And teach me Your judgments.
 ¹⁰⁹ My life is continually in my hand,
         Yet I do not forget Your law.
 ¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me,
         Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
 ¹¹¹ Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever,
         For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
 ¹¹² I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
         Forever, to the very end.
         
   

¹¹³ I hate the double-minded,
         But I love Your law.
 ¹¹⁴ You are my hiding place and my shield;
         I hope in Your word.
 ¹¹⁵ Depart from me, you evildoers,
         For I will keep the commandments of my God!
 ¹¹⁶ Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live;
         And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
 ¹¹⁷ Hold me up, and I shall be safe,
         And I shall observe Your statutes continually.
 ¹¹⁸ You reject all those who stray from Your statutes,
         For their deceit is falsehood.
 ¹¹⁹ You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross;
         Therefore I love Your testimonies.
 ¹²⁰ My flesh trembles for fear of You,
         And I am afraid of Your judgments.
         
   

 ¹²¹ I have done justice and righteousness;
         Do not leave me to my oppressors.
 ¹²² Be surety for Your servant for good;
         Do not let the proud oppress me.
 ¹²³ My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation
         And Your righteous word.
 ¹²⁴ Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy,
         And teach me Your statutes.
 ¹²⁵ I am Your servant;
         Give me understanding,
         That I may know Your testimonies.
 ¹²⁶ It is time for You to act, O LORD,
         For they have regarded Your law as void.
 ¹²⁷ Therefore I love Your commandments
         More than gold, yes, than fine gold!
 ¹²⁸ Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things
         I consider to be right;
         I hate every false way.
         
   

 ¹²⁹ Your testimonies are wonderful;
         Therefore my soul keeps them.
 ¹³⁰ The entrance of Your words gives light;
         It gives understanding to the simple.
 ¹³¹ I opened my mouth and panted,
         For I longed for Your commandments.
 ¹³² Look upon me and be merciful to me,
         As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
 ¹³³ Direct my steps by Your word,
         And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
 ¹³⁴ Redeem me from the oppression of man,
         That I may keep Your precepts.
 ¹³⁵ Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
         And teach me Your statutes.
 ¹³⁶ Rivers of water run down from my eyes,
         Because men do not keep Your law.
         
   

 ¹³⁷ Righteous are You, O LORD,
         And upright are Your judgments.
 ¹³⁸ Your testimonies, which You have commanded,
         Are righteous and very faithful.
 ¹³⁹ My zeal has consumed me,
         Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
 ¹⁴⁰ Your word is very pure;
         Therefore Your servant loves it.
 ¹⁴¹ I am small and despised,
         Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
 ¹⁴² Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
         And Your law is truth.
 ¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have overtaken me,
         Yet Your commandments are my delights.
 ¹⁴⁴ The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting;
         Give me understanding, and I shall live.
         
   

 ¹⁴⁵ I cry out with my whole heart;
         Hear me, O LORD!
         I will keep Your statutes.
 ¹⁴⁶ I cry out to You;
         Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
 ¹⁴⁷ I rise before the dawning of the morning,
         And cry for help;
         I hope in Your word.
 ¹⁴⁸ My eyes are awake through the night watches,
         That I may meditate on Your word.
 ¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
         O LORD, revive me according to Your justice.
 ¹⁵⁰ They draw near who follow after wickedness;
         They are far from Your law.
 ¹⁵¹ You are near, O LORD,
         And all Your commandments are truth.
 ¹⁵² Concerning Your testimonies,
         I have known of old that You have founded them forever.
         
   

 ¹⁵³ Consider my affliction and deliver me,
         For I do not forget Your law.
 ¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause and redeem me;
         Revive me according to Your word.
 ¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked,
         For they do not seek Your statutes.
 ¹⁵⁶ Great are Your tender mercies, O LORD;
         Revive me according to Your judgments.
 ¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and my enemies,
         Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.
 ¹⁵⁸ I see the treacherous, and am disgusted,
         Because they do not keep Your word.
 ¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love Your precepts;
         Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.
 ¹⁶⁰ The entirety of Your word is truth,
         And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
         
   

 ¹⁶¹ Princes persecute me without a cause,
         But my heart stands in awe of Your word.
 ¹⁶² I rejoice at Your word
         As one who finds great treasure.
 ¹⁶³ I hate and abhor lying,
         But I love Your law.
 ¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise You,
         Because of Your righteous judgments.
 ¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love Your law,
         And nothing causes them to stumble.
 ¹⁶⁶ LORD, I hope for Your salvation,
         And I do Your commandments.
 ¹⁶⁷ My soul keeps Your testimonies,
         And I love them exceedingly.
 ¹⁶⁸ I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
         For all my ways are before You.
         
   

 ¹⁶⁹ Let my cry come before You, O LORD;
         Give me understanding according to Your word.
 ¹⁷⁰ Let my supplication come before You;
         Deliver me according to Your word.
 ¹⁷¹ My lips shall utter praise,
         For You teach me Your statutes.
 ¹⁷² My tongue shall speak of Your word,
         For all Your commandments are righteousness.
 ¹⁷³ Let Your hand become my help,
         For I have chosen Your precepts.
 ¹⁷⁴ I long for Your salvation, O LORD,
         And Your law is my delight.
 ¹⁷⁵ Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;
         And let Your judgments help me.
 ¹⁷⁶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
         Seek Your servant,
         For I do not forget Your commandments.

That’s the God we serve! Be excited!

Update on the Challenge 2010: Kylie and I are actively working on getting the challenge for this upcoming year. I can safely say it is going to be a neat experience for all of us as writers and editors – and we’re all praying that it will be equally exciting for you. Stay tuned – in the next few months, you’ll see some polls, template changes, and other fun changes. As always, we love to hear from you, so if you have a suggestion or comment, shoot us an email at ignition [dot] challenge [at] gmail [dot] com.

In love and on fire,

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:11-21)

The theme of the newest issue of Kids of Faith is our incredible transformation once we accept Christ. Our theme verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17, but the context is just as profound. Take some time to read this and ponder what it means to be reconciled to God.

You can see the KOF issue here: www.kidsoffaithonline.net

- – -

I would like to wish a belated birthday to Ignition and Kids of Faith’s talented artist, none other than Jocelberry, aka Jocelyn, aka Joss, aka Queen of the World… Jocelyn is gorgeous, intelligent, and amazing at using the gifts God has given her. She’s really dear to me, and I’m blessed to know her.

So, here’s to another year, Joss, as you enter “teendom”. May you continue to grow closer to God over the next twelve months and learn even more to walk in His holiness. May your hands be His hands, your voice be His voice, and your heart be His heart, as you continue to serve Him with your talents. Love you!

Drenched in sweat, a man stumbles through the desert. He has been in the severe heat for days. The sun beats down mercilessly on the man’s already scorched skin. Completely parched and drained of strength, he can hardly scream of anguish, much less continue his torturous journey. His eyes blur. Is that a pool of water, or just another mirage? Reaching some sort of shadow cast upon the sand, he falls onto the ground and once again drifts into unconsciousness.

- – -

That’s a somewhat chilling picture, isn’t it? It’s a nightmarish, almost unthinkable situation that everyone hopes they won’t ever find themselves in. But what a lot of people sometimes don’t realize, myself included, is that we can become that way in our spiritual life.

In this fast-paced season of busyness, it’s easy to get spiritually “dried up”. We sometimes get so caught up in everything that’s going on that we can lose sight of our long-term goal—eternity.

I found myself that way this week. My Bible laid neglected on my nightstand, my prayer life was pitiful, and I felt so disconnected with God. It was only until I was sent to my room to think about something I’d done wrong that I made time to pick up my Bible. There wasn’t anything extraordinary or shocking about the passages I read, but I came away feeling so refreshed. I had fed my spirit, and had chosen to spend time with my Maker.

Maybe you’re in a place of spiritual drought. The best advice I have for you is from my heart. Run back to Jesus and ask Him, the Living Water, to fill you up. Spend a little time reading His Word, or just talk to Him. Imagine yourself in a special, peaceful place designed for just the two of you to be together. Take the time to interact with Him, and He’ll give you the refreshment that you need.

7When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8(His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

9The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

10Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

11″Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?”

13Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”(John 4:7-14)

Go to Jesus. Dip into His wellspring of life. You won’t regret it.

Have you ever felt worthless? Run-down? Wrong for the job?

You are in good company. I imagine that every Christian has felt like they weren’t good enough for God or his calling at least once in their life.

When I was struggling with this attitude of worthlessness, I wrote this poem. I hope that it will help you see just how much you mean to God, as it helped me.

Noah

Drip. Drip.
I do not understand the water
That falls like a birdsong on my face
You say it cleanses
Then why is the dirt pouring on
Me?

You chose me. You chose this
Dark creaking beast to be my Shelter
In a long storm. I didn’t
Choose it for myself.
Why me? I am not
Good or Beautiful and I did not
Know you then. I hardly know you now.

Unworthy is a good word.
It’s who I am right now in the face of
This Great Flood that threatens me
But somehow, you protect.
How is it you could love a fool like me?

Is this who I am? More than just the
Earth on my face or the water in my hands,
I am made in your image
These eyes are to see destruction and live
These hands to cradle in love like you do
This heart to beat like yours
Is this who I am?

Unworthy is a good word.
But that is not who I am.

In love and on fire,

Today marks the sixteenth birthday of Ignition’s assistant editor, Catey. She is “a young lady with a rather unusual heart and mind”. If you’ve read any of her writings, you can tell that she is completely in love with Jesus, and He speaks actively through her.

I have known Catey for about a year now, and she never ceases to amaze me. I am still impressed by her outgoing nature and pleasant demeanor. Her love for God and desire to serve Him is so apparent, and so is the pure beauty of her heart. She is such a wonderful friend. I am blessed to know her.

If you would like to wish her a happy birthday, you can leave a comment here or at her blog, Sparks of Illumination.

Happy birthday, Catey! May God continue to fulfill His plan for you this year as He sculpts you into who He wants you to be. May you keep your eyes always focused on Jesus and grow in your understanding of and desire for Him.

Your friend and sister in Christ,