Faith | Heartstone Journey

Have You Lost Sight of Jesus?

After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first. —Luke 2:43

On one occasion when Jesus was twelve years old, He went missing. Mary and Joseph lost sight of Him, and it took three days of searching to find Him again. They had been in Jerusalem for the Passover, and as they were returning home, He was nowhere to be found. But here is the interesting thing: they traveled an entire day before they missed Him. It isn’t that they lost their love for Him or their faith. They just lost Him.

Can this happen to us?

Why Going The Extra Mile Is So Important!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. –Galatians 5:1

We were called to live a life of freedom. Have you noticed that we all strive to live in this freedom that Jesus has given us, but for some reason we choose not to live in it.

There is a freedom that only Jesus Christ can offer, but there is a cost. This is where most of us turn from this freedom. We want to step into this freedom and our soul yearns for it, but we don’t want to empty ourselves and hand over the reins to God. But we don’t and we choose slavery.

Jesus shares what this freedom looks like, but when we read these narratives in the bible our first thought is…huh??

Why Bilbo Baggins?

In one of my favorite scenes from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Galadriel turns to Gandalf and asks “Why the halfling?”

Gandalf turns to face the camera and replies: Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.

This scene caught my attention. Listen to Galdalf’s narrative, “…I’ve found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay…”

You Have To Go There!

Are you in a place right now where life doesn’t make sense and you’re ready to give up? You’ve asked God over and over again to save you from this guilt, this pain, this rejection, this health issue, this [fill in the blank] and all that seems to happen is the relentless pounding of the enemy. Sound familiar?

I love this response that John Eldredge offers up during an interview with Christianbook.com.

Christianbook.com: Would you like to offer a word of encouragement to those who are desperately trying to live out this Epic and sometimes find it hard to believe in a happy ending?

Are You A Christian Or A Disciple?

If you were to ask a group of people in your circles or people you don’t know the question, “what is a Christian?” What would they say? Have you noticed that its a loaded question no matter who you ask, so really…what is a Christian?

Not sure about you but Christianity seems to be more of a label or a brand these days because so many people call themselves Christians. If asked the question, some would say, “What do you mean?” Some would say, “Yeah, but…” Some would say, “Hmmmm, no, but…” Some would say, “Of course I am, but I’m not like that group.” For some, you were raised a Christian or you became a Christian because you prayed a prayer. Most of have to qualify our response, don’t we?

Have You Lost Sight of Jesus?

Why Going The Extra Mile Is So Important!

Why Bilbo Baggins?

You Have To Go There!

Are You A Christian Or A Disciple?

Favorite Quotes

Cool Scripture

Never Out Of The Fight!

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