Coming up for air....

I am feeling refreshed this day. After a few days being caught up on sleep and trying to find Gods peace in things the first few days of this week - I think I have turned a corner and have a new perspective and outlook in what God is showing me.
Yes its hard and I still totally am behind that in order to learn how to pray there is suffering that comes with that. It is part of our Christian walk.....
Last night at LOL our middle/high school bible study we had 26 students there. Lots of faces missing which could have put us over the 30 head count but the ones that were there got a great lesson to leave challenged with. I got to spend some much needed time with a few of "MyKids" and I fully enjoyed the conversations afterwards for sure. I just love those moments where we talk about tough things, perspectives, whats going on at home, where they are in their faith, their struggles in life and what does God have to say about all that. This is where I find myself these days wanting more of those challenges and conversations. I am especially excited today that one of "MyKids" older sister asked me for coffee today. Its been 8 months maybe longer that I have been praying for her specifically for an opportunity to have some time together and just hang out. Today over coffee those prayers are being seen. Pumped!!! The awesome thing is... she asked me. I love it when my students or "MyKids" come to me sometimes because it shows me what is important to them and that there is a need that is prompted and followed through on their part. God you are awesome .... thank You for providing these doors of opportunities.

Today I want to share something from Ephesians 4: I read this yesterday as I began to study some on the subject of life change. I had part of this conversation last night and I am always excited to talk about this topic. It is an important topic because it is about life transformation. Its about dying to the old you and living in the new you. There are steps that one must go through in order to live a life pleasing to Jesus. He wants to know the condition of your heart and that you are SOULED OUT to his purposes and his kingdom. If people don't break your heart, if who you are all the time is not shining for Jesus in all you do ... then I would for sure question if you are walking in the Light. We all need to evaluate where we are with Christ and make a positive change. We all need accountability from others ... life change can only happen when we have these things in place for the long haul. Sometimes we need to ask for forgiveness and sometimes we need to give it. Breath in deep ...... I'll let ya know how the coffee is later :)
Ephesians 4:
The Old Way Has to Go
17-19And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.
20-24But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
25What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.
26-27Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
28Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.
29Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
30Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.
31-32Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.