Just got in from lunch and 2 miles - they are getting harder the older I get. I can feel my toes hurting with each step and my knees ache in the morning. I guess I have to suck it up at times and continue to press through those sticky places. That is what I was thinking during the pounding of the pavement this afternoon. So many of us are at a sticking point in our faith walk. We are not strong enough in our faith or feel we know enough to press through. You really want to walk closer to Christ but you are unable to because you will have to change some things. You will have to change a few things with how you life, how you feel about things and people, the way you talk, think and even love. So many of us come to a place in life where all of a sudden because of some painful thing we come to know Christ during that season. Everything comes together, there is new energy and a purpose in your heart and church on Sunday mornings really speaks to you. You pray and God answers your prayers, you get the best parking places at the mall. Everything is going your way. Then that season ends... God seems quiet. You get the furthest parking place from the mall. That dress you wanted is out of stock. Your best friend doesn't stand up for you and you have to walk away from them. Faith seems to be a thing of the past and the once close God is not even on the radar. You can't lean back on your faith because you have only been walking with a little bit of God and not fully walking with him.
I was excited last night to get back to study in our LifeGroup. We have some new folks that have plugged in and its just exciting to have the energy and focus back as we come together as family and share in Gods word together. Its so important in your faith journey to have people in your life that accept you as you are. Regardless of the baggage, the struggles, and the ugly toes you have.
Romans 15:1-7 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didnt live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, "The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me." Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for Gods promises to be fulfilled. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

Excited for that next step to deepen my relationship with Christ as well as walking along side some great people to help them deepen their faith walk. In doing so, we bring praise and glory to Christ. A thousand different things to keep us distracted and from plugging into a spiritual family. We are each called to do life together and until you step out in faith - you will never experience what having a spirtual family is like. It may be your next step in your faith walk and a deeper relationship with our heavenly father.

13: I pray that God, the sourse of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lonnie~