Hypocrisy and sin found amongst believers does not invalidate the Christian faith. It supports Biblical truths about sin, and it supports our desperate need for a Savior.

intense shame leads to steadfast humility.

intense brokenness leads to honest openness.

when you realize you’ve been given much grace, you can freely give much grace.

very difficult experiences can lead to very beautiful results.

Psalm 68:19-20

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.  Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.

I as look at my smartphone, currently a Windows Mobile device manufactured by HTC, it is obvious and clear that is was designed for a specific purpose and function, and it was designed by an intelligent and thoughtful being.  It would be downright silly for me to conclude that this compilation of plastics and metals just came together by accident over a long period of time.   However, the complexity, beauty, and efficiency found in the design of nature makes this smartphone look like a caveman’s club.  How can we come to any conclusion other than that a supreme being exists that created everything and sustains everything?

‘A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.’

Reflecting on the famous saying of a past President, my version goes like this: “The only thing we have to fear is…unbelief.” If we are truly embracing what our minds know to be true, the truth that the maker of the universe is also a holy God that deeply loves us as individuals, then we truly have Nothing to fear. However, when we let our accuser fill our minds with doubt, it leads to unbelief. I think a lot of believers are reluctant to admit struggling with unbelief, but for me it’s a real battle sometimes. We should be careful and fearful of allowing such doubts to take hold in our lives. When unbelief takes root, it leads to idolatry, which always leads to immorality, and before you know it, you’ve gone places you never thought you’d go; places you never wanted to end up. I know one thing, the God who created it all also knows the end of the story where the enemy is cast out, and right now i’m looking forward to that. Sometimes I get tired of this spiritual battle.  The only thing I fear is myself allowing unbelief to creep in.  hold on tight.