If You Know Who You Are...

Joyce Myer tweeted an hour ago:


If you know who you are in Christ, it won't matter so much to you what other people think.


Amen, Joyce. Thanks, for reminding us. We love you, too. We all could use a little God confidence. (Joyce, if you're reading this, come in to White Stone. I make good coffee and there's always laughter and love to welcome you. We'd love to have you stop by if you're ever in Fresno, California.)


~ ~


On another note, what an amazing week, thus far, at White Stone. God is good (all the time). 


I see the the Lord working with the people who are coming in for Christian counseling: the transformations, the release and burdens being lifted, and glimpses of truly walking towards understanding that they are loved by Jesus Christ. He will never let you go. He has never stopped loving you. (I heard this today. Beautiful.)


Every day, I pray the Lord will reveal Himself, whether I'm making coffee for the people in the waiting room, or I'm simply driving to work. Use me, I say. We are here to do your work. Open the doors, bring them in. Let them hear your Word, feel your love, teach us what You want, daily.  Because in the end, we are here to serve. We are working on the eternal picture. 


I hold dear to my heart, the people in the world who are trying to find White Stone, but more so, trying to find You. I pray, dear Lord, bring them to us, to You. This is Your church. We marvel in your beauty, grace, mercy, and love..we love being part of the Body of Christ. You ARE good (all the time)!




-P.G.

Field Notes from the Desert

I heard once that there's more life in the desert than in the sea. Deserts make me think about perseverance and blessings.

To Persevere--Faith in Motion
When we persevere in the Lord, which can sometimes feel like we're alone in the desert, it is important to give thanks--in everything. By giving thanks, in both the good and the bad, we work from a place in our faith that enables God to do His work, His plan. Amazing, if you think about it.

Let's say you get some bad news, how likely are you to pause and give thanks to Jesus, knowing that He works all things together for good (reference; Romans 8:28)? Wired? I know, it's a tough one, no doubt. It takes practicing throughout life. I know, through these acts of true faith, the Lord will bless. Expect your heart to be prepared to receive what He has in store for you. Let it rain manna.



Eternal Plans
Life on earth is fleeting. Most people don't get that, and sometimes, of us all at one point get caught up in the world...and then, we simply forget that we need to be focusing on eternal plans.



Empty, So You Be Filled
Keep your focus on Him--even in the desert. For, we are never alone, always surrounded by his grace, mercy, and love.

Remember that when you walk, in what feels like a barren place, He has not left you.


--P.G.

Upright in Heart

"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains  surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil. Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel."

-- Psalm 125:1-5


Trust in God. Keep your heart upright. The Lord will deal with the evildoers. GOD SEES ALL. Do not let the wicked make you waiver in your walk with the Lord. Remember...the fight has already be won!

How does this passage from Psalm 121:1-5 affect you?


-P.G.

In Everything, Give Thanks

"Faith is always a way of seeing, of seeking for God in everything."  

 ~ ~

("One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are." 
Ann Voskamp)

-P.G.

Spirit of God

"To be a disciple means that we deliberately identify ourselves with God's interests in other people. Jesus says, "That you love one another, as I have loved you..." The expression of Christian character is not good doing, but Godlikeness. If the Spirit of God has transformed you within, you will exhibit Divine characteristics in your life, not good human charateristics. God's life in us expresses itself as God's life, not as a human life trying to be godly." -- Oswald Chambers

Are you trying to be godly, or you letting the Spirit of God move you, remind you, to love one another?

Surrender. Be transformed.

-P.G.