rise above.

Lately, this reoccurring theme has not only been resonating in the depths of my heart, but through scripture, through song, through conversations.

For awhile now, I have been longing for a breakthrough.
I have been longing for the dark cloud that has so heavily hovered over me,
to leave by the piercing rays of sunlight.
Well, dear readers...
That day has finally come.
I can see the Son bursting through the broken glass,
healing the deepest wounds,
and restoring in me what I thought was once lost.


For those who doubted, judged, and chose to cast stones instead of love, this is especially for you.
I pray that you will rise above and that you will realize that we serve the same Redeemer, the same Jesus who died for all of our sins and shortcomings... not. just. some.
Yahweh is the One and only One relentlessly pursues to capture our wayward hearts and bring restoration continually to those who
have been broken or even gone astray.

To those who have continually stood by my side, through the tears, the bleeding heart, through the continual prayer sessions.
I can not thank you enough. I love you all so much.
But most importantly, I thank my Savior for continually wrapping me in His arms and continuing to love me despite of the past.
His mercies are new every morning! :) He gently moves us onward. Hallelujah.


This is my theme song for the season.
And believe me.. it is much more beautiful up here. :)

innermost...

Many of us have heard it said, many of us have thought it to be truth, but I come with challenge and one that may bring forth much prayer and meditation.
So, yeah... here it goes.
"Your circumstances can either make you or break you".


What if, as followers of Jesus, the Sovereignty of the Almighty allowed circumstances to break us only so that the Father Himself could make and mold us more into His likeness.
So many of us question why bad things happen, and even shy away from the fact that God himself could, in His Sovereignty, be orchestrating such events to build and strengthen our relationship in Him. Perhaps there is deeper and much more profound reasoning for why we go through such pain and hardship in life.
The Scriptures tell us not to be surprised when such pains and trials come, for it is part of taking up the cross daily and identifying in the death of Jesus Christ.
Within our transformation will come much pain and sorrow, in which will ultimately lead us to crucify the flesh by yielding to the Holy Spirit, or we will become hardened and bitter towards the crushing hand known as Sovereignty.

The most encouraging thing to me is this:
Once we allow Sovereignty to crush us as He did with Jesus, something supernatural in us occurs. We become resurrected and transformed in Christ Jesus. Our flesh becomes merely skin that we long to be out of, then the deepest longing and desire becomes a spirit that needs to be right next to Papa.


I urge you my dear brothers and sisters to not be hardened to the pains and trials that will come your way.
The Father may even use those closest to you to bring the most heart-wrenching experiences that will ultimately bring forth your true character. Pray for them. Love them. Do your part. Jesus did.
In this life, many that claim Jesus as Lord will be the ones who pierce and wound the deepest part of your being, but do not be hardened by them. The Lord is faithful and just. Know your Father and know Him intimately. He will teach you and make you into the man and woman you are called to be.


Go the second mile. Turn the other cheek. Continue to love through the many pains and hardships that the narrow road brings.


May blessings and joy be upon you always,
Ava