August 2024 - Page 2 of 4 - Flannel with Faith

“Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5
2 Corinthians 3:4-5

My sweaty, white-knuckled small hands gripped the pew. Others advanced down the aisles to the altar. What was this tug in my heart? Peer pressure? God? Or was it because my grandpa scared the hell out of me? Fire and brimstone! I was only 8! Yet, the burning in my heart intensified as I grew older. Religion reformed–to a relationship.

I’m nothing without Christ. I’ve tried it.

Religion, rituals, and rules–history and learning fascinate me. I’ll boast of relationships. No matter your belief, my relationship with Christ requires me to LOVE HIM AND YOU.

Doctrines might deter detrimental decisions and dissect discernment. The heart makes us human. Both can break. Oh, we will all fall. I’ve tapped into a power that is made perfect in weakness. As Craig Groeschel shared, it’s bigger than your worst mistake, depression, the number on a scale, your scars, career, the divorce, and the diagnosis that keeps you awake. Ah, confidence!

When that bill comes, you decide between treatment or a trip. When you wake up and think, “What will I do for ME or what can I do for others?” Don’t get me wrong. We ALL Need self-care. But in a world filled with “self-care,” we have high rates of anxiety and depression. Do we love ourselves TOO much? God, it isn’t about ME. It would be easy to hide from humanity and use technology to tackle temperaments and scroll with scrutiny. How good would that be for ME? What’s good for YOU, God?

Disease, decisions, and daily life. To what do you cling when the things that give worldly confidence crumble? Without HIM, I’m nothing. Do you know you’re everything to HIM? You only have to ask and believe.

HIS confidence gave me the courage to visit nearby bookstores and to dream of an RV (even hook one up!). He placed amazing people (hello Dewey and the crew) in my path who shared their incredible stories and took detrimental detours in decisions to find complete confidence in our Creator.

Complete confidence in the face of crisis, cruelty, crabby, cranky, crazy, cruel-even the credible, creative, crafty, crowded…

and cancer. Confidence in Christ–you can count on it!

Musical Monday & Memories

Last night I attended a concert celebrating the Hosea Bilyeu family. Hosea and his family have impacted the 417-land in faithful ways! His wife’s family began The Baldknobber’s variety show in Branson. I reckon I was one of few younguns compared to the 1,000 in attendance. I thought of how music, many genres, speaks to my heart. My spirit felt age 8. My heart and mind could see my folks singing; mom at the piano, Dad belting a tune, and us kids singing along. Then, I sank into memories of my kids, music, and memories. Soul comfort was delivered. Through all of life’s circumstances, one thing remains constant without change–Christ. Confidence. It’s all Christ.

With music in mind (and the fact it’s a Monday, and I love alliteration) here’s a Music Monday piece in dedication to Pastor Pete’s daughter-in-law & family and Tania Fultz.

Cover by K.L. (original by The Nelon’s)