We are salt!

"You are the salt of the earth..."
-Matthew 5:13

This is our power verse for the week. Tonight we met for small group at "Little Red" and celebrated St. Patrick's Day & continued to prepare for and celebrate the coming Easter. We are diving in deeper to The Passion........ We are learning and growing...... We are living on purupose!

When people put you down, when you see bullying, when there's affliction--- it is tempting to quit or carry a mind filled with disappointment. Jesus has called us to higher worth than that. He values us more than rubies, diamonds, or pearls. He desires us to be stronger than anything else because through loving and knowing Him, we have the Holy Spirit inside us. We aren't meant to give up without a fight. We aren't meant to fight alone. When the going gets tough, remember Jesus is tougher. Believe, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it"(1 Corinthians 10!3, ESV). He knows, even when the burden seems impossibl to us, that nothing is impossible for Him (Matthew 19:26). We are limited, but God breaks down those walls!

Tonight while I, Ashley, Danielle, Rebekah, and Macy all relaxed in the living room.... talking over St. Patrick's day cookies & Irish Soda Bread.... we were filled with new cheer and gladness. It was exciting to share with the girls and connect stories and facts through the ages to life now. A man like St. Patrick "lived on purpose" and helped change the existence of faith in Ireland forever. Why? He was inspired by the renewals of his mind and heart after prayer and grace seeking through God. His transformation was made possible by the ultimate gift and sacrafice: Christ Jesus'. Jesus is the ultimate missionary. He lived on purpose. He is the purpose now.

We want to live on purpose.
So yes, tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day. Enjoy a pint of green beer in good cheer if you like. Enjoy parades, Irish Folk music, cabbage and bacon, food of all feasts, and take a picture in front of the green river if you can. Pinch those not wearing green, talk about "rainbows", "leprachauns", and "pots of gold". Don't forget the shamrocks! Even more importantly don't miss out on the REAL celebration! It is good to honor the life of St. Patrick and it is good to celebrate his good work. But don't MISS where his good work came from and WHY he did the work he did.....
St. Patrick gained trust from people by being kind, authentic with his words and actions, and willingness to be transparent.
Jesus did the same thing.
Jesus inspires, what St. Patrick felt, in many of us.
Are we living on purpose? Are we sharing the Good news?
Do we have joy that has changed us and love that has shaped us from the inside out?
Jesus, although undeserving of your grace..... thank you!
Praying in the days to come we expect big things from you, step up to the plate and accept new challenges, that we connect to you more deeply, make sacrafices and changes where necessary, and become more passionate for The Passion. All these things we ask in Jesus' Name, Amen.