You are NOT your own.

As God's pinnacle of creation, we are image bearers of God, we carry his image within us. This image of God is meant to form our identity, He created you as either male or female, with a purpose to give him Glory and to enjoy Him forever. Sadly the image is distorted and twisted by Sin, love that has failed, and choices we make.  The good news is that the image of God is never obliterated completely, despite the distortion that occurs. Jesus Christ by His death and resurrection, enables us to be reconciled and redeemed back into the image of God. This is a work of Grace, we can't earn our salvation, it's free. So whilst salvation is indeed free, the cost of living a redeemed life is surrender.  That means giving up the me; that rules in my own heart, in favour of God's rule and reign as Lord. It calls for the recognition that I deserve what is coming to me (due to my sinfulness) and recieve his Mercy with Faith and gratitude. Acknowledging that I too have failed and fal...

Yesterday I went to what I thought to simply confess in detail a disturbing masturbation pattern, that occasionally and persistently raised it's head to hold me in bondage. I initially resisted the Father's prompting to do this, I  felt it would be highly embarrassing, yet I senced his insistence; and rather recluntantly obeyed.  It turned out to be so, so much deeper, than I could have imagined.  As I was confessing I realised God was breaking open an area how I identified myself in terms of derogatory language to describe same sex attracted men in particular.  Words that breakdown like queer, faggot, sissy, gay boy, beta male etc. He showed me that that this woundedness is often associated with a trauma and how I had allowed this to impact and breakdown the image of God, by believing the lie, and furthermore helping it take root by perpetually reinforcing it through my thoughts and actions.  In doing so I had in many ways emasculated myself and came to think o...

I was just reflecting on the fact that I have not blogged in awhile and whether my blogs have any impact on Me, and other's. I was wondering if I should continue or not and then I found this old FB post and it encouraged me to once again share. Hope you enjoy, I just love the Fathers heart towards me, reminding me that he has a purpose for Me, even in the struggles, through them, inspite of them and has worked and continues to work on my transformation into the image of Christ.  Sometimes it feels too long a process for me. I am impatient with the progress, yet I am fully aware that God has changed me; so much actually if I look back, and so humbly surrender to his work in my life. You have searched me, Lord , and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord , know it completely.  You hem me in behind ...