Why this blog?

I started this blog because I had to make a hard, but prayerful decision to get off of Facebook. I had been finding that Facebook was the source of many stumbling blocks, temptations, sinful thoughts and sometimes actions both on my part and others.

As I prayed about it and weighed the pros and cons it came down to Matthew 5:30, which [paraphrased] says that if there is something in your life causing you to sin, then you must cut it off; it is better to live right without it, than to sin with it. The scripture uses the example of your hand; the truth is, you use your hand for a lot of good things, but if it causes you to sin, than you are better to live without it (even the good things) than to sin because of it.

I have purposed and become intentional about living my life in a way that is obedient to God, a life that both pleases and honors the One who gave me my life. What does that look like? Well, for me it looks like a life lived IN but NOT OF this World. I'm not going to lie, often choosing to live this way garners some judgment, condemnation from others, persecution and looks that make me wonder if I have 3 heads instead of one. It is very often the opposite of what the world teaches and goes against our very nature. But I choose to live this way in spite of those things because I look forward to the day when my crosses which I bear on Earth (Luke 9:23) are turned into crowns in Eternity (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

I grow daily. I never get it perfect. I try to fight the good fight, but I get a black-eye once in a while. I aim to finish the race, but occasionally I find myself with a cramp. But, I find encouragement, comfort and help from fellow Believers and I want to do the same for others.

I used to post the encouragement I received, convictions I had, lessons God was teaching me or any number of other things that I hoped to encourage other believers using Facebook; and when I decided to leave, several people said they would miss those posts. To be perfectly honest, I will miss those posts. They helped others know what my walk was looking like, and helped my Christian family of fellow believers hold me accountable. That's where this Blog comes in.

Some posts will be my own (I will be the author of a personal experience – conviction, lesson learned, etc.), others will be things I share that I have found on other sources like Twitter, Blogs or websites. (I will always point you back to the source of what I share.)

It is my prayer that we will find this blog to be a source of encouragement, motivation, conviction, and inspiration as we strive together daily as the Body of Christ to live IN NOT OF.