Hebrews 4:12

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." It has taken 31 years to teach me a valuable lesson: the Word of God is living and active! For longer than I care to admit, I have been going through life under my perceived knowledge and understanding of God's Word rather than through an exegetical study of what God actually says. Only recently have I realized how malnourished I have been in regards to a living and active relationship with Jesus Christ through His Word. It can be embarrassing to admit how shallow your life has become at times in regards to truly knowing what the Bible says, but I firmly believe that is part of God's plan. Without proper perspective, you will never appreciate the fact that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). How amazing is that truth! That regardless of what trials you face, God works all things for good (or in other words, His glory) according to His purpose. But proper perspective only comes when you fulfill the second half of God's wisdom equation. Simply experiencing trials is not enough. Imputing the Word of God into that experience is the key to unveiling God's wisdom and understanding. I now feel like Paul on the Damascus road, experiencing the reality of meeting his Creator face to face. And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight (Acts 9:18). I cannot begin to describe the incredible feeling of allowing God's Word to penetrate my heart on a regular basis and the perspective on all aspects of life that I am now gaining because I embraced completely the absolute truth of Hebrews 4:12. For the difference between someone who is experiencing a life-changing personal relationship with Jesus Christ and one that is going through the motions is simply defined by his/her perspective of the Bible. For it is NOT merely a historical reference book, applicable only in the day it was written. It IS alive, active and timeless! God audibly speaks to us through His Word. It is so simple, yet we completely miss that foundational truth and wonder why we feel so distant in our faith journey with God. He is willing to reveal Himself to us if we would take time to not only read His Word, but read it with proper perspective that it is as true today as yesterday and will endure forever because it is absolute. How reassuring! There IS something concrete this side of heaven that we can trust as tried and true for all generations. My prayer is that this revelation will drive me further into the Scriptures where I may see my Saviour face to face and truly know Him.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

I am continually amazed by the God I serve. How intricate His plans, how perfect His will! To know the plan he has for me and that I am made perfect through His Son, Jesus Christ, is overwhelming. I am continually gripped by the awesome nature of who He is, that someone so insignificant as me would be a priority to Him. It defies human logic that I have such substantial value to my Creator, but that is why He is who He is!

When I reflect upon His will for my life it is evident that I am on a journey and one that I am not meant to travel alone. God has taken all that I was, all that I am, and all I am meant to be, and used His divine wisdom to give me a perfect partner to share this journey with. It is hard to imagine life without Amber for she has been the greatest companion God could ever give me. She challenges me, holds me accountable, and encourages me to never become content with who I am. She is the perfect completion of God's plan in my life, for without her unconditional love and forgiveness, I would not know fully what it means to be the man God has called me to be. I am who I am because she has loved me with an everlasting love found only through Jesus Christ and I cannot imagine my life without her by my side...past, present or future. My prayer is that over the course of time, God would return me to the days of my youth where with childlike faith, I trusted him completely. For as my life continues to be unveiled over the course of time, I am simply blessed beyond measure to share this experience with Jesus Christ. For without his grace, I would not be saved; and without his mercy, I would be crushed by the weight of my failures.