Exchanging ashes for BEAUTY.

Prayer. What a powerful thing. I believe that we make prayer more complicated than God wants it to be. It's just coming to the Father, and communicating with Him. Why is it that we find it so difficult to communicate with someone that is constant and all knowing? But, we do. I admit it, I do too. The cool thing about God is that you can talk to Him where ever the heck you are! I mean in the shower, in the car, doing cartwheels, swimming, in another country, or in a culture that doesn't worship the same God that you do. God is an AWESOME God. Do we really understand what we say, when we say God is an AWESOME God? Hmmm...what it really means is...extremely impressive or inspiring awe! We should stand in AWE of who God is! I mean come on now, let's pick up the Bible and see what outrageous things He has done for us...but the thing is is that it doesn't stop there! God is STILL doing beautiful things, and He so desperately wants us to deny ourselves and pick up the cross and follow THE Beloved! So cool. How does God impress you? Well, for me...obviously prayer and the communion with God is one way He is currently impressing me! In Romans 12, we are told to be faithful in prayer, are you? As this chapter continues, we see that God wants us to share with His people who are in need, to practice hospitality! And my favorite part about this chapter is God wants us TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH ONE ANOTHER!! Wowzas. How beautiful of a God we serve. He wants such beautiful things for our life, yet we choose to see things not of Him or on our own personal terms. I guess these thoughts and revelations have developed because finally some true and much needed fellowship took place tonight. It is pretty profound when you sit in a place where you can truly experience God's dwelling. God wants to exchange our ashes for BEAUTY! Let Him. Man, I sure have plenty of areas for that transformation to take place. But, HE is Almighty and can give me Beauty for Ashes!

And the journey only continues...be blessed!