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Discovering God- Part Two

by Caroline on category , , , , , 
“For You have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth, I have relied on You. You brought me forth from my mother’s womb.” Ps 71:5,6

Sincerely Serving

Before I walked away from the God of religion, I was faithfully going through all the “right” motions, doing everything I had been taught to serve Him wholeheartedly. I had been told what He expected of me, and I was determined to do it to the best of my ability. Despite my sincere desire to please Him, an emptiness remained. 

I was exhausted from working hard to serve God through my actions, trying to be godly without relying on Jesus—unaware that I could never be enough without the covering of Christ’s blood. Jesus’ words in John 15:5, “… apart from Me, you can do nothing,” were just words from a memory verse. 

Although I had learned about Jesus, I knew nothing about experiencing Him. Using my previous snorkeling analogy; nobody had told me that there was more than the beach, encouraged me to dive into the water, or provided me with the proper gear. I grew up in a religious culture that taught me to trust those around me because that was how things were and how they had been passed down. But I wasn’t truly living. I had yet to discover Jesus as the only way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

“Jesus answered: Don’t you know Me . . . even after I have been among you such a long time?” John 14:9

Using Shortcuts

Reflecting on my past with a clearer perspective, I realize I used religion as a shortcut. I tried to rely on the doctrine given to me to please God. This pursuit aimed to achieve salvation through obedience rather than recognizing my need for grace and a Savior. With this religious shortcut, I bypassed a genuine relationship with the Father, which can only be established by accepting the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. Furthermore, this religious shortcut neglected the reality of experiencing the Kingdom of God in the present through life in the Holy Spirit. 

Discovery

By focusing my attention on the unaltered Word of God rather than on religious rules, God has opened my eyes to see who He truly is. This has required a significant level of openness and surrendering my beliefs. It has demanded a willingness to let go of what I once considered the truth to embrace the words found in the Bible. To discover God, I have had to accept that I do not fully understand who He is. I’ve learned that the only way to see Him is to approach Him with humility and a desire to know Him alone, through Jesus. 

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31

Making Jesus Lord

I have learned that if we are committed to being disciples of Jesus, we cannot follow anyone else. Elevating anyone’s words above the Word of God turns them into an idol. As I began to recognize this, I saw how idolatry had impacted my life. I knew the teachings of my church, but I didn’t know them from the Word of God. As I began to seek, I realized I held many beliefs, but I couldn’t articulate them beyond reciting what I had been told. I didn’t know the  Holy Spirit as my only teacher (John 14:26). 

If you are in a place where you have never questioned what you were raised to believe, and you continue to go through the motions faithfully, I can relate—I was there. But perhaps, like I did, you sense that something deeper and more life-giving is waiting to be uncovered. Something feels amiss, and I encourage you to consider that maybe God isn’t who you think He is. 

Consider

I am not asking you to renounce your religion but rather to release it as a distraction from personally discovering God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Too often, the shortcuts created by religion lead us to follow a set of rules and doctrines based on the founder’s interpretation of scripture, causing many of us to follow without seeking God for ourselves. My purpose in writing this is to encourage you to personally discover Jesus through a simple shift in perspective that can transform everything! 

I want to be the voice of a friend encouraging you not to settle for religious complacency but to develop your faith by seeking God through Jesus and nothing else. Bowing at the foot of the Cross every day in surrender is where we begin to experience life to the fullest (John 10:10)! Grow from your roots and lean into all that God has in store for you. 

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” John 6:63

Waking Up

It wasn’t until I acknowledged my frustration and dissatisfaction that I could leave behind the only God I had known to discover a God I could truly experience. Stepping away opened me to new perspectives, an authentic life, and freedom in Jesus. By letting go of the pretense that I had it all figured out, I am learning to be taught by the Spirit. And He has revealed to me that it’s only in God’s Word that I discover who He is.

I now understand what Paul meant when he said in Romans 7:6: “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” When we surrender everything to God, including our beliefs about who He is, we begin to live the life He created us for.

Discovering Purpose

In 1646, The Westminster Shorter Catechism recorded this question, “What is the chief end of man?” I love the answer: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” From this perspective, every moment becomes an opportunity to reflect Jesus’ purpose: “that the world may know that I love the Father and I do exactly what my Father has commanded me…” (John 14:31).

Whether you’re searching for a God you don’t yet know or building on lifelong roots, keep seeking Him. Seeking God involves creating space for quietness and stillness and dedicating our time and energy to pursuing Him through His Word. As you listen for Him more, you will begin to recognize the tones of His voice. Life will start to feel less overwhelming, and you will begin to walk in anticipation of discovering the most authentic version of yourself as you come to know the One who created you. Here, you will find your purpose. 

Come on!

Join me on this adventure, and God will not disappoint you! Start with ten to fifteen minutes daily in His Word. In my last post, I mentioned a Bible reading plan for the gospels; that’s a great starting point. When you’re ready to dive deeper, I’m using this Bible reading plan that guides readers through the entire Bible in a year. Of course, the specific plan you choose doesn’t matter; what truly matters is dedicating time to reading the Bible. It’s the only way to discover the realness of God for yourself. If you’re not doing this already, today is the perfect day to begin! 

I can relate to every lyric of this song, listen here…🎶

high angle photography of seashore

Discovering God- Part One

by Caroline on category , , , , ,

Disconnected

If you’ve lost your way, don’t know what is true anymore, and feel numb, half-dead, no longer alive—Jesus can change everything. (John 1:4,5, Jer 31:9,25, Ps 43:3,5). There was a time when that statement would have felt prickly to me. And honestly, I might have wanted to punch you in the face if you’d told me that. Why? Because it was so cliche. I had real problems, a very real emptiness inside, and I didn’t need your empty religiosity.

But I now realize it’s so cliche until it isn’t. When Jesus became real to me, I realized He was exactly what I had been searching for. If you can relate, my heart aches for you to allow His Words into your soul—the soul that no longer seems to exist (Ps 116:7-9, Matt 11:28-30). Let Him show you a life that is abundant and full of purpose (John 10:10). Let Him teach you His ways and become your truth (John 14:6). God is waiting to be so much more than religious rhetoric. 

Uncertainty

I think so often we spend our lives trying to please a God who doesn’t exist. When we make the choice, either deliberately or unintentionally, to walk away from God, we don’t realize that the “God” we have “known” isn’t the God of the Bible (John 8:54,55, John 12:40, Is 6:10). Here, we find ourselves in a broken, confusing place of uncertainty without grounding. We burn out, question everything, and walk away. We walk away from the God that left us empty, never discovering a relationship with our Creator.

This part of my story began from a place of brokenness, but I have learned that breakthroughs are birthed in these places. I felt like a shell of myself, uncertain of who I was. I was done, mentally checked out, and walked away from the God I knew. But walking away from that God left space for discovery. 

Letting Go

The only way I discovered God was by walking away from the only God I knew—the God religion had taught me. The God who only loved me when I followed all the proper rules. The God who demanded perfection in exchange for eternal life.  The God whose Son had a name but wasn’t my personal Savior. No, the God I knew then wasn’t the same God who sent Jesus wrapped in humanity to save me. I didn’t understand my need for Him; I adhered to the correct doctrine. That’s the God I walked away from. But instead of spiraling down a dark path devoid of God, He placed in me a desire to seek Him and Him alone (Ps 16:2,4,11). 

Seeking

When  You  said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8

 By God’s grace, in my vulnerable moments of questioning, I turned to His Word instead of the voices of this world (Ps 53:1). With curiosity and an open mind, I began reading the Bible as if for the first time. As I embarked on my adventure of seeking God, I vividly recall noting an exclamation point while reading Jeremiah 29:13 NCV, “You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me!” I was seeking a God who was eager for me to seek Him. I had grown up with a foundation of faith, and now my initiation of that tiny speck that remained was all He needed to work with (Matt 17:20, John 6:44, Heb 11:6).

Taking a Chance in Faith

Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who genuinely want to find him. Hebrews 11:6

I longed to know who God was. I believed the Bible stories that had been instilled deep, and I wanted to know that God (Jer 31:31-33). The God I have discovered is nothing like who I thought He was. I learned the religious leaders crucified Jesus as He came to reveal the Father to us (Mark 15:1). He stirred up the people with His message (Luke 23:5). I invite you to let Jesus stir up your thinking about God and let Him introduce you to the One He came to declare (John 17:6-8,25,26). Jesus introduced me to a God who offers life, peace, and complete joy (John 14:19, 27, John 15:11). This God has given my life purpose and meaning (John 5:24, John 6:40). 

If we choose to accept God’s Word as truth, we learn that only Jesus can reveal the One True God to us (John 1:16,17). Therefore, everything must begin with a relationship with Jesus. With this truth, we must beware that any teaching not founded on a personal relationship with Jesus is a false doctrine (Matt 15:6-9, Is 29:13).

A New Perspective

I considered this analogy while describing my discovery of God to a friend. Discovering God is like snorkeling. I had spent much of my life walking the ocean shoreline, unaware that a vibrant, hidden world of life and color was waiting to be discovered beneath the surface (John 4:42)! It’s worth putting on the gear and getting into the water. Here, true freedom awaits (Ps 116:16, Ps 118:5). Open yourself to imagine there is so much more to discover. 

Intentionality

So, after experiencing disconnection and unbelief, I choose to believe. I choose to believe in a God who loves me so much that He gave His Son as a ransom to pay a debt I could never repay. I believe in the simplicity of God’s Word: if I have faith in Jesus, I receive life forever (John 3: 14-21). Because of this free gift, I show my love for Him by keeping His Words (John 14:15,21,23). The invitation stands: open the door of your heart and seek God while you can (Is 55:6, John 12:35,36, Rev 3:20). We have no guarantee of tomorrow, but we have this moment. 

There are only two choices, and we must decide. If you choose Jesus, what do you really have to lose?

Walking it out 

The best way to get to know Jesus is to read His Story. This link guides you to reading all the gospels in just 61 days, spending only a few minutes daily. If you are not ready for that commitment, I love the Book of John; start there. Whatever you choose, I encourage you to read as if you’ve never heard the words before and let Jesus teach you His ways and truth. 

🎵 This song gets me every single time!!! Listen Here 🎶
Other related pieces of my story:

clouds

To Know the Truth and Detect the Lies

by Caroline on category , , , ,

The deceit, the lie of the Devil consists of this, that he wishes to make man believe that he can live without God’s Word.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’ ‘What is truth?’ retorted Pilate.” John 18:37,38 NIV




I started this blog post four weeks ago, unaware I was on the precipice of sitting in a waiting room while my husband would be receiving life-saving treatment for a massive heart attack. That day, I learned another layer of abiding in all things. In those moments, I knew why God, through the Holy Spirit, gave me John 14 over two years ago. The peace that the world can not give, which Jesus promised, I received— a Holy gift. Beautiful memories now to hold onto and rest in.

Resume

Today, I want to pick back up on the message burning in my heart. In a world that seems to worship the god of confusion, we are left asking, much like Pilate, “What is truth?”. A question that has an answer.

The morning I began writing this, I had listened to the Glorify devotional. The narrator’s words, “It has been said the best lies are 99% truth,” gave me thoughts for contemplation. I began by thinking about what I know about truth. The question Pilate asked Jesus came to my mind, “What is truth?” and I reflected on Jesus’ words to His disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”(John 14:6). 

Reflect

In a time of fact-checking (or the lack thereof), AI, and biased media, we ask the same question as Pilate, “What is truth”? This isn’t a new problem, substituting falsehood for fact; even our indifference to it isn’t new. Isaiah warned about this 700 years before the birth of Jesus. In a time, much like ours, when truth seemed to have fallen in the streets (Is 59:12-15). During the same period, the prophet Hosea spoke to a society, sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7)—sound familiar?

One hundred years later, 600 years before Jesus, Jeremiah warned of the same: “Everyone will deceive his neighbor, And will not speak the truth; They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves to commit iniquity. Your dwelling place is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit, they refuse to know Me,” says the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:5,6 and look up Jeremiah 7:8-10).

So, how does this pattern of accepting falsehood as truth apply to us? I think it means we have to admit its reality. We must accept that truth is often set aside completely or manipulated just enough to change its course. Whether it is distorted to gain control, omitted for convenience, fitting in, the desire to unite, or divide—lack of truth is still a lie. But, often, we would instead look for and accept as truth what our “itching ears want to hear” (2 Tim 4:3,4) and thus “distort the words of the living God” (Jer 23:36).

Refocus

The only way to know the truth in a society raging with lies is to get back to the words of Jesus, to the truth of God. Jesus told us the Holy Spirit will teach us all things (John 14:26). But we must be willing to learn from Him. We must acknowledge if we don’t know the truth from the Word of God, we don’t know the truth.

 I have learned, according to Jesus, that truth isn’t relative. We have to look at the events around us through the lens of the Bible; otherwise, we will get off track so quickly. “Tossed to and fro by winds of doctrine” (Eph 4:14). We have to dissect everything as we look through this Biblical lens. Considering things happening within our culture and the world around us, and our own beliefs. It goes back to the question: Why do you believe what you believe? We have to ask this about everything. 

If we follow the trajectory of accepting the one percent lie of the enemy within a truth, it will, over time, take us far off course. If we don’t know the Word of God, we won’t recognize the lies that Satan has built into beliefs and doctrines (Is 29:13). God’s Word has to be our only compass (2 Tim 3:15,16). We must return to the simplicity of this Truth (John 17:17).

Reconsider

Accepting the doctrine you’ve been handed, the words from your favorite devotional book, or biblical commentary as biblical truth is not enough. It’s not enough to accept as truth the words of your favorite influencer over knowing the words of Jesus. It is not enough to align with a political party just because that’s the way you’ve consistently voted. Or belong to a particular religion because it’s generational.

To sit in silence, failing to take a stand for or against some issues while clinging to others, because that’s how you’ve always believed, never willing to dig deeper to discover what is behind the issue, is not enough. We fool ourselves when we take anything for face value and refuse to do our research. (1 Thess 5:21 ). In John 8:44, Jesus warns us the Devil is the father of lies, but He promises to tell us the truth even if we don’t believe Him (verse 45). We must make a choice. 

Renewed Commitment

 Jesus says we can know the truth, the truth that will set us free (John 8:32, 36 and Ps 119:45-48), and it is possible to walk in that freedom (2 Timothy 1:7). Jesus also told us that we show our love for Him when we keep His commandments (John 14: 21,23). How will we know His commandments if we don’t spend time alone with Him (John 14:25)? Just as we have to discipline our bodies to function appropriately, we also have to discipline our spirit to become sensitized to the voice of God’s Spirit through stillness and time alone with Him. Many good things help us keep our minds on Him, but the Bible is the ultimate avenue through which He speaks to us, teaching us His Truth (Ps 119:105).

I want to share the following sermon with you. It is a timely message for those of us who consider ourselves followers of Christ. And for those who don’t know Jesus yet, I want to introduce you to Him; it is possible to know the Truth (John 14:6). Please take the time to listen to this message. It will help your relationship with Jesus as you seek to honor God.

What Are You Afraid Of?


If we claim to love Jesus and be Christians, learning His commandments and committing to applying them to all aspects of our lives is non-negotiable. We must be determined to walk in and act upon the truth we know. And if you don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, He is inviting you into a new life now (Rev 3:20, Hebrews 3:7, 8, and 4:7). We must choose; there are only two options.

...but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you. But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward... Jeremiah 7:23,24

When Surrender Becomes More than Theory

by Caroline on category , , , ,

“Into Thy hands I commit my spirit…”(Luke 23:46, Ps 31:5) and all I hold dear. Again. I just can’t let this concept go—learning to abide in all things. When the pet whose tail used to wag, you’ve laid in the grave, into Thy hand. When the baby you used to rock is now wearing a cap and gown, into Thy hand. When the expenses seem to outweigh the cash flow, into Thy hand. When the body aches and you don’t have the energy to go on, into Thy hand. When you take the leap of faith, and it’s not what you expected, into Thy hand. These are the places where we discover the Secret Place. The place where we learn, He is our Strong Rock, House of Defense, Fortress, and Strength (Ps 31:1-4). In surrender, we discover comfort, security, and peace (John 14:27).

This is My Worship

“If you abide in me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7). The power in abiding; heaven at our fingertips, and the Father is glorified (John 15:8). I need to hear this again: when we abide in Jesus, we glorify the Father. Abiding becomes an act of worship and transforms us into disciples who bear fruit. Real. Genuine. Childlike—and the world around us changes—real-life abiding. The place where I choose to take His words for truth, trusting and sheltered, my identity in Him, the Secret Place of the Most High (Psalm 91:1).

As the puzzle pieces of life resurface, I am learning to hand them back, continually looking to the Father. These places where we anticipate miracles are easier to see at the end of rationalization, the place of Jehovah-Jireh, the Secret Place. The place where my soul is set free from the constraints of worry and the lies from the enemy— is the secret place. Thou shalt hide them in the secret of Thy Presence (Psalm 31:20 and John 14:22), the place the world doesn’t see, but you see, “because you’ve been with me.” (John 15:21 and 14:25). The Secret Place of His Presence, with us, within us, forever (John 14:16). This connection to the Father, through Jesus, has the power to transform our lives, bringing hope and rest (Matt 11:28-30), but we must surrender to receive it.

His Presence, Our Peace

When we repeatedly declare the words of Jesus and the Father in our lives, they become real. When His Presence becomes real, He becomes our Hiding Place and Shield (Psalm 119: 114), and there is no room left for the enemy’s lies. We have to use our everyday experiences to grow our faith. In the hard places, when we choose to step back and surrender, we will see Him. He is closest in the thick darkness (Ex 20:21). I’m learning to lean in. This journey of faith and trust is not always easy, but it is in these moments that we discover He is our strength and resilience.

Learning to Abide

I encourage you to discover the power of abiding by being open, Ephphatha, to Jesus’ words in John 14. If you’d like to dig deeper, I’ve written 31 daily devotionals, Learning to Abide, that I hope will resonate and draw you into a closer relationship with Jesus.

Spirit Lead Me 🎶

Through the Eyes of a Child

by Caroline on category , , , , ,

I walk with God, so I can walk with you, so you can walk with God.

Anonymous

My daughter filled an ordinary afternoon with excitement as she announced, “Did you know you can Google Madeline’s dad?!” (Name changed in my attempt to diminish embarrassment for my daughter and friend). This was mind-blowing to a fifth-grader. She was sure to tell me she had tried searching our names and was not nearly as impressed. But her best friend, she could learn all about her dad from the world wide web. But before he was “somebody famous” to my child, he was her friend’s dad. Although she could now read the stats, accolades, and accomplishments to learn more about him, she already knew him from hanging out with his kid.

Choosing Relationship

As I read the following words of Jesus, I recalled that afternoon. I realized this is what Jesus meant when He said, “…no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Matthew 11:27).  And He explained this to His friends, recorded in John 14:6, “…no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” I was reminded we learn the real version of the Father from spending time in His presence with His Son.  But often, we choose to do the research instead of getting to know Him through a relationship. 

Relating

My easily impressed fifth grader is now in high school, so my analogy has shifted. If you wanted to mentor some kids at a local high school, you could hang around, hoping you don’t get asked to leave, or you could send your teenager to that school. You are more likely to develop a relationship with the students when your child invites them over, and they get to know you through your child. This is what God the Father did for us. There was no better way for humanity to get to know who He was than for Him to send His Son to earth— God wrapped up in humanity.

These analogies are so simple, yet they sum up the plan of salvation. God ached to reveal to His children who He was, so He gave us Jesus. 

Knowing God the Father has to start with a relationship with the Son. According to Jesus, it’s the only way (John 14:6). These aren’t just words to recite but truth to absorb. Scripture echoes this sentiment over and over and over.

Acknowledging My Need

I skipped this for so long because of my perceived self-sufficiency, thinking I already had it all figured out. I was only seeing from the viewpoint handed to me and from the constraints of religion and knowledge. I’ve realized how often we latch on to a version of God that we’ve created based on our upbringing and circumstances, rarely taking time to dig deeper, allowing ourselves to discover His infiniteness. For ourselves. In the middle of this messy life. This requires time, energy, focus, and developing a relationship. 

Accepting Grace

Only by grace, when God showed me my need, I responded. I got to know Jesus and allowed Him to reveal the Father to me, and everything changed! Jesus promises as we seek, we will find (Matthew 7: 7,8 ). You will discover who the Father is as you get to know His Son. I encourage you to set aside everything you’ve ever believed and let Jesus, through the Spirit of Truth (John 14:26, John 15:23), reveal who His Father is to you.

This recognition of need, grace, and dependence creates a beautiful cycle (John 15:7-11). As He transforms us, we begin walking in peace (John 14:27), freedom (Isaiah 61:1), and joy overflowing (John 15:11, Acts 2:28, Ps 16:11), revealing His true identity to others. Jesus calls us to be salt (Matt 5:13) and light (Matt 5: 14-16), reflecting Him. Anything more, and we are taking the place that only the Holy Spirit should fill (John 14:26, John 16:13). Our position is to encourage others to sit openly at Jesus’ feet and treasure hunt in God’s Word for themselves; the only place to develop a personal relationship with Him.  If, instead, we focus on teaching others about God and whatever view we have created of Him, we miss the point and mislead them, leaving them empty-handed and taking on a responsibility that isn’t ours to bear. 

 Jesus meant what He said, “…and I, if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto myself” (John 12:32). That is all the Bible calls us to do: lift up Jesus. And as we lift Him up, He will reveal the Father. From this stance, our focus shifts, and we stop taking on responsibilities that aren’t ours to carry, and we will be left to rest in Him (Matthew 11:27-30).

🎵Kings Porch// I Speak Jesus 🎶

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Good News!

by Caroline on category , , , , , , ,

Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.

Helen Keller

We’re hosting another Good News Party!

We will use John 14 as a jumping-off point to talk about how we can allow these words of Jesus to become real in our lives. To explore together how we can learn to let go of our fear, worry, anxiety, and need for control and overcome them by claiming His promises of peace and joy in our everyday lives!

We would love to have you join us this Saturday beginning @ 10:15!

Email me at discoveringsunrise@yahoo.com for details and directions

Love Overflowing

by Caroline on category , , , , ,

Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.

Mother Teresa

Making Space

The most loving thing we can do for those we love is to stop looking to them for fulfillment. When we remove this pressure from them, we open a part of our hearts for God to fill. The One who created us, the only One who knows us in our entirety and loves us without limit. He is the One waiting to fulfill us, but we only expose this place when we let go of our expectations of others.


If you reflect on the last time you fought or felt frustrated with someone close to you, did you perceive they owed you something? Anything? Gratitude, affection, attention, praise, time—was there something deeper underneath? This misaligned expectation creates the illusion of love and, therefore, disappointment. People we love will always let us down, not because of their faults but because we have placed a responsibility on each other that God did not design us to carry. The Enemy quickly pressures us into thinking we have to be everything to everyone and, in turn, expect this from others. It’s not until we start to look up and realize we receive our fulfillment from God that we will experience true love, peace, and joy. (John 15:9-12)

Shifting My Perspective


A friend introduced me to this concept as she told me, “If we go to someone else to fill a need before we first go to Jesus, we are operating in the flesh. Before we turn to the earthly, our spirit must be filled from above.” I recognized this was powerful, so I resolved to unpack it later. I’m thankful I did because she was right. The deeper I dig, the more Biblical truth I uncover in this mindset.


As I’ve spent time with this, I am adding, being filled from the Spirit is our highest calling; we can’t reach out to others if we are not filled first. Only once I receive fulfillment from the Holy can I extend a hand to the earthly. Any fulfillment we receive in relationships is a blessing overflowing, not the purpose. (John 15:4,5 and Psalms 1:2,3)

Freedom in Letting Go


I must admit that I am operating in the flesh when I feel let down by others. Otherwise, I will give the Enemy a place to slide in and take a foothold on my perspective. Every moment, it is essential that I look above for fulfillment as Jesus did (John 14:30). If I want this truth to transform me, I must first acknowledge where I’ve been self-centered in my relationships. Where I’ve placed conditions on love and where I’ve been holding onto expectations. Love isn’t about receiving; it’s about contribution. When I align my actions with this truth, I receive freedom! When my sole purpose becomes to overflow the love of Christ, I am free to love without expectation. I become free to uncover joy in each moment.

Practical Truth


I previously discovered a possible connection between joy and loving unconditionally (read that post here). I continue to explore these beautiful life applications as I sit with the Father. God’s Word is teaching me that He is the only One that can truly fulfill me. As I learn to accept His unconditional love, I am learning to better love others. I have uncovered more peace and joy as I embrace this thinking and walk in this truth. This is just another piece supporting this connection, another discovery I had to share!


🎵 Andrew Ripp, For the Love of God 🎶

And… SAVE the DATE: February 25th

We plan to have another Good News Party! I’ll update as we get closer.

Discovering the First Thing

by Caroline on category , , ,

Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at something that doesn’t really matter.

D.L Moody

“First thing first, all my desires reversed…” What if this is how to begin this year? No goals, resolutions, or plans of our own. What if we start with what has a lasting impact, by determining our values, and aligning our actions?

This Beautiful Life

Underneath it all is life. Breath and lungs and heart pumping life substance throughout. Underneath all is the core of our being. Soul. Hopes, dreams, anticipation, and expectation; do they ultimately steal our nows and ability to be? This moment. Not recreating the past or manipulating the future. Just now. This breath. This heartbeat.

Our future is not guaranteed. Do setting goals for this hypothetical existence just set us up for disappointment? Without goals, would there be regrets if I just evaluated time spent as it is passing, living in the now, with intentionality? These are questions I learned to ask. And as I began to contemplate, I wondered, have I been asking the wrong question? What if life isn’t about what we do but who we are?

Beyond goals and resolutions and unknown futures, I discovered an alternative focus.

Identity

Who am I? If I strip it all away. Apart from family, relationships, status, and career. Beyond flesh and lungs and heart pumping–soul. Where does my identity lie? The question is, “if everything changed around me, and nothing went as planned, would I remain?”

Where does your identity lie? What distracts you from answering this? What holds you back from being this? What if instead of piling on more to-do’s, we discovered what’s beneath by stripping away excess?

Over the past several years, I have learned to ask myself this question, “Who am I?” I have learned to keep asking and to keep digging, and to keep pulling back layers.

Who am I underneath it all? To answer this, I had to uncover what is truly important. To align my actions with my values, I first had to discover what my values are—I credit The Minimalists for introducing me to this concept. This worksheet of theirs is one of the tools I have found to be vital as I identify and evaluate my values.

Implementing

I have done this for the past four years instead of setting goals and resolutions. Then throughout the year, I examine my values to ensure my daily actions are aligned.

As you reflect on the efficacy of your past resolutions, consider whether it is time to take a chance and consider a new approach.

Would life be more interesting and enjoyable if you remained flexible? If you allow yourself to experience the moment’s beauty without manipulating the outcome? If you remain true to your values yet realize there may be more than one way to get there?

I can relate if you’re three days into the year and already have broken resolutions. I’ve been there. So, I dare you to dig behind them. What is your “why”? Do your core values shape it? Ask the essential questions, then be flexible about how your time unfolds while focusing on the purpose behind the action.

I challenge you to permit yourself to let go of your resolutions. It takes effort and intentionality to evaluate continually, but I have determined it is worth it.

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12

I began this post with lyrics from THIS SONG. As I have learned to prioritized my values, I've uncovered a life with meaning and purpose, and everything changed.

Good News!

by Caroline on category , , , , , , , 
"And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

 Romans 10:15 NLT

Unsettled

I woke up solving tomorrow’s problems and re-living yesterday’s mistakes. Feeling unsettled, I listened to a meditation titled, Be Still My Anxious Heart, attempting to redirect my focus and focus my perspective as I stretched my awakening body. As the words of Jesus, recorded in John 14, filled my ears, I felt my Lord speak to my soul. “Let not your heart be troubled….” I needed this today….” Believe in God, believe also in Me.” I knew I needed more, so settling in with my blanket and coffee, I opened my Bible to John 14:1. “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in Elohim, believe also in Me.” As I read the verses, letting each sink in, I felt the weight I had picked up that morning lift. 

Connecting

For months, there have been two words that God has been establishing in my heart. Ephphatha—discovering openness (Mark 7:34) and Abide—discovering God’s Presence in our everyday lives (John 14:17). These concepts grew more profound as I realized this chapter in John brought both together. 

“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever.” John 14:16 KJV. The Comforter to abide with me. I love the designation Jesus uses here. Not only is Jesus teaching me to abide in Him, but I am also learning to remain open so His Spirit, His Comfort, can abide within me. This verse connects Abide to Ephphatha.

I penned my thoughts as this discovery became real that morning, “It’s all connected. Beautifully connected. Father, your freedom floods my soul in the darkness this morning. Your peace covers me like the soft pink rolling over the night sky—the words of Your Holy Son spoken to me. ‘Peace I leave with you…not as the world giveth…Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’ John 14:27 KJV”

 My initial contemplation of, What if I read these words daily and take them to heart? Became, I am going to begin every day with these words for a month. As I flipped back through the chapter, I noted that John 14 has 31 verses. Perfect.

Sharing

It’s been seven weeks since I began reading John 14 daily. Each day after reading the chapter, I spend time on the subsequent verse, treasure-hunting for the application for that day. Reading John 14 daily affected me so positively, that when I completed the 31 days, I added John 15 to my daily reading. I have filled pages with so many thoughts and discoveries. I want to share the realness of this discovery with everyone I know; the peace and freedom I have felt from resting at Jesus’ feet. We don’t have to do life alone!

Celebrating

Part of Ephphatha that God is planting in my heart is to open our home to be a place where others can join us in excavating life applications from God’s Word and sharing discoveries. So, we are throwing a Good News Party on October 15th beginning at 10:15am!

Weather permitting, we will gather outside under the trees, and around a campfire. We want to provide a place where we can learn from each other and encourage each other as we discover how to get into God’s presence, remain open, and abide in everyday life. With so much pressing in on all of us daily, we want to provide a respite, a place to reset and recharge. A place to discover or be reminded we have Good News to celebrate! We would love to have you join us this Saturday! Please contact me for details at discoveringsunrise@yahoo.com. 

I am learning that the best adventures begin when I step out into the unknown places where I feel Him leading. Therefore, I choose to obey when God tells my heart to throw a party with an open invitation. (John 14:31)

I look forward to sharing this adventure with all of you! 

Perspective 🎶

Making Space for Purpose

by Caroline on category , , , , , , ,

We must continually remind ourselves of the purpose of life. We are not destined to happiness, nor to health, but to holiness.

Oswald Chambers

As I began the daily devotional of My Utmost for His Highest, that opening line seized me. Oswald Chambers, goes on to write, “Today we have far too many desires and interests, and our lives are being consumed and wasted by them. Many of them may be right, noble, and good, and may later be fulfilled, but in the meantime God must cause their importance to us to decrease. The only thing that truly matters is whether a person will accept the God who will make him holy. At all costs, a person must have the right relationship with God.”

Six years ago this week, my journey into minimalism began. As my husband spent the week in the boundary waters, I spent the week discovering the excess in our home. I was unaware real life was waiting for me underneath it all. I had no expectation of uncovering peace, purpose, and freedom; all I knew was something had to change. 

Reevaluating

My husband is there again, and I have spent the week remembering and analyzing. Although I have experienced so many benefits from minimalism, I have allowed one obstacle to remain. Unreviewed sentimental items. These things taunt me each time I walk through the garage. Things, taking up mental space, creating clutter, and keeping me from moving forward. Things, creating a disturbance, holding me back from the freedom I know awaits.

It’s not having sentimental items that bothers me, it is that they are un-curated. This unintentionally goes against everything I believe in. These things keeps me from beginning meaningful projects, because I feel I need to address them, before moving on. So this week I have resolved not to accommodate anything in my home without intention. Having a home completely free of clutter is not the end game. The purpose, is to free up time and space. To create a place where we can follow our passions and experience meaningful activities and contribution, unencumbered by stuff.

Digging Deeper

Determining what is worth keeping requires careful review of every card, letter, photograph, item. Reading the words and internalizing the sentiment takes time and effort. Intentionality, simple but far from easy. 

So much self discovery in determining what is worth holding onto.  Evaluating whether or not to keep something, requires knowing the purpose for keeping it. I have to ask myself,  “Is this worth my time and energy to store/scan/manage?” Finding the balance as I reflect that years have passed and those times have merged into a beautiful present.

But, as I recover those words from boxes, I remember. I don’t want to forget the words of affirmation from my parents building a strong and sturdy foundation. I don’t want to forget the nervous excitement of that first note, high-school banter, from the man who now steadily walks by my side as life unfolds. The joy, the pain, the heart swelling and overwhelmed with love and affection; the emotions associated with reading those words. I realize it’s not the words, but the person, who had an overflowing in the soul and had to express it, that I want to remember.

As life moves forward, I don’t need those written words to tell me how they feel, I have life experiences to reveal this. It’s in doing life together, roots grow deeper. Although I know I don’t need these things to connect me to my past, I chose to keep a few, the ones that still make me smile when I read them. Why? Because I have a meaningful relationship with the one who wrote them. 

Remembering

I read John 14 last week, and I’ve read it again every day since. I realize reading these words of Christ over and over are like rereading a love letter. The words an expression of love, hope and promise for the life I can build on Him, anticipation of something more. Like the words from those I love, these words of Jesus hold so much meaning because of my relationship with Him. His words are alive and relevant because I choose to experience life with Him. I believe Him when He says in verse 6, that He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Reading these words again and again, to remember.

I don’t want to forget the chaos and clutter where now there is calm and peace. My life has changed so much in the last six years. Gratitude floods over me as I acknowledge my God who loved me too much to let me just exist. I am filled with praise as He keeps me stirred and restless, with a peaceful anticipation of what comes next. As I pursue living with intention, I am reminded over and over, that it’s only in letting go of the past that I can move forward and flourish.

This week I have found renewed purpose. A reminder of the importance of questioning the purpose of everything I allow to remain; allowing only things that supplement my life, not distract from it. I must ask with everything, “Does this move me toward my purpose or hold me back?”

Treasure Life.

✕