My devotion

I have been learning so much about who Jesus is and who God has made me to be. Here is a little snippet into what I am learning and dwelling on.

"But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus for the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you". Romans 8:10-11 (ESV)

This verse has a lot to say. Way more than I can completely grasp all at once. First off, I am amazed that God is so good to live in and through us despite our sinfulness. This sets me free. It sets me free from trying to be perfect, from pretending to be perfect. Because right here in Romans it says, "the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life..." We do not and cannot be perfect but I am so thankful that I have a God who is.

Second, the God who rose Jesus from the dead is the Spirit who dwell inside of me. Are you kidding me? The same God who all powerfully and perfectly raised Jesus is the same God who choses to live in and through me. Wow!

On Blogging & Jesus

^^^This is one of my favorite parts of Tacoma ^^^

Starting up this blog has kind of been a big deal in the Florence household. I am sure Mason is sick of hearing all about how excited I am with every single post I write. When the blog design finally came through email, I seriously freaked!! I am thankful for a patient husband and someone who supports my dreams.

Through the process of starting this blog I have been spending more time with Jesus. I heard him tell me, loud and clear, that He wanted to be seen through me on this blog. To be honest I wasn't sold right away. I didn't and still don't want readers to stop reading becasue of my faith. But Jesus hasn't called me to be seen for me, he has called me to be seen for HIM.

Growing up in a christian household and being a pastors kid has brought so many perspectives and experiences my way, both good and bad. I went to a very liberal high school and had many people laugh at me for my faith and for being a pastors kid. I have felt in the past that some people wouldn't even give me the time of day because of my faith, hence my heistation including Jesus in my blog.

When praying about this, here is what God told me.

"Post a guard at my mouth, God,

Set a watch at the door of my lips.

Don't let me so much as dream of evil

or thoughtlessly fall into bad company.

And these people who only do wrong -

don't let them lure me with their sweet talk!

May the just one set me straight,

may the kind one correct me, Don't let sin anoint my head.

I'm praying hard against their evil ways!

...

But God, dear Lord,

I only have eyes for you.

Since I've run for dear life to you,

take good care of me".

Psalm 141:3-9 (MSG)

I felt like Jesus was telling me to be careful to what I listen to, read and see in the blogging world. I want to be authentically me and not be swayed by the other bloggers around me to be something I am not. 

The truth is, Jesus is the best part of me. Why wouldn't I want the world to know that I am the way I am because of Him? Because of God I have joy, not temporary happiness, but Joy that has sustained me on the hard days. Why wouldn't I want to tell the world about that? My purpose for living is to bring glory to God and beyond that it is to bring others to Jesus so that they may know the Joy and freedom that I do.

All in all, I love Jesus and He will be a big part of my blog just as He is the best part of my life. If you are a follower of Christ, I am excited to have you join me on the journey. If you are not a believer or don't know what to believe, I would still love for you to join me. I would love to get to know you and hear your thoughts on this subject of blogging and faith.

If you have made it through this long post on something near and dear to my heart, thank you. I would love to hear your thoughts.