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Kids’ church with Pastor Keith. Doritos and the Super Bowl… and then this: “Taste and see that the Lord is good. You must experience Him to truly feel His goodness,” Pastor Keith said.

And let me tell you—I have experienced the Lord’s goodness, over and over again. Team Jesus 

My survival alone has defied all odds. He is good… all the time. Even on the hardest paths, He has walked beside me.

I will always be a sinner in love with God.

I was once an outcast in the wilderness—a wounded wanderer—called by Jesus to live within His will. He is revealing me to myself, His creation. I have purpose. I am loved. My brokenness became a completed puzzle. I was brought from darkness into light.

Thank You, Jesus, for holding my hand and guiding me out of the darkness and into Your light. Gathered at the cave on the mountain where the wounded come together, all of us standing with hands raised to worship You—Your kingdom, built and carried by love.

Last night at a celebration dinner, I shared with a friend about an out-of-body experience I had after my last suicide attempt. She asked me if I saw Jesus. I said, “No,” but I know He was there. When I was brought back to life—beating every odd—I felt His presence without question. He called me out of the grave.

Today’s sermon was a grave reminder of everything I survived and everything Jesus saved me from: two suicide attempts, abuse in more ways than one, addiction and overdoses, multiple life-threatening illnesses, car accidents… and honestly, the list could go on and on. Yet here I am—standing as living proof of His mercy.

Lord, You have given me a beautiful life, yet I remain a frail misfit who desperately needs You. I love You. Thank You for my salvation. May I continue to grow and thrive in Your grace and mercy. May I never take this life for granted. Thank You for my refuge in the cave. Amen. 

Thank you, Pastor Joe, Pastor Keith, and Pastor Chris. Y’all had me right in the feels this morning.

I wasn’t made to tend a grave. I was called by name—born and raised back to life again. I was made for more.

Come on!