Marginalized, isolated, abandoned, everyone has a story. Whether it is the dominant or micro-culture like the workplace or home people can find themselves cast out and cut off. The story of Jesus is the story of the marginalized being welcomed, embraced, affirmed and restored. "Daughter, your faith made you well; go in peace" are words we need to hear and receive today. What story in your life needs to hear Jesus' words?

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions." These words from Psalm 51 are a chapter of David's story. They remind us, sometimes we choose wrong paths. Those paths lead to oppression, darkness and alienation...brokenness. Psalm 51 lets us know, there is a way home. Restoration, reconciliation and flourishing can be found again. In David's beautiful poem he lays out this pathway. Reveal- tell the truth; Repent- turn away from the wrong paths and toward relationship with God; Reorient- wrong paths are created by unhealthy habits. New habits are needed to create new and healthy paths. Primary among new habits is Scripture. Like an artificial horizon or carpenter's level, Scripture reveals objective truth to fashion how we live our lives.

Disappointment. It happens to all of us in varying degrees...minor to major. The story of Hagar is a story of disappointment. But her story doesn't stop there. Her story of disappointment is also her story of discovery. Hagar discovered that God hears (Ishmael), God sees (El Roi) and, amidst a culture that discounted her life, God sees ME (Beer-lahai-roi). Hagar's story is encouragement to us. While time and culture separate us, we find common ground in disappointment. We find common ground in Ishmael, El Roi and Beer-lahai-Roi. God hears and sees. God sees you and me. We are valued. God is present with us. We are not abandoned. We are not alone.
God is with us.

God desires to transform our lives, to fashion us in his image...a holy character. Holiness is not sour and dour. Holiness can be filled with laughter and dance. Holiness is the good, the fullness of life God created each person to live into and out of. When holiness begins to define our character others are blessed. They see and experience the high quality goodness within God's people. As this holy goodness spills over and blesses others, they are drawn to God's people and to the God who is forming us in his image.

So how is holiness formed in me? John 15:4,5 calls us to ABIDE, to rest and remain in Jesus. Abiding is the cultivation of a love relationship, to experience Jesus' lavish love for us and to allow that love to form a fullness of devotion to Jesus as the very epicenter of our lives and relationships.

The simple question on Sunday was, "Do you love Jesus?" Invite the Holy Spirit to form a deepening hunger for more of Jesus, for deeper love and devotion. This is the work of the Holy Spirit within a Jesus-follower's life. May you ABIDE in his presence and love this week.

 On Sunday we reflected on the story of the prodigal son. 3 quick take-aways to shape our thinking and living in relationship with God, ourselves and others: 1. God welcomes sinners...just think about that and marvel! 2. God is the prodigal. The word means extravagantly excessive and that's exactly how the father responds to the younger son who has made his way home. 3. I am the older brother. Many of us "stayed home" in regards to God. We lived the churchy life, and that's great. But the older son, the good boy if you will, viewed himself as a servant and not a son. He had done his duty as a servant but did not experience the joy of being loved and welcomed as a son. Both boys lived in a type of tragic life. God's desire is for both to come home.