“If you do not know the difference between pleasure and spiritual joy you have not yet begun to live.” – Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation

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Listen to my song “Pour Me Out” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

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Luke 9:3

Jesus said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.”

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When Jesus sent his followers out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick, he sent them with none of the securities of this world.

Seems rather extreme, doesn’t it?

We all seem to crave security which is likely due to fear.

And if we examined that fear and searched for its root, it would likely boil down to fear of death.

My friends, we cannot be guaranteed total security in this life.

Sure, we can do reasonable things to provide a reasonable amount of security, but security is largely an illusion.

You’d have to put yourself in a shatterproof bubble and isolate yourself from everyone and everything.

And even then, you could easily be stricken with a medical event that would burst your illusion of security.

Jesus seems to want us to engage with the world and to do so with total trust in God.

Have you ever thrown caution to the wind and stepped out of your comfort zone into an adventure?

I have found that nothing truly amazing and transformative happens until you do!

When I quit my career in radio news and took a job as a youth minister, many people thought I was crazy.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid.

But Jesus said over and over not to fear.

He also said, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:39).

Since that time, I have experienced more deep joy and growth than I ever could have imagined.

I have recorded four albums and published two books.

I have sung my songs for inmates, for sick people, for dying people, and in concerts for hundreds.

I have held the hands of the sick and dying and have experienced the deep sense of connection with Christ.

This was all thanks to Grace and my cooperation with it.

As Jesus also said: “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

What are you waiting for?

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Listen to the song of the day “Pour Me Out” on the Give Praise and Thanks album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!