Refreshed by a dear saint

Yesterday, I got an opportunity to get some much-needed exercise. I was excited about trying out some new running shoes I bought last week and Clint offered to watch the kids while I took a run around the neighborhood. More important than the cardio workout was the nourishment and sustenance my soul got as I listened to several of Rich Mullins songs on my mp3 player. It's hard to describe the absolute abandonment to the Lord that is conveyed by his music. I was reminded that all we really need in this world is Jesus, that it's OK to be lonely as long as we're free.. really? Yes, it really is. Not that I desire loneliness, but if He is there in it with me, then it really will be OK. At least after I have had my time to grieve my lonely state and throw a fit or two. I was reminded, too, that stuff is not important. Oops, maybe I didn't really need those new shoes after all. To get to the point of not batting an eyelash when something expensive gets broken or trashed, that will be a day of celebration indeed. I think giving us kids may be God's funny idea to exercise breaking us of this. But that's another story. And then, there was all the praise. Deep and passionate. Oh, so good. No one jams to the Lord better than Rich! It was so refreshing to be reminded of truth. It seems my recent experiences have been tainted by doubts of God's goodness. It can be discouraging and contagious. Sometimes I hesitate to express truths because I am afraid I will be labeled naive or self-righteous. I don't want to offend anyone. Shame on me! Our God is good and faithful. We are His people and we should be excited and passionate and on fire. Frankly, I need brothers and sisters to share this fire with me. I have always been a "glass half empty" type. Before, you start lining my head up on the chopping block, I understand that we all go through times in our life when we allow unbelief to creep into our thoughts. That is just normal; And we do need to be sensitive with each other because that is what love calls for, but my hope is that more Christians (myself included) will be more bold in expressing truths with each other. That we would help carry each other's burdens by pointing out the cross one to another as we suffer through all the garbage of daily living. The truth is...that amidst all the rubbish of life, there is good news. The best. We have a Savior who is victorious over everything bad, tainted, rotten, and spoiled that this world has to throw at us. It is time that His people believe that He is who He has said He is. John 12:44-46;16:33