A Cellist in the Tuba Section

Masks You probably think of Halloween. I think of church because all too often, we don't come as we are. We cover ourselves and pretend our lives are perfect when we know they're not. We get so afraid of what others will think sometimes we forget that Sunday is meant for worshipping God, not worrying if anyone will see through your disguise. We hide because we don't want anyone to see our shame but by protecting ourselves we push others away. Others who don't know Jesus. Others who don't know where to turn. Others who are just as broken as we are. I understand: as Christians, we must try hard not to sin but when we do, we must repent and move forward because hiding it is killing us and others. We can't be afraid of "dirty words" like: depression, abortion, homosexuality, attempted suicide, masturbation, abuse, heroine, alcoholic. We all make mistakes. Sometimes we cave into the flesh, but hope is...

Have you ever been sitting with a group of people and felt like your friends don't know the real you? Sometimes it can be really hard to show people the most authentic version of yourself, and sometimes Satan uses this to gain a foothold in our heads. He whispers, "No one knows the real you. If they knew what you've done, they wouldn't like you." In those moments, it will be very difficult to feel valuable and loved. However, Satan whispers lies. Jesus loves you, and there is no one who can ever know you as deeply as Jesus does. He sees all you've ever done, all you'll ever do, and knowing all there is to know about you, He chose to die for you so that you will have hope for eternity. So do not believe the lie that you have to hide behind a mask. There is someone who sees past all your masks and loves you more deeply and fully than you could ever fathom. Romans 5:6-8  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one ...