Inspired by:

Romans 5:3-5, And not only is that true, but we are very happy in our troubles, because we know that trouble makes us stronger. When we are strong to take trouble, we prove that we believe. When we prove that we believe, we have hope. We will not be disappointed by this hope. God has given us the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit has put God’s love in our hearts.

Inspiration has always come easy to me. Maybe I should state that I have always been open to inspiration. Hallmark commercials can inspire me to write poetry, a good movie can lead me to make life changing choices, or a moving song can cause me to start writting a blog for Christ. Such as it is, I am greatful for the many ways that God influences and inspires me, every day.

One of my greatest inspirations is my wife and baby girl. The way they look at me charges me to do things I would never do on my own. I’m driven by the spark they light with in my heart to be a stronger and more focused man. When I was on the cusp of my sobriety, God placed Aimee into my life to help me right the boat. He may have given us our daughter as a gift for staying the course, but I try not pretend to know why God does what He does. I’m just greatful for the things He gives, and try to be understanding for the things He takes away.

The greatest inpirer of all time is Jesus Christ. Obviously, right? Jesus was put down, called a liar and a fraud, He was betrayed by His friends, and even His own family didn’t believe He was who He said He was (at first), yet He always rose above with love. He chose to look beyond the action and poor choices of people to see the pureness within them. Even if the goodness was but a speck of sand with in a desert storm, Christ could see it and spoke to that part of people. The inspiration of the Messiah can ignight that speck of sand within us all, into a beacon of hope for others to be drawn to.

I pray that I may be a beacon for the Lord. May He use me to inspire, even those who He uses to inspire me. Giving thanks to Christ for His direction and love, I feel truley inspired by the Holy Spirit and the grace of God. Amen

Shine On

Bright shining Morning Star
How glorious you are
You illuminate the darkness
And make my heart whole

Jesus, I’m so in Awe
Of every place you’ve taken me
Of everything I saw
You were always there to remind me

Of all the beauty behind the veil
Lord, You never fail
To amaze my glossy eyes
And mystify my mind

Saturated in your love
My hands go high above
To the sky in holy praise
Until the very end of days

I want to be a shining light
Filled only with your grace
Keeping strong in your word
And forever keeping pace

With the way you showed love
So humble, pure, and true
I will always stand tall
As I permanently stand for you, Lord Jesus!

Chad Phillippi