My peace and joy will always come from You...by Tony C

Life is returning to normalcy for me this week, and I have to be honest, I'm actually glad to be back on schedule after the holidays.  This week should see a full slate of post on Kingdom Bloggers with David Johndrow guest posting on Friday. I look forward to reading what my friend has to say on this week's topic: What was a big misconception each of us had about God before dedicating our lives to Him?


The new year brings a sense of reflection and revival for most people. Though I've never been one to dwell on the past or looking over my shoulder as I move forward, understanding where and who I've been at various points in my life are important to understanding and being comfortable with who I am today.

The passage that most people who know me personally probably associate with me is Luke 1:37- For nothing is impossible with God.

I use that verse in the signature portion of my emails. I also quote it frequently in conversations. Both are mainly for my benefit though and not necessarily an effort of outreach ministry.


For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.     1 John 2:16 NKJV

For frequent readers of Kingdom Bloggers, you have read regularly in my post referring to the 'dark period' in my life when my daily walk was well off the Glory Road path. A fact that can be directly attributed to the passage above listing the ways of the world. While all three surely applied heavily during my struggle, the pride of life draped all over me like a cheap, over-sized suit. The Bible has many things to say about pride, as well as, the antithesis virtue of humility.

In my heart today, I'm convince pride has caused many, if not most, of the dilemmas I have faced in life. Pride was certainly the root cause of straying from my Father. As I became more and more educated, an intellectual arrogance developed in me that practically demanded there be a logical, scientific explanation for everything in life. You know...that dream chased by fools. No matter how hard I tried, God could just not be explained within my finite knowledge. Science surely didn't have the answers. Philosophy was all over the map on the subject of God. The answers I desperately sought just weren't available, so I did what many in academia still do today...I denied the concept of God as rational thinking.

 Pride rearing an ugly head at its worst.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. Isaiah 55:8 KJV

My redemption testimony was my very first post on Kingdom Bloggers over three years ago (click here). Only second to my moment of salvation, realizing that God 's infinite wisdom can and never will be understood by my own knowledge was the proverbial pop needed to be heard. Maybe a slightly inappropriate metaphor for a life-changing epiphany...but I'm seeing things much clear these days and consider the affirmation a very key to my faith.


God is God...and I am not. Amen.