Encounters/Testimonies (ETs)=ETernity

It's been awhile I know.

My weekly "ET series" have truly ended. Not because there are no encounters or testimonies to share, actually it's the exact opposite. There are so many that I honestly have filled my journal with awe and gratitude that He is such a personal and awesome God! I am going to be honest with you; I've had several drafts of ET(s) sitting in my blog for the past month and just can't seem to click "publish". So instead I deleted them and decided to write this....

Your encounters and testimonies with Jesus Christ, the God who is everlasting will be for ETernity. I understand now when John wrote "Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written." - John 21:25

Nevertheless, in case you have been wondering about my life this past month I will summarize it for you:

I've experienced freedom in ways that I never tasted before. I am certain that there is [so] much more liberty for me when I tap into that overflowing love and power from above. With that, I have realized I am more of a religious person than I ever thought I was. I have cried a lot recently, asking myself "when did I become so...ugh" even the word "religious" makes me feel confined and uncomfortable. When did I lose my youthfulness in Jesus? Why didn't I just keep it simple? Love. Love God. Love People. Where did I go wrong? I mean these questions have been grieving my heart and out of fear I don't even want to know the answers. Yet, I will wait. I will listen. I will be loved by a God who chastises His children and I will receive it and know there is a prize in the process and that prize is called Freedom. I have merely tasted it for a moment, but now I crave it. I am tired friends. I have been tired of living for something/someone other than Jesus. Tired of judging, impressing, striving, perfecting, performing, and the list goes on. That's been my testimony (throwing it all away for the sake of freedom).

This has been my testimony for approximately the past 8 months (the longest I have lived outside of NY for). Significantly the past month in a new, wild, and intense way. I call it my "season of consuming Purification."

–verb (used with object)

to make pure; free from anything that debases, pollutes, adulterates, or contaminates.

Yep, that's pretty much my life story. And you know what? I am not ashamed of admitting my problems and my weaknesses, because when the day I do experience true freedom more than just a moment, more than just a minor taste, you then will see the true glory of God shining in all of His brightness! I hope and pray for that everyday! I am not standing in the way anymore. Let Him shine!

For He came to set this captive free, so here I am God...unlock me.

pu·ri·fy