How do you know?

Recently, I had a discussion with a dear dear friend of mine about being a Christian.
He asked me how someone knows if they're really saved. "I mean, how do you really know?"
I paused and said that it truly is between that person and God, we can't judge anyone, but there are some flags along the journey that should pinpoint to a relationship with Christ.
The first is just that- a relationship with Christ. Does the person speak with the Lord, pray, read the Bible, desire a closer walk with God?
Next, is there fruit? Does the person's life show signs of glory and goodness? Fruits of the spirit- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
AND, is the person different now from the time they accepted the gift of Jesus, His redeeming love and death for us? I told him if you can look at the road map of your life and clearly see a change in how you act, think, react, love, and live between the starting point of your commitment to Christ and right now, then you probably had a genuine experience with the Lord.
Of course, there are other things: are you convicted about sin in your heart? have you had moments of real connection with the Lord? do you know that your experiences are for a greater purpose, a purpose to glorify the Lord and be used by Him to expand the Kingdom?

SO, I hope this is clear to whoever reads it. I just wanted to flesh my thoughts out onto paper...or a website :)

Take Flight

I often feel like I'm on a treadmill.
Not gaining any ground. Just going through the motions. Running. Running. Running. Then BAM! God gently smacks me into a different way of thinking. My life seems to change. Then WOOP! I'm back on the exercise machine. Running. Going nowhere. I allow myself to function in the routine of life.
I want more.
I want to have an adventure.
I want my life to be more adventurous.
I want to jump off a metaphorical cliff and see what God does with me.

Recently I've felt like this:



Strugglin' to get off the ground. Hovering above mediocrity, thinking I'm doing great, but in reality, I'm just...hovering.
I want to take flight.