Why Rejoice & Crow?

1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 12:12 states to, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

By definition rejoice & crow are synonyms so I’m basically being very redundant when I say rejoice (to show joy or great delight) and crow (to brag loudly or joyfully). I want to show the world my great delight in the Lord and boast loudly the name of Jesus Christ as higher than any work I have done or can do on my own.

My story is sadly all too common. I am a survivor of sexual abuse. Statistics say 25% of children (male or female) will have been sexually abused before the age of 18. More say that over 80% of perpetrators were known and/or trusted by their victim(s). More stats. 

Thankfully, my story did not end there. My life dwells in the Lord. I have a passion for using this mess and turning it into my message. After trusting my life to Christ at the ripe age of 19 I have seen tremendous transformation. He is fulfilling His promises in Genesis 50:20. I have experienced financial struggles, friendship struggles, broken family, suicidal thoughts, depression, anger, debt, shame, doubt, loss, love, life, gifts, and glory. I rejoice because I know my life does not have to stay in the deep hole of depression. I rejoice because I have seen beauty arise out of the ashes that were my life. I rejoice because this world is not my home. I rejoice to prayerfully and lovingly give others courage to defeat the pain of this world. 

I pray that through this blog, you might read something that makes you yearn to rejoice. I pray that you will stand with me to
live your faith out loud.