an adventure to live

I am fascinated by His unending mystery. Way back in high school I read WILD AT HEART by John Eldredge. It was the first book I read that really grabbed my heart. I never realized that God was fun. This book opened my eyes to the wildness of His Good News. The section that I want to talk about is having an adventure to live. Every man longs for adventure. I know adventure makes my heart come alive. If I'm not focused on the adventure that I'm living I definitely am not living to my potential. I used to get discouraged because I wasn't sure how much adventure I could live on a daily basis. My life is one big routine out of necessity. Me and spontaneity do not mix well. The wildness and craziness of His presence is my daily adventure. My Mom hated it when my brother and I would say "I'm bored." She thought we never had any reason to be bored. I learned at a young age to not say it, and I'm so thankful for that. Christians never have any reason to be bored. If Jesus isn't the most fascinating part of my life then there is a disconnect on my end. Sometimes when I hang out with Jesus I feel His unceasing joy. I literally can't stop laughing. Sometimes I am wrecked by His interest in my heart and all I can do is weep. The Creator of the universe wants to pursue my heart! I'm trying to remember to go after His heart, which is an adventure that will last for eternity. Did you know God wants to trust us with His secrets, desires, and thoughts? Wow! Sometimes I can feel His tangible presence in my room. Holy Spirit loves to play! For real. He loves having fun. Sometimes He shows up in ways I never understand. His presence is wild and unscripted, an adventure unto itself. If you're bored, ask Father for a sense of adventure. Lets not put Jesus in a box. When you're in the secret place, ask Him what He has for you. Let Him surprise you. Jesus I want to be fascinated by you everyday. Take me on the adventure of our relationship!

everything happens for a reason?

I haven't written anything in a long time. I got tired of this blog and tried starting a new one. I wasn't sure if I liked the name "an empty wheelchair" anymore. I want to be known as a lover of Jesus above anything else. But I just believe an empty wheelchair is such a powerful image. God gave it to me as a promise. I also believe I will write a book with the same name after it manifests. So no, my wheelchair is not empty yet. In fact, I have a new wheelchair waiting for me in my garage. I really hate switching wheelchairs. It's so much a part of who I am it's hard to adjust. I would much rather start walking right now. Jesus already healed me when He died and rose for me. He sufficiently dealt with all disease. I've commanded it to manifest and have had many others do the same. So why am I not walking? I don't know. It would be wrong for me to create a theology based on that question. Being in a wheelchair has taught me so much about life. Many people call me wise, and that wisdom often comes from being in a wheelchair. In high school I wasn't able to go out drinking and partying and hooking up with girls. Deep down I'm happy I still have my virginity and being in a wheelchair has been a great way to keep it. My whole life I've had to rely on people to help me. I've learned that if a person lays down their life to take care of me, our relationship is much richer and deeper because of it. We get to connect on a level a lot of people miss out on. Spinal Muscular Atrophy has shaped me without becoming me. I'm so thankful for every lesson of perseverance, humility, and joy. I learned at a very young age that Jesus is my savior. I learned if I didn't completely rely on Him I could die. I had very little doubt about God because every breath was from Him. I could go on all day about positives from having SMA. They are all true. I used to believe God put me in a wheelchair to learn these lessons and to help me love Him more. NO!!!! Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a disease from hell that has illegally invaded His son's body. God is *so* good He taught me all that despite having a disease. SMA could have ruined my family but it made us stronger in lots of ways. Wow! "Everything happens for a reason" is an extremely damaging lie that many Christians believe. Aunt Sally gets cancer, but Uncle Joe comes to know Jesus because of her love and humility while having cancer. Grandpa Jack lost his house, he leaned on God, and ultimately he learned what it means to be generous. I think you get the idea. You did not get cancer for any reason. I do not have SMA for a reason. God is so big and so good He will use all things for mine and His good. Good things come from disease everyday and people assume that's why they have it. Well that's why Aunt Sally got cancer. Uncle Joe is now saved. NO. Lets stop being impressed with disease and put our eyes on the one who Impresses. God doesn't need disease to teach us humility or our reliance on Him. God gets no glory from me having SMA. He gets glory from my worship. He will get His ultimate glory and reward when I walk. God is so good all the time!