Sharing the Journey

I have noticed some changes in my Pursuit of God that I thought I’d share with my fellow sojourners. I would like to know if anyone else has noticed such a change or transition in their own pursuit. When I first came to Christ I was living a pretty wild and free life style. Granted, if comparing myself to the world I wasn’t too bad. But we’re to compare ourselves to Christ which put me in the “wretched” category. My acceptance of Him as personal Savior was therefore more a pursuit of Protection or, as some would say, fire insurance than anything else. Simply put, I didn’t want to go to hell. I was living in south Georgia at that time and I knew I simply did not want to go to anyplace hotter than that! Over time, in and out of church, I began to take my relationship with Christ more seriously. I was ready to now allow Him to be Lord as well as Savior of my life.  I began to be more frequent in church and more involved in ministry. I was looking to make some things happen in...

Each morning I get an email from the ministry of Pastor Joseph Prince that includes a scripture to meditate on and a devotional reading. This morning’s scripture was from Romans 8:1 (NASB), “ There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” It’s a scripture I’d read many times. I’d even memorized it (though admittedly I hadn’t learned the address.) But this morning was different. This morning I didn’t just get motivation; I received revelation. The few of you who follow my blog know that my posts are sporadic at best. That’s because I had been under self-imposed condemnation. I felt like my writings weren’t good enough. There was little to no feedback so I began to think they weren’t blessing enough people. I kept wanting to do more for the Kingdom, to be more for God. I wanted to live out my calling and hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” I felt as if I was failing. I knew in my head that thos...

I’ve been sitting here now for nearly an hour with laptop at hand but nothing to say.  There’s much on my mind and in my heart but how do I communicate it in such a way that it will be received? Actually, do I really want to communicate it at all is probably a better question. Here are my thoughts... I had a friend to tell me some years ago that I was afraid of success. I thought he was a lunatic but because of who he was and our relationship I never forgot the words. I’ve prayed over them and allowed them some space in the back of my mind all these years, wondering if he was right. I think in some ways he was. In my latest prayer covering this subject I asked God plainly, “What’s my problem? Why can’t I move forward in my calling when I KNOW I can’t possibly go back?” In response, I could almost see Him smile in my spirit – you know, one of those patient smiles a parent has for a child that seems to finally be receiving a truth that’s been spoken to them over and over agai...

  Note to the reader, this post is from my book "From The Shepherds Heart - A Devotional"  which can be purchased at  https://www.amazon.com/Shepherds-Heart-Dutchess-Horton/dp/1619044404           One of my favorite passages of scripture comes from Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) where God declares, “For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  It is a very encouraging verse.  It’s full of promise and just a touch of mystery.           This verse says God knows the plan He has for us.  However, it does not say God is going to tell us His plan.  We are told the end result only.  The NIV says hope and a future.  The KJV says an expected end.  But neither version tells us how God will get us to that future or expected end.  God doesn’t share any of the details.   ...

I discovered this post while searching through some old files and felt it was the appropriate time to share. Anyone who is seeking to live for Christ will have some run ins with the accuser. Well sometimes, when he gets busy reminding us of our past, we have to remind him of his future!  Read this letter to satan and maybe write one of your own. Be blessed! --Dutchess There are so many things I have to be thankful for. As I was sitting in my prayer closet with a list of physical needs, the enemy tried to remind me that when God called to me this morning at 5 a.m. I rolled over and went back to sleep. The enemy reminded me that I got a little short tempered with my husband yesterday and that my house STILL isn’t clean and “company ready”. He reminded me that I am always in some sin, be it in word, thought, or deed and that I had a lot of nerve to think I could go to a holy God and ask for anything. But even as the enemy whispered in one ear, the Holy Spirit was whispering in ...