by Dustin Bryson
Losing my wallet is a scary feeling. My heart races, I drop everything and run all over the house like a crazy person trying to find a little piece of raw hide. Why? I’m not afraid that someone will spend all my money, the truth is I don’t have any, and if someone were to use up all my credit, the card companies would take care of that in an instant. I’m not afraid that someone will go to Sams Club and purchase large amounts of mayonnaise in my name, or score a tub o pickles and use them for evil instead of good. No, what I am most afraid of is a 2×3 inch piece of plastic that bears my resemblance. A card that if aquired by evil hands could really and truly ruin my life.
Yesterday Rob was talking about how sometimes we forget who we are in Christ. Sometimes we choose to believe the lie that we are worthless, ugly, and forever broken. When, in reality, we are chosen, forgiven, loved, and adopted by the daddy who chooses to father all. As Christians we have to constantly make sure the devil isn’t trying a spiritual pick pocket on us. Satan doesn’t own us, Christ does, we were bought with a price. So, the next time you feel like you aren’t worth much, remember the blood that says different.
Rob informed us that he speaks to himself in the mirror to help remind himself who he really is. What do you do?
WONDERWHAT 
I have been searching for ‘something’ for a long time now. I wasnt raised in church and have very little knowledge of the Bible. About a year ago, I stumbled across Eastgate hoping to feel the holy ghost. As cool as I pretend to be, I wanted to fall on the floor and shake with the love of Jesus Christ. Umm, it didnt happen. I didnt know if it was me or if I was in the wrong place or it was just too late for me to be saved. I have been looking for love in all the wrong places, so why would it be so easy to find just by handing over my heart and soul for 2 hours once a week. But to my surprise ‘Something’ brought me back for more and Sunday after Sunday I felt pulled out of bed and found myself singing out loud.(off key but outloud). In one year my life changed. My heart softened. My grudges didnt seem so important. The problems I focused my energy on didnt matter any more. Eastgate has something that I can relate to. Showing up each Sunday gives me the momentum to push me the right direction each week. I am far from healed, but I do feel the band-aide is atleast in place. Thank you for opening your doors and opening my mind to the possibilites that Christ offers.
Thank you for sharing your story, Jenell…its so inspiring and hopeful!
The Fighter in me
Hands raised
Fist clenched
Defiant
The Fighter in me
Silenced
Immobilized
No Longer Fearless
The Fighter in me
Feels a scream
within her gut
ripping flesh
The Fighter in me
Shamed
Hollow
Begging for Forgiveness
The Fighter in me
Wants to fight it
Wants to battle
Relent to anger
The Fighter in me
knows
doing nothing
says it all
The Fighter in me
loses the round
in hopes
of winning the fight
The Fighter in me
can NOT
fight
the love
of
Jesus.