LJ in BELIZE!: Punta Gorda Time

Tati and I traveled to Punta Gorda, which is the southern-most area of Belize, and about a 3-4 hour drive from Belize City. We set out, and spent the day driving through the mountains and really reflecting on some pretty big things. We started talking about how easy it is for people to get so into the routine of life and business, that they lose their passion and forget why they do what they do. It could be Christian business people, Christian musicians, pastors, doctors, teachers etc - anyone, who really was called by God, or had a passion to love, help, serve - whatever it is - and then to do it for so long that they lose the passion. You see it everywhere. I don't know the antidote to keep it alive besides walking and waiting in faith for each next step that the Lord prepares. I can't say that I have ever been the best with commitment, consistency, attachment and things of the like - but the Lord is healing these areas in my life. All-to-say that I don't have the real-life experience, and a pretty terrible track-record, but I know that with the Lord, everyday is a joy, everyday is an adventure, and His mercies are new every morning. We started talking about how SO many preachers preach "the Prosperity Gospel" and so many preach with "Fire and Brimstone" scare tactics, and while yes, the Lord moves people's hearts by His kindness, and yes, He is a righteous and just judge, people aren't being motivated out of the right places. It came to me that we are to love the Lord with all of our heart, mind, soul strength, and we are to love other people, but why are people not taught any more to HATE SIN?!?!?! It is sin that separates, that devastates, ruins relationships and tears families apart - that brings pain and loneliness, fear and lies, oppression and depression, addictions, confusions and delusions. . . If you can love God, you can hate sin; and you can't help but love others, and keep the greatest commandment and the great commission . . . etc. Anyway . . . we had a great talk and revelation as we approached this PG place!

We invited pastors and clergy from Anglican, Catholic, Nazarene, Baptist and Pentecostal churches. . . and it was great! New experiences as we met with nuns and deacons . . . the more atypical invitees.