This blog site is subtitled “See, Love, Follow – A Life of Discipleship”. I thought that might summarize my approach to a life of faith pretty well.

It’s also from a part of my life I hold near and dear. I was in two different productions of the musical “Godspell” – once in college and again for a community theater almost twenty years later. Yes, I know it’s dated now, but it had a big impact on me and many others back in the day.

The tag line is not just from the song “Day by Day”, but originally from a 13th century prayer, which is not dated, except in its archaic language. If you’re curious to know more about it, you can look up Richard of Chichester who wrote the prayer.

Through my blogs, resources, and other writings, I want to encourage others in their faith-walk to go “higher up and further in” (C.S. Lewis phrase from The Last Battle, Chronicles of Narnia series)

My mission statement is: to equip the saints to follow Jesus/Yeshua at every stage of life. That they become rooted and grounded in the knowledge and love of God the Father, as evidenced in His word. That by the power of the Holy Spirit, they are faithful citizens and effective agents of the Kingdom.

Through our study of the Scriptures, our prayer life, our interactions with others, our mundane daily tasks, and our new opportunities we can SEE the Lord more clearly. When we are open to Him, He opens our eyes to Himself. I pray to SEE Him and His truth clearly and to truly catch a glimpse of His glory.

Isa 55:6 “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; Jer 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jer 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

I LOVE Jesus. I LOVE what He’s done for me. I LOVE what He is doing for me. But I LOVE Him more for who He is. The magnitude of that is hard to wrap my head around. Yeshua of Galilee was God in the flesh – a Jewish man who was their long-promised Messiah (phase one) – a crucified Savior for the world – a resurrected Lord – a coming-again Messiah-King who will set everything right. I pray to LOVE Him more and to be better at loving others.

Deut 6:5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 16:27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The FOLLOW part is hardest of all. He calls believers to FOLLOW Him. I’d love to say I’m always an obedient, unselfish, eager-to-serve disciple. I am sometimes – maybe most of the time. My heart is willing, and willing to be more willing. Sometimes I get distracted. Sometimes I want it my way. Sometimes I’d rather go to sleep. I’m probably in good company, right? But that’s no excuse. I pray to FOLLOW Him more nearly every day.

1Sam 12:14 If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. Matt_10:38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matt_16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. John_10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John_12:26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

So that’s it. Maybe this sounds like something you can identify with. After all, we’re all in this together. We need each other on this walk. I’m here to share my journey. I pray that what I have to offer can be a blessing to you in yours.

Shalom, Dottie