Tag: peace

Self Love

Self Love

Self love has always been a mystery to me

Perhaps from past tramas I had to experience and see

     Intellectually I know it’s the key

     The blurry reality that can set me free

           How do I let go

           Simply to let the real me show

   Not the mask of indifference

       Or a smoke screen that I don’t care

              The love I have for others with myself I need to share

        If this enigma I cannot solve

        All that’ll happen is I’ll continue to dissolve

            I have a big heart

                I care about you

     But when it comes to myself I just don’t know what to do

       From regret to self hatred I’m desperate to be free

       Daily prayers that one day I will see

To awknowledge that I’m worthy of love

This wisdom I seek can only come from above

    To truly believe that I am a new man

    This the only way I believe that I can

On the surface it sounds so damn easy

When I think of self compassion truly it makes me feel queezy

    This is my journey

         The road that I am on

To find that self love & all self loathing be gone

    Is it possible,  I honestly don’t know

    But what I do know is the past I must let go

          I’m determined to experience this

So no longer self love am I condemned to continue to miss

    Is this possible, I really don’t know

This hope I seek, I guess only time will show

Written by: Justin Ludwig

Moving Forward

Moving Forward

Remind myself daily I can’t live in the past

This being the cause of my inner peace fast

     Past regrets fueling my self destruction

     The perpetuating fact of lifelong corruption

My mind, relationships and spirit

If I keep my eyes on Him there’s no need to fear it

      Never again do I have to be who I was

      This fact contingent on what the current man does

Seek Him

      Seek peace and love others

      Blessing each one of my sisters and brothers

Thousands of correct choices every single day

Will keep my autopilot of chaos at bay

    To speak Truth but always in love

    Will without words point to and glorify Him who’s above

     This is my mission, my daily life goal

     It won’t only serve others but bless my own soul

In this harsh world, easier said than done

I must be intentional to stay focused on the Son

    Am I able to do this

           I think that I can

    This is my path to remain this new man

Written by: Justin Ludwig

Devotion

Devotion

In my darkness I must remember my devotion

A commitment that must overshadow life’s commotion

My focus, I made a pledge

This keeps me from jumping off the ledge

The truth, this is what’s real

Regardless of how I feel

I made a vow to love

Gaining my strength from above

Holding fast that a miracle may come

Regardless of my past life’s sum

My mind always focused on the bad

Then foolishly vexed why I’m always sad

This right here doesn’t have to be

His Holy Spirit has opened my eyes to see

Life’s so much more than just my pains

Previously blinded I am more than my stains

Desperately, peace is what I seek

Easily forgotten when I begin to freak

Though my mistakes came with such a high cost

I must remember I don’t need to remain lost

Written by: Justin Ludwig

Only Jesus Satisfies 

I have chased a fix my whole life. From drugs, women to cutting myself, you name it. My whole life I was longing for something…. maybe some of you can relate. I didn’t feel right…  there was something missing and I just couldn’t satisfy that longing….. I didn’t know what it was that was missing, so I searched, and it damn near killed me

On my journey looking to fill an emptiness I didn’t understand, I discovered the Truth. And the truth is what I was longing for was God, and I didn’t even know it. In fact Jesus was the last thing I thought I wanted.

I have lived a crazy life; experienced the spectrum of emotions, highs and lows to a sickening degree and I am here to tell you that there is no better high….no experience greater than being in His presence and feeling His love. I’ve chased every fix and Jesus is the only thing that truly satisfies.

Don’t let the enemy deceive you… don’t let the illusion of worldly satisfaction distract you, it’s all a lie. Chase Jesus with everything you are and you will see for yourself.

He will complete you in ways you didn’t think possible.

“For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” -Ps 107:9

 

Written by: Justin Ludwig

Pause and Bask 

Theology, scriptural understanding and sound doctrinal teaching is so important to our growth as a follower of Christ. But one thing we must never forget to do is stop, look up and just bask in His presence. God is so awesome y’all and the joy of His presence is not something that can be learned…it’s something we simply enjoy.

I hope your walk with Christ is full of grace, passion and scandalous love. Let’s be the blessing and love without hesitation! Please let me know if there is anything I can pray for you about. Prayer is power y’all and I would love to lift you up. Everything sent through this link is for my eyes only and will be prayed for by me with respect, fervor and love

https://rawdisciple.com/prayer-requests/

Written by: Justin Ludwig 

Photocredit: https://melaniejeanjuneau.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/fire-of-god-love.jpg?w

We Love You, Right Where You’re At

​Why is it such an uncomfortable topic, Christianity? 

I think through a lifetime of bad experiences, we have all encountered christians that twist our faith into something hateful or full of judgment. 

Time and time again we see christians say one thing, and then do another. Who speak of love and then in the same breathe speak judgment or hate…… I want you to know, there is a whole world of us. Christians who love you, right where you are at. Whether you are an atheist, agnostic, Muslim, democrat or a republican, we love you, truly and sincerely. There is a world full of Christians who know that we are not better than you. We don’t judge you, we don’t look down or condemn you. I am a follower of Jesus Christ, I say this proudly because Christ is love, Christ is unity. And that is a beautiful thing.

Written by: Justin Ludwig 

Rejoicing in my Suffering

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It has been no secret that my kids moving away has been really hard for me. The thought of not getting to see them very often upsets me ways I can’t even begin to put into words. Coupled with the death of my dad a couple months ago I have been feeling like I am suffocating, sinking beneath the surface back down into the darkness.

Today I was pleading with God for strength, wisdom and encouragement. I have been praying this for awhile with no real relief. But this time, the Spirit chose to answer me, with another question.

It was the weirdest thing, I’m in the back smoking and I hear Him, “Why aren’t you grateful?”

I say, “I am Father, You saved me from so much”, and as I begin to continue He stops me….. “I am talking about your dad…. your kids.”

All of a sudden it hit me, this is His mercy… this is His grace. It was inevitable that my father would die, but the Lord kept him around long enough to mend our broken relationship….

With my x wife being in the Navy, I knew it was inevitable that it would take my kids far away, but the Lord kept them here and helped me establish a loving and amazing relationship with my children. A solid foundation that we never had before….

What if these things happened 4 years ago? My pops and I so hateful to each other, my kids remembering a dad that loved them but was so broken he had to go away.

Suddenly the Spirit washes over me and I start to cry and I thank Him for giving me the chance, the time, and the ability to make things right, His way. 

Suddenly the Spirit says, “Now this is rejoicing in your suffering”

I kid you not guys, it was almost audible and it made me laugh as I sniff and took a breath.

It doesn’t make the hurt go away, because it hurts. But the truth the Spirit showed me was how lucky… how blessed I truly am to get the time I had.

Phil 4:8
“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”

Romans 5:3-5
“Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Psalm 27:14
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

Ecclesiastes 8:6
“For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him.”

Justin Ludwig

Writing by: Justin Ludwig

Photo from: http://www.bible-reflections.net/image/original/1856/on-the-road-marked-with-suffering.jpg