While doing my quiet time yesterday I came across some verses that reminded me of a challenge I was presented with last summer at Fuge camp in Mobile, AL. Our camp pastor taught from the book of Mark that week and opened my eyes to an interpretation of the scriptures that I had never seen before.

In Mark 1:16-18 it says, "As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee,
he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were
fisherman. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'
And immediately they dropped their nets and followed Him.

Simon and Andrew depended on fishing for everything. Fishing was their job, it provided them with money and food to live off of through the year. When Jesus called them to be disciples scriptures says they not only dropped their nets and followed Him, but they IMMEDIATELY dropped their nets and followed Him. That was a major sacrifice for these two men, but they did it anyways. They had faith in this man that they barely knew and followed him.

Whether we see it or not, we are like these disciples in a way. In our lives, we all have things we consider our "nets". Whether its an addiction, certain habits, or activities we may participate in on a regular basis. . we all have nets and we need to let them go. We need to be like these disciples and drop them. Not tomorrow, not next year, but NOW. Just like Simon and Andrew immediately dropped their nets, the Lord calls us to immediately drop ours. The Lord wants us to get rid of those things in our life that keep us from fulling living our life for him and walking with him daily. He wants to have a relationship strictly with us without all the distractions getting in the way.

I know this may be a lot to take in. . Believe me its a lot for me to take in too, but its so important. I'm not only telling you this to challenge you, but I am challenging myself. Starting today I am going to take action and try and rid myself of things that get in the way of my relationship with the Lord. Its so much harder said than done, but its possible. So, I leave you with this question. . "Will you chose to drop your "nets" today and follow Him?"

A blessing from the Lord.

Have you ever had one of those special friends who has left a lasting mark on our heart? As humans, we all need someone we can depend on. That one person who we can laugh at silly things with, call at 3 o'clock in the morning, cry with, that one person who is always there no matter what. I am blessed to have one of those special friends in my life. But, how did this relationship start? That's easy. The answer is God. God placed us in each others life two summers ago. When our relationship began it was one just like every other until we took it a step up-- We chose to become accountability partners.

Do you know what an accountability partner is? Let me tell you. An accountability partner is that person who tells you the things you don't want to hear but need to hear. They do it because they love you and know its for your best. Accountability partners are definitely not "perfect", they have their fights just like other relationships because sometimes they have to break things to you that nobody else has the guts to do. They constantly pray for each other and for each other's families. The key that makes this relationship so special is the fact that it is built around the Lord. The Lord gives us the love for each other as friends that can bring us through anything. My accountability partner has always been there for me, eager to listen and help me through any problem that comes my way. I have cried many tears on her shoulder and shared so many feelings with her. She has not only been an accountability partner, but an amazing mentor for me. She is one of my greatest blessings from the Lord.

I guess what I am trying to get across with this blog is this: Pray that the Lord will send you an accountability partner if you don't have one. An accountability partner will encourage you in your walk with the Lord and challenge you in ways that will strengthen your faith. They will keep you standing strong when you are having trouble standing alone. I thank the Lord that he sent me an amazing accountability partner and mentor, one I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. I love her so much!

"Iron sharpens iron, as one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17