J. Harris's

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www.brokenforbuilding.com

There’s Still Room

Sometimes I feel like my house is running out of space. When we moved in over 10 years ago, the possibilities seemed endless. Each room had infinite possibilities. My ideas about where to go with design were spilling over and I really didnt know where to start. Slowly, each room started to fill up with with furniture, decorations and slowly all the space possibilities seemed to dwindle.   As our family grew and our possessions grew, we seemed to be...

Symptoms of a Prideful Heart

5 Symptoms of an Overly Prideful Heart

“You didn’t do anything wrong; why should you be the first to say I’m sorry?,” she says under her breath. The next day, she declares “If they don’t want then I’m not speaking first.” The following week, she whispers to me, “Don’t say anything about messing up, just act like it didn’t happen.” Pride. She is always walking right beside me, waiting for an opportunity to steer me down her path. When I walk with her, I am puffed up,...

christian struggles

God, Why Is This So Difficult?

Are you tasked with doing anything right now that seems extremely difficult? Maybe you are starting a new role at work, in ministry, or in a friendship that seems tough, or you are struggling in your marriage. For one it may parenting and the struggles that go along with it and for another, it may be juggling all the people and things that tug on you dailiy. Maybe you are growing weary and feeling like you need to quit, or...

God's presence

Presence over Presents

I remember opening the cards I received for my college graduation. As I opened each card, I  hurriedly checked for checks or cash and flung the cards in the “to be read later” pile. My excitement about the gifts had overtaken me so much that where I didn’t care about the people who gave me the gifts and what they wanted to speak into my life.   There’s something magical about receiving presents. Knowing that someone took the time to...

Faith and Fear

Faith and Fear

In Matthew 9:28-29, two blind men came to Jesus crying “Son of David,  have mercy on us.” Jesus immediately responded “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” To this question, the men answered “Yes Lord”.  And Jesus’ response is exactly what I believe made the difference with my prayers that  yielded different results. “According to your faith, let it be to you.” As He went about healing people, Jesus often referenced the faith of those who desired healing. He made...

Encouraging Scriptures

5 Scriptures That Encouraged Me This Month

Sometimes we get stuck in a scriptural rut where we may be reading scriptures, but they don’t really impact our daily thoughts, decisions, or actions.  This month, I was blessed to be able to reflect on these five scriptures and allow the Word of God to inspire change in my life.   These scriptures have encouraged me, challenged me, pushed me and guided me this month and as I share them, I pray that you too would be encouraged from them. ...

Identify in God

No More Identity Crisis

A few months ago, I was at the international farmer’s market making a purchase (palm oil, if you must know) for my Liberian dish. As I stood in the checkout line, a lady noticed the bottle of oil in my hands. She proceeded to tell me in a Nigerian accent that this was the wrong place to purchase this product and I was better off going to the African food store a few blocks away. As she was giving me...