Friday, April 6, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
'What Sin' by Morgan Cryar
Forgiveness is typically defined as the process of concluding resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, difference or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution.[It is not uncommon for Christians to have questions about forgiveness. Forgiveness does not come easy for most of us. Our natural instinct is to recoil in self-protection when we've been injured. We don't naturally overflow with mercy, grace and forgiveness when we've been wronged. What does the bible say about forgiveness..... Forgiveness is a choice we make through a decision of our will, motivated by his command to forgive. The Bible instructs us to forgive as the Lord forgave us. Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
How do we forgive when we don't feel like it? How do we translate the decision to forgive into a change of heart?
We forgive by FAITH out of obedience. Since forgiveness goes against our nature, we must forgive by faith, whether we feel like it or not. We must trust God to do the work in us that needs to be done so that the forgiveness will be complete.
I believe God honors our commitment to obey Him and our desire to please him when we choose to forgive.
Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV)
This answer by Jesus makes it clear that forgiveness is not easy for us. It's not a one-time choice and then we automatically live in a state of forgiveness. Forgiveness may require a lifetime of forgiving, but it is important to the Lord. We must continue forgiving until the matter is settled in our heart.
I have found that prayer is one of the best ways to break down the wall of unforgiveness in my heart. When I begin to pray for the person who has wronged me, God gives me new eyes to see and a new heart to care for that person. As I pray, I start to see that person as God sees them, and I realize that he or she is precious to the Lord. I also see myself in a new light, just as guilty of sin and failure as the other person. I too am in need of forgiveness. If God did not withhold his forgiveness from me, why should I withhold my forgiveness from another?
Although it is normal for us to feel anger toward sin and injustice, it is not our job to judge the other person in their sin. We can pray for God to deal with the injustices, for God to judge the person's life, and then we can leave that prayer at the altar.
The best reason to forgive is because Jesus commanded us to forgive. We learn from Scripture, if we don't forgive, neither will we be forgiven
In summary and in closing, we forgive out of obedience to the Lord. It is a choice, a decision we make. However, as we do this "forgiving," we discover the command is in place for our own good, and we receive the reward of our forgiveness—freedom.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Jonny Diaz - More Beautiful You
As I was enjoying some music this morning I came across this song and thought about how we as women today are not satisfied with what we look like, but it usually starts at a very early age. How society, magazines, movies, television etc. portray what they think the "perfect" female should look like...The thing is it's what "they think". Instill in your daughters about the natural beauty they have within themselves...let them know there aren't any false changes we can make, that can make us more beautiful than God already has! Am I saying we should not fix ourselves up and care about how we look? No of course not..what I am saying is, don't believe lies that are told to you, that what you are on the outside says or tells the world who you are....Love you sweet sisters and God bless!
"More Beautiful You"
Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight
Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are
There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you
Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead
Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are
So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl
"More Beautiful You"
Little girl fourteen flipping through a magazine
Says she wants to look that way
But her hair isn't straight her body isn't fake
And she's always felt overweight
Well little girl fourteen I wish that you could see
That beauty is within your heart
And you were made with such care your skin your body and your hair
Are perfect just the way they are
There could never be a more beautiful you
Don't buy the lies disguises and hoops they make you jump through
You were made to fill a purpose that only you could do
So there could never be a more beautiful you
Little girl twenty-one the things that you've already done
Anything to get ahead
And you say you've got a man but he's got another plan
Only wants what you will do instead
Well little girl twenty-one you never thought that this would come
You starve yourself to play the part
But I can promise you there's a man whose love is true
And he'll treat you like the jewel you are
So turn around you're not too far
To back away be who you are
To change your path go another way
It's not too late you can be saved
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the one who's strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl
When God Ran by Phillips, Craig and Dean
WHEN GOD RAN
I got up early this morning,opened the door to let the dogs out and it is rainy and wet. They were very hesitant, didn't want to go out. I laugh at them because they don't want to get their feet wet and have to be nudged out the doorway. I think sometimes how we are that way in our own lives. How we are hesitant to walk through a doorway, not wanting to take that first step, the thing is all it takes is that first step and He will come to you. He comes in many ways,in many forms.It may be a spouse, sibling, friend or maybe even a stranger that shares that smile or word that brightens your day.
I hope you find this song and the words as much a blessing as I have.
Have a blessed day and know He is always there, just say the word and He will come running.(Click on the title above "When God Ran")
Who Am I - Casting Crowns
Who Am I ?
Are you someone that asks, "I am unable to be loved by those around me,as imperfect as they are,how could I possibly be loved by one that is perfect?" Then you bunch up with sympathizers who feel the same thing, the same way, only to make you think your thoughts and feelings are justified. Close your eyes, picture the most beautiful person you know, inside and out, slowly open your eyes and say out loud over and over again, " I am beautiful." Sound crazy? Been there done that and you know what I finally realized? I could no longer slap the face of Christ by thinking so little of myself, because "He doesn't make junk"...and by thinking so little of me, that was exactly what I was saying...was it easy...NO..I had to fight my way through the crowd...having true Christ followers as my friends...letting them show me how they didn't judge me for anything I had done and neither did He! He knew me before I ever knew myself. He knew when I would fall, He knew all the things I had done and would do. All he asked, was for me let go of my shame, let go and let Him! Let Him love me, let Him heal me of all the wounds of my life. All that would be left would be scars, but they wouldn't be scars saying "Look at how bad you were/are...but scars to remind me of just how Great HE is!
Isaiah 49:16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Scarcity brings about Clarity...Has your brook dried up???
I came across a sermon I heard several years back and just had to share it with you. Have you ever felt you had the perfect life? A wonderful husband/wife, beautiful children, wonderful job, home and all the wonderful things in life any person could possibly ask for, then all of a sudden it seems to you the rug has been pulled out from underneath you, your world seems to be falling apart and you haven't got a clue as to why.
It's all a matter of perspective...if you look for what is going wrong you can find it. But if you will look a little further at the opportunities that are availing themselves, there are so many doors of opportunity that God is opening and about to open. You cannot let what you see cause you to be in fear and be reluctant. I am not going to quit fighting until everything is under my feet because that is where the bible says it belongs, every bad thing is not supposed to have me I am supposed to have it. It's not supposed to be over me I am supposed to be over it. Somebody said "Well under the circumstances I am doing pretty good." You need to say,,, "What are doing under there?" You don't get underneath your circumstances and let them dominate you. And it's all a matter of whether you think you are supposed to be on top of it or it is supposed to be on top of you. I'm not saying I'm not afraid...I'm not saying I don't see what you see, but I will deal with things and not allow them to take root. There is a difference in having a fleeting thought and allowing things to take root on the inside of you, because once it takes root on the inside of you, it begins to dominate your thinking, once it begins to dominate your thinking, it begins to dominate your decisions. And you need to determine you are not going to allow it to do that. The fact is I belong to a kingdom, my daddy is God, I've got everything that is in the fathers house and I'm not living under this thing, and I'm going to speak it, I'm going to talk it, I'm going to worship it and I'm going to keep doing what I know to do until my situation turns around, and it will turn around.
Scarcity brings clarity....Whenever there is lack in your life, for a lot of preachers have preached that there is no Godly attribute to lack , but I can show you instances in the bible where God turned off the spicket because he couldn't get somebody to move. Not every time, you will need to discern, but sometimes lack is an indicator God is trying to bring change that you would not possess on your own. God told Elijah go to the brook Cherith, and I am going to send ravens to feed and you are going to drink from the brook. But then God told him, now I want you to go to Zeraphath, I have a widow who will provide for thee there. Elijah didn't leave...why? Because it was nice having the ravens come and drop food in his mouth and lay beside and brook and drink its water. So what did God do?? He caused the brook to dry up. Because he knew that the comfort level that had been created for Elijah was so great that he would never move unless lack was a motivator that would cause him to get up from that spot and obey Gods next command. You see some of us have not learned to obey the sequence of Gods commands we just got the first one. And you obeyed him one time and you are stuck in the last thing He said. The bible says that you live off every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Some of you are not living in a proceeding word you are living in a preceding word. It's wonderful that you did what God told you to do in the past, but what is he telling you to do now??
What if Abraham had only heard the first voice and not the second one? The first voice said "Give me your son and sacrifice him. The second voice said STOP...there is a wren caught in the thicket, don't kill your son, I was just testing you." There is your provision...the Lord Jehovah provides for you right now. What if he had just heard the first one? He would have killed his son and God didn't want him to. Why? There is another word on the way. And we have got to become people that don't just hear the last thing but hear the now thing that God is saying, because man lives off of every word that not only preceding but is proceeding out of the mouth of God. And for some of you the reason your life has been held up is because you haven't heard the next command or God is having to dry up the brook to get you to go. You may find yourself confronted with a new set of obstacles, things you have never had to deal with before, having to make decisions harder than you have ever made.
Lack forced me to make some very good choices. Because when there is a scarcity, scarcity will drive you back to what was originally important. It will drive you back to what was the original vision. Some of you, your families have experienced lack...what is God driving you back to??? Could God have turned off the spickets just to get you and your wife to fall in love again?? Could he have turned it off for you to take a step back, get involved in your children’s lives and take responsibility again or maybe for the first time? What is important?? What is the core value?? What are the non negotiables?? All those things start getting clearer. If I have a $100 bill, I can probably go just about anywhere to eat, but if I only have $5 I am going to have to be much more careful with the decision I make. Because I am going to have to be a lot clearer on how I am going to spend this money. And I know that God brings good out of everything and I know that everybody has been touched at some level with a hard time, everybody. But what do you do? Do you belly ache, do you complain, do you have a pity party?? Or do you say " You know what? God is giving me a moment to refocus, to retool, to look at things. Some of you are doing things that you don't even like doing, and God know it but he also knows that you would have kept doing it forever if he hadn't jostled your life up a little bit causing you to re-examine, refocus and just look at things. There is another thing that scarcity will bring about. There are things you used to be able to do on your own but now you need help. It's a thing called partnership. When things are going well you may not see the opportunities before you and then when things become difficult, you start to refocus, see things more clearly, go back to what is truly important in your life. When you are part of the kingdom, God give you advantages.
Jesus says, Luke 14, He who intends to build a tower, will he not first stop and count to see that he has enough to finish? Or he is going into a war, will he not first stop and think, with his 10 thousand can he go up against the one who has 20 thousand and if he decides he can't then send a delegation to make peace. In other words if you are looking at a battle and you know you can't win, then send someone out there and say I have changed my mind. In other words, Jesus said, approach life anticipating problems. And as you go through these problems conserve your energy, because you can't fight everything. I don't have time for regrets and some of you are spending all your energy on regrets. All you talk about is what didn't pan out and the deal that went bad. That's where your mind is, that's where all your energy goes. I cannot battle what didn't pan out because I can't change it. God said anticipate problems and then get ready to finish no matter what life throws your way. Be a finisher...I have had to learn some things I can't battle or respond to, it's just a waste of my energy. Plus what I respond to I am saying you are important to me. And I can't give critics and those who want to be baggage and weight I can't give them the credit to think they are important enough to earn a response. I've got too much tomorrow to look at to fight you today. And some people need to hear that, because they don't have anything going on in their lives they turn on each other. You begin arguing with people, begin finding all the flaws in each other, because your focus has been taken from what you have been doing, because now you have time on your hands. So you begin to pick people apart. I don't have time to pick you apart because I am afraid you may find what’s wrong with me and pick me apart and the bible says with the same measure that I use it will be measured unto me. And I don't like taking it, so I am not going to give it. While you are going through difficult times, let it bring clarity, let it cause you to refocus. Let it cause you to go back and find what is central to your vision and challenge you again to what is really important. Some of you are just busy, but you haven't been busy about what is important in your life. Next thing you have to conserve energy, chose your battles. Choose what is worth your fight. Someone once said I will not battle where there are no spoils. So before you battle you need to say, what is the end result of this. If I win, have a truly won? Or have I just got her not speaking to me for 10 days. What are the soils of this victory? And if it’s not a desirable spoil, DON"T Fight. You don't have to fight where there is nothing to gain. The bible says, he who runs , runs for the prize. If there isn't a prize, then why are you running? If scarcity brings clarity, then you have to go back to what is important, and you have to cut baggage off your life. Take time to build yourself and go higher with God.
It's all a matter of perspective...if you look for what is going wrong you can find it. But if you will look a little further at the opportunities that are availing themselves, there are so many doors of opportunity that God is opening and about to open. You cannot let what you see cause you to be in fear and be reluctant. I am not going to quit fighting until everything is under my feet because that is where the bible says it belongs, every bad thing is not supposed to have me I am supposed to have it. It's not supposed to be over me I am supposed to be over it. Somebody said "Well under the circumstances I am doing pretty good." You need to say,,, "What are doing under there?" You don't get underneath your circumstances and let them dominate you. And it's all a matter of whether you think you are supposed to be on top of it or it is supposed to be on top of you. I'm not saying I'm not afraid...I'm not saying I don't see what you see, but I will deal with things and not allow them to take root. There is a difference in having a fleeting thought and allowing things to take root on the inside of you, because once it takes root on the inside of you, it begins to dominate your thinking, once it begins to dominate your thinking, it begins to dominate your decisions. And you need to determine you are not going to allow it to do that. The fact is I belong to a kingdom, my daddy is God, I've got everything that is in the fathers house and I'm not living under this thing, and I'm going to speak it, I'm going to talk it, I'm going to worship it and I'm going to keep doing what I know to do until my situation turns around, and it will turn around.
Scarcity brings clarity....Whenever there is lack in your life, for a lot of preachers have preached that there is no Godly attribute to lack , but I can show you instances in the bible where God turned off the spicket because he couldn't get somebody to move. Not every time, you will need to discern, but sometimes lack is an indicator God is trying to bring change that you would not possess on your own. God told Elijah go to the brook Cherith, and I am going to send ravens to feed and you are going to drink from the brook. But then God told him, now I want you to go to Zeraphath, I have a widow who will provide for thee there. Elijah didn't leave...why? Because it was nice having the ravens come and drop food in his mouth and lay beside and brook and drink its water. So what did God do?? He caused the brook to dry up. Because he knew that the comfort level that had been created for Elijah was so great that he would never move unless lack was a motivator that would cause him to get up from that spot and obey Gods next command. You see some of us have not learned to obey the sequence of Gods commands we just got the first one. And you obeyed him one time and you are stuck in the last thing He said. The bible says that you live off every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Some of you are not living in a proceeding word you are living in a preceding word. It's wonderful that you did what God told you to do in the past, but what is he telling you to do now??
What if Abraham had only heard the first voice and not the second one? The first voice said "Give me your son and sacrifice him. The second voice said STOP...there is a wren caught in the thicket, don't kill your son, I was just testing you." There is your provision...the Lord Jehovah provides for you right now. What if he had just heard the first one? He would have killed his son and God didn't want him to. Why? There is another word on the way. And we have got to become people that don't just hear the last thing but hear the now thing that God is saying, because man lives off of every word that not only preceding but is proceeding out of the mouth of God. And for some of you the reason your life has been held up is because you haven't heard the next command or God is having to dry up the brook to get you to go. You may find yourself confronted with a new set of obstacles, things you have never had to deal with before, having to make decisions harder than you have ever made.
Lack forced me to make some very good choices. Because when there is a scarcity, scarcity will drive you back to what was originally important. It will drive you back to what was the original vision. Some of you, your families have experienced lack...what is God driving you back to??? Could God have turned off the spickets just to get you and your wife to fall in love again?? Could he have turned it off for you to take a step back, get involved in your children’s lives and take responsibility again or maybe for the first time? What is important?? What is the core value?? What are the non negotiables?? All those things start getting clearer. If I have a $100 bill, I can probably go just about anywhere to eat, but if I only have $5 I am going to have to be much more careful with the decision I make. Because I am going to have to be a lot clearer on how I am going to spend this money. And I know that God brings good out of everything and I know that everybody has been touched at some level with a hard time, everybody. But what do you do? Do you belly ache, do you complain, do you have a pity party?? Or do you say " You know what? God is giving me a moment to refocus, to retool, to look at things. Some of you are doing things that you don't even like doing, and God know it but he also knows that you would have kept doing it forever if he hadn't jostled your life up a little bit causing you to re-examine, refocus and just look at things. There is another thing that scarcity will bring about. There are things you used to be able to do on your own but now you need help. It's a thing called partnership. When things are going well you may not see the opportunities before you and then when things become difficult, you start to refocus, see things more clearly, go back to what is truly important in your life. When you are part of the kingdom, God give you advantages.
Jesus says, Luke 14, He who intends to build a tower, will he not first stop and count to see that he has enough to finish? Or he is going into a war, will he not first stop and think, with his 10 thousand can he go up against the one who has 20 thousand and if he decides he can't then send a delegation to make peace. In other words if you are looking at a battle and you know you can't win, then send someone out there and say I have changed my mind. In other words, Jesus said, approach life anticipating problems. And as you go through these problems conserve your energy, because you can't fight everything. I don't have time for regrets and some of you are spending all your energy on regrets. All you talk about is what didn't pan out and the deal that went bad. That's where your mind is, that's where all your energy goes. I cannot battle what didn't pan out because I can't change it. God said anticipate problems and then get ready to finish no matter what life throws your way. Be a finisher...I have had to learn some things I can't battle or respond to, it's just a waste of my energy. Plus what I respond to I am saying you are important to me. And I can't give critics and those who want to be baggage and weight I can't give them the credit to think they are important enough to earn a response. I've got too much tomorrow to look at to fight you today. And some people need to hear that, because they don't have anything going on in their lives they turn on each other. You begin arguing with people, begin finding all the flaws in each other, because your focus has been taken from what you have been doing, because now you have time on your hands. So you begin to pick people apart. I don't have time to pick you apart because I am afraid you may find what’s wrong with me and pick me apart and the bible says with the same measure that I use it will be measured unto me. And I don't like taking it, so I am not going to give it. While you are going through difficult times, let it bring clarity, let it cause you to refocus. Let it cause you to go back and find what is central to your vision and challenge you again to what is really important. Some of you are just busy, but you haven't been busy about what is important in your life. Next thing you have to conserve energy, chose your battles. Choose what is worth your fight. Someone once said I will not battle where there are no spoils. So before you battle you need to say, what is the end result of this. If I win, have a truly won? Or have I just got her not speaking to me for 10 days. What are the soils of this victory? And if it’s not a desirable spoil, DON"T Fight. You don't have to fight where there is nothing to gain. The bible says, he who runs , runs for the prize. If there isn't a prize, then why are you running? If scarcity brings clarity, then you have to go back to what is important, and you have to cut baggage off your life. Take time to build yourself and go higher with God.
The Gift
I heard a couple of people having a discussion the other day and it brought some questions to my mind and some thought and prayer. They were talking about going to church, being called a sinner....and as I listened I thought of how so many people have such a distorted view of Christianity...that it has nothing to do with how often you attend church, how much you pray or how good you attempt to be. Yes church is very important in the fact it will put you with fellow Christians and a place where you can be fed but there is so much more. First thing there is no scale with God as to one person’s sin is greater than another’s, or because one person prays more or frequents church more often...that is the legalism of man. God doesn't have a scale where he measures our sin...with God "sin is sin is sin". I grew up in a Christian home, was raised in the church, but didn't have my eyes opened and truly begin to grow in Christ until my later adult years. And I thank God for bringing a wonderful woman friend into my life, who invited me to her church, where I was discipled by an awesome pastor and a wonderful body of Christian people....and through that it was the beginning of true understanding and the growth and development of my relationship with Christ that I had never had before. And it has only continued to develop and grow and I will always be so grateful that God brought them into my life. Then to have my niece and her husband who are so strong in the Lord to bless me as well.
As I was thinking over my life God spoke to me of how so many people complicate the simplicity of his word, what he wants from us and the first step we need to take and that is I giving ourselves to him. I remember at the age of 14 walking the isle, giving my life to Christ, being baptized...but that is where it ended for me. I wasn't blessed to be in a church that understood that wasn't just my new beginning in my walk with the Lord but it was also another new beginning with those who were there to disciple me. You ask for clarity in what I am talking about.....I watch a television pastor who at the end of his program says how he never wants to close without first asking if there is anyone that needs Christ. He tells people to say a few words, tells them that he now believes they are saved, they need to get involved in a bible based church. I think to myself, take a person who may know absolutely nothing about the bible, Gods word and they are now thinking...hmmm so this is what it is all about....I say a few words and I am saved...They told me to find a bible based church, so I guess I can pick any church where I can find a bible and that is it.
I would like to explain in what I find to be a simple explanation, but also to completion, where hopefully it answers many questions of those who either haven't given the hearts to Christ or those who have newly given their hearts to Christ but are not certain what is next.
Let's start at the beginning.....If you have heard it is something that can't be bought, something you can't do enough good deeds to obtain...you are right....it is FREE...a gift from God that his son Christ paid for in full with his life, his blood.
Say you and I are friends and I have purchased a gift for you....It's in a box so beautifully wrapped and I can't wait to give it to you....You see the box, how beautiful it is, and are very anxious to know what is inside. I stand in front of you , holding the gift out to you but the thing is , you have to reach out and accept the gift. I can't and won't force it on you , I can't make you take it, it is totally your choice. The same with Christ...he want to give you the gift of himself and salvation, but he won't force it on you...it is your decision as to whether you take it or not....You accept the gift, you open the box and remove the gift. It is something that you have heard a lot of people talking about, you have a lot of people talking about this gift and how wonderful it is and have thought many times of how you wanted it to. Well now you have it and there is an instruction book enclosed with it, something called the bible...you sit down and attempt to read the instructions but become very frustrated because you don't understand a lot of what it is trying to tell you. And you feel a little uncomfortable in asking anyone because they all seem to understand all about the gift, what it does, how it all works and you don't want to appear dumb.
That is where others come into play in your life. Being a new Christian is like being a new born baby...what can a new born baby do? very little....and it is day by day , step by step from birth to adulthood....a baby initially can do nothing for themselves...then they can hold up their head...next they learn to roll over to their back but it still may take them awhile to learn to roll back over and can be very frustrating but then the baby gets it and is very excited....then the next step is usually the baby learns through time how to sit up by themselves....then pull themselves up to stand, but usually they are still holding on to something so they don't fall back down and it takes time, and some babies learn faster than others, each baby at their own pace....then one day it lets go and attempts to take that first step , maybe takes one or 2 steps...but again it is a learning process until the baby can walk without holding onto anything....then going from walking to running...but through each process mom and dad , maybe other family members or friends have been there to help the child out as it has gone through this process. No one has gotten from birth to running by themselves....they have had teachers in their life, those around that love and care about them, to help out, to answer questions...surrounded with those that care about their best interests...people that want to see them grow and develop, to become strong in the word, and most importantly to let you know the most important one you look to for help and understanding is God...the one who has ALL the answers...the one you can always lean on, one who loves you ALL the time no matter what, the one who accepts you right where you are, the one who wants to see you grow and become strong in the word more than anyone and will help you each and every day...all you have to do is ask. Have a blessed day and life.
As I was thinking over my life God spoke to me of how so many people complicate the simplicity of his word, what he wants from us and the first step we need to take and that is I giving ourselves to him. I remember at the age of 14 walking the isle, giving my life to Christ, being baptized...but that is where it ended for me. I wasn't blessed to be in a church that understood that wasn't just my new beginning in my walk with the Lord but it was also another new beginning with those who were there to disciple me. You ask for clarity in what I am talking about.....I watch a television pastor who at the end of his program says how he never wants to close without first asking if there is anyone that needs Christ. He tells people to say a few words, tells them that he now believes they are saved, they need to get involved in a bible based church. I think to myself, take a person who may know absolutely nothing about the bible, Gods word and they are now thinking...hmmm so this is what it is all about....I say a few words and I am saved...They told me to find a bible based church, so I guess I can pick any church where I can find a bible and that is it.
I would like to explain in what I find to be a simple explanation, but also to completion, where hopefully it answers many questions of those who either haven't given the hearts to Christ or those who have newly given their hearts to Christ but are not certain what is next.
Let's start at the beginning.....If you have heard it is something that can't be bought, something you can't do enough good deeds to obtain...you are right....it is FREE...a gift from God that his son Christ paid for in full with his life, his blood.
Say you and I are friends and I have purchased a gift for you....It's in a box so beautifully wrapped and I can't wait to give it to you....You see the box, how beautiful it is, and are very anxious to know what is inside. I stand in front of you , holding the gift out to you but the thing is , you have to reach out and accept the gift. I can't and won't force it on you , I can't make you take it, it is totally your choice. The same with Christ...he want to give you the gift of himself and salvation, but he won't force it on you...it is your decision as to whether you take it or not....You accept the gift, you open the box and remove the gift. It is something that you have heard a lot of people talking about, you have a lot of people talking about this gift and how wonderful it is and have thought many times of how you wanted it to. Well now you have it and there is an instruction book enclosed with it, something called the bible...you sit down and attempt to read the instructions but become very frustrated because you don't understand a lot of what it is trying to tell you. And you feel a little uncomfortable in asking anyone because they all seem to understand all about the gift, what it does, how it all works and you don't want to appear dumb.
That is where others come into play in your life. Being a new Christian is like being a new born baby...what can a new born baby do? very little....and it is day by day , step by step from birth to adulthood....a baby initially can do nothing for themselves...then they can hold up their head...next they learn to roll over to their back but it still may take them awhile to learn to roll back over and can be very frustrating but then the baby gets it and is very excited....then the next step is usually the baby learns through time how to sit up by themselves....then pull themselves up to stand, but usually they are still holding on to something so they don't fall back down and it takes time, and some babies learn faster than others, each baby at their own pace....then one day it lets go and attempts to take that first step , maybe takes one or 2 steps...but again it is a learning process until the baby can walk without holding onto anything....then going from walking to running...but through each process mom and dad , maybe other family members or friends have been there to help the child out as it has gone through this process. No one has gotten from birth to running by themselves....they have had teachers in their life, those around that love and care about them, to help out, to answer questions...surrounded with those that care about their best interests...people that want to see them grow and develop, to become strong in the word, and most importantly to let you know the most important one you look to for help and understanding is God...the one who has ALL the answers...the one you can always lean on, one who loves you ALL the time no matter what, the one who accepts you right where you are, the one who wants to see you grow and become strong in the word more than anyone and will help you each and every day...all you have to do is ask. Have a blessed day and life.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Broken Into Beautiful
It never ceases to amaze me how God works. As I am searching for a particular song I find another. I hear Gods voice speaking to me and leading me to open up my heart one more time. I know there are a lot of women out there hurting, thinking they don't matter feeling worthless and so confused. But let me tell you sweet sisters, you are worthy. You are worthy of being loved, being respected, of having blessings fill you up and overflowing. God bless you all, and never forget, you do matter, to the one that truly matters! He can take your brokenness and turn it into beautiful. Believe me I know. It took me a lot of pain, a lot of hurt to realize it wasn't any person, place or thing that would bring me permanent joy. I remember so many times thinking about myself and my life. What had I done to have to deal with such pain. I must have been so bad, done something so ugly that I needed to accept this was the best it would ever get because I was getting what I was worthy of having. So many a night I remember crying myself to sleep, praying for Gods mercy, that if this was all my life was about then please just take me out God. I would close my eyes, and my two children’s faces would come into my mind. I knew that even if no one else needed me they did. They were so small, so sweet and with their innocence they couldn't see the real me and realize that I was unworthy of their love. As I sit here and flash back on that time in my life, a certain amount of pain passes through. But that is the good thing about it, it passes through. You see it is no longer allowed to take up residence in this home of mine, this place called my heart. The room that it leased for so long is no longer available. The lease ran out and it won't be renewed, because I have been renewed. I love each and every one of you out there. As always I pray for you, but tonight I will pray an extra special prayer, for each and every one of you. I pray for God to move in your lives. I pray for his healing to take place in your lives. I pray that he will take your brokenness and turn it into beautiful, as he has done for me. I thank you God for each and every women that finds this site, reads these words, listens to the music. I pray that through them you will lead others here as well and I pray that they will feel your presence and receive your healing, and to you we give all the glory
Goodnight sweet sisters, know that I love you and more important that He loves you. Have a blessed night and an even more blessed tomorrow. Love to you all in Christ….Donna
Goodnight sweet sisters, know that I love you and more important that He loves you. Have a blessed night and an even more blessed tomorrow. Love to you all in Christ….Donna
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Thank you for saving my life!
A song that I found not only to be beautiful in music but the lyrics have deep meaning in how one can get to the bottom and think that it's the end and you discover it's not. We are Gods most precious possessions and He doesn't want to loose not even one of us.
Friday, January 15, 2010
OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART
Good morning sweet sisters...I love watching and listening to people, how they act and react to things. And it doesn't take long to discover that the human race is so judgmental...people making comments "Look at her hair, my word she needs to lose weight, doesn't she care what anybody thinks about her. Doesn't she care about how she looks?" "Oh she thinks she is soooo cute/smart, just pick a word and fill in the blank. I could go on and on with different situations, but I am sure you get my drift. There are 2 verses we all need to remember. Matthew 7:1Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
In other words, don't sit back judging someone unless you are ready for God to judge you with the same measure you are judging. Are there times that we need to judge a given situation? Yes, but the "way" in which we judge is all together something else. Read John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge using "righteous judgment". Sort of like seeing a man who is filthy and dirty. If we judge him by his filthy and dirty appearance only, we have judged him wrongly. He may be a man who works at a job in which filth and dirt is a part of life. Coal miners who work underground can't help but get filthy during their shift at work.
We never know about a person’s life..where they come from...what they have been through...what has brought them to the place they are right now.
You see, we all have 2 sets of eyes...One set is on your face to see where you are going, be able to read etc. The second set is in your heart...Yep, in your heart...the spiritual eyes that God gave us...that when we use them we have the ability to see things through His eyes...we see the situation with a gentle heart, loving heart, giving heart, compassionate heart, understanding heart and on and on. We all have choices to make in our lives and the freedom to make those choices...You decide which eyes you want to use and want used on you....which judgment do you want to use and which judgment do you want used on yourself.....Never forget one day the person you are being so hard on "could be you/me"....And remember one other choice we have...we may have to live in this world, but being "in" the world is your choice! Have a blessed day sweet sisters, love each other, let your lights shine for one another...and once again remember, you are loved....Donna
In other words, don't sit back judging someone unless you are ready for God to judge you with the same measure you are judging. Are there times that we need to judge a given situation? Yes, but the "way" in which we judge is all together something else. Read John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge using "righteous judgment". Sort of like seeing a man who is filthy and dirty. If we judge him by his filthy and dirty appearance only, we have judged him wrongly. He may be a man who works at a job in which filth and dirt is a part of life. Coal miners who work underground can't help but get filthy during their shift at work.
We never know about a person’s life..where they come from...what they have been through...what has brought them to the place they are right now.
You see, we all have 2 sets of eyes...One set is on your face to see where you are going, be able to read etc. The second set is in your heart...Yep, in your heart...the spiritual eyes that God gave us...that when we use them we have the ability to see things through His eyes...we see the situation with a gentle heart, loving heart, giving heart, compassionate heart, understanding heart and on and on. We all have choices to make in our lives and the freedom to make those choices...You decide which eyes you want to use and want used on you....which judgment do you want to use and which judgment do you want used on yourself.....Never forget one day the person you are being so hard on "could be you/me"....And remember one other choice we have...we may have to live in this world, but being "in" the world is your choice! Have a blessed day sweet sisters, love each other, let your lights shine for one another...and once again remember, you are loved....Donna
Thursday, January 14, 2010
DON'T GIVE UP----YOU ARE LOVED!!
Franklin D Roosevelt once said, "When you are at the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."
I truly believe there are two things in life that everyone wants, to be heard and to be loved." So many times in our lives with the hustle and bustle of everyday living, all the noise going on around us, we want to do like they did in the old Calgon commercials and just scream,"Calgon take me away!" And where is it we want it to be taken to?? A place of serenity and peace. As we are sitting in a warm bubble bath, eyes closed,and minds relaxing, we can take ourselves to any place we want to be. And we ask ourselves, why can't I bring this into my reality?" It's a place where I can speak, people genuinely listen, AND care :-)...When I need that special hug, I get it...when I need to hear the words "I love you", I hear them, the needs that are in my heart that make me feel special, make me feel important but most importantly make me feel loved.
Surprise! LOL , there is such a place, Yes, honestly there is....and so instead of giving up...give in, let go and let God....He is that place, He is never too busy to not listen, He is never too busy not to say I love you, and He is never short on hugs...God loves you as do I....Have a God filled day sisters!
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:12-13
I truly believe there are two things in life that everyone wants, to be heard and to be loved." So many times in our lives with the hustle and bustle of everyday living, all the noise going on around us, we want to do like they did in the old Calgon commercials and just scream,"Calgon take me away!" And where is it we want it to be taken to?? A place of serenity and peace. As we are sitting in a warm bubble bath, eyes closed,and minds relaxing, we can take ourselves to any place we want to be. And we ask ourselves, why can't I bring this into my reality?" It's a place where I can speak, people genuinely listen, AND care :-)...When I need that special hug, I get it...when I need to hear the words "I love you", I hear them, the needs that are in my heart that make me feel special, make me feel important but most importantly make me feel loved.
Surprise! LOL , there is such a place, Yes, honestly there is....and so instead of giving up...give in, let go and let God....He is that place, He is never too busy to not listen, He is never too busy not to say I love you, and He is never short on hugs...God loves you as do I....Have a God filled day sisters!
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:12-13
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL
In writing this I would like first to thank my daughter Angie for finding the extra 'i' in precious, Melanie Page for her patience and love and inviting me to Northwood Church, and thank you Michael Joe (the pastor of Northwood) for your words and direction, thanks to Olin McCartney of my work bible study for his love and direction...and most of all thank you God for using these people in my life for as you have worked through them you have in turn worked in me! And thanks to Ira Goldberg for your journey from New Jersey to South Carolina and being my good friend :-) !
I was emailing my daughter over the past couple of days with questions about setting up this blog. We shared some fun time as I laughed about some of the questions I would ask her and the answer was so simple.
She texted me Sunday and said she tried the link but couldn't get in. She said it told her it didn't exist. I went to it so quickly and easily and couldn't figure out why she couldn't get there. I went their again, no problems, so I forwarded her an email where I had put the link for a couple of other people to be able to access it. Well, she got there and emailed me asking, "Mom, did you realize there is an extra "i" in the word precious?" I looked and sure enough in putting it together I had spelled the word precious, precioius. I went to make the correction and when I did it told me that the that link wasn't available. I laughed and thought to myself and wrote to her about it saying "Well, I can either change it to another name or leave it the way it is. I made the statement of how, that's par for me, never seems like I do anything once and get it right."
She responded back with laughter, "Yeah I know the feeling mom."
I woke this morning and thought how amazing! That incident applies so much to our daily lives.
Reminds me of a man that one day was going to set out on a journey. He wasn't certain as to where he was going, and not really certain of how to get there. A friend of his had introduced him to a friend of theirs earlier. He remembered his friend bragging how this guy could go anywhere, and never needed a map, never had to plot a trip, and always, ALWAYS, got where he needed to go without a snag. He picked up the phone and asked his friend did they think this guy would be willing to take the trip with him. "Sure, I know him, he would love the ride and even more the thought of helping you. That's just the kind of guy he is!"
So they hooked up, packed up the car and the passenger got in the back because there was too much baggage up front. Well, they got to the interstate and headed out. He was asked, "So where are we going?" He found the response a bit baffling, ("Not sure just taking a road trip") but hey this was this guy’s trip and he was just along for the ride, to help with directions. But then he thought, "How can I help this guy if neither of us knows where we are wanting to end up! Throughout the day and small conversations between each other and listening to the driver occasionally talking to himself, he had a hint of sorts as to a place he knew this person would love...he knew exactly was this guy needed ..and he could take him their...it might take a little longer than expected..but he was willing to take him there and the place he wanted to take him to was so wonderful...he would take him there at his own expense, he knew it was a place they would both love! So he spoke up, or may I say he attempted to speak up and pass this information but the driver kept cutting him short, letting him quickly know he was along for the ride and if he needed help he would ask for it. After this happening several times, the passenger thought to himself, "Okay, go for it buddy...I will sit here in the back and do just that. I won't get out and hitch a ride back home...I'll stick it out with you and be a silent passenger watching and just see where we end up." The evening starts closing in and they come to a fork in the road...hmmmm which way should I go?...the driver paused for several seconds , "What difference does it make, this is supposed to be an "I'm not sure where I am going kind of adventure, so no matter which road I take adventure lies ahead. So with excitement in his heart he veers to the left and on he goes. But something happens in a very short period of time. He's not certain why, but he finds himself filled with an unusual fear, a fear like he has never felt before and of which he has no understanding . The back seat passenger continues his silence, watching and wondering just how long it was going to take for this man to put his pride aside and ask for his help. Finally, the guy stops the car, he is in tears, overcome with a feeling of foreboding, and turns around with a deeply heartfelt apology telling his friend he realizes he can't do it on his, and he would gladly trade places with him in the car if he would just get them out of there and to a place of safety! Amazing the humans we are, we just know we have our lives together, that we can take these unmapped journeys in our lives and get to where????? Exactly where do we end up????? Usually the place we end up is yes, very scary, desolate, lonely and we seem to have no idea how we got there or how to get back...then we realize, what we need is available to us, all we have to do is 'ASK'...Yep, sorry but you have to ask. It’s a thing called "Freedom of Choice". HE is not a back seat passenger, but we tend to put HIM there, until we are so lost, so scared we are begging to be saved from the road we are on! The difference between HIM and us is if you had a buddy along for the ride supposedly to give you directions and treated them that way, continuously telling them to keep silent until they were needed, they would have reached a point where they had enough and bailed out leaving you on your own. But not HIM....HE will stick it out with you...HE is there for the complete ride from beginning to end....He "Always" sees it to the end of your journey....But the one thing we must remember "HE" is not a back seat passenger, he is not a co-pilot". You must give HIM the wheel, you must let go and let "Jesus Take The Wheel!" Oh and by the way I am leaving the extra "i" in the word precious...just as a reminder to myself...I don't do anything, I can't do anything on my own and until we are able to take that first step, being able to admit we can't do anything on our own, we will be like the guy headed out going nowhere!
So remember, let God be your Pilot.....Give Him the wheel...Let go and let Him save you from the road on you are on. Have a day filled with blessings overflowing!!
And all the people said?? "AMEN!"
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
I was emailing my daughter over the past couple of days with questions about setting up this blog. We shared some fun time as I laughed about some of the questions I would ask her and the answer was so simple.
She texted me Sunday and said she tried the link but couldn't get in. She said it told her it didn't exist. I went to it so quickly and easily and couldn't figure out why she couldn't get there. I went their again, no problems, so I forwarded her an email where I had put the link for a couple of other people to be able to access it. Well, she got there and emailed me asking, "Mom, did you realize there is an extra "i" in the word precious?" I looked and sure enough in putting it together I had spelled the word precious, precioius. I went to make the correction and when I did it told me that the that link wasn't available. I laughed and thought to myself and wrote to her about it saying "Well, I can either change it to another name or leave it the way it is. I made the statement of how, that's par for me, never seems like I do anything once and get it right."
She responded back with laughter, "Yeah I know the feeling mom."
I woke this morning and thought how amazing! That incident applies so much to our daily lives.
Reminds me of a man that one day was going to set out on a journey. He wasn't certain as to where he was going, and not really certain of how to get there. A friend of his had introduced him to a friend of theirs earlier. He remembered his friend bragging how this guy could go anywhere, and never needed a map, never had to plot a trip, and always, ALWAYS, got where he needed to go without a snag. He picked up the phone and asked his friend did they think this guy would be willing to take the trip with him. "Sure, I know him, he would love the ride and even more the thought of helping you. That's just the kind of guy he is!"
So they hooked up, packed up the car and the passenger got in the back because there was too much baggage up front. Well, they got to the interstate and headed out. He was asked, "So where are we going?" He found the response a bit baffling, ("Not sure just taking a road trip") but hey this was this guy’s trip and he was just along for the ride, to help with directions. But then he thought, "How can I help this guy if neither of us knows where we are wanting to end up! Throughout the day and small conversations between each other and listening to the driver occasionally talking to himself, he had a hint of sorts as to a place he knew this person would love...he knew exactly was this guy needed ..and he could take him their...it might take a little longer than expected..but he was willing to take him there and the place he wanted to take him to was so wonderful...he would take him there at his own expense, he knew it was a place they would both love! So he spoke up, or may I say he attempted to speak up and pass this information but the driver kept cutting him short, letting him quickly know he was along for the ride and if he needed help he would ask for it. After this happening several times, the passenger thought to himself, "Okay, go for it buddy...I will sit here in the back and do just that. I won't get out and hitch a ride back home...I'll stick it out with you and be a silent passenger watching and just see where we end up." The evening starts closing in and they come to a fork in the road...hmmmm which way should I go?...the driver paused for several seconds , "What difference does it make, this is supposed to be an "I'm not sure where I am going kind of adventure, so no matter which road I take adventure lies ahead. So with excitement in his heart he veers to the left and on he goes. But something happens in a very short period of time. He's not certain why, but he finds himself filled with an unusual fear, a fear like he has never felt before and of which he has no understanding . The back seat passenger continues his silence, watching and wondering just how long it was going to take for this man to put his pride aside and ask for his help. Finally, the guy stops the car, he is in tears, overcome with a feeling of foreboding, and turns around with a deeply heartfelt apology telling his friend he realizes he can't do it on his, and he would gladly trade places with him in the car if he would just get them out of there and to a place of safety! Amazing the humans we are, we just know we have our lives together, that we can take these unmapped journeys in our lives and get to where????? Exactly where do we end up????? Usually the place we end up is yes, very scary, desolate, lonely and we seem to have no idea how we got there or how to get back...then we realize, what we need is available to us, all we have to do is 'ASK'...Yep, sorry but you have to ask. It’s a thing called "Freedom of Choice". HE is not a back seat passenger, but we tend to put HIM there, until we are so lost, so scared we are begging to be saved from the road we are on! The difference between HIM and us is if you had a buddy along for the ride supposedly to give you directions and treated them that way, continuously telling them to keep silent until they were needed, they would have reached a point where they had enough and bailed out leaving you on your own. But not HIM....HE will stick it out with you...HE is there for the complete ride from beginning to end....He "Always" sees it to the end of your journey....But the one thing we must remember "HE" is not a back seat passenger, he is not a co-pilot". You must give HIM the wheel, you must let go and let "Jesus Take The Wheel!" Oh and by the way I am leaving the extra "i" in the word precious...just as a reminder to myself...I don't do anything, I can't do anything on my own and until we are able to take that first step, being able to admit we can't do anything on our own, we will be like the guy headed out going nowhere!
So remember, let God be your Pilot.....Give Him the wheel...Let go and let Him save you from the road on you are on. Have a day filled with blessings overflowing!!
And all the people said?? "AMEN!"
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Monday, January 11, 2010
WHEN MERCY CAME RUNNING
I sit here listening to "When Mercy Came Running", by Phillips, Craig and Dean. The things that flash before my eyes, thoughts that whirl around in my mind. Where I once was, and where I am now and I well up inside. It is still so hard to believe sometimes how everything transpired. Wow. This song tells it all...I remember when all I could see was my sin, feel my shame and the pain, the piercing pain. It can and did actually bring about physical pain. I remember years of hurt and pain from everyday life and then some...divorce, then the death of a spouse that was a blessing from God, this was just two of several other devastating things in my life. My heart was so broken, the pain so severe, I remember telling God I had had enough...You see when I was born God gave me a very huge heart capable of loving and feeling in an enormous way...So I love to overflowing and I hurt to the depths of my soul when I hurt and I didn't want to feel that pain anymore.
I said, " God please take it away from me, take this heart and remove the ability to feel so deeply, to be able to love so deeply." They say be careful for what you ask because it was granted. Yes, all the years had left my heart torn apart, yes, I felt hopeless and very afraid, and yes not meaning to, I built not just walls but a fortress around my heart. I lived that way for quite some time. Distanced myself from everyone, including family and then I remember one night I cried, something I hadn't done in years, and I cried out and said "God I can't live like this anymore. I have too much love inside me to bury it, please God give me my heart back."
He looked at me with a smile so warm and gentle as He said, "Donna, I never got rid of it, I just put it on the shelf. I knew you could never live this way, You see, I knew you before you knew you! And yes, that night and a few times since, I felt the true meaning of Gods mercy! I remember that day so well, and I can only imagine someone being released from prison after years of incarceration and how it must feel. I knew about mercy and I knew I needed it, begged for it, cried out for it ,but I couldn't reach it. And there it came, running right past all my failures and went directly to my need. What a gift..my life has been one incredible journey. He has taken me to places I never imagined possible. And you know what...He paid all the expenses! He has renewed my spirit, I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and a new life! Thank you God!!
I said, " God please take it away from me, take this heart and remove the ability to feel so deeply, to be able to love so deeply." They say be careful for what you ask because it was granted. Yes, all the years had left my heart torn apart, yes, I felt hopeless and very afraid, and yes not meaning to, I built not just walls but a fortress around my heart. I lived that way for quite some time. Distanced myself from everyone, including family and then I remember one night I cried, something I hadn't done in years, and I cried out and said "God I can't live like this anymore. I have too much love inside me to bury it, please God give me my heart back."
He looked at me with a smile so warm and gentle as He said, "Donna, I never got rid of it, I just put it on the shelf. I knew you could never live this way, You see, I knew you before you knew you! And yes, that night and a few times since, I felt the true meaning of Gods mercy! I remember that day so well, and I can only imagine someone being released from prison after years of incarceration and how it must feel. I knew about mercy and I knew I needed it, begged for it, cried out for it ,but I couldn't reach it. And there it came, running right past all my failures and went directly to my need. What a gift..my life has been one incredible journey. He has taken me to places I never imagined possible. And you know what...He paid all the expenses! He has renewed my spirit, I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and a new life! Thank you God!!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Joy Comes In The Morning
Goodnight everyone...Another day is coming to an end and each and every one of you are in my prayers. I don't know what your day has been like, I hope blessed! If you have been burdened and find yourself in a low spot, take a moment alone, tell Him your heart, leave nothing unsaid, Your best friend is listening...turn it over to Him....Joy does come in the morning.
Love in Christ to all
Donna
Psalm 30
A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David. [a]
1 I will exalt you, O LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave [b] ;
you spared me from going down into the pit.
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6 When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."
7 O LORD, when you favored me,
you made my mountain [c] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.
8 To you, O LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 "What gain is there in my destruction, [d]
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."
11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.
Love in Christ to all
Donna
Psalm 30
A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David. [a]
1 I will exalt you, O LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.
3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave [b] ;
you spared me from going down into the pit.
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
6 When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."
7 O LORD, when you favored me,
you made my mountain [c] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.
8 To you, O LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 "What gain is there in my destruction, [d]
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."
11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.
A Place Called Grace
Do you ever feel like you have done too much, gotten too dirty, sank way too deep in the muck and mire that there is no washing it off, no cleansing for you? People around you know your life, know where you have been, know what you have done and the guilt and shame weighs upon you so heavy you decided you might as well accept where you are because there is no going back. You may look at someone else’s life and their situation and say "Well, but it's different with them?" No matter what anyone else has done, you never consider it or them as bad as yourself. Let me reassure you sweet sister, there is nothing too big, too bad, or too ugly that He would ever give up on you, ever walk away from you and the voices in your head are nothing but lies. The devil is the father of lies.(John 8:39-44). I pray that you will continue to take this wonderful journey with me, this journey called True Life! Where you find Love, Mercy, Grace(Acts 20:22-24)Compassion and Forgiveness! You will have more Peace and Joy than you have ever known...Have a blessed day and allow God to be your best friend as He is mine.
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