tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39639952879107543822024-03-18T22:49:35.452-05:00Redeemed & Forgiven ChildAn uplifting blog about God's grace, His love and how we find these things in and amongst the messiness of life!Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-69094209931436488872018-08-01T08:16:00.001-05:002018-08-01T08:19:34.851-05:00The New Person on the Empty Pew<div data-contents="true">
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<span data-offset-key="atg5u-0-0"><span data-text="true">Interesting experience this past weekend. I went to visit my aunt and decided to be in worship Sunday morning. There was one specific church that was stuck in my head so that is where I decided to go. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="agr90-0-0"><span data-text="true">Oh boy! What a lesson!! What a GIFT!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5bnfb-0-0"><span data-text="true">I walked in the door with my two boys and one of their cousins. I was greeted by smiles and someone walked me to the appropriate sign in place for the boys (it was a larger church). First impression: very friendly!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="ed10e-0-0"><span data-text="true">Drop boys off and make my way to the sanctuary. Sat on an aisle with no one in it but with people behind me and people in front of me. Aside from the usual curious glances from those people no one spoke and I really thought I would spend the entire service being the only person on the aisle.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="1usr1-0-0"><span data-text="true">Then a couple of people came by to shake my hand and tell me they were happy to have me. No one asked my name or showed any curiosity as to who I was or if I was looking for a church home or where I came from. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="b577s-0-0"><span data-text="true">I felt lonely! People across the sanctuary were looking at me (okay, maybe not but that's what it felt like) and I was uncomfortable. It was nice those people came to speak to me but this is what I learned to put into practice at my own church...</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5l0ot-0-0"><span data-text="true">Make small talk! Ask people where they are from. If they are alone ask to sit with them or ask if they would like to sit with you, especially if their entire row is empty!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="e9moa-0-0"><span data-text="true">Now the enemy begins his work.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="djifc-0-0"><span data-text="true">I am uncomfortable and beginning to get offended because no one has "properly" spoken to me. Then came the dreaded "turn to someone next to you" moment. But not one person spoke to me. Apparently that is church speak for "talk to the one who brung ya". </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6laea-0-0"><span data-text="true">Then the service starts. There is prayer and music begins to play and the most AMAZING realization happened in me!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="83g4c-0-0"><span data-text="true">I was NOT there for others to make me feel welcome. I came in search of the Living Water and the Bread of Life. And HE was pleased that I came. In fact, He took up my entire row! He filled the whole place!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="6r07c-0-0"><span data-text="true">As I lifted my hands and began to worship I realized I no longer cared if anyone spoke to me at all because I found the One my souls loves! My cares melted away in the Presence of the One who knows my every need and answers according to His riches. Church is about Him, not me!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="8f0tg-0-0"><span data-text="true">Bottom line: </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5hd0j-0-0"><span data-text="true">Church members - be on the lookout for new people, there is a spiritual battle going on in them and they may not even know it.</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="e6goq-0-0"><span data-text="true">New people - know that people are people. We all fumble for words to say to make you welcome and some of us are just plain nervous. But know this...God is pleased with where you are and the best way to silence the enemy is to lift your hands and come into the Presence of the One who always welcomes you!</span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="e6goq-0-0"><span data-text="true">The most important thing to recognize about walking into a church building, whether it is your first time in years or you are at your church home, is this is an opportunity for worship. Whether or not we truly worship is up to us. Don't let the enemy steal away that joy by making the experience all about you. It <i>should </i>be all about Him! </span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="e6goq-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span><b><i><span style="color: blue;"><sup>"</sup>not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:25</span></i></b></div>
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Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-76488295384056462952017-09-25T08:26:00.001-05:002017-09-25T08:30:59.843-05:00The Faith of a Child<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8htv1" data-offset-key="1110j-0-0" style="background-color: white;">
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<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">I was in Walmart (I mean, really, where else would I be?) and my attention is drawn to a little girl who can't be more than three years old. Her face is turned up to see the face of one of the biggest men I have seen recently. She is looking up, up, up just to look into his eyes and I hear her say the word, "Daddy...." I don't know what came after that because I was lost in the expression on her face.
She had this look of complete adoration. And you know, just by her face, that her daddy can move mountains. Her daddy can do no wrong. You know that she trusts that man because he is her daddy. No questions, no doubts, just...well...faith.
She can't explain it. It hasn't even occurred to her that it may warrant an explanation. That man is her world and in him all things are held together.
Oh wait...that sounded like a Bible verse...
Sure did. </span><i style="color: #1d2129;">"He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17</i><span style="color: #1d2129;">
That little girl had a child's faith in her daddy. We are called to have that same faith in our Daddy as well. Why? Because children trust without question, they believe what their parents' say because of that faith and they act on what their parents' say because they know that whatever they were told to do is right just because of who said it.
Isn't it about time we went back to trust our Daddy God that way? Imagine the adventures He will take us on if did. Imagine the relationship that will develop if we just trusted and did what our Daddy told us to do.
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<span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><i>"and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3 </i></span></b></span></span></div>
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Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-77380787150335230492017-07-07T15:50:00.000-05:002017-07-19T07:48:36.938-05:00Catch Me, Daddy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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WHERE ARE YOU, LORD?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have you been there? Are you there right now?
Are you tired, weary, and battle worn?<o:p></o:p></div>
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God is there. He promises He is always with us.
But what about those times when we don't understand and we are asking
questions but hear nothing?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have this image that keeps replaying itself in my mind
of a little girl standing on the side of a pool. Her daddy is in the pool
with his arms open saying, <i>"Jump, honey, I'll catch you!"</i> The
little girl gets ready to jump but still looks unsure. Her body tenses
like she will jump then it deflates as the doubt takes over. Suddenly her
face changes, she stands taller and backs away from the pools edge and with all
she has she runs and jumps straight into her daddy's arms! Of course he
catches her and they laugh. All the fear she felt has fully melted away
as she says, <i>"Do it again, Daddy!"</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Some of us can relate to that image. For others, it
isn't so easy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But God is that Daddy. He is the perfect Parent!
When we are infants in Christ, God holds us just as surely and tenderly
as a parent holds a newborn. As we get older and mature He lets us take
steps on our own but we still cling to His hand. We grow to trust Him and
know He is always there because we can <i>feel </i>Him. But our
loving Lord knows that faith is not about what we feel. It is about
putting one foot in front of the other even in the dark.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And He asks us to jump.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wait...WHAT? <i>What do you mean, "Jump?"
</i>He repeats the request and we say, <i>Just come get my hand so I
know you will catch me.</i> Doubts fill us, we tremble, we plead but God
doesn't come to the side of the pool. He waits.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And one of two things happen to us in that moment.
We either decide God has left us and we let the enemy win with fear and
doubt OR we dig deep, remember the Hand that has never let us fall, back away
from the edge, run, and JUMP.<o:p></o:p></div>
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His strong arms encircle us. Our fear is immediately
forgotten because fear cannot be where love is and we lean our head back to
look into His face and say, <i>Do it again, Daddy!</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><i>"The Lord your God is in your midst,</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><i>A victorious warrior.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><i>He will exult over you with joy,</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><i>He will be quiet in His love,</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><i>He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy."</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">~Zephaniah 3:17</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-27485334145115417182015-12-18T09:32:00.001-06:002015-12-18T09:32:44.364-06:00My Favorite Christmas Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Confession: I do not enjoy winter. It's gray, it's dull and, worst of all, it's COLD! There is almost nothing at all to like about this season. <br />
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Except Christmas!<br />
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Christmas is that time of year that reminds me to be thankful. Everyone seems to have an extra bounce in their step and a happy word on their lips. It warms my heart.<br />
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Perhaps, though, my favorite thing about Christmas is the Christmas lights. I remember driving around with my aunt and my mom looking at the lights on the houses. All the different colors and different scenes filled me with wonder and joy just looking at them. And they still do.<br />
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Remembering this makes me to consider the very first Christmas lights. <br />
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I wonder how bright the Bethlehem star was that night. I wonder if it gave as much light as a full moon or if it was just the brightest star in the sky. I wonder if the shepherds noticed it. Somehow I doubt it. After all, they had their own Christmas lights to look at.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">"And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.'" </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">~Luke 2:13-14</span></div>
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How bright do you suppose a "multitude of heavenly hosts" are? I'm guessing brighter than the noon day sun. They were bright enough the shepherds couldn't look at them but could see the glory of heaven penetrating their closed eye lids. It must have been wondrous to suddenly have the utter darkness split in two by the angels of God bringing the most joyous news mankind has ever heard. Christmas lights remind me, on a much smaller scale, of <em>that. </em></div>
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The glow of brilliant colors dispelling the darkness also reminds me of the ultimate Light that came to us in the form of an infant. Emmanuel, God with Us. All those little lights coming together to make a bigger picture makes my heart sing of grace and hope. And what a joyous song it is!<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">"In [Jesus] was life and that life was the light of <em>all</em> mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">~John 1:4-5</span></div>
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That small child wrapped in pieces of cloth, lying in an animal's food trough reminds me of a single Christmas light. So tiny, seemingly so insignificant. But put this Child together with the fact that He is God and He becomes the bigger picture. He becomes millions upon millions of hearts that His life has changed. He becomes the very picture of salvation. And all of our little lights combine to illuminate a very dark world. </div>
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<span style="color: black;">This Christmas let's remember that, for those who belong to Christ, this season is about Hope and Grace. The ultimate gift of Love given to us by a loving Father who wants nothing more than a relationship with us. Let the Christmas lights we see remind us of the Light that shines in the darkness. Let it also remind us to shine that Light everywhere we go!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">~ Merry Christmas! ~</span></div>
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Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-12493916280528597232015-12-08T08:11:00.001-06:002015-12-08T08:12:40.310-06:00Seeking Refreshment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some days just kick your butt. Some days you don't feel empowered, efficient or, heck, even adequate. Yesterday was absolutely discouraging and disheartening. Truth be told, I just wanted to give up. I couldn't wait for bed time to be able to curl into a ball and forget it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Can I get a witness? Have you been there?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was just over it. Done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I got home the last thing I wanted to do was open God's Word. I was even mad at Him. But I was dry. My Spirit was anemic and in need of Him. So I turned to the book of Isaiah with a huge, heaving sigh (and probably an eye roll).</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Isaiah says, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth <em>does not become weary or tired</em>. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who fear the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:28-31</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And my soul just exhaled! My God does NOT GROW WEARY!! When I am tired and battle worn; when I don't understand what I have seen in the world and my heart is breaking; when I feel I cannot go another step my God is not too tired to give me His strength. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I picture myself when I am exhausted and my children want me to play. Or when my oldest, who talks incessantly, begins a 30 minute story and all I want is to be left alone. Sometimes I tell them I am too tired, that I need a few minutes to take a breath and <em>then </em>they can have my attention.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">God doesn't do that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">God is the perfect Parent. He is always ready for His children. He is always ready to give comfort, to give encouragement or strength and He is always listening. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And He is always ready to refresh. Do you know what He gave me yesterday after I sat at His feet? My loving Lord gave me a nap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oh how He loves us! I spent that afternoon talking to God...okay...complaining to God and I truly believe He had to have been tired of the sound of my voice. But He listened and He called me to Him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hear this: Sometimes I think we have a pity party in front of God and consider it praying. But God had something else in mind. He was calling me to His Presence. And I had to get in the Word to get there. Had to. God was waiting for me and I needed to get to where He was! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If we are going to receive what the Lord has for us we have to get to where He is! Yes, He is always with us but we have to give Him our undivided attention. I was so focused on myself and my heartache that I wasn't really listening to God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Don't let the enemy steal your time of refreshing! Run to Him and let Him wrap you up in His love and His goodness. Dive into His Word and let Him remind you of who He is and what He can do. Wait on His goodness. It will come like the rain. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms";">"So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth." Hosea 6:3</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span>Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-47523383654167901852015-11-06T07:52:00.000-06:002015-12-08T07:02:16.262-06:00Just a Taste<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Have you ever thought about some of the things we say? We say an awful lot of silly things and some are just plain untrue. Most often I believe we say them because it is what we have heard all our life and we repeat them without realizing what we are saying. Let's look at just one of those things. I can pick on this one because I used to believe this 100%. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><em>"My mistakes have made me who I am."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oh, sweet friend, you are who you are because of the GRACE of the Most High God! You are who you are because He has plans for you and He isn't finished with you! You are who you are because He is GOOD! You are who you are because He is in the business of redemption, taking a mistake, something totally out of His will and His plan and bringing good from it. He is touching your life and that verse in Psalm that says, "O taste and see that the Lord is good..." well, He is giving you a taste!! Give Him the praise He deserves for that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I can look back at my life choices and see where I am now and KNOW that I shouldn't be here. I should be dead. I should be in jail. I should be an alcoholic. I should be anywhere but here. But He is GOOD! And when I think of all this I fall in love with Jesus all over again. My blessings, my "good luck", whatever you want to call it has never had a thing in the world to do with me. It has all been the grace and mercy of my wonderful Heavenly Father.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Please don't buy the lie that your <em>mistakes</em> have made you who you are. My mistakes have never done anything for me except bring me heartache. But my GOD has chosen to bring me to a place of healing and hope. He has loved me and pursued me even in my most unlovable state. Even when I didn't want anything to do with Him. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">For that, I stand in awe of Him. He will always be worthy of my praise for what He has already done. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">The enemy would love for us to say that we are who we are because of the mistakes we have made. After all, if we are "here" because of mistakes doesn't that mean we are doing just fine on our own? Or does it mean God is choosing to gives us that taste of His goodness and beckoning us to come closer to Him because He has so much more to offer us?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";">God is beckoning. God is wooing. God is showing His love for you by giving you just a glimpse of the wonderful things He wants to give to you. But first we have to draw near to Him. He will give us a taste but He is calling us to the banquet! Come sit at the table!</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><em>"O taste and see that the Lord is good;</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><em>How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!"</em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong><em>Psalm 34:8</em></strong></span></div>
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Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-16619913853195969832015-09-04T10:16:00.002-05:002015-09-04T10:16:42.394-05:00Keep Calm And . . . <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYctiG1gnd5wEUuvlA-SRuupS_z01OGaKvIQwAi6TvcGba-7qvHppUIJuNXnVSnVnvtpIJ4SaIc7PCjL0k8k0e4iCjkquC0KIwD7WepbAy2JxQjzQDphEjIQgVx3lf8_6paKevCk7R7kK/s1600/keep+calm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYctiG1gnd5wEUuvlA-SRuupS_z01OGaKvIQwAi6TvcGba-7qvHppUIJuNXnVSnVnvtpIJ4SaIc7PCjL0k8k0e4iCjkquC0KIwD7WepbAy2JxQjzQDphEjIQgVx3lf8_6paKevCk7R7kK/s1600/keep+calm.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;">"I am never, EVER letting you go again!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I cannot tell you how many times I heard this come from the mouth of my nine year old son.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And the most amazing part of this? He was talking to his seven year old brother! YES!! Hard to believe, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What could inspire such devotion from two brothers who sometimes act like they would love nothing more than be an only child?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Fear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Last weekend my boys decided they wanted to run the bases after a minor league baseball game. So, after the game and the awesome post game fireworks, we made our way down to field level where no less than half the kids in the stadium crammed together for their chance to emulate their favorite player.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As the line moves forward and the kids all clamor to be first, the line becomes a wad. They are bunched up around the girl trying to explain what they are getting ready to do. Then she tells this mob to form ONE line; that no one will go until they are in a single line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My oldest crams his body in with everyone else and manages to get in the first to middle part of the line. My youngest, however, doesn't want to "skip" anyone so he heads to the back of the line.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Immediately, J.D. is in panic mode. He cranes his neck, stands on his toes and waves his arms while trying to make eye contact with Jon. When Jon finally spots his older brother a silent argument begins. J.D. apparently wants Jon to come join him in the front of the line and Jon is adamant about staying where he is. The fight continues until it is J.D.'s turn to run the bases.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When he gets done running the bases, J.D. finds us and only says, "Where's Jon?" I point Jon out to him and J.D. is gone again to wait for his brother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The reunion was heartwarming. You would have thought they had been separated for a year. They hugged each other so hard they almost fell over! That is when I heard, "I am never, EVER letting you go again!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And I probably heard it a hundred times after that! J.D. and Jon talked of nothing else. All. The. Way. Home. They talked about how scared they were. They tearfully exclaimed how much they loved each other and how they wouldn't know what to do without the other one. They even made a plan for the next time they get separated. Again - All. The. Way. Home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"Home" is 35 minutes away from the ball park. It seemed like an eternity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now, don't think I'm terrible. It was very sweet and I now know that no matter what my kids do to each other on a daily basis, that they really and truly love each other. (Yes, some days I have wondered!) It does my heart good to know this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But my boys were really in a panic over a situation that was already under control. It wasn't a huge deal because my husband and I were watching them. There is no possible way those two would not have been reunited. We would not have left one at the ball park. We had our eyes on both of them the WHOLE time. But, somehow, the fear of the moment made them forget we were even there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Isn't that the way we go through life with God?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Everything is gong fine until, well, it's just not. As soon as that happens we let the fear and the panic take over. We frantically try to control everything about the situation so the world doesn't end. And then, when the dust settles and we realize we are still intact, we finally look up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We look up and see Him. In that moment, I know that I am not alone. I know that I was never alone. I also know that He had everything under control the entire time I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">What a relief!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">You know what's an even bigger relief? To be able to realize this BEFORE I let fear rule in my life. I need this on one of those "Keep Calm and..." shirts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But wait, God has already given me one of those:</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">"[Keep Calm] and Know That I Am God..." Psalm 46:10</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;">Maybe I will put this on a t-shirt after all! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span>Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-20572242595428202922015-08-06T15:43:00.001-05:002015-08-06T15:43:39.806-05:00My Two Cents...<em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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It seems everywhere I turn there is controversy. Arguments over issues that, growing up as a child, used to be "no-brainers." I see friends turn on friends, ugly words spoken and typed that cannot be taken back. I have watched and listened in awestruck horror as we make our voices heard simply because it is our right to do so. And, through it all, I have begun to ask myself how Jesus would respond to this if He still walked this earth. <br /></span> </em><em><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honestly, I don't know what He would do or what He would say. I know it would be full of love but also full of Truth. I know that I am tired of being silent but I want my response to honor Him and not simply gratify my desire to be right. Hopefully this will do just that.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe in God. The one true God, Jehovah-Jireh, God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, the God-who-sees-me-right-where-I-am-but-loves-me-anyway. That God. I believe He created man and woman to be able to make new life through physical union. I believe sex is a beautiful, remarkable gift from God that should be treasured and kept within the sanctity of marriage. I believe that any life the Lord gives is holy and precious and should be protected. I believe that any instruction that God has given has been given for my benefit and protection. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe these things because I am a God-follower. If you do not follow the same God I follow, I do not expect you to feel the same way. I do not love you less because you disagree with me, however, I do disagree. My heart is heavy for you and the pain and heartache I know living apart from God causes. I know this pain because I have experienced it myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe that because He died for my choice to live "my way" and to "be my own person" that I have been made "right" in the sight of God. I love Jesus for that sacrifice. He has shown me grace and mercy that I will never be able to fully understand. He extends that same grace and mercy to all who trust in Him. It is because of this belief and trust that I love you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, no matter our differences, no matter what you support that I cannot: I love you. It is that simple. No harsh words. No jostling to be right or politically correct. God loves you. He has provided a way for <em>anybody </em>to experience that insane, crazy love He has for them through Jesus. He has given freedom. He has given hope. I believe this because I am a Christ- lover.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In this crazy, mixed up world I believe in the Sovereign God. I do not fear the changes but that doesn't mean I have to like them, support them or believe in them. Likewise, you do not have to like, support or believe mine either. What does matter is this: You are precious in His sight, therefore, you are precious in mine.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8</span><br />
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Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-3226683156574648972015-06-30T09:49:00.000-05:002015-06-30T09:49:03.912-05:00Summer in the South<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5592a121252c24981037547">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdifTWD8YxsEcxYAF7FasEEOEpJT_2STqQ6gJBnv_-bLrxNzjBjINa4ewqLMtRbPc9Hrs2owsC7-6bdRGSyIvM87wd5v8r6XsQPoiqU-hnVqyDWwbBtqdTkL6gThVyMZ7RJvfW8jpEEVhT/s1600/summer+in+the+south.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdifTWD8YxsEcxYAF7FasEEOEpJT_2STqQ6gJBnv_-bLrxNzjBjINa4ewqLMtRbPc9Hrs2owsC7-6bdRGSyIvM87wd5v8r6XsQPoiqU-hnVqyDWwbBtqdTkL6gThVyMZ7RJvfW8jpEEVhT/s1600/summer+in+the+south.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Summer in the South</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> It's wet grass that glistens like promises<br /> And drinking coffee while the birds clamor their morning to do lists.<br /> It's steam coming off the asphalt as the humidity rises</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> And air that gets thicker as the days grow longer.<br /> It's porch swings and sprinklers, Kool Aid mustaches and ice cold watermelon with friends.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> It's - too - hot - to - do - anything naps in swaying hammocks<br /> And lazy dogs lying in doorways.<br /> It's kids' laughter pouring in from the back yard<br /> And drinking sweet tea on a golden afternoon.<br /> It's creeks, shirtless boys, baseball and sweat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> It's rolling thunder that brings fat, plopping rain drops<br /> And wondering if the storm will last an hour or a minute.<br /> It's the sound of distant lawn mowers <br /> And the smell of fresh cut grass.<br /> It's sizzling, sticky, sweet and time slows to a crawl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> It's sitting on back steps sipping muscadine wine with my honey<br /> And watching the fireflies wink in the twilight.<br /> It's time for family movie nights on couch cushions with popcorn<br /> And thirty minute long "tucking-in" talks.<br /> It's starry skies, crickets chirping and rings around the moon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> It is my treasure<br /> And I cherish it all.</span></div>
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Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-15569719836568750032014-12-29T08:46:00.002-06:002014-12-29T08:46:46.055-06:00When His Deep Calls to Mine<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7mJMf044M1NkT96kBh9d6KKZTrz9zdnayg7IDQsOFZkrWqLHuMtUCA8xrvrj8MczzeL83MFLiwFRFkZwWA8B9LNAaIh4mPW2KLZTTLyUV8yyvn3XOsY_tV2jpcFvTf9Ma1XKfEFdYjhT/s1600/waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7mJMf044M1NkT96kBh9d6KKZTrz9zdnayg7IDQsOFZkrWqLHuMtUCA8xrvrj8MczzeL83MFLiwFRFkZwWA8B9LNAaIh4mPW2KLZTTLyUV8yyvn3XOsY_tV2jpcFvTf9Ma1XKfEFdYjhT/s1600/waterfall.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It should be the most wonderful time of the year. But for many people, including myself, the holiday season brings an unwelcome visitor. Depression creeps in steals our joy and, try as we might, we can't seem to get it back. The grayness is oppressive and heavy. It feels as if we carry the weight of life on our shoulders. It tugs us deeper and deeper into a storm of sadness and frustration. But it didn't used to be this way. I once reveled in this time of year with the gathering of friends and family, warmth and good wishes abounding and the contagious joy. Then life happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I lost my Dad unexpectedly in December 2009. The pain of his loss left me reeling that Christmas. The following year in September my dad's dad lost his battle with leukemia and the year after that we lost my grandmother. Memories of Christmases past haunted me. Christmases would never be the same without these people. And depression found a cozy place to stay. Some days it was so intense that not even the excitement of my children lessened the ache inside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">But this year my holiday squatter never showed. The boys were bouncing off the walls, we visited family, there was a new baby to play with, we sat with our church family and received the Lord's supper together and it was reverently beautiful. The season was a wonderful mix of rowdy joy and blessed quietness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And then I get the call.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My other grandmother has had another mini stroke and is not recovering well. Here comes the dread, here comes that sinking feeling and, in an instant, I am drowning in helplessness and fear. <em>Not again.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I feel like the psalmist in verse 3 of chapter 42 where he writes,</span></div>
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<em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">"My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long, 'Where is your God?'"</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Exactly. <em>Where are You, God? Why is this happening AGAIN? Haven't I had enough? I was just getting past the depression, my heart was healing and now THIS?? Where. Are. You?</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">It is then, in that honest wailing, that He calls to me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"><em>Psalm 42:7, "Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">With this verse, God reminds me that I am made in His image. I am cut from he same cloth as the Almighty; I am a tiny, miniscule piece of His majesty. And because of that link, when He calls my soul responds to Him. Because He created me from Himself and not just dust, He is the only One that can soothe and satisfy the chaos and self pity that threatens to consume me. He says that when the world threatens to sweep me away, it is His waterfall that washes over me instead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The waterfall also reminds me of His infinite greatness. A single drop of water can't do much but a waterfall can cut mighty canyons from the hardest rock. A waterfall can move mountains. That is the power of my God compared to what I can do on my own. This is God asking me to let Him carry me. This is God telling me I cannot and do not need to even attempt to walk this road alone. It is Him reassuring me that He can shoulder what I cannot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I don't know what the next few weeks and months will hold for me and my family. I don't know what this development means for my grandmother. But I know that His "deep" will continue to call to my "deep" and if I rest in His power and trust where His current takes me then I have the promise of the next verse as well. </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: blue;">Psalm 42:8, </span></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;">"The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;</span></em></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"><em>And His song will be with me in the night,</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana;"><em>A prayer to the God of my life."</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, my friends!</span></div>
Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-63951539987280534212014-08-26T09:19:00.000-05:002014-08-26T09:21:50.975-05:00Confessions of a Worship Seeker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLa47uXSXA7L1qEQdElnmrbWweSFFYIA-wQF__6QlZMC2IqdbcYUMU426xe1G7jRNpAflRiaihor1KXgSk2-hGPqTp2wvjawJMp2WmYAVBQiYRpr8MppRsMQ-t-eG6FU8iyPWgJH5L9-Q2/s1600/worship5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLa47uXSXA7L1qEQdElnmrbWweSFFYIA-wQF__6QlZMC2IqdbcYUMU426xe1G7jRNpAflRiaihor1KXgSk2-hGPqTp2wvjawJMp2WmYAVBQiYRpr8MppRsMQ-t-eG6FU8iyPWgJH5L9-Q2/s1600/worship5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I always thought I knew what worship was. But this past year has changed everything I thought I knew.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For me, worship has always meant singing. Music touches a place in my soul and brings with it an emotional response. Singing is how I express my praise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Or, rather, it was. Almost a year ago I lost my voice. I lost my ability to worship as well. I was angry and seething with bitterness. I would stand in the service while the congregation sang around me and sob.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I lashed out at God, <em>How am I supposed to praise you when it sounds so terrible?!</em> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">God asked me, <em>Do you sing because you love Me or because it sounds pretty?</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I was struck. I had never realized how much my worship depended on the quality of my voice, how much pride was hidden in the talent God had gifted to me. I never realized how deep the rut ran that I had become stuck in. Because I focused so much on music and that particular outlet of worship, I didn't know how to worship any other way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">That one incident has sparked a journey for me. A journey to discover what true worship is and what it is not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My husband and I are members of a Baptist church that we love. He teases me and calls me a closet Pentecostal because sometimes I long for loud rejoicing. I long for uplifted hands and the sounds of people praising the Lord in their prayer language. My other half finds those styles of worship strange to say the least. He doesn't doubt their validity or honesty, he just doesn't praise that way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On the other end of the spectrum I have also been learning about more reverent rituals and services like Ash Wednesday, Lent and the life of Benedictine monks. I am fascinated by the focus and worship found in quietness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have begun to realize just how multi-faceted worship is. It isn't confined to music and it isn't something that can be stuffed into a neat little package. No single denomination has cornered the market on "proper worship." God is not more pleased or less pleased with our adoration of Him in its different forms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">True worship is a kaleidoscope of every color in the spectrum that combine to make one shining, brilliant white! Each form of worship, whether it be exuberant or reverent, is a part of that whole. And just as we are dazzled to watch the colors in a kaleidoscope roll and change to make new designs, we could (if we let ourselves) be just as awe inspired when it comes to different kinds of worship.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I can crank up Skillet and praise the Lord with a "joyful noise" or I can weep at the beauty and depth of an old Baptist hymn. Both are true. Both are correct. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">And maybe Skillet isn't your cup of tea. That's okay! It's still a part of the same whole. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The same God that paints a different masterpiece in the sky every morning and evening has imparted to us the same creative spirit. That creativity craves different outlets and has a need to be expressed as well as a need to be experienced. When it comes to worship, while here on earth, it will look different because we are all different. It will be diverse because we interpret God differently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When we get to heaven, I don't believe we will be divided by worship preference. We will not find a single Baptist hymnal or Christ Tomlin song (gasp!). We will be singing, shouting, chanting, repeating the same song...a NEW song! A song shaped by the innermost part of our being and formed in complete understanding of the Almighty God as we stand in His presence and praise Him!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And it will be reverent and holy. It will be joyous and jubilant. It will be complete and perfect. It will be all the parts finally coming together and making the perfect whole!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="versetext" id="re19-6" style="display: inline;"> <em><strong><span style="color: blue;">"Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of a mighty cataract, the sound of strong thunder: 'Hallelujah! The Master reigns, our God, the Sovereign-Strong! </span></strong></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"></span><span class="versetext" id="re19-7" style="display: inline;"><em><strong><span style="color: blue;"> Let us celebrate, let us rejoice, let us give him the glory! The Marriage of the Lamb has come; his Wife has made herself ready'" </span></strong></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><em><strong><span style="color: blue;">Revelation 19:6-7</span></strong></em></span></span></div>
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Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-4521130793925001632014-02-21T14:47:00.001-06:002014-02-21T14:47:18.520-06:00He MUST Have Me Around for Entertainment...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2pM1Yao4hv2KEi2FqSpWyhT4Bz_IS57u4zKFBwIROtd3nspKMfSScX_QUVbiTUhFIoDJ0Meo0bIHlCxmGs4iD2UkHmlb0lrwjlx3lRelqMYwDHQxZZtVw0QyymnBO1GXySJ2A9GTx16r/s1600/ILoveLucy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2pM1Yao4hv2KEi2FqSpWyhT4Bz_IS57u4zKFBwIROtd3nspKMfSScX_QUVbiTUhFIoDJ0Meo0bIHlCxmGs4iD2UkHmlb0lrwjlx3lRelqMYwDHQxZZtVw0QyymnBO1GXySJ2A9GTx16r/s1600/ILoveLucy.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If my husband were to walk in the door right now, I would have a lot of (insert voice of Ricky Ricardo here) <i>'splainin' to do.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today, I ventured into the realm of domestic diva and attempted to make my own laundry soap. I had attempted this on an earlier occasion trying the pioneer method of stirring until my arms felt like limp noodles to get all the lumps out. Eventually I deemed it "good enough" and went on with the process. Suffice it to say...it wasn't.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So today I decided to try a "no cook" method for the "domestically challenged." I must say, I took a bit of offense to that title and decided <i>I don't receive that.</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, off I go to prove that I am NOT domestically challenged with a proud tilt of my chin and a determined glint in my eye. It didn't last long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It began with trying to clean the flopped detergent out of the containers they were in. What I got for my effort was a gloppy, clumpy mess in my sink that bubbles. Nice. On the other hand, it did make an alright sink cleaner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I figured out that when I began the process, 48 hours ago, I had separated my bar of soap into two bags instead of putting the whole thing in one bag and inadvertently soaked the soap in 4 cups of water instead of 2. Oops. Now what?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I quickly think, <i>Double batch!</i> I run to my closet and begin to dig out canning jars and THAT requires pulling everything out of my side of the closet to get to said jars. As I am furiously unwrapping jars and throwing newspaper, I realize it won't work. I do not have another bar of soap or another 48 hours handy in which to dissolve the soap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sigh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leaving jars strewn all over and my closet upended, I return to the kitchen. Finally I decide to dissolve my other ingredients in half the amount of boiling water called for, add my watered down soap and hope for the best. All went fairly well after that until I managed to get a jar not <i>quite</i> the right size for the blender and narrowly avoided a shower of detergent and glass! Changed to another jar and blended. Crisis over. Whew...time for a rest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or so I think.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The phone rings. It's the school nurse telling me my oldest son is sick and needs to be picked up. Okay. I am still in my Tweety Bird PJ's so this is not a welcomed development. AND I still have to go to Walmart. (No, it couldn't wait)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I'm home with a boy in the bed, jars everywhere, bedroom looking like the closet vomited its contents all over and I sit here blogging in the midst of my mess. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When my honey gets home he'll get to hear this whole story and we will share a good laugh together. It's part of what makes being married worth while. To have someone who will laugh with you and even help clean up a mess or two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know, God loves us like that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We can make some of the biggest messes but He's always there to pick up the pieces. Even when we can't laugh about it, He's there with strong arms to hold us while we cry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday I ran across these verses and they touched my heart. Today, shaking my head at myself, I am hearing them again in my mind and it is making me smile.</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">"...I
have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you
with lovingkindness. Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O
virgin of Israel! Again you will take up your tambourines, and go forth
to the dancers of the merrymakers."<br /> ~Jeremiah 31:3-4</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span style="color: black;">God loves us with an everlasting and unfathomable love. You may get irritated, frustrated, aggravated or just plain ugly during the course of a hectic and hair-raising day but remember that the Lover of your soul is always there waiting to embrace you and rebuild you. </span></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"> </span></span></i></span></div>
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Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-80154168415957051092014-01-17T08:53:00.001-06:002014-01-17T08:53:31.250-06:00Eating With The Sinners<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41klNVDBG8lCr2Pnl7ncjiM8im0j1aTs55hIeZ6Gt_hL2vvBze4ZOnzpPPQanx75II7Ga0DPh05heousyaSFHYtevI82w2c6I9BCTn5TIv8ClOrHXQzY9qqeOeAEoKvqg1o3OiQKNEw74/s1600/mouths.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41klNVDBG8lCr2Pnl7ncjiM8im0j1aTs55hIeZ6Gt_hL2vvBze4ZOnzpPPQanx75II7Ga0DPh05heousyaSFHYtevI82w2c6I9BCTn5TIv8ClOrHXQzY9qqeOeAEoKvqg1o3OiQKNEw74/s1600/mouths.jpeg" height="200" width="200" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9) As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Follow Me."</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> So he arose and followed Him.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10) Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11) And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12) When Jesus heard that, He said to them, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">13)</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Matthew 9:9-13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For about a month now I have been hearing this phrase repeated over and over in my head, <i>Eating with the sinners</i>. And a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">s I read these words I feel the stirrings in my heart again. A nagging in the back of my mind or in the depths of my soul that there is something wrong with the way I love.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You see, it isn't that I don't love people. It is that I show that love in the wrong way. I give unsolicited advice and worry constantly over the choices my dear ones make. I warn and I preach and tell them that God has something better for them. I voice my opinions on lifestyle choices of others loudly and pronounce them "lost." Without realizing it, I have become what I thought I hated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus called Matthew in the middle of tax collecting. Then he went to Matthew's house and hung out with his wrong-side-of-the-track friends. What do you suppose they talked about? I can tell you what they didn't talk about. The Law. If Jesus had been giving them a lecture on their lifestyle, the Pharisees would have been in the corner saying, "You tell 'em, Jesus!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead they wanted to know why Jesus was disgracing Himself by hanging out with these <i>sinners</i>. Ouch. That hurt. Know why? Because that is what I am. A sinner. I have been forgetting that lately. I am a sinner. I am forgiven. I have been redeemed and set free but I am still a sinner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The thing I notice about Jesus in these verses is that He accepted those people, those sinners, just as they were. He may have talked about the love of God and His grace or He may have just simply shared a meal and some laughs. But He didn't condemn, He didn't talk down to them. He loved them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I say I am a Christian and called to love others...what does that mean? What does that look like? It looks like me having a relationship with others and leaving the judgment up to God. It means that I don't try to lay the yoke of the Law on someone who doesn't know Jesus. When I do that, I <i>think </i>I am pointing someone in the right direction but what I'm really saying is, <i>Yes, Jesus loves you, but you need to get yourself cleaned up first.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't see Jesus presenting this message to Matthew and his friends. I see Jesus spending some time just loving on some people that really, really need Him. Have I loved on someone that needs Him lately? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I need to change the way I love. Maybe you do too. I believe it is something we, as Christians, struggle with. We don't want to come off as condoning an action so we err to the side of caution and condemn instead. Friends, that is not what Jesus called us to do. Jesus says the world will know we are Christians by our <i>love,</i> not our messages on hell fire and damnation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I need to get serious about loving people to Christ. I'm not sure what that is going to mean but I feel sure it isn't going to be easy. It won't be something I can make up my mind to do. It will be a change brought on slowly by the Holy Spirit and God giving me plenty of opportunities to practice. My goal should be to shine a Light, not quench a spark. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">46)</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">47)</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do mare than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?" </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">~Matthew 5:46-47</span><br />
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<br />Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-27396284080247941852013-08-23T08:44:00.000-05:002013-08-23T08:44:17.539-05:00How about an upgrade?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCK_vS1eT_ofW54_m3C62F2M9V0FRGPry9sXzpxNPkph1msLGgnMdlr9YW8tS2lwU0_Aqdvi35YwSchyGn73l8hyphenhyphen7qNqZ29s8c713DAJrBwA_rHyNt6tNdxVFZskZ01X2z4z8juxkX5Ax1/s1600/upgrade.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCK_vS1eT_ofW54_m3C62F2M9V0FRGPry9sXzpxNPkph1msLGgnMdlr9YW8tS2lwU0_Aqdvi35YwSchyGn73l8hyphenhyphen7qNqZ29s8c713DAJrBwA_rHyNt6tNdxVFZskZ01X2z4z8juxkX5Ax1/s1600/upgrade.jpeg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let's face it; we are a society that loves upgrades! We can have a cell phone that works just fine and does exactly what we need it to do and love it...until the next new thing comes out. We love our car until the new models come out for the next year. Something in us just wants BETTER.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So why do we settle for the bare minimum when it comes to our walk with Jesus?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Are you in that place of wondering if this is ALL there is to faith? Waking up early (when you could be sleeping) to go to church on Sunday morning to hear a message that tells you how much you're messing up. Going to church expecting a jolt of some kind only to walk away thinking, <i>I didn't get anything out of that. </i>Are you feeling rather ho-hum about the whole being a Christian thing, maybe feeling a little let down?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well...how much are you putting in it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let's go back to thinking about upgrades. When we decide to upgrade something in our life it is usually going to cost a little more money than the old one, right? There is a little more investment involved. We then have to decide whether or not the investment is worth the product. Whether we are willing to pay the extra money to have the desired gadget. Our faith journey is no different.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We can have just enough Jesus to keep us out of hell but not enough to allow us to walk in victory and have that abundant life we keep hearing about but not experiencing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Say whaaaaaat? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yes. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior and we mean that with our whole heart, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and are now His. But here is the part we are not so familiar with...how the rest of the journey goes is up to us. How much Jesus we experience is dependent on our obedience of Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">John 15:4 says, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That word abide is very interesting. It means to <i>remain </i>or to <i>stay</i>. I have often heard the reminder when I have drifted from the path the Lord wants me to walk that He is not the one who moved, I am. In order to have this "fruit," we must abide.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So...what kind of fruit are we talking about? The fruit of the Spirit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no low." Galatians 5:22</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now, who doesn't want that kind of fruit in their life? But it is contingent on our obedience. We have received the greatest gift of all, eternal life through Christ, by simple belief and confession. Now the rest of our journey and how much of Jesus we are going to experience is totally up to us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How much of those "fruits" do you want? How much are you willing to invest? When we walk according to the Word of the Lord, He blesses us with abundant life. Not money, not riches, not good health, not power...He blesses us with those things that every living soul craves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Are you tired of a faith that feels dead? Are you tired of feeling like God doesn't hear you? If you are, I ask you again: How about an upgrade? </span>Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-90606546213793855772013-07-10T10:21:00.000-05:002013-07-10T10:21:10.054-05:00Big Faith and Big Waves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZvScfNkbGHRPDZY0LWfQRN95a36mpqV-jMFQ9IfH_iKANr3Jxd0vkPoMWxJ8WvcmXsBelKoVscZFuhzoq51fiZpU179EZniLcgAd0Khd4IGL6Bmq9OJM1TF1ogbbvSKO2TZSpMNUTcpb/s1600/huge+wave.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZvScfNkbGHRPDZY0LWfQRN95a36mpqV-jMFQ9IfH_iKANr3Jxd0vkPoMWxJ8WvcmXsBelKoVscZFuhzoq51fiZpU179EZniLcgAd0Khd4IGL6Bmq9OJM1TF1ogbbvSKO2TZSpMNUTcpb/s1600/huge+wave.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love Peter. He is loud, brash and constantly opens his mouth before he thinks. I can identify. He has moments of tremendous faith followed by moments of extreme pride and lack of understanding. Once again, I'm there! So I love to read of his experiences because I see so much of my own attitudes and faults there. I also see what he becomes and know that the One that began this good work in me will be faithful to complete it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my favorite Peter-moments is when he gets to walk on the water. I mean, seriously, how COOL would that be? But what happens to Peter's faith? What can I learn from his experience? What can I learn about me and what can I learn about Jesus?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Without recounting the entire story found in Matthew chapter 14:22-33, let's start with Peter's request to come to Jesus walking on the water. Peter asks the Lord for an amazing opportunity and the Lord grants him this chance. Everything starts out fine as Peter locks eyes with Jesus and begins to, one step at the time, walk on the water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then a HUGE wave comes and splashes Peter in the face. All of a sudden, he can hear the wind howling and he begins to notice the humongous waves and he feels the rain pelting him. He starts to lose his focus, he takes his eyes off Jesus...he begins to sink. Then the Bible tells us this:</span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"<i>Immediately</i> Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of [Peter], and said to him, 'You of little faith, why did you doubt?'" Matthew 14:31</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is where I have heard pastor's say Peter should have stayed in the boat because of the rebuke he receives from Jesus. In my own head I heard these words with the tone of, "Geez, Peter, why couldn't you just stay where I put you?" Honestly, I'm sure Peter had thoughts similar to this. But Jesus wasn't speaking to Peter with that tone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Instead I hear His compassion and see the love pouring from his eyes as He asks Peter about his lack of faith. In that tone I hear a touch of sadness. I hear Jesus say, "Oh, Peter, why did you doubt Me? I was right there the whole time." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peter had the faith to ask BIG, he had the faith to step out of the boat, he even had the faith to take steps toward Jesus but then he lost his focus. He took his eyes off Jesus and stumbled. How many times have I done that? I start out fine but then waver as I doubt whether or not I "heard" God correctly. I lost my focus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I find myself in Peter's shoes again. I have asked big and God has been faithful in providing me the opportunity. I have stepped out in faith towards the One who says, "Come!" But from here on out I have to ask myself...where am I going to focus my eyes? What am I missing out on <i>right now</i> because I am distracted by the wind and the waves?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am determined that my eyes will stay locked with Jesus' and that I will continue on this awesome path He has put me on. I know the waves are there, I hear the wind but those things remind me of how much I need Him. They also remind me of what happens when I let the fear win. I sink.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Lord, help me to keep my focus on You and only You. Allow me to walk in the knowledge that if I start to sink, you will </i>immediately<i> reach Your hand to me and lift me up. You will walk with me the entire way, You will lead me to places I have never been and could never go without You. Lord, I am not satisfied where I am. I do not want to stay in the boat and wait for You to get to me, I want to run to You!</i></span></div>
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Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-86945959556031510722012-12-10T10:07:00.003-06:002012-12-10T12:56:33.504-06:00The Prodigal Son: A Christmas Story!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5BGSDH4KCDlusNEDu1WmHdAkpycUfjDvXMiKWQaWUzLikcgQaBowcVkUf3Jnva_LqbejFiLrTN40zhyjDkisrM1vzBDnlorWRP8YQeH5oI6enKEKhow-TcGA1Ozq-LD0VNoh7FD9x3ef/s1600/pretty+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5BGSDH4KCDlusNEDu1WmHdAkpycUfjDvXMiKWQaWUzLikcgQaBowcVkUf3Jnva_LqbejFiLrTN40zhyjDkisrM1vzBDnlorWRP8YQeH5oI6enKEKhow-TcGA1Ozq-LD0VNoh7FD9x3ef/s320/pretty+lights.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What
is the wonder of Christmas?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To
me, the wonder of Christmas is a gift given by the Creator of the
Universe, the Almighty God, the Giver of Life to poor creatures that
have no hope of ever being able to do anything to deserve this gift.
It is a gift that must be accepted as it is given, with no strings
and a full understanding that repayment is impossible.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It
is hard to express the sheer humility I feel when faced with my own
unworthiness. However, there is a parable in the Bible that paints
the picture beautifully.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most of us are familiar with the parable of the The Prodigal Son. But last week as I was preparing for the Sunday school lesson it hit me that the Prodigal Son is a Christmas Story. It is a story about a gift given that was undeserved, about a gift that could never be repaid but most of all, it is the story of a father's love. It is a story of our Father's love for us and the gift He has offered to us all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Read: The
Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11-32</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
Younger Son</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
son has a pretty rotten attitude towards his dad. Usually one would
have to good manners to wait until someone is dead before trying to
claim their inheritance. He basically says, “Hey, I know you're
not dead yet, but I think your rules are stupid and I could do much
better on my own. I want to go do things my own way.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In
much the same way we say this to God when we choose to go our own
way. We tell Him, “I got this! Your rules are just too much and I
want to do things my own way!”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To
no one's surprise, the son leaves home, squanders the money and hits
rock bottom.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So
why are we so surprised when it happens to us? Why are we shocked
when we discover we cannot make it on our own? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nothing
makes going home seem like a more viable option than hitting rock
bottom. Nothing makes your pride more palatable than having nothing
left to lose. So the son decides to return home.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Can't
you see him rehearsing his speech all the way home? You know he did because what he says to his dad is the exact same thing he said to himself!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Can
you feel his tension mounting as he nears home?
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">His
palms begin to sweat.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He
feet start to slow down and he begins to think maybe this wasn't such
a great idea.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He
starts feeling a little queasy.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">He
mouth goes dry...then he sees him. The far off image of his father
in the distance and he stops.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a moment of intense fear that happens when we face our mistakes head on, when we surrender to the outcome whatever it may be. For this son, that moment is now. He sees his father, and knows the moment of truth has come. Ready or not...</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
Father</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Imagine
the father's hurt. Imagine what it would feel like if your child
said to you, “I can't wait til I'm 18 so I can get out of here and
away from you! If you are going to leave me anything when you die,
can you just give it to me early so I can leave?”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
father doesn't want his son to leave, knows he's making a mistake but
knows that by keeping him there against his will is only going to
build resentment. So with a heavy heart, he lets him go.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And
if I were this father, I can't help but think I'd be angry. I might
even let myself grow bitter out of my hurt.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But
not this father, THIS father watches for his son every day. He
stands at the window, then at the door. He stops in the middle of
his work during the day because he thinks he sees his son coming down the
road. He just wants his son to return so he watches for him and longs
for him. He loves him from afar because that is as close as he can get.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And
one day it happens, he sees him! He abandons all sense of decorum
(men in Biblical times did NOT run...it was undignified) and runs to meet his son
that has come home. Never mind he's filthy, never mind he smells like
he's been sleeping with the pigs, HIS SON IS HOME! And he WANTS to
be there!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
father doesn't care where his son has been, he doesn't even ask any
questions. He immediately gives orders to get him cleaned up and get
him looking like an heir again. In his joy, he throws a party
celebrating the son that was thought to be dead, but is alive; lost
and now is found!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">God,
our Father, doesn't care where we have been. He longs for us just as
this father longed for the return of his son. He looks for us, He
sends us messages, He calls to us, He pleads with us and when we come
to our senses, He runs to us!!</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
Prodigal Son is all of us, the father is God. We have done nothing
to deserve the gift of mercy and grace we have received through
Christ Jesus. But the offer stands. God doesn't make us come
grovelling to Him on our hands and knees. He knows our hearts and
when we turn towards home, he RUNS to meet us where we are. I'm sure
if that father had known his son had turned toward home, he would
have met him with a donkey, picked him up and carried him the rest of
the way home.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This
is a picture of Christmas! An undeserved gift that cannot be repaid.
A gift for which we are so grateful it changes the rest of our
lives. A gift that has changed us so much, we should WANT to share
it with others.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When
we choose not to share this gift we become like the third party in
our story, the older son.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
Older Son</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There
is one in every family...at least one. That person that just can't
stand to see others having a good time. I call them Debbie Downers
or the Cold Bucket Brigade because they always have something ugly to say
even in the best of circumstances.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Everyone
is having a great time at the party when the older son comes in from
the fields and hears the music. He asks someone what's going and is
told his brother is home and his father is having a party.
Immediately, the older son is furious! He is flabbergasted that his
dad would honor his good-for-nothing younger brother when he did
nothing to deserve it. What a jerk, right?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Truth
is, we all have some older son in us all.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On
the surface, the older son looks like a spoiled brat. But think
about it...he's been there with his dad through everything, saw how
much his dad hurt over the younger son's actions obviously knew what
his little brother was up to and grew more resentful by the day.
Then the brother comes home and BAM! He's forgiven, it's like
nothing ever happened and they are having a PARTY! Sound fair to
you?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How
do you react when someone who has hurt you walks back into your life,
claims to have found Christ and asks you for forgiveness?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How
do you respond to the fact that God forgave them just like He forgave
you?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What
is your reaction when you hear about child
molesters, serials killers and rapists? I have caught myself saying things like, "There's a special place in hell for people like that." That's my older son rearing its ugly head.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did
you know that when that child molester, rapist, serial killer finds
Christ there is a party in heaven? Doesn't that just get your goat? But the wonder of Christmas is that the gift of salvation is indeed for anyone who will accept it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
gift of Christ is for everyone. If it's good enough for you, it's
good enough for them. Who are we to discriminate and decide who we
will and we will not tell? Can we say for sure who will accept the gift
and who will not? Do we truly believe the gift is for everyone?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
wonder of Christmas is the undeserved gift that keeps on
giving...that is, if we pass it along. Who will you pass the gift to
this year?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-58777043562639889952012-09-29T00:36:00.023-05:002020-08-24T07:03:47.508-05:00The Sinner<br />
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAazbh_DFkBVqpm9LwhyoG094xJkuCW1tNw9VcIkc5gBg9_CJOmIxg844JAau7RC0xtcHOr2ZA5GUGdU-oCWSCA2rgtvOPABzN3dD2cHEFAv7mRfV0XKKjNRabbN6MKxFiZ6fOH8g6FUmy/s267/anointingfeet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAazbh_DFkBVqpm9LwhyoG094xJkuCW1tNw9VcIkc5gBg9_CJOmIxg844JAau7RC0xtcHOr2ZA5GUGdU-oCWSCA2rgtvOPABzN3dD2cHEFAv7mRfV0XKKjNRabbN6MKxFiZ6fOH8g6FUmy/s0/anointingfeet.jpg" /></a></div>The woman came in unexpected and uninvited. It was an outdoor, courtyard meal where the guest of honor was a new Rabbi. The men are reclining at
the table with their feet behind them. As she enters, conversation stops. Everyone knows who she is and
she knows it. Each face is either staring at her in disgust or looking the
other way trying desperately not to make eye contact. Every face but One. </span></i></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">She had heard
of Jesus. Heard his voice, heard Him teach and there was something about Him that was different. His compassion with
people who were sick and hurting stirred something within her. Something she thought was dead. </span></i></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>She knew the level of her guilt.
She felt it from every stare in the room, she felt it coming from
every pore of her being. </i>Guilty, GUILTY, dirty, filthy<i> were the whispers in her mind.</i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>She is
now standing behind His feet trembling. The tears begin to fall. As they fall, they fall on His dirty feet (that for some reason,
no one has washed) and her tears make clean tracks through the dust. She bends, uncovers her hair, hears the collective gasps from the
room but does not stop. She wipes his feet clean with her hair. As
she cleans she pauses to kiss them and more tears fall. </i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i> She
had almost forgotten the jar. </i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i> Her most prized possession. She had
scrimped and saved for months for this alabaster jar of perfume. This jar she anointed herself with between men. And now, she wants
nothing more than to give it all to this man. She knows that in
order to be clean, she must give it all. There can be nothing left. And so she pours out the contents of the jar until not a drop is
left. </i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>Vaguely she hears Jesus speaking but is enraptured in His
presence. It isn't until she hears Him speak the words her heart had
longed to hear that she stops her flagrant worship. Jesus looks at
her with a tender and complete love and says, “Your sins are
forgiven. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” </i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span face="" style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i>In that
moment, the stirring in her heart, the feeling she thought dead, the
Hope inside her broke free and she laughed.</i></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div><blockquote><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>"You gave me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." Luke 7:46-47</b></span></i></div></blockquote>
Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-67023076512018599242012-05-21T09:48:00.001-05:002012-05-21T10:01:28.575-05:00Three Dollars Worth of God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I haven't been posting regularly...but I'm sure the handful of you that read my blog have noticed that. I am having issues with the things that are in my heart matching my blog description. The issue being that they don't match...at all. The blog description says its an uplifting blog about God's grace and how we can find Him in and amongst every day life (or something like that). But the things that have been on my heart I wouldn't exactly categorize as "uplifting." Maybe toe-crunching or thought provoking...but not uplifting. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I want to be uplifting, I truly do! I see God in so many things, in so many ways that He never ceases to take my breath away. But those are not the things I feel pressing on my heart when I sit down to write. Do you know the feeling? It is the feeling that there is an important message to convey. It's like writing your children a letter for them to read when they grow up. I have thought and prayed and really, <i>really</i> want to have something upbeat and encouraging to say but when I heard this poem in yesterday's sermon I knew that this is the message given to me:</span><br />
<br />
<h1 align="center">
Three Dollars Worth of God</h1>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: #003293;"><b>I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.<br />Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep,<br />but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk<br />or a snooze in the sunshine.<br />I don’t want enough of God to make me love a black man<br />or pick beets with a migrant.<br />I want ecstasy, not transformation.<br />I want warmth of the womb, not a new <a href="http://www.faith-forward.org/three-dollars--worth-of-god.htm#" id="_GPLITA_1" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="Powered by Text-Enhance">birth</a>.<br />I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.<br />I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.</b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="color: #003293;"><b>— Wilbur Rees</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I sat stock still in my chair after those words were read. They resonated in my soul and I knew them to be True. But the real issue isn't when we recognize a truth such as this one. Recognizing the problem is not the problem. The problem is when we shrug our shoulders and say, "I'm okay with that." It is when we choose to sit in our pew and ponder the lunch menu instead of how the message coming from the pastor applies to us. It is when we come into God's house dragging our feet wondering what we're going to get instead of coming to pour out our thanks for what He has already given us. It is a comfortable, complacent, apathetic Christianity that resides in the hearts of many of God's people these days.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We love verses like Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." We like getting what we want, and we totally skip over the first part of that verse that says to "Delight yourself in the Lord...." We want to forget about the last words of our Lord and Savior before He ascended into heaven that commands us to spread to gospel to everyone because it's not comfortable for us. We want God's blessings but we don't want to seek Him because, well, we don't have time, Sunday is our only day to sleep in or we find church is boring, full of hypocrites or just "not for me." </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We take only a small slice of what God is offering to us and then we wonder why we don't feel His presence. We wonder why our faith seems small and we are accosted by doubts and fears. We cry out for God to answer us in our times of trouble but do not utter His name during times of plenty. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>And yet,</i> He remains faithful. He answers us, He loves us, He comforts us and He never leaves us. If God is so good in those times when we choose to take Him out of the box we tend to keep Him in, how much better could He be if we sought Him with our whole heart? How much more of Him is there when we submit to His will for our lives instead of seeking our own? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">If your "religion" seems dull and lifeless, if you are still reading this blog and have a growing desire to want MORE of Jesus Christ in your life then I have successfully communicated the message. When we desire more of Jesus, we can rest assured Jesus wants more of us! Why not give Him more of you and find more of Him in the process? This is the only way we will ever experience revival. It must start with us - with bowed head, humble heart and total submission. <b>May it start with me!</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: blue;">"You will seek me and find me <i>when you seek me with <u>all</u> your heart.</i>" Jeremiah 29:13 (emphasis mine)</span> </b></span><br />
<br />
<br />Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-82229495259144876992012-05-07T10:20:00.000-05:002012-05-07T11:01:03.307-05:00What Kind of Question is THAT?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR-32J-h94QMABJ_wVy4GL-ZUn89CrmMkrNeJy-HXHtEgD_ioN7rcLJTSjfD3-ip9hKiiOl9akyOK-QEWaXdzXWrcXRla_ndhhJwrYFAOOznxovknb7CG1G17fdhyxWqtW0lorITLbhHf/s1600/confused+lady.funny.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR-32J-h94QMABJ_wVy4GL-ZUn89CrmMkrNeJy-HXHtEgD_ioN7rcLJTSjfD3-ip9hKiiOl9akyOK-QEWaXdzXWrcXRla_ndhhJwrYFAOOznxovknb7CG1G17fdhyxWqtW0lorITLbhHf/s1600/confused+lady.funny.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"Do you want to get well?"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is the question Jesus asked a man that had been lying paralyzed beside a pool for THIRTY-EIGHT years! What a question, right? I would think this man would scream out, "YES!!!" Instead he gives Jesus his sob story, "Sir...I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me," (John 5:7). At first I want to feel bad for the guy, but then I think...thirty. eight. years. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I don't know about you, but when I really want something, I can think of some pretty wild schemes to get it! This man didn't seem too intent on getting well. He didn't even ask Jesus if he'd stick around and help him get into the pool. He just complained about his situation.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I love what Jesus told the man to do next. He said, "GET UP!" Ok, Jesus didn't yell (or, I don't know, maybe He did) but there IS an exclamation point after <i>Get up! </i>He told him to get up, pick up his mat and walk. Jesus did the work. He healed the man. But the man still had to accept the healing, he still had to carry his own mat<i> </i>and he had to walk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Jesus is making you the same offer! </i></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Whatever it is that cripples you; anger, impatience, depression, lack of self-control - Jesus can heal it! But here's the catch: You have to accept the gift. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When you accept a gift, you are not fighting against the person giving you the gift. You actively reach out and take the gift.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We actually already have several gifts our Lord has given us. They are the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Notice, it is the <u><i>fruit</i></u> of the Spirit, not the <u><i>fruits</i></u> of the Spirit. They are a packaged deal and given freely to anyone who has the Spirit of God within them.<i> </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, if Christians already have them, why do we spend so much time asking, BEGGING God for them?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Galatians 5:24-25 hold the key: "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."<i> </i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Right after Paul says we live by the Spirit and not the flesh he says in verse 26, "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." So what gives? If we live by the Spirit then we shouldn't be conceited, angry, jealous or anything else negative (because the Holy Spirit cannot be those things); so why does Paul remind the Galatians not to be those things? Because we are human and because we have a choice.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Just like the paralytic that Jesus healed, we have to decide if we <i>want </i>to get well. We have to decide that we are not going to give into our fleshly desires. For instance, last night my husband got mad at me because he thought I had gone to bed while he was putting the boys to bed. I had not gone to bed but had gone to the restroom. Then when he told me he had been angry with me...guess what? I got angry at him!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A few years ago, this fight would have lasted all night. I would have gotten myself all worked up and probably cried myself to sleep because I had been misunderstood and falsely accused. Then I would have woke up this morning still angry and when I talked to my friends on my morning walk I would have fussed about Wes to them. They probably would have jumped on the bandwagon and said something negative about their husbands. Then I would have come home and snapped at J.D. (my oldest son) for being too slow getting ready for school because I'm good and ill by this point and proceeded to give my husband the silent treatment which would have sent him off to work in a bad mood. After all of that I would have gotten on Facebook and talked with my aunt and griped some more about Wes' insensitivity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I could go on and on but I think I've made my point. I could have chosen that road. The reason I can give such a detailed account of that road is because I have chosen MANY times before. I know what it looks like. So, how did it turn out for real? Wes said, "I'm sorry I got mad at you," and I said, "That's okay, I was mad at you for being mad at me. Silly huh?" And that was it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have decided I don't want to be angry. Sometimes I feel justified in my anger; I have the "right" to be angry. But does it really accomplish anything? In my story, what did my anger accomplish? I got three friends in a bad mood with me, hurt my child's feelings, made my husband angry and got my day off to a rotten start.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Whether your issue is anger or depression or financial issues I have to ask you this question: Do you want to get well? We have to stop <i>wishing</i> to get well, pick up our mat and start walking! Jesus will do the work but we have to work with Him instead of against Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Get into the Word and find a couple of verses that speaks to you about your ailment. Commit those verses to memory and live them out! Attitude is everything. Make a decision - Get up and WALK!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<b><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." </span></span></i></b><i><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>2 Corinthians 10:5</b></span></span></i><br />Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-6583453052308644482012-04-15T14:07:00.000-05:002012-04-15T14:07:22.051-05:00Try It the OTHER Way!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have always believed myself to be ambidextrous. I came by it honest. My right-handed parents gave birth to a left-handed child and so I learned how to do most things backwards. Well, backwards to me...correctly to most of you. My parents taught me to fish, bowl, tie my shoes, bat and many other tasks right-handed because that is the only way they knew how. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yesterday while playing ball with my boys I learned something amazing! When it came my turn to bat my husband told me to "try it the other way"...you know, just for fun. So I did. Guess what?! I am a LEFT-handed batter. I couldn't believe how much better I did just by swapping hitting sides. It was unbelievable! I hit the ball almost every pitch and it went a LOT farther. I was (am still) astounded!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then I got to thinking about how that lesson can be applied to my spiritual walk. You see, I've had sort of a regeneration of my faith in the past month. I have discovered that I had not been giving God or Jesus enough credit. Somehow I thought that Jesus' blood and sacrifice covered my sins BEFORE my conversion and profession of faith, but I was still trying to work my way to "getting better" by my own efforts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Thank the good Lord I got that straight!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I had put so much pressure on myself that I was ready to call it quits. I was just done. I was overwhelmed, frustrated, aggravated, angry and most of all just tired! I couldn't do it anymore. That's when the grace of God was redefined for me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To think all these years I had been trusting God to save me from my past but still trying to work my way to heaven! I'll keep this truth short and sweet with a couple of verses:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><i>" ...being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ...being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Philippians 1:6,11</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">I am a new creation that has been started by God Himself and the fruit that is in me has been placed there by Jesus. God is going to finish what He started. There is no work that I can DO to add to what has already been done. As the hymn says, "Jesus paid it <i>all, all</i> to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow." </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Does this mean I stop serving the Lord? Absolutely not! But now, I do it for Him to get the glory; not because I'm trying to make up for my mistakes. His grace covers me when I mess up. He is not surprised by my blunders or screw-ups, He is not looking down on me shaking His head wondering what He's going to do with me. He knows exactly what He's going to do with me! I just need to let Him!!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">All this time, I had been trying to pave the way to heaven MY way instead of relying on the way that had already been paved for me! All this time, I had been batting the wrong way! When I finally got turned around the right way, things went much better. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">It still feels a little weird when I bat left-handed. But I know, now, that it works MUCH better that way! It is the same in my spiritual walk. Sometimes it stills feels strange to accept God's grace when I mess up and keep going. It feels odd to trust God to do all the work while I simply spend my time being His instrument and getting to know Him better. But I'm discovering that things just don't work MY way; instead, I need to turn around and try it the OTHER way!</span></span></span>Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-89998136984348647072012-04-12T13:17:00.001-05:002012-04-12T13:17:40.194-05:00Chained No More: The Freeing Power of Grace!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I wonder why more
people don't want to become Christians. I wonder why our faith is so difficult
to talk about. I wonder why more Christians aren't joyful. All this makes me wonder:
How <i>good</i> is the good news? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To
be blunt, if Christians walk around looking like we just got
finished sucking on a bag of lemons, the world <i>will</i> take notice...and
promptly decide that if <i>that</i> is what being a "follower of Jesus" looks
like, then they want no part in it. Can you blame them? If the news we
have to share is so good - why don't we act like it? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Maybe we don't fully understand the news. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">The most amazing part of the gospel is grace. Grace literally means, "unmerited favor." What God has made available to us, through the sacrifice of His Son, is His extravagant, unlimited, unmerited favor! It means that when Jesus came to forgive our sin, He came to forgive ALL our sin! Past sin, present sin, even the sins we have yet to commit. When we accept Christ, we acknowledge our guilt and He, in turn, declares us Not Guilty! </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">If we are "not guilty," then how is it so many of us are walking around <i>feeling</i> guilty? Why are so many of us tired of "fighting the good fight"? Why do we feel so defeated? Why do Christians often appear frustrated, stressed and less-than-joyful?</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">For me, the reason was simple. I was trying to better myself. I was trying so hard to be good that I was failing and making myself miserable. I had already given God my "big" stuff. I gave him my past promiscuity, my alcoholism, my abortion...all the <i>really </i>big bags, so to speak. I gave Him my past, what I didn't give Him was my present - my temper, my pride, my arrogance, my feelings of inadequacy, my fear and my stubbornness. (The list is way longer, but I was afraid you'd stop reading if I listed EVERYTHING.) Somehow, I failed to understand that Jesus forgave these sins too.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">I face at least one of these "old pals" every day. And every time I failed to win the battle (which was often) I would feel guilty. Then I would repent. Then I would add another thing to my "holy to-do list" in an effort to make up for my mistake. Rinse and repeat. And what did I get? A very long to-do list!! I could not help but feel like a screw-up. Especially when I would do something like yell at my kids for being too loud while I'm TRYING TO PRAY! Do I have any sisters out there? Are you getting where I'm going? </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That whole process left me drained and tired. There was little joy in my life. Don't get me wrong, I got good at faking it. But inside, I still felt like I was just play-acting. I could talk about the power of redemption and knew it to be true but the joy from my own redemption experience had long since faded. I was fighting every day to feel <i>good enough</i>. And you know what? I never made it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">But then, something amazing happened!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Someone told me that God isn't mad at me. Someone told me He is not up there shaking His head wondering what in the world He was going to do with someone like me. Someone explained to me that when God says "unmerited favor," He means it! When He says "unmerited" it means we don't deserve it. He gives us His favor because He loves us. And the best part is this: We cannot do<i> anything</i> to make Him love us any less...or any MORE. I truly believed that I had to work to get better. God says I don't. God says that when I accepted His Son, His Son had already done the work. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;">Philippians 1:6 says, "being confident of this, that <b>He who began</b> a good work in you <b>will carry it on to completion </b>until the day of Christ Jesus;"</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">now go to verse 11: <span style="color: blue;">"filled with the fruit of righteousness <b>that comes through Jesus Christ</b> - to the glory and praise of God." (emphasis mine)</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">God completes the work, not me; the fruit is through Jesus, not my effort. Can I just say: <i>PHEW!! Thank You, Jesus!!</i> I do not have to walk around shackled by the guilt of my every day failures. I am human. I am not perfect, nor will I ever be in this life. The sooner I get comfortable with that, the better off I will be. And do you know something? Any works that I do in order to try and "get better" will be for naught.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">When
we start trying to "get better" by our own works and accomplishments,
we lose any joy we may have had in the beginning of our walk with Jesus. We get bogged down in condemnation. We start living
in fear of God instead of marveling at His love. We wrap ourselves in
chains of guilt and shame until we cannot move.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">J</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">esus put it this way: <span style="color: blue;">"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; <i>for without Me you can do nothing.</i>" John 15:4-5 (emphasis mine)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">The only way to "get better" is by abiding in Jesus. I can't make myself better, I can't try and do more good things in order to be good enough. I wasn't good enough to begin with and I won't ever be good enough. But if I hang out with Jesus; if I talk with Him; if I read His word, soak up His abundant, extravagant grace; then I find I start to bear fruit - I start to get better! I start to exhibit the fruit of righteousness...one of those fruits is joy!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">After Jesus tells His disciples about the vine, He tells them this: <span style="color: blue;">"As my Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:9-11</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Jesus wants to give us JOY! Not only that, He wants to give us HIS joy and our joy to be complete! This is the joy that the world is seeking and needs to know about. The only way they will know about it is if they see it all over us. Christ in us, grace that covers ALL our sin, unmerited favor of God that we cannot lose once we accept it. THIS is the gospel of good news! The news that the grace of God is bigger than our sin!! I hear that grace calling to us! I hear freedom singing its song! I hear Jesus telling us to come <i>just as we are</i> and let Him and the Father take care of the rest! I hear shackles falling to the ground! I hear the GOOD news!!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span>Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-62857367941009550762012-04-09T18:51:00.000-05:002012-04-09T18:54:23.052-05:00Mercy, Grace and the Good News<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5xeDaPR9DI6dmFUYXbcBjT8zoj8Nnp7sYE8CWHmnQ2RsO6SOll020tgFVY9aYGLL-dBdnBqWAIFU2wl_BskJfrQeFUafoZad-nkDBS1VDUjR0se7mCZ_Us4QO_oCOhzFPHCCgTvSQ2a9/s1600/cross.colorlilies.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5xeDaPR9DI6dmFUYXbcBjT8zoj8Nnp7sYE8CWHmnQ2RsO6SOll020tgFVY9aYGLL-dBdnBqWAIFU2wl_BskJfrQeFUafoZad-nkDBS1VDUjR0se7mCZ_Us4QO_oCOhzFPHCCgTvSQ2a9/s1600/cross.colorlilies.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! Many of you would probably say the highlight of this holiday season was filled with love, laughter, family, friends and a celebration of an empty tomb. Mine was slightly different. I had all of the above but the <i>highlight</i> was the lesson I learned from losing my four year old at church.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I had taken both my boys (J.D. is 6 and Jon is 4) into the sanctuary with me at church to practice special music with the praise team. J.D. asked me if he could go to the bathroom and Jon asked me for a peppermint. I told J.D. to go ahead, gave Jon the peppermint and turned to greet one of my friends. When I looked again I didn't see Jon. This was not a problem because I thought he had gone to find his brother. But then J.D. came back without Jon so I asked where he was. He said, "I don't know, I haven't seen him." I searched high and low with a mixture of emotions flowing through me. At first, I was just irritated because Jon often disappears like this but he usually isn't very far - he's just distracted by something and not paying attention to the fact his name has been called about 10 times! Then I found that he was NOT anywhere nearby and I start to get worried. By the time I saw him walking with Mr. Brett to his Sunday school room across the courtyard, I was in a full panic! I ran (in heels!) across the elders Sunday school class, burst out the door and bellowed, "JONATHAN!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I cannot recall being so angry, yet relieved, with one of my children. True, he was only gone for ten minutes but it was the longest ten minutes of my life! And now that I had him back safe and sound...he was gonna get it! I was shaking with emotion as I interrogated him trying to figure out where he had gone (he had gone to show his Sunday school teacher his peppermint). I told him, "Son, I am too angry to whip you right now, but I am going to whip you when we get home this afternoon!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And I fully intended to! However, God used the time in between to show me a teachable moment. When we got home, I took Jon into the bedroom and we talked about what he had done wrong and why I was so upset with him. When we finished I asked him what was about to happen. The poor kid began and to cry and moaned, "You're gonna whip me!" Very quietly I replied, "No, I'm not going to whip you. Do you know why? Because it is Easter. And God showed us great mercy today." I continued to explain that the Bible tells us that because we all do things that are wrong that we deserve to be punished. But God sent Jesus to die on the cross and forgive us so we wouldn't have to be punished. And that is mercy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ordinarily, I would have let my emotions rule, yelled and spanked my son then felt horrible later on. However, my Heavenly Father got a hold of my heart before I could lay hands on my son. I want my children to understand the extraordinary gift of salvation...but how are they to do that if they do not first understand mercy and grace? How are they going to know what mercy is if they do not see it in me? How are they going to extend grace to others if it is not extended to them at home? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Better yet, how are we to show a lost and dying world their need for a Savior if we don't show them what Jesus' love looks like? Maybe it is time we showed them mercy. Maybe it is time we extended them grace. Mercy to come just as they are - with no judgement for where they are or where they have been; grace in giving them love and friendship they have not earned. Isn't that is what attracted so many to Jesus? He attracted the broken, the sinful, the lost, the sick, the outcast...He attracted me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This Easter season, I am so grateful God did not give me what I deserve! To most unbelievers, God is an angry God who is just waiting to punish those who step out of line; the Bible is an encyclopedia of thou-shalt-nots; and Christians are a bunch of stiffs running around trying to please an impossible Deity. And can I tell you something? Some <i>Christians </i>believe this too! Some of us have forgotten that the blood of Jesus covers ALL of our sin. That means the sins we committed before we came to Christ, the sins we may be entertaining right this second and our future sins! Because of God's mercy we did not get what we deserve (death) and because of His grace we now have an inheritance we in no way deserve (eternal life)! This truth should be a cause for celebration each and every day, it should cause us to have joy no matter our circumstances. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now, let's get happy and spread the GOOD NEWS!</span>Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-21646249366632959162012-04-03T09:07:00.002-05:002012-04-03T09:07:35.992-05:00Mountain High; Valley Low<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZ9ztk_iS5jGRTvX3EKJUhQugPHhytVOGSQ3TKPNnEOSwLN0mNBJmZHkQ7reQEALXogkm6fo0GmpMfz7rfr4mrPaIiMU4CvzFJybpOo3fOrWSPfr150D4ArgeU9VM4BxbAAH_rQ3PQJfb/s1600/mountainclimb.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZ9ztk_iS5jGRTvX3EKJUhQugPHhytVOGSQ3TKPNnEOSwLN0mNBJmZHkQ7reQEALXogkm6fo0GmpMfz7rfr4mrPaIiMU4CvzFJybpOo3fOrWSPfr150D4ArgeU9VM4BxbAAH_rQ3PQJfb/s1600/mountainclimb.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Life is a journey. Our walk with the Lord is a journey. If you think about a traveling anywhere, you don't spend much time standing still. If I am taking a trip someplace, I have a goal in mind and am pressing on towards reaching that destination. There are stops along the way, beautiful scenic views that seem to demand my attention. But the stops are not the end of the journey, they are just places where I rest and catch my breath. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Often when we talk about our journey with God we speak in terms of either mountain tops or valleys. We reference our awesome mountain top experiences or we talk about our rock bottom valley-of-the-shadow-of-deaths. But how much time do those moments take? If you think about it, most of the time we are traveling. We are either climbing the mountain or heading into the valley.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now think about this. When we climb a mountain (or, in my case, a steep hill) the going is slow and not always easy. There are loose rocks to watch out for, breath to catch, sometimes the path isn't easy to see and we are not even sure we are going in the right direction. But we finally reach the top and get to behold the majestic view. And then...it's time to get moving again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When I find myself in a valley, it usually happens fairly quick. It's like I slid down on my backside without realizing it. I look up and am looking up from the bottom and can't quite remember how I got there. Regardless of how I got there - I am there, and the only thing left to do is start climbing out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Either way, in either place, the pause at the top or the screeching halt at the bottom is momentary. Most of the time on this journey, we are moving in one direction or the other. We are either headed in the right direction to the next mountaintop experience or slipping down into the valley. My question for us to ponder today is...which way are you headed? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I find I spend more time with God during my difficult times. When I am not sure of the path; loosing my footing or am looking up the sides of the valley. What I really need to be doing is spending constant time in communion with the Maker of the path! If I do, the path is a little clearer and I can hear His direction. Without His direction I am hopelessly lost. If I talk to Him often, I recognize His voice easily and can follow where He directs me. His path is not always easy, but He is always supporting me. With Him, I will not fail, I will not falter, I will finish the journey with His hand in mine! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The thing to remember is the neither the mountain high or the valley low define us. God can use all of our experiences if we let Him! In fact, He wants to use EVERYTHING to shape us into the person He wants us to be. We cannot get so lost along the way He cannot find us; we cannot slide into a valley so low He cannot save us. We just have to make sure we journey with Him and not strike out on our own! So whose path are you following today? His or your own?</span>Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-62086348511091414452012-03-21T11:02:00.000-05:002012-03-21T11:02:49.823-05:00Bathing Suites and Cellulite Cream: One Woman's Horror!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's spring! I LOVE spring!! I love the flowers; I love the newness of life that happens with the plants and animals; I love the smell of fresh cut grass and the birds singing in the trees. It brings to my mind God's renewing spirit that refreshes us each and every day if we let Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">However, it also brings with it a horrendously depressing aspect as well: bathing suite shopping. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are two items I hate shopping for above all else. Bathing suites and jeans. I foolishly attempted to do both yesterday. The ending result was teary eyes and shoulders being slumped in defeat as I walked out of the THIRD store empty-handed! I could go on and on about what I hate about shopping (starting with the mirrors that I am CONVINCED department stores get from carnival fun houses) but I won't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I admit I was shocked that I felt so defeated because I PRAYED before going shopping. That's right! I prayed because I every other time I have gone shopping I have experienced the same self depreciating thoughts and mind sets. I was like <i>Hello, God, I prayed about this and I shouldn't be feeling this way...are You there?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then I heard the song "Everything Glorious" by David Crowder Band. Some of the lyrics say, <i>You make everything glorious, You make everything glorious, You make everything glorious and I am Yours. What does that make me?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Wow. I sat straight up in the car seat and said out loud, "I am GLORIOUS!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Then I thought about my attitude towards my body. Of course there are things that I would like to change. I don't like my wide hips or my ample back side but God says that He knit me together. When I think of someone knitting I picture someone with extraordinary patience. I see their needles working intricately to make knots and connect them together to make something beautiful. And that is what God has done for me...and for YOU.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Who am I to look at His creation, His masterpiece and criticize what I see? If the fault is mine (and I'll be honest: it is!) then I need to take better care of the body He has so thoughtfully and carefully made for me. If it is a feature that is beyond exercise then I need to reevaluate my attitude. If my Creator pronounces me beautiful then I. AM. BEAUTIFUL! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Society tells us we need to be slim and trim, have cute little noses, impossibly big boobs and have just the right clothes. But God tells us that we need Him. I am going to stand in agreement with my Maker and declare myself beautiful! I will pray about ways I can be more responsible and improve the condition of the body God has made for me but I will agree with God and not the world. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We are fearfully and wonderfully made! It is time we acknowledge this truth and start acting like we believe it!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: blue;">For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. ~Psalm 139:13-14</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span>Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3963995287910754382.post-31974154892291525272012-03-15T11:50:00.001-05:002012-03-15T13:49:07.237-05:00It's All In the BLOOD<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<i>(part of) MY JESUS by Todd Agnew </i></div>
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<i>...Pretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexion<br />
Is how you see Him as He dies for Your sins<br />
But the Word says He was battered and scarred<br />
Or did you miss that part<br />
Sometimes I doubt we'd recognize Him<br /><br />
Cause my Jesus bled and died</i>
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He spent His time with thieves and the least of these<br />
He loved the poor and accosted the comfortable<br />
So which one do you want to be?<br /><br />
Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my church</i>
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The blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpet<br />
But He reaches for the hurting and despises the proud<br />
I think He'd prefer Beale St. to the stained glass crowd<br />
And I know that He can hear me if I cry out loud<br /><br />
I want to be like my Jesus!</i></div>
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I have begun to notice something disturbing. When I say "disturbing" I mean it gives me chills to think about. It started with a showing of a clip from the crucifixion scene in The Passion of the Christ where many people left after being told what they were about to see. Later I heard the song My Jesus for the first time. Today I saw a comment on Facebook that said a picture of a beaten, bleeding Jesus hanging on a cross was "inappropriate" and it should be replaced with a peaceful, praying Jesus.<i> </i></div>
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Why do we want to clean Jesus up? Are we more concerned with Him being PC than His sacrifice? Do we understand what He did for us? Do we really GET the fact that it should have been each and every one of us on that cross?</div>
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Yes, the images are gruesome. I agree, it is hard to watch. But I also believe it is something we need to be reminded of! Daily. DESPERATELY! </div>
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In a society where we are too busy justifying our sin instead of turning away from it we need to realize the intensity of the love that Jesus has for us. We need to come face to face with His blood and know that is <i>MY</i> salvation that soaked the ground and stained it red. He paid the price<i> I </i>was meant to pay! We need to see it as it was: harsh, brutal, bloody, cruel and humiliating. </div>
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If we wipe away the blood, we take away the purpose. If we clean up the cross, we take away the redemption. Do we not realize that the cross was His destination all along? He loves us enough to pay the price, no matter the cost. All so we could go free. All because He wants us to spend eternity with Him. 1 John 4:19 tells me, <span style="color: blue;"><i>"We love because He first loved us." </i><span style="color: black;">And yet, we don't want to think or be confronted with images of the expression of His love. </span></span></div>
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I'm not even sure it is the graphic nature that bothers us. For some, I am sure it is just the graphic nature of these images. But for most of us, I think it makes us feel guilty. I know it does me. It makes me feel guilty about the way I live. It makes me feel guilty about the things I put before my Savior. "When I survey the wondrous cross" I come nose to nose with my ingratitude and lack of devotion.</div>
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Bottom line: It is much easier to go on with life as usual if "my Jesus" is a brown haired, blue eyed man with His arms outstretched in loving acceptance. I can apologize to <i>that </i>Jesus. But the Jesus that is bleeding and rasping for breath as He dies in my place will take no apology. He demands my life; He deserves my devotion. And that is just what I intend to give Him. </div>Amanda P.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07573374237838041487noreply@blogger.com0