It is a sunny April morning. I am sitting at my computer looking out the window watching squirrels jump from the tree to the fence. I am watching birds build nests and take care of the babies in them, This time of year is always so wonderful to me. Spring is when everything comes back to the green and living. Its wonderful to watch. The tulips pushing out of the ground and reaching for the sun. It makes me think of my life.
As the fall season makes me think of all the bad things in my life that needed to die away, the spring makes me very aware of the grace given me in the redemption of my life. I was talking to a friend at church this week, and it seems at times, I still lose sight of the fact that my life has been and will continue to be redeemed! Redeemed means, bought back, won, freed from what distressed or harmed, freed from captivity, and even Miriam-Webster got it right with, FREED FROM CONSEQUENCES OF SIN. I was talking to my friend about knowing that I have to deal with the consequences of my actions, and that even though I know I sinned and I know that I'm forgiven, there are still things in my life that I am dealing with that are directly correlated to the actions and decisions I made years ago. He told me, " you know God can and will redeem all of that."
Wow! He is literally taking the ugly pictures I painted and turning them into His artwork. Job 19:25a And as for me, I know that my redeemer lives... Looking at my life, it is very apparent. Even though I am dealing with things in my life that are hard, my God will take that and turn it into good. My daughters love the Lord. Redemption. I am being used by God in ways I never thought possible. Redemption. I have been blessed with a loving, supporting, husband. Redemption. The list goes on and on. Thank God, I have been redeemed!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Does My Appearance Look Brighter?
Have you ever walked into a room and looked around at the people in it? In doing so, have you ever noticed a difference in the way some stand or sit? Some may look you straight in the eye and smile. Some may look up then quickly look back down. Some may not look up at all. In the past, I really didn't observe this. Today, however, it seems to be the first thing I do. I used to be that person who wouldn't look up at all. I think there was something inside of me that said, "don't look at them, they'll figure you out."
Are you afraid? I know I was. There was a time that I thought anyone could see my mistakes, almost as if they were written on my skin like nonfiction. Like there were people standing around reading me, saying to each other, "look at chapter 3," or, "did you get to chapter 8 yet?" I can giggle at that now. I want people to read my autobiography. You know what, I'll read it to you if you would like. You might find it interesting. Before, however, I was not about to let anyone know.
Let me tell you a little story. There once was a woman who grew up thinking God was like a principal. He had an office in heaven that you got sent to by parents, teachers, etc., when you had done something wrong. She tried every day not to do anything wrong. Every day, she failed. She just knew that the number of check marks after her name on the big blackboard in heaven were going to send her right down to the pits of hell. She walked around with her head down, her shoulders slouched, and made jokes about herself so that people would be too busy laughing to confront her sin. One day, she got so tired, she cried out to God and asked Him why He was so mean. He answered her. You know what he said? He said, "I love you. You are forgiven, and I can't wait until you get here so I can spend more time with you." Then He said, "While you're still there, why don't you read my book. Its a good one. It will help you understand me. When you're done reading each day, why don't we sit awhile and talk about it." The woman said, "Okay, sounds like a better plan than mine." She read and read. The more she read, the more she wanted to read, and the more she wanted to talk to God. One day, she went into work. Something strange started happening. People were talking to her. They were saying, You're glowing. What is different about you. There is a radiance about your face. She ran to the mirror. There was a smile there.
Ecclesiastes 8:1
Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? WISDOM BRIGHTENS A MAN"S FACE and CHANGES ITS APPEARANCE.
I know the truth and my appearance has changed! The face in the mirror is smiling because it knows that God is love and truth. I know that he has forgiven me and the change in appearance is to get your attention so I can tell you all about it.
Are you afraid? I know I was. There was a time that I thought anyone could see my mistakes, almost as if they were written on my skin like nonfiction. Like there were people standing around reading me, saying to each other, "look at chapter 3," or, "did you get to chapter 8 yet?" I can giggle at that now. I want people to read my autobiography. You know what, I'll read it to you if you would like. You might find it interesting. Before, however, I was not about to let anyone know.
Let me tell you a little story. There once was a woman who grew up thinking God was like a principal. He had an office in heaven that you got sent to by parents, teachers, etc., when you had done something wrong. She tried every day not to do anything wrong. Every day, she failed. She just knew that the number of check marks after her name on the big blackboard in heaven were going to send her right down to the pits of hell. She walked around with her head down, her shoulders slouched, and made jokes about herself so that people would be too busy laughing to confront her sin. One day, she got so tired, she cried out to God and asked Him why He was so mean. He answered her. You know what he said? He said, "I love you. You are forgiven, and I can't wait until you get here so I can spend more time with you." Then He said, "While you're still there, why don't you read my book. Its a good one. It will help you understand me. When you're done reading each day, why don't we sit awhile and talk about it." The woman said, "Okay, sounds like a better plan than mine." She read and read. The more she read, the more she wanted to read, and the more she wanted to talk to God. One day, she went into work. Something strange started happening. People were talking to her. They were saying, You're glowing. What is different about you. There is a radiance about your face. She ran to the mirror. There was a smile there.
Ecclesiastes 8:1
Who is like the wise man? Who knows the explanation of things? WISDOM BRIGHTENS A MAN"S FACE and CHANGES ITS APPEARANCE.
I know the truth and my appearance has changed! The face in the mirror is smiling because it knows that God is love and truth. I know that he has forgiven me and the change in appearance is to get your attention so I can tell you all about it.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Its the Little Things That Seem Big
I wanted to tell you all a story. I work with a lot of women. I have for the last twenty years in different salons all over the Dayton area. Last week was a time I was humbled by a story that one of my coworkers shared with me. I will not be putting names here, but you know who you are. I want you to know that seeing you blessed and without words blessed me more deeply than had this happened to me.
A friend of mine got off work and walked out to her car only to find a pretty bad scratch on her car door. A dent and a scratch, and, you guessed it, not a soul in sight. Now we all know how this goes. We grumble, we may even cry a bit, and then come to the conclusion that it is only a car and worse things can happen. (someone like me stays mad for longer than that) Anyway, she went home and figured at some point, I'll get it fixed.
Three days later, (how cool, three days at Easter) there was a letter at the front desk for my friend. Addressed to the owner of the little grey car at the salon. This was all typed. There was a letter inside wrapped around 102$. The letter said, " I am sorry I scratched your car. I don't make much money. I went to the bank and this is all I had in my savings. I hope it helps with the repairs."
My friend came over to my station and shared this with another friend of mine and myself. We both just stood there. All three of us with tears in our eyes. My friend, the owner of the little grey car said, " its the two dollars that is getting me the most."
When I sit and dwell on my problems, I am going to ask God to bring this story to my mind. After three days we were all forgiven of all our sins and got the chance to start again. To the person who sent the money to my friend. She says its all cool!
A friend of mine got off work and walked out to her car only to find a pretty bad scratch on her car door. A dent and a scratch, and, you guessed it, not a soul in sight. Now we all know how this goes. We grumble, we may even cry a bit, and then come to the conclusion that it is only a car and worse things can happen. (someone like me stays mad for longer than that) Anyway, she went home and figured at some point, I'll get it fixed.
Three days later, (how cool, three days at Easter) there was a letter at the front desk for my friend. Addressed to the owner of the little grey car at the salon. This was all typed. There was a letter inside wrapped around 102$. The letter said, " I am sorry I scratched your car. I don't make much money. I went to the bank and this is all I had in my savings. I hope it helps with the repairs."
My friend came over to my station and shared this with another friend of mine and myself. We both just stood there. All three of us with tears in our eyes. My friend, the owner of the little grey car said, " its the two dollars that is getting me the most."
When I sit and dwell on my problems, I am going to ask God to bring this story to my mind. After three days we were all forgiven of all our sins and got the chance to start again. To the person who sent the money to my friend. She says its all cool!
Grace
Grace. What is it? Merriam-Webster says that it is " unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification. A virtue coming from God, a special favor." I just read a verse that thrilled me. John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; (a man) grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (Jesus) I am so in love with the Lord. I am so in love with His word. This past Sunday was Easter. As I was standing up as part of the worship team at church, I have to say, I could barely stand yet alone sing. This "grace" I have been given, this "free to me" help along my road to sanctification was at the front of my mind. I didn't have that definition then. I just knew that once again I was praying that my pride wouldn't get in the way of who we were singing to. Jesus died and rose again so that I might live forever with Him in heaven.
I have to admit, there are times I want nothing more than for my husband and children to stay around me even if it is only to watch a movie together. I long for the time to sit and talk to them about their days or to hear what is on their minds. I admit I have never once thought about being told by my dad that today you're going to get beaten and walk to your own hanging death so it will be easier for your children to spend time with you some day. It is more like this, "you can't go to your friend's house today because I said so." Actually, I probably make something up like, I need help cleaning the house, or your room is a mess. I don't even tell them its me wanting to spend time them.
Lets remember that Jesus was God in a human body. He was given free will like all of us. He did not have to die for us. He chose to. He wanted to give us "unmerited divine assistance" so we can be sanctified. He wants to spend time with us today, tomorrow and even wanted that time yesterday.
Acts 15:11 But I (emphasis mine) believe that I shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.
I have to admit, there are times I want nothing more than for my husband and children to stay around me even if it is only to watch a movie together. I long for the time to sit and talk to them about their days or to hear what is on their minds. I admit I have never once thought about being told by my dad that today you're going to get beaten and walk to your own hanging death so it will be easier for your children to spend time with you some day. It is more like this, "you can't go to your friend's house today because I said so." Actually, I probably make something up like, I need help cleaning the house, or your room is a mess. I don't even tell them its me wanting to spend time them.
Lets remember that Jesus was God in a human body. He was given free will like all of us. He did not have to die for us. He chose to. He wanted to give us "unmerited divine assistance" so we can be sanctified. He wants to spend time with us today, tomorrow and even wanted that time yesterday.
Acts 15:11 But I (emphasis mine) believe that I shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Mercy!
Job 14:16 For now Thou dost number my steps, Thou dost not observe my sin. Wow, that's right, read it again. He knows we are going to sin. He knows we are going to make mistakes. Yes, He would rather we stay on the path He made for us, so he made a way for us to always get out of our pits and grab onto Him again.
As I am sitting here this morning, I am listening to the songs we are singing for Easter Sunday. What a better time to reflect on the many mercies I (we) have received so undeserved. I look back at my life and think of all the people I have wronged. I think of all the times I let my kids down by not just my words, but my actions. I then think about the mercy Jesus extended. Mercy, by definition is, compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion (Merriam-Webster). Did you read that? Blessing as an act of DIVINE FAVOR. Really, divine favor.
He found favor in me, even in my sin, and showed mercy. Who does that but Jesus? He went through the Crucifixion because of the divine favor. His mercies were and are poured out because of that favor. He loves me. In the steps that He laid out for me, He forgave the ones I didn't take, changed the route on my GPS when I got lost, still leading me home.
I pray right now for all those who are lost. For all those living in confusion, or even a place of just not being sure. I am standing here today because of His divine favor. He didn't just give it to me. He gave it to all of us. He created every person on this earth so He could show us divine favor. It is our choice to accept it.
Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you," DECLARES the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
He said it, do we believe it? I do.
As I am sitting here this morning, I am listening to the songs we are singing for Easter Sunday. What a better time to reflect on the many mercies I (we) have received so undeserved. I look back at my life and think of all the people I have wronged. I think of all the times I let my kids down by not just my words, but my actions. I then think about the mercy Jesus extended. Mercy, by definition is, compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion (Merriam-Webster). Did you read that? Blessing as an act of DIVINE FAVOR. Really, divine favor.
He found favor in me, even in my sin, and showed mercy. Who does that but Jesus? He went through the Crucifixion because of the divine favor. His mercies were and are poured out because of that favor. He loves me. In the steps that He laid out for me, He forgave the ones I didn't take, changed the route on my GPS when I got lost, still leading me home.
I pray right now for all those who are lost. For all those living in confusion, or even a place of just not being sure. I am standing here today because of His divine favor. He didn't just give it to me. He gave it to all of us. He created every person on this earth so He could show us divine favor. It is our choice to accept it.
Jeremiah 29:11 " For I know the plans I have for you," DECLARES the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
He said it, do we believe it? I do.
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