Pretense, Confusion, Thankful

Lori Wick is probably my favorite author. I own a majority of the books she has written. Some, I have read many times over. Pretense is one such book. I have read this book so many times, I have lost count. While reading it again, i noticed a prayer from the character Shay. Here is the prayer:

"I've had so many wrong impressions. I've been confused, and now see how huge you are. You love all of us. You're big enough that we can pray to You in our own way. I've been afraid of not being good enough. I've been selfish and wrong with so many things in my life, but Your forgiveness is bigger that that."

I am so thankful that even in His hugeness, God is still personal enough for each of us. He wants us to come to him just as we are, incsecurities and all. His forgiveness and love is bigger that what we think we don't have to offer.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't have this down pat yet. But, I am working on it. When self-doubt arises, I pray I remember that God is bigger that the doubt and loves me in spite of it.

Freedom and Reality

February 20: Air 1 Verse of the Day
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. but don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:13 NLT

I was listening to the Gather Vocal Band Reunion video. The part during the song “I’m Free” really hit me.

“God puts His greatest gifts in broken pots. We spill more water.
The gifts of God are without repentance.
He passes out gifts like we pass out Halloween candy.
He doesn’t ask for a resume. He just gives it to you and He never repents of it.” – Mark Lowry


I am free from the guilt I carried
From this dull empty life, I’m set free
For when I met Jesus, He made me complete
He forgot the foolish man I used to be

All we are supposed to be is transparent and real before God. If we aren’t transparent and real before Him, we can’t be transparent or real before man. True freedom is only found in God. He forgets our foolishness and gives us life abundant and free.

I want my prayer to be that I am truly free. I must be free from my foolishness. To be free, I must be honest with myself, with God and then with others. We can hold nothing back. Freedom without honesty will only cause anxiety and stress. This freedom can only be found when we are living in the freedom of the Holy Spirit. May we all be free to spill our water for Jesus - free to use our gifts for Him!

Doors

What doors are supposed to go through? Doors we open on our own? Doors opened by God? I have come to the realization that I need to pay more attention to the doors that God opens for me. So many times, I translate the door I open to a door God has opened. Not a good thing. I am only to walk the path of obedience to God. My prayer is that I stay in tune for the door God wants me to go through.

Some Changes Leave You Right Where You Are

Wow! That is the only thing I can think to say is: Wow!

I know I said the other day that life is about change, but some much has gone on this week. It is amazing that some change leaves right where you started. And, that is ok. God has much to teach us in all that goes on in our lives. Are we ready to learn?

Change

Life is all about change. Whether we stay still or we are moving, life still changes.

The thing we need to make sure of is that God is in control of the changes in our personal lives. Is the change we make in direct obedience to God's will? That is the only change for which we are responsible.

Just a random thought, sort of!

Audience Participation

This blog entry requires some audience participation. I know that there aren't very many participants, but you know how it is.

I have been thinking about the words grace and mercy. If we serve a gracious and merciful God - and we do! And, if we are to be more like God - and we are! Then, as Christians, why aren't we more gracious and merciful to others - espcially to our brothers and sisters in Christ! It seems Christians sometimes, we are more gracious and merciful to those on the street than to those we meet with on a weekly basis!

Another word describing God is servant. He sent His son to be the ultimate servant for us. Should we also be a servant to God? Should we give our all to Him?

I believe that if we were more gracious, merciful, and served God & others, all of our pettiness in the church would desolve!!!

Just some food for thought!!

I'm Sorry

It has been over two months since I have posted anything on here. Life kind of go really busy and I just haven't taken the time to do anything with the blog.

The week before Christmas I went to Florida where most of my dad's family gathered. It was an awesome week. My dad's sister lives down there and his brother and sister and their spouses joined us. It was an awesome visit.

It was great to walk the beach everyday, but one. The sunsets were beautiful. I believe Scott & I both now know where we want to retire.

Scott & I relaxed on Christmas Day. We just took the day to vegetate, something we haven't done in ages. It felt really good to do that.

We hope all had a wonderful Christmas. We are looking forward to the New Year and all it has to bring.