We are accepted...even when we don't accept ourselves

Feel like your life is full of muck? Are things "messy" and do you sometimes feel out of control? That's good...it means you're still alive and you're human. :) Do you know that even in an imperfect world and in an imperfect life, we can be accepted?

"When God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our relationship with him and given back our lives.

Titus 3:4-6 (The Messge translation)

A Father's Love Letter

Don't you know that it's not about our pursuit of God....your life is the story of God's pursuit of you.

Take five minutes and watch this love letter from God video. It's beautiful and amazing. HE is beautiful and amazing. Be blessed...

Click HERE

A lot can be learned in one episode of Sesame Street. Today, everyone on the street suffered from "mine-itis". No one wanted to share. Everywhere Elmo turned, someone was snatching something away from him and saying, "MINE!".

Sometimes I think we suffer from "mine-itis" when we think of our church.....our church...OUR music....OUR ministry...it's really God's church, isn't it?

It's easy to get sidetracked into thinking that we'll only participate in activities that go along with all our ideas exactly. Some people will go so far as to leave a church, because they can't get it to conform to THEIR desires. But, what does God desire from us?

I think he wants a church full of people who deeply care for one another, and truly enjoy "doing life together". I've been hurt by people who go to my church...in every church I've ever been to....AND every school, grocery store, etc. as well. Life would be rather dull if we didn't have ups and downs. It feels good to have a church "home" where there are people who are deeply concerned for you. Even if there are some who aren't.

In summary, "church" is really just a group of people who come together to fellowship and get through life....while offering up their Praise to our Creator.

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:11

Need some Motivation?

Maaaaannnn, I'm really having trouble feeling motivated lately. Do you ever get in a spot where you just want to sit and stare? That's me today. You could light a match on my leg and I don't feel like I'd jump. God is with us even in our "dumpy" "blue" period.

"Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God--soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God." Psalm 42:5-6 (The Message)

"You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern." 1Peter 5:7 (Phillips version)

What if someone asked YOU about being a Christian??

It's' Saturday...I'm still in my pajamas as I write, but I had an intriguing morning. My husband is out for the day and my little one and I are having a lazy day at home. It always makes me nervous when we get visitors at the door, trying to sell us something, etc. (stemming from a group of vaccum "salesmen" who refused to leave my doorstep once and I had to call the police). Today, a young teen and older man in suits knocked at the door and I was in clear view of the window. I had to answer. They were making the rounds and asking people about their faith. They were sharing their faith as Jehovah's Witnesses. They asked me what I thought was the biggest difference between my religion and theirs. I honestly didn't know what to say. After they left, I did some research and filled myself with ways we are different.

The biggest thing I wanted to share is that the Bible says,

"For sin shall have no dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace." Romans 6:14

I am so excited to share that Christ died for ALL sinners!, not just the ones who "attain Christ-likeness". We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but the good news is that we are not "ruled" by the old law of the Old Testiment...Christ is our new "law" His grace is sufficient and he forgives over and over.

I've messed up so many times, haven't you? God loves us anyway! He gave his son, so that we can be free from the burdens of sin and one day have life eternal with him in heaven! Not just the "special ranking" Christians, ANY and ALL who love him and make Christ the center of their life. THAT is good news!!! Would you like to read specific scriptures about this topic? HERE is a site I looked at today with some good points and scripture to back it. I believe there are also links to other tough topics.

Please note that I am not at all upset or angry with my visitors today, nor do I view them as lesser because of our differences. Like Christ, we were not sent here to judge, but to love and to speak the truth. Be filled with grace today!

Living Humble in a Joyful Way

I'm going to go ahead and plead your forgiveness for being such a slacker when it comes to keeping up with posts. There's obviously no excuse, because I update my other blog almost everyday...and God is way more worth it ;) It feels good to get to spend some time here tonight.

We've been doing a series at church called "unshakable". It's all about living joyfully even though our world and our economy is upside down right now. My husband is literally losing co-workers to his left and right, and we keep praying for his job to be secure.

I learned a big lesson this past week about living humbly, and I wanted to share it with you. It seems that overlooking injustice is really difficult for me...in a way that's good...I never let the sun set on something that isn't set "right". However, I've risked some temper flares in a few of those "fights for injustice". I might have been a good lawyer, but I digress...

Someone bullied me this past week and ripped my self-esteem right from under me. My first instinct was to "rip" them something new, but it occurred to me that our sermon this Sunday was about esteeming others as better than ourselves. We can live joyfully in a humble manner. Now, I certainly don't mean that it's okay to let our self-esteem plumit and allow people to walk all over us, it is good to remember that we aren't #1. It's good to remember that God loves the other person just as much. It's also good to keep a clear conscience when it comes to things we say to one another.

So,...I bit my tongue. I responded kindly.....and just as momma always said, you only attract bees with honey. The other person responded back in a kinder manner. It had the potential to be really ugly, but it's better to have peace in knowing God will set it straight later.

Psalms 37:11 "But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace"

Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."

Proverbs 28:25-26 "A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe."

Pray for Someone

Our pastor said something today that stuck with me...he said that when someone isn't on our hearts, they're probably on our nerves. He meant that if we aren't focused on loving people through God's eyes, we'll get in a rut of being annoyed by them.

Have you ever people-watched in public? We went to the zoo this weekend and I found myself asking my husband if he thought the animals watched us just as much as we watch them... People do some of the strangest things. And sometimes, we even act like animals! It's easy to let people get on our nerves because they're human and so are we. There isn't one of us who is perfect, no matter how much our mothers told us we were when we were kiddos.

Try picking a person who really gets under your skin. Think of that person right now. Those are "sandpaper people". They "rub you the wrong way", big time. Our pastor also likes to say that if you find yourself constantly having imaginary conversations with that person; telling them off and saying everything you've ever wanted to say without remorse, that's your sandpaper person. So now that you've got that person in your head, try praying for them. It doesn't mean having to LIKE them...pray that God would watch them and that they would make good decisions. Pray that God would love them through you and give you a sense of peace around this person. And, finally pray that God would speak to their heart. You might be completely amazed at what God can do when you ask.

Have a great week!

"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Colossians 3:12