Let's get down to the "nitty and the gritty". I am going to bare my soul and be completely honest here. Let's cut to the chase. I mess up...a lot. And yeah you may think, well sure everyone messes up. But that's not the point. The point is that I sin, pretty much everyday.
You may think that is no big deal. Besides, the Word of God says "We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"- Romans 3:23. But this sin separates me from the Father. Yes it was paid for with His blood on the cross, but sometimes I choose to sin even when I know what I am doing is wrong. It's been paid for in whole, but I have to confess it to Him and make it right.
There are times when I sin without realizing it. I am not perfect, as none of us are, and I slip and mess up without even meaning to. I don't think this is the type of sin the Lord is really concerned about. What really hurts Him is when I hear Him whisper to me that something I am thinking about doing is wrong and I do it anyway. Whether it's something I say to someone in anger or an action that is not God-honoring, I blatantly disobey Him. That's the sin that cripples me and brings me to my knees. Just where I belong.
Sometimes I can go on for quite a while in the sin. I try to hide it and cover it up, but God sees all and the Holy Spirit is not letting me get away with it on the inside. The Lord chastens those He loves, as stated in Hebrews 12:6. And when I mess up, He chastens me. That's the worst feeling ever. To know that you are not in right standing with the Lord and it's never His fault.
But when we finally go to Him, get on our knees, and confess our sin to Him, such peace floods the soul. The Psalmist David mentioned in Psalm 32:5 "I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin."
That's something I have had to do recently. Confess. I let my emotions get the better of me and I foolishly let them take charge of me in my actions and words. In doing so, I hurt those close to me. I have had to confess this sin to the Lord and go back and make it right with those people. It's not easy. It was one of the hardest things I have done to pen those letters of apology, but it needed to be done. And when it was done, I felt such at peace.
The beautiful thing out of all of this is that God forgives our sins. All we have to do is confess them and our Heavenly Father will wipe our slate clean. I think forgiveness is one of the most beautiful words in the English language. Right up there with grace, mercy, truth, and love.
What a lovely feeling it is when we finally make things right with the Lord and we can stand before Him without a feeling of guilt. I am excited to see what the Lord is going to do as He continues to grow me. My life may not be easy, but I am so blessed. Regardless of what the day brings, His grace always abounds.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Sunday, April 26, 2015
A Song for Sunday: "Above All"
Ever hear a song come on the radio and it takes you back to a certain moment in time? Or perhaps it reminds you of a place or a person. I have a few songs that are like this for me. One of those songs is "Above All" by Michael W. Smith.
When I hear the song "Above All" my mind immediately goes back to visiting my good friend Kirsten in Wyoming when I was only 11 years old. I was at her church in the sanctuary and this is where I heard the song for the first time. It's a beautiful song of the price Christ paid on the cross for us and how He thought of us, above all. I always smile when I hear it or sing it now, because not only does it remind me of my friend Kirsten (and she is way worth smiling about :) ) ,but it reminds me of the great love Jesus has for me. That is an even greater reason to smile.
The lyrics to the song are as follows:
When I hear the song "Above All" my mind immediately goes back to visiting my good friend Kirsten in Wyoming when I was only 11 years old. I was at her church in the sanctuary and this is where I heard the song for the first time. It's a beautiful song of the price Christ paid on the cross for us and how He thought of us, above all. I always smile when I hear it or sing it now, because not only does it remind me of my friend Kirsten (and she is way worth smiling about :) ) ,but it reminds me of the great love Jesus has for me. That is an even greater reason to smile.
The lyrics to the song are as follows:
"Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature
And all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here
Before the world began
Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders
The world has ever known
Above all wealth
And treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure
What You're worth
Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all."
Above all kings
Above all nature
And all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here
Before the world began
Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders
The world has ever known
Above all wealth
And treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure
What You're worth
Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all."
The song continues on, but just repeats itself. I so love this song. Like a rose, trampled on the ground, Jesus willingly took the fall for you and me. Above everything else, when He went to the cross, He was thinking of me and He was thinking of you. And that is so beautiful.
I am so unworthy and yet He still thinks of me highly enough to give His life for me. Readers, that is what the gospel message is all about. Sinners who were lost in darkness have been set free by the light of Jesus through the shedding of His blood on the cross. Let's go and share that beautiful truth.
Sunday, April 19, 2015
A Song for Sunday: "The Wonderful Cross"
The cross is a picture of suffering. It's where Jesus was hung to die. And yet it's a beautiful picture. It is gory, bloody, and full of strife. But it's wonderful. It's wonderful, because that cross was meant for you and me. It was supposed to be our punishment. But Christ took it on Himself instead.
The cross is a reminder to all of us that we deserve death and separation from God, but Christ took our place and sacrificed Himself so we wouldn't have to be in that position. Readers, that is something far more beautiful than we could ever find on earth. It's a picture of unconditional love. This unconditional love is shown in the Chris Tomlin song "The Wonderful Cross".
Chris Tomlin's song is actually a rendition of the hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." I love it when artists take the timeless treasures in the hymns and rewrite them for a new generation. The words still ring true, no matter what way they are sung.
The lyrics for "The Wonderful Cross" is as follows:
The cross is a reminder to all of us that we deserve death and separation from God, but Christ took our place and sacrificed Himself so we wouldn't have to be in that position. Readers, that is something far more beautiful than we could ever find on earth. It's a picture of unconditional love. This unconditional love is shown in the Chris Tomlin song "The Wonderful Cross".
Chris Tomlin's song is actually a rendition of the hymn "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." I love it when artists take the timeless treasures in the hymns and rewrite them for a new generation. The words still ring true, no matter what way they are sung.
The lyrics for "The Wonderful Cross" is as follows:
"When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all."
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all."
May we all embrace the wonderful cross, die to our sinful nature, and rise up in newness of life to walk in the Spirit.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Take a Walk with Jesus Scavenger Hunt
Last Sunday we celebrated the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I am not totally against doing egg hunts and dying eggs. I did both of those activities with the kids I watch. However, I am not really big into the Easter bunny. I am more into the real reason of the day: Jesus Christ rising from the dead.
I went on a search on Pinterest to find some cool Christian crafts to do with the kids I watch. This is when I stumbled upon the blog post about Taking a Walk with Jesus for an Easter activity. I found it at this site: http://thegoldenseven.blogspot.com/2011/04/take-easter-walk-with-jesus.html
I read through the details of how to do this scavenger hunt and I knew it was for me and the two kids I nanny. We just had to try it out. They had loved the other scavenger hunt we did and this one was focused on the real meaning of Easter: Jesus. So we did it.
One day I had them gather bags (Tripp used his Easter bucket and of course Bree had to use her Frozen backpack) and we went off to search for items that had to do with Jesus' death and Resurrection. They had so much fun with this.
The first item we had to find was a branch, for the week before Jesus died the people waved palm branches before Him. They immediately trekked off to the woods in search of fallen branches.
Then we had to search for something prickly, because they made Jesus a crown of thorns and placed it on His head to mock Him when He was crucified. Bree chose a pine cone and Tripp found a burr.
Next, we had to find a piece of wood since His cross was made out of wood.
We then set off to find something that was no longer alive, because Jesus really did die. Tripp found a dead leaf and was so excited about his find.
The article I had read called for them finding white linen, since Jesus was wrapped in this when He was placed in the tomb. I knew this would not be something they would be able to just happen upon outside without me placing it there so I just had them find something white. I was leaning towards perhaps a white stone or a white flower. They ended up finding broken pieces of pipes, but hey it was white and they came up with it on their own.
We finished the hunt off by finding stones to symbolize the one they rolled in front of His grave and something living, because Jesus truly did resurrect on the third day. They found flowers for something living. I didn't have the heart to tell them that when they picked the flowers they were no longer living. Ha!
They had so much fun collecting these items and I enjoyed getting to talk about them. It was an interactive way to talk about the Easter story that was a blast! I am definitely adding this to my list of traditions to do each year. They stored the items by the front door and just had to show their parents the items when they came home. It was cute listening to Tripp at 4 years old explain to his dad what each item represented.
This Easter themed scavenger hunt has given me inspiration to take other Bible stories and have the kids find things in nature that would correlate to the story. I will have to let you all know if and when I do come up with one. I can't wait to see what other interactive fun we can have while learning about the Bible.
I went on a search on Pinterest to find some cool Christian crafts to do with the kids I watch. This is when I stumbled upon the blog post about Taking a Walk with Jesus for an Easter activity. I found it at this site: http://thegoldenseven.blogspot.com/2011/04/take-easter-walk-with-jesus.html
I read through the details of how to do this scavenger hunt and I knew it was for me and the two kids I nanny. We just had to try it out. They had loved the other scavenger hunt we did and this one was focused on the real meaning of Easter: Jesus. So we did it.
One day I had them gather bags (Tripp used his Easter bucket and of course Bree had to use her Frozen backpack) and we went off to search for items that had to do with Jesus' death and Resurrection. They had so much fun with this.
The first item we had to find was a branch, for the week before Jesus died the people waved palm branches before Him. They immediately trekked off to the woods in search of fallen branches.
 |
| Tripp and Bree finding their branches |
Next, we had to find a piece of wood since His cross was made out of wood.
We then set off to find something that was no longer alive, because Jesus really did die. Tripp found a dead leaf and was so excited about his find.
 |
| Tripp showing off his "something dead" to Bree |
The article I had read called for them finding white linen, since Jesus was wrapped in this when He was placed in the tomb. I knew this would not be something they would be able to just happen upon outside without me placing it there so I just had them find something white. I was leaning towards perhaps a white stone or a white flower. They ended up finding broken pieces of pipes, but hey it was white and they came up with it on their own.
We finished the hunt off by finding stones to symbolize the one they rolled in front of His grave and something living, because Jesus truly did resurrect on the third day. They found flowers for something living. I didn't have the heart to tell them that when they picked the flowers they were no longer living. Ha!
 | |
| Bree looking for her flower for the something living category |
They had so much fun collecting these items and I enjoyed getting to talk about them. It was an interactive way to talk about the Easter story that was a blast! I am definitely adding this to my list of traditions to do each year. They stored the items by the front door and just had to show their parents the items when they came home. It was cute listening to Tripp at 4 years old explain to his dad what each item represented.
 |
| Tripp and Bree showing off their items from the hunt |
Sunday, April 5, 2015
A Song for Sunday: "Alive"
For the month of April I am going to be focusing on songs about the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. What better song to talk about on Easter Sunday than one that is all about Him raising again? The song "Alive" by Natalie Grant is kind of lengthy, but full of truth and has made me really start to tear up as I listened to it again this year.
The song is supposed to be like Mary Magdalene's story; of her going to the grave that Sunday morning and finding it empty. At first feeling lost, but then seeing Christ for herself and realizing that He is alive. And then she runs to tell the others.
What a feeling of joy that must have been. I am sure some tears of happiness probably leaked out of her eyes as she looked upon the face of the Risen Lord and saw the scars in His hands from the nails. He loved her so much He died for her, but loved her even more than that. Because of His perfect love for her, He had to rise again.
And the same is true for every one of us. There would have been no power in Jesus' death. He would not have been able to save us from our sins, if He did not rise again. He had to resurrect. And praise God, He did just as He said He would!
I just love the whole song so much, I decided to include the lyrics for all of it this time instead of just choosing some lines to share. Here it is:
How great it is to know that we are His, because He is alive. Rejoice today and always Christian, for death has surely lost and love has won. He has risen indeed! What joy it should always bring to our hearts!
The song is supposed to be like Mary Magdalene's story; of her going to the grave that Sunday morning and finding it empty. At first feeling lost, but then seeing Christ for herself and realizing that He is alive. And then she runs to tell the others.
What a feeling of joy that must have been. I am sure some tears of happiness probably leaked out of her eyes as she looked upon the face of the Risen Lord and saw the scars in His hands from the nails. He loved her so much He died for her, but loved her even more than that. Because of His perfect love for her, He had to rise again.
And the same is true for every one of us. There would have been no power in Jesus' death. He would not have been able to save us from our sins, if He did not rise again. He had to resurrect. And praise God, He did just as He said He would!
I just love the whole song so much, I decided to include the lyrics for all of it this time instead of just choosing some lines to share. Here it is:
"Who but You, could breathe and leave a trail of galaxies and dream of me?
What kind of Love is writing my story till the end with Mercy’s pen? Only You.
What kind of king would choose to wear a crown that bleeds and scars to win my heart?
What kind of Love tells me I’m the reason He can’t stay inside the grave?
You. Is it You? Standing here before my eyes, every part of my heart cries
Alive! Alive! Look what Mercy’s overcome; Death has lost and Love has won Alive! Alive!
Hallelujah, Risen Lord, the only One I fall before I am His because He is alive.
Who could speak, and send the demons back from where they came with just one Name?
What other heart would let itself be broken every time till He healed mine?
You. Only You could turn my darkness into dawn; running right into Your arms
Alive! Alive! Look what Mercy’s overcome; Death has lost and Love has won Alive! Alive!
Hallelujah, Risen Lord, the only One I fall before I am His because He is
Emmanuel, the promised King the baby who made angels sing Son of Man who walked with us, healing, breathing in our dust
The author of all history, the answer to all mysteries The Lamb of God who rolled away, the stone in front of every grave
Alive! Alive! Look what Mercy’s overcome;
Death has lost and Love has won Alive! I am His because He is alive. Alive!"
What kind of Love is writing my story till the end with Mercy’s pen? Only You.
What kind of king would choose to wear a crown that bleeds and scars to win my heart?
What kind of Love tells me I’m the reason He can’t stay inside the grave?
You. Is it You? Standing here before my eyes, every part of my heart cries
Alive! Alive! Look what Mercy’s overcome; Death has lost and Love has won Alive! Alive!
Hallelujah, Risen Lord, the only One I fall before I am His because He is alive.
Who could speak, and send the demons back from where they came with just one Name?
What other heart would let itself be broken every time till He healed mine?
You. Only You could turn my darkness into dawn; running right into Your arms
Alive! Alive! Look what Mercy’s overcome; Death has lost and Love has won Alive! Alive!
Hallelujah, Risen Lord, the only One I fall before I am His because He is
Emmanuel, the promised King the baby who made angels sing Son of Man who walked with us, healing, breathing in our dust
The author of all history, the answer to all mysteries The Lamb of God who rolled away, the stone in front of every grave
Alive! Alive! Look what Mercy’s overcome;
Death has lost and Love has won Alive! I am His because He is alive. Alive!"
How great it is to know that we are His, because He is alive. Rejoice today and always Christian, for death has surely lost and love has won. He has risen indeed! What joy it should always bring to our hearts!
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Spring: A Time of Growth for the Body and Spirit
Spring. A breath of fresh air. Sunshine. Beautiful clouds. Breezy days perfect for flying kites. Flowers blooming everywhere. Things growing. The world is full of life again. And I smile.
Ahh, spring. I needed this season. What other season could speak so to my soul about new life and a new beginning? About growth not just physically, but spiritually. Spring is when we remember Christ's death and it's when we celebrate Him rising from the dead. I have always loved this season. In nature and in the spirit, spring has to be my favorite.
5 years of going in one direction has been halted. My life has shifted and changed overnight. I am having to start all over again. And it's hard. Pushing myself up through the soil again is strenuous and sometimes painful. I have to make sure I am rooted deep in the Word of God. If not, I will wilt.
But when I hold fast to His Word and go where He leads, I find myself sprouting up from the soil. I have broken ground and here I am, a new shoot starting out. I am healthy, but vulnerable and small.
If I just cling hard and fast to the One who adorns the fields with flowers and who fashioned my heart, I will blossom into something beautiful. It won't be without hardships or pain. There will be storms and rainy days. Times of drought and times of plenty. And yet if I am rooted in good soil, I will grow.
I look to Matthew 6:26 that states: "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" And I am reminded how foolish it is for me to fret about my future and what is to come. What about just basking in the joy of the moment, enjoying this season, right here, right now? It's alright to have plans and goals, but I shouldn't get so hung up on them and all the what if's of what is to come.
Thing is, I can't predict my future. I have no idea what it will have in store. I know I will get older and I know certain events will probably take place, but I have no idea what type of circumstances are going to infiltrate my life.
And even more than that, I am reminded how silly it is for us to worry when we actually do things like sowing and reaping and gathering into barns. The birds don't even do that and yet God provides for them. So why then do we worry so much? He will provide for our needs.
I am ready to embrace this season of my life with all its' heartache, pain, joy, laughter and healing. It all comes as one package deal and I will gladly take it all. For I know my Savior is with me every part of the way. Spring, you are a breath of fresh air to my soul. You are, by all means, welcome here.
 |
| Roses from my mom's rose bush |
5 years of going in one direction has been halted. My life has shifted and changed overnight. I am having to start all over again. And it's hard. Pushing myself up through the soil again is strenuous and sometimes painful. I have to make sure I am rooted deep in the Word of God. If not, I will wilt.
But when I hold fast to His Word and go where He leads, I find myself sprouting up from the soil. I have broken ground and here I am, a new shoot starting out. I am healthy, but vulnerable and small.
If I just cling hard and fast to the One who adorns the fields with flowers and who fashioned my heart, I will blossom into something beautiful. It won't be without hardships or pain. There will be storms and rainy days. Times of drought and times of plenty. And yet if I am rooted in good soil, I will grow.
I look to Matthew 6:26 that states: "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" And I am reminded how foolish it is for me to fret about my future and what is to come. What about just basking in the joy of the moment, enjoying this season, right here, right now? It's alright to have plans and goals, but I shouldn't get so hung up on them and all the what if's of what is to come.
Thing is, I can't predict my future. I have no idea what it will have in store. I know I will get older and I know certain events will probably take place, but I have no idea what type of circumstances are going to infiltrate my life.
And even more than that, I am reminded how silly it is for us to worry when we actually do things like sowing and reaping and gathering into barns. The birds don't even do that and yet God provides for them. So why then do we worry so much? He will provide for our needs.
I am ready to embrace this season of my life with all its' heartache, pain, joy, laughter and healing. It all comes as one package deal and I will gladly take it all. For I know my Savior is with me every part of the way. Spring, you are a breath of fresh air to my soul. You are, by all means, welcome here.
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