I Then Shall Live As One Who's Been Forgiven ...

What a statement this is for those of us that know Jesus as our Lord, our God, our Saviour and our friend. I've spent this evening wondering if I could ever grasp this any more than I grasp God's true grace in my life, His undying and unconditional love for someone like me who fails in every aspect of my humanness as well as any goodness I might attempt to express on His behalf.

One word picture I've often used is the white sheet, dingy sheet analogy. Often I find myself fitting God to my circumstances. If I hang myself on the line alone, or with those that agree with me, I look pretty clean, however, my comparison to others or things is not the "bar" I should be rising to. It's only when He is on the line hanging next to me that I see His brightness and purity...His holiness causes me to hang my head in His presence. Being reminded of all He is and all He has done is meant to bring us to our knees ... to realize that the lives we live, any pain we endure, and the happiness and joy we enjoy are all hand fashioned for each of us individually. Stop and think here ... God created each hair on our heads, each one of us is different in every way, why would He just send us to earth as humans and then let us wander trying to find our own way? He wouldn't and He hasn't. Our lives are divinely ordered step by step. Sometimes we try taking a detour, but God is faithful "to perform His work in us" till the day He returns for us. Some of you work out or run Marathons...you push yourselves to get to your day of competition ready to meet your competitors, or your race. So then, this is life, or a great example of it. It hurts to train, even the final race is sometimes treacherous...but finishing is the reward.

I am going to play a song that absolutely stirred my heart today ... have I accomplished this myself ... absolutely NOT! But is there hope in knowing that this is His intent ... YES! I know one thing for sure, that God has not only a plan, but a plan custom made for each of us. I want to know Him more. I want my life to honor Him each moment, in every action and word. There is not one single thing that crosses our paths that is out of His sight. He gives us a "long leash" at times, but always brings us back again. "No one will snatch you from the Father's hand" are His own words ... my heart's desire then is "to live as one who's been forgiven". Will I ever be good enough, no never. Our job is to press on ... and He will forever be all we need and all He is.

What is on your mind today? What's happening in your life, your heart? Tell me what part God has in your life today? How is it different than yesterday? Has He made His presence clear to you in your life differently than ever before?

I hate Catfish!

You know that Catfish are not only ugly, they actually bite, are slimmy, and that's not enough against them in my book...they are also what's known as "bottom feeders". They eat pretty much all the garbage that is on the bottom of the lakes and swamps they live and proliferate in. Go ahead, look at them in the eye and I dare anyone to tell me they are cute.

I have wondered why it is that they don't know they're "distasteful" in every way...I've come to the conclusion that it's because they pretty much hang out with others who are just like them. So the only thing they have to guage their looks, habits, or features with are other catfish. Now if they were to try to become friends with the rainbow trout they certainly wouldn't start to change color or shape, but it would broaden their world for sure.

Is this what we do? I can't help but think of the old adage..."misery loves company". It seems that I at times allow myself to sink into my own pity party when things (and people) are more challenging than is comfortable. Talking to a very wise person the other evening I tried my best to justify my actions....again. Isaiah says it best when he sighs out loud "Woe is me, for I am undone", and to that I reply...Yes, totally! No matter how complicated life gets, or how it is sometimes easier to just keep digging our heels in, God reminds me that it's really simple, because He already has provided a way for us to walk through anything and everything. "Give me Jesus, give me Jesus ... You can have all this world, give me Jesus.

Maybe this finds you out of sorts, confused, or trying to make sense of "things". I do know that there isn't one thing this world can offer that will give the security or peace we all crave ... only God's strong arms are strong enough to still whatever storm that's within us. Hanging on the the Rock that is higher than I...grab on when you need to.

Iron sharpens Iron...!!!

Iron sharpens Iron...!!!

Well here we are again, racing already thru January 2011. I forgot how long it has been since my last posting, so I am kind of cheating by repeating something that I've posted before. I think its appropriate again/still, so will copy and paste and as you read it hopefully it will make sense for today, or your tomorrow....

I've been looking at alot of old family/friend pictures...turning somewhat melancholy in the process and was reminded of the incredible lives we have led, and the legacy that we constantly are forming for our children. I can only speak for myself, but there are some things that I would like to see "ended" with me, and not carried on with my kids. Then again it always gives me warm fuzzies when I look at pictures of the people who have left their fingerprint on my heart and life. Life is a journey, as Wayne always reminds me. Even the tough times are so valuable to everything that makes us who we are. For those of you in my physical family or amongst my family of friends that read this, I want to say thank you for your touch on my life. I have come to realize that it takes all of us to give balance, patience, and any bit of wisdom to the other. Scripture says that we are like iron sharpening iron...lots of intense heat, some banging, and much shaping and stretching ... all at the mighty hand of our loving heavenly Father, and many times through those that we hold close. Happy New Year... may it bring us just a little closer to seeing life as He does.