Grace and Forgivness

I havent blogged in awhile I hardly know where to start, I guess after todays message on hypocrisy I want to start there. The law shows us our sin and leads us to Christ. Its in Him alone and His righteousness that I stand. No boasting of me. Its His forgiveness in my life, His grace that sees me through each day even now as I walk in His grace daily. But like Him, I need to show grace and forgiveness to others who have not always that to me and my family. Injustice always seems to be the evil that hurts the most, but in the end its God that vindicates, and He will recompense to each according to his deeds. As for me, I am to love, forgive, extend grace and mercy toward all without partiality because that is what He did for me. As a sinner saved by grace its still one of the hardest things to do when injustice occurs but I still must because I am to be obedient to Gods word. Forgiveness is the key to relationships, holding no accounts toward anyone, letting things go in the sense if you are offended, forgiveness says I love you even though I am hurt, with everything that is in me I will not let sin against me bitter me or entangle me with my own sin. I continue to learn this everyday of my life. I continue to apply this with all relationships. And so Gods Word continues to teach and penetrate my heart like never before even in the midst of harsh and injust circumstances. I am ever grateful for forgiveness of my sin, I am ever grateful for salvation, but more than ever I am ever grateful for the sanctifying work of grace in my life everyday as a born again Christian. Lord may I forgive others as I ought and my I always esteem them as more important than myself. May I be encourging to the weak minded and the babes in Christ, may I pray and be attentive to the brothers and sisters in Christ who need my prayers and my attention and my care and concern.
May I love the Lord with all my heart and soul and might, and love my neighbor as myself.
Give me wisdom this day
James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from above is first pure, peaceloving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
May I have wisdom that fears the Lord and keep His commandments always

Doggy Distinctions

I have written since my daughter came home to live for awhile as she is getting on her feet again. She found a new job and her little dog Molly is making friend with our dog Abbey. Like any friend it takes time to get used to each other, to find out their ins and outs and likes and dislikes. They kind of like each other, they kind are in a bit of competition with one another, they wait to see what the other what is going to do, they start to bark when one starts then the other. They eat together, eyeing each other to see that they are ok to eat. When you tell them its time to go outside and play, they run to the back door. I think like any friends learning about each other day in and day out, even if they dont mesh, they tolerate each other, and if they arent there for each other they miss each other. Each are distinct in their likes and dislikes, they rely on a person to care for them, that mostly is me since my daughter came home and started her new job. Its been an interesting time watching these two bond. The more they are together, the more they seem to like each other and are getting to know one anothers little quirks! They have real dog lives here in the OC and lots of love and care. Right now they are really aware of each other and I think there will be a day when they feel really comfortable with each other at all times and when thery arent together they will really miss each other...uhmmm that might be another adjustment to life again! I will mention that to my daughter. Changes can be good, adjustments can be made as long as there is love and care! They are really pretty good doggies, I cant complain, I just didnt know I would be a grandma to a dog! I am getting use to it with each day passing. I know that Molly is getting a little more attention from us all and Abbey may need just a little more than usual, but we are on it!
If they were exactly a like then it would not be so interesting. I am glad that they have their doggy distinctions!

Coming Home Again

My daughter is coming home. Its part of her journey that the Lord has taken her through these past few years. We too have watched her on this journey and has taken us then also on a journey of growth in our own walk with the Lord.We were her prayer sojourners with her. We pleaded with the Lord daily to help and be her defense these past years. He was and is. We continue to stand on His promises and we are such grateful parents for a daughter who has endured much hardship on her lifes journey in the Lord. Though some of the valleys were deep, the Lord went before her and showed His faithfulness in her life always. Though many times we also walked with her through those valleys, we were beyond that valley looking back and saying" come on" you can make it through, the Lord goes with you.Time and time again we are amazed at our Good and Gracious God, how He walks us through the valleys and it really is that there is where we grow, we are stretched by faith and strengthened in faith as we see Gods hand in it all.
Coming Home Again, is just a resting place for now, hopefully full of encourgement and growth as well, and some strengthening of trust for all her needs and ours too. We welcome her home, you can go home again always. That is just the grace of God.....and when we are almost to our heavenly home, it will be perfect and stable and we will never move again! Earthly life is constant change and movement but heaven is immovable, we will be in the presence of the Saviour who is immutable, a strong tower, the Rock of our salvation! Thank you Lord for my daughters heart towards you, continue to grace her with your ways and the knowledge of you, may she grow strong in You and be pleasing to You, in her life and with her life. May she joy in you and enjoy the works of Your hands!
My prayer is for her growth in You alone, that she speak the truth in love and live her life totally dedicated to you, in whatever you have come her way on her journey. May we help and love her as You have called us to do, and help us to be encourging, loving and supportive always. This our hope, in You alone, hers and ours....You alone deserve all glory and honor in our lives above all else. May we continue to be a family who lifts up You highly and that we esteem each other above self always. Thank you for the changes in our journies, Thank your for Your faithfulness in our walks, Thank you for trials that you helped us endure, Thank you for Your refiners fire that works so tremendously in our hearts. You are indeed a great and Mighty God.
Coming Home.... Welcome Home to our sweet daughter who has always encourged us with the things that she endured herself by Your grace Lord and we thank you for her testimony and may she remember always what You have done in her and always live that out with gratefulness of heart. Thank You Lord for her forgiving heart, and thank You Lord for giving her that. Thank you for ours too Lord. Thank you for healing us these past few years. It was a most gracious mending time and you have patched us all up and though scars still sometimes appear, the pain is gone and we are a grateful people for what you do to show us each day how to forgive and live as You would have us live.
Though this blog did not start out as a prayer it became one because I remembered Your faithfulness to me and my family. I am a most grateful mother to You Lord for answering my prayers these past few years. I cried out to You and You heard my cry! You answered in Your time, in Your ways, according to Your will and I thank you that I have learned that even more through her life,
welcome home sweet daughter! we love you !

Writers Blog Bloc

Havent written for awhile. I think I have somewhat of a writers block. Its amazing when there is so many things that have been going on in my head and heart, I dont know whats more important I guess.
I have finished reading alot of books this summer which I am grateful for. They have really encourged me as I have been off on bible studies while everyone is taking a break. I dont know why groups take off from the Word of God, that seems so wrong. I dont think we need to take a break so to speak.
In some respects though it gives me time to read inspiring authors and be ready to start new studies for the fall and I look forward to jumping back in.
I finished a book called the Shack...which I wont comment on. It was the worse book I ever read. I was just reading it( fiction) to discern it for others who wondered what I thot. Enough said. It wasnt worth sitting down to read it. Satan uses books like this to draw Christians from the faith.
Next I read Pilgrims Progress again( one of my favorite books by John Bunyan) though I have it in the Old English I did read the The new Pilgrims Progress and it was easy reading but a reminder of what I have read in the past. Its one of the best allegorical books written by a Christian.
Next I read Giants of the Faith by Raymond Brown who did commentary on books written by Augustine, Martin Luther, John Bunyan, John Wesley
He took themes from their books for instance " Confessions" by Augustine and talked about the need for God, confessing our sin, he wove into the story the bios of each. On Martin Luther it was on prayer and how he wrote a book about prayer for his barber. John Bunyan was on the purpose of mediation which he has alot of time to write about because he was in jail when he wrote so much" GRace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners and the meaning of meditation in our lives. John Wesley" Holy Living and Holy Dying" the author comments about his life and exerpts from this book about holy life living.
I like it , I found it informative and inspiring and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

The next book I read and am going over it again is David Jeremiah book" Searching for Heaven on Earth...how to find what really matters in Life. I like it its on the book that Solomon wrote Ecclesiates.
Its mostly Solomons perspective that all is vanity and we strive after the wind. That we find no satisfaction apart from God. Money, things relationships, even kingdoms, power etc. WE find not satisfaction except in God alone. I love this book and am re- reading some of it again. REally grasping the meaning of what Solomon wrote about in this book. People have thought it depressing I find it inspiring and real, really reality, and a reminder that God has given me everything I need for this life and the life to come. My contentment is Him alone or it should be. and that reminds me to pray. So for the most part I think that this is what I learned most of all this summer is to pray more and talk to the Lord more sincerely, honestly and pour out my heart before Him. This is a good thing and I am grateful for Him showing me my need.

This is also my last week of taking my friend Bev through partners program( faith fundamentals) and it was 10 weeks focusing and praying with her and time well spent. It has been a fruitful summer and I am pleased about that, and look forward to digging in to Gods Word once more in the Kings and Chronicles and also back to Ezekiel where I will finish that class in Jan.
The Lord is good and His mercies are new every morning ...Great is His faithfulness ( lamentations)

Psalm 119

I love this Psalm its one of my favorites to read and meditate and it gives instruction to my life. Its long but says so much.
My motto I take from two of the verses
verses 15&16
I meditate on your precepts & consider Your ways
I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your Word

May this truly be said of me!

This teaches us so much about Your Word and how to apply its truth to our lives and I ever grateful for this and The Word of God which stands as faithful always to the truth and changes our hearts forever before Thee!
Thank You Lord for Your Omnipotence...for Your Being In Charge of everything in my life. I trust You and in You alone.

Amazing Life

I am sobered by the memorial service for my sister in laws mom. It was such a God honoring, God glorifying service. It remembered her life but it was all about pointing to the Saviour. Everything she did reflected the Saviour alone in her life. Her quiet and gentle spirit with a little spunk of her own. Her nudging others to carry the torch to teach, her spending countless hours teaching women, so they could grow. Her enthusiasm for her family, friends and church were beyond describing and her commitment and dedication and love of her husband of over 61 years was example with such purity and such godliness. I am afraid that we dont have these kind of examples today. Even in her dying her countenance spoke of the love of Jesus. Her bible open to Ps 71 spoke of her hope and her stedfastness to the end. What a great example to us who continue here on earth. And everything her family spoke about her was true of her, there wasnt any falseness or making good things up about her...she was the true thing, the most genuine gracious woman who loved God above all else, even above her husband, her family, and her church and friends. She had no idols of heart, her focus was right and she lived for eternity, her perspective was heaven and her hope was in Christ alone. The service spoke of the gospel and the hope we have like her spendiing eternity with Jesus and to see her again there. I was amazed at the life that God gave her, her life touched countless people, as was reflected in the people who attended. the psalms say that we have about 75 year s maybe 80, she had 82 and she lived them totally for the Lord, she knew him at 11, she married at 20, she had 4 daughters she raised and she was a pastors wife for 61 of those years. She was a proverbs 31 woman and I was glad to have known her. Her family raised up today in praise of her and she finished well...she set the example for us all to follow and I hope I have that kind of desire and enthusiasm and boldness and perseverance to stay the course in my own life...and finish well for the Lord and to have Him say" Well done good and faithful servant. Life well lived for the Saviour is a life worth living..and its an amazing life that serves an Amazing and Awesome God. To God Be the Glory!!!! Thank you Lord for Lois who not only taught, women, her children , grandchildren, greatchildren but who took the time to touch everyone she came across with the love of Jesus. May my life one day when I stand before you be counted amazing as well, and may you find me faithful like Lois. Thank you for showing your faithfulness through Lois' life...an amazing life that reflected you so greatly and graciously.

Instruments of change

Been reading a great book by Paul Tripp" Instuments in the Redeemers Hands", been learning alot about change and how as Christians we do it, how we do it biblically. Really its kind of hard, though " nothing is impossible with God" and so I am up to making some changes in my own heart. That is what this book is about. The Bible is the tool to teach us how, its our instruction to do book. I have alot of knowledge about the Word which helps, I have alot of insight too that might help me but when it comes down to where the rubber meets the road I have to ask myself questions as to wether I am actually implementing those changes in my life. I understand in my walk with the Lord there is Him working in me to work out my salvation , but that does not mean I am passive to actually do nothing. he asks me to be obedient to the things, principles, tests of scripture that are spelled out clearly and concisely.
Example:
What does the Bible say about( info)? say relationships, marriage, friendships etc...
Like , my main relationship is with my husband ( Gen 2, Eph 6) am I living this way?( according to all the passages on this subject that God calls me to.
Relationship struggles reveal our hearts ( luke 6:43-45, Mark 7)
Is it easier to see anothers faults that to see my own? ( Matt 7:3-5 ; Heb: 3:12-13)
God calls us to peace Matt 5:9; Ro 12:14-21
God call us to be agents of reconciliation 2 cor 5:16 -21
Forgivness is the way to peace and reconciliation Luke 17:3-4 ; Eph 4:29-5:2
God give us everything we need to work on changes( marriage example) 2 peter 1:3-9
God clearly states how we should relate to the other Eph 5 :22-33
Core issue, not what I want and the best way to get it but what god wants and the best way to pursue it.
These are examples for me to examine the goals for my change.
To move from blind self- righteousness to humble awareness
bitterness to forgiveness
vengence to seeking to do good
self- protection to loving and sacrificial service to another
anger withdrawl to productive communication
seperation to the pursuit of reconcilation
entrusting God and quit being the Holy Spirit
I am learning to see myself thru the mirror of Gods Word as I study
keeping a prayer journal to help me ask myself questions and how my actions play out in light of what I know
I am encourged then to focus on a clear understanding of my relationship to God( my job to do list) and then entrust( what isnt on that job for me list) to God
Ps 73 and 1 Peter 1 helps me face any discourgement , anger and fear when people fail me and I start to self -absorb and about it being nowism, it helps me focus on the unseen, on the eternal. Who I am in Christ and my relationship to Him
What does the Bible say about it?
What are the goals for change?What are the biblical methods for accomplishing Gods goals for change?

What helps me too is define Gods job and my job( making a list) and clarifying responsiblity, an dont cross over into His reponsiblity think I need to do it.( Holy Spirits job)
Lastly for my thot on this is to trust and obey...simple but hard to do
Ro 12:14-21
Bless those who persecute you
be tender and compassionate
Commit to living in harmony
Do not be proud( hard one)
As far as you can, live at peace with everyone
Love your enemy, meet his need
Overcome evil with good
Hold on to Gods grace and glory its the only way to deal with dissapointment and loss...because He is our sufficiency for everything we need.