Thursday, May 22, 2008

Permanent verses Washable


As a mom I have learned to read the labels on art supplies before I purchase them. I love letting my kids be imaginative and create things on their own. We all know well enough when it is time for fun the mess has just begun. It is so much easier when the mess cleans up with a bit of soap and water. But there are those times when the going outside the lines have become a permanent reminders of the fun once had. Some brands of markers aren't washable on clothing others stick to wood like a new coat of bright strange polka dot stain.

I was thinking on this for a bit and soaked myself in the memory of how Jesus has washed, by his blood, my sins as white as snow. Whether my sins seemed to me permanent or Washable, Nothing is impossible with God.

Our life is like one big art project He watches us try and perfect. When we want help He gives it. God guides us and washes us clean, sending us on our way with a new white sheet of paper every once in a while. He longs for us to trust in him and let his hand guide our brush strokes and does when we allow him to.

He forgives us of our sins and he chooses to forget, yet sometimes that sin just does not seem to want to wash off of us. We seem to have a permanent stain on our brain of what we have done. We go through the process of believing in God's mercy and love and eventually forgive ourselves. But still there is a little mile marker on our lives that pops it's self up to be remembered. I think of these as the permanent marker sins. The ones that though we are forgiven still leave a bit of tarnish on our silver, a smudge on our glass half full called life. Sometimes sins are washed away, no harm done, forgiven and forgotten. Just like those good old water washable markers or paint messes, they clean up fast and all is well back to normal clean as a whistle.

What I have to remember is God does not see as I see things. His ways are not my ways. He does not see sin as little and big, hard to clean verses rinse with water, the forgivable verses the unforgivable. He sees them all the same. And in him we are washed clean. Though we may remember the past we can be thankful it is in the past and can not touch us, or hold us away from God's love, peace, joy... his presence!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Psalms 103:11-13

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Rest in his forgiveness!
Bask in his loving presence!
God bless! Have a terrific day!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Trust and Obey


Trust in meeeeeeee!
I was laying in bed at 1:30am this morning thinking, praying and my mind came upon this little song from the Disney Jungle Book movie. I started singing this songs tune changing the words a bit for my own worship state of mind. I sang it like this: I trust in you! I am telling you all this because this was the pendulum that smacked all the other balls of thoughts in to motion thus, baddabing: a blog is born.

Something was a miss singing this tune to God in the form of a worship song. Some thing was not right and it was not the fact that it was 1:30 in the morning and I was wide awake trying to stay on key. No back on note, trying to discover what could be the flat in my song unto the Lord I looked back at its origin. There you have it. The tune I was singing originally said "Trust in me!" SO you ask "what is wrong with that... God does want us to trust in him?" God yes, but these words were sung by a snake in the movie. This tune/tone was not a holy whispered on the wind but rather an enticing, look in to my swirling hypnotizing eyes, trust in me long enough for me to wrap my slithering muscle toned body around you, to strangle you, and swallow you whole, sort of tune. Not the song one should probably think of to use as the melody to a worship song.

So along this line of thoughts focused on trust I decided to pause a moment and reflect on some scripture. Come along with me for the ride!

Psalms 9:9-11 (ironic number placement... it brings to mind a date we all had to trust in HIM!)

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalms 19:7-8

The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.


You might be wondering why this blog is titled Trust and Obey? It has to do with the bouncing ball pendulum from the beginning of my story. I started thinking about the reasons trusting in God are important. That ball banged against the thought: can I say that I trust in the Lord honestly? Does my life prove my statement? Do my actions, my walk-a-long random conversations, or things I do just because, prove I am whom I say I am? I say I am, by the way, a lover, believer, trust giver, follower of my super awesome Daddy Savior Jesus!

The next ball on the... yes my thoughts are still banging back and forth, nothing slows down the pendulum. I have always believed whom we serve we choose everyday we rise out of bed. With every decision we make, big or small, gigantore, or puny woony, we either choose to serve God or Satan. Our every word can either be life giving or death spewing. That said , as you can imagine, trusting in the Lord takes on new meaning. It does not mean you just simply believe the scriptures enough to throw them around once in a while in a verbal game of dodge ball. No it means doing what one can do to do whats right during every micro measurable second of your life. Sounds exhausting doesn't it? But this is life and death we are talking about right? Heaven at stake, hell the consequence. ( Not for me just those I spew death upon. I know God forgives and my eternity with him is secured:) By spewing I mean the hurting of others, either with words or actions. This happens every time I selfishly seek for my own self, things I want, and care not about others, including what GOD desires. Sure I can John 1:9 it knowing I am sorry in my heart. But what about the innocent by standers that were just run over by a loose tongue on the rampage? How they choose to think of God by the way I act I can probably never undo.

I have some good news to all this stressful talk. It is time for another stroll through scripture.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Psalm 73:23
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

Matthew 28:19-20
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

This is good news! We, as we pick up our cross, doing our best to live our lives for our Big Daddy J. C. , are not on our own, out of our own power to do so. As we trust in Him daily, as we choose to listen to his voice and word, as we live and learn from our mistakes He is with us!

Deuteronomy 31:8

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake
you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

But wait there is more! Remember the verse you read that talks about God working all things for the good of those who love him? This is talking not just about the things you done right... pat on the back good job. This verse is talking about ALL THINGS! Those screw up moments, those times we totally drop the ball, the time we spewed death and wished with all our might we could take it back, but just like trying to get excess tooth past back in to the tube, it is just impossible. God says it is possible not by our power but His. Because he is so good, He is willing to work ALL THINGS for the good of those who love him.

Jesus tells us to cast all our cares upon him and take up his Yoke for his yoke is light. He tells us to let Him who is able carry our load... our burdens. So no more living with a woe is me I mess up again syndrome. It is time to live free in Jesus. Daily with him walking in forgiveness and peace and joy. Knowing each step we take we are not alone and when we fall he is right there to make everything right again. It may not seem like every things is all hunky doory. But you can count on his promise he will make good come out of ALL things even our oopsy daisies.

This is the end of my pendulum swinging balls of thoughts. They have knocked on the door of my heart. I hope for you they have done the same.

I leave you with this final note. Trust and Obey willingly, freely, patiently with yourself! For God is a very good God, forever abounding in grace, love and forgiveness. Joyously live as you trust in HIM!

2 Corinthians 7
-8 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Beauty is as Beauty does!


The dictionary says that beautiful is something or someone we look upon and are pleased with what we see.

The Bible tells us in 1Peter 1:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Romans 10:15
As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Mark 14:3-6
While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly. "Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me.

Beautiful is the Women spoken of in Proverbs 31 Here are a few exerts from that chapter taken from the message bible:
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.
Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!
And I add Beauty is as beauty does and such a woman as this is Beautiful indeed!

I write about beauty today to honor all MOM's out there. Mom's are often selfless, serving others with out a thought toward themselves. Mom's are often over looked as the beautiful people they are. Rather they are thought of as the means of nourishment or clean clothes.

I encourage us all to take a look at our moms today and remember the good things they have done for us. Remember the times you were picked up and dusted off. Remember those encouraging words you heard when you were about to give up. Remember the love you felt with every hug and tender look she gave. Remember her as the beauty she is. Give her a call or even better give her a hug in person and tell her so the world can hear "MOM YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!"

Happy Mother's Day all you beauties out there today!