I often struggle with words. I’m trying to let The Word give me guidance✨, but I live in a world with both Christian believers and non-believers. And when a word like “SALVATION” is used, I often wonder what that means to (a) other Christians and (b) my non-Christian friends.
Continue reading “Are You Saved? A journey into Christian Nomenclature.”My Substitute
I recently finished a book, Love Came Down at Christmas, by Sinclair B. Ferguson for the Advent Season. Included was an essay, The Substitute by Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870), a contemporary of Charles Dickens. And while A Christmas Carol may be more familiar to people, this essay was thought-provoking, to say the least. And, for me to have read it on Christmas Eve was significant.
Anyone who is intent on laying down their life to follow Jesus… who consistently discovers more and more and more of themselves that need to be released… will struggle with finding words to communicate the changes that are taking place.
I think this essay speaks to the heart more than any of my words could.
Enjoy! 💖
Continue reading “My Substitute”Guilt vs. Shame
There is difference between guilt and shame. One is a fact and one is a feeling. Guilt is the knowledge of having done something wrong. Shame is the evil result; shame is the false feeling that your value has somehow changed.
Continue reading “Guilt vs. Shame”Las Vegas Reflections
I read in a devotion from Nick Gumbel this morning about a response from Bishop B.F. Wescott when being asked if he was saved. The bishop responded:
“I know that I have been saved. I believe I am being saved. I hope by the grace of God, that I shall be saved.”
His response addressed the time factor of the word, SAVED. Gumbel expanded with:
- I KNOW I have been saved – from the PENALTY of sin.
- I BELIEVE I am being saved – from the POWER of sin.
- I HOPE, by the grace of God, I shall be saved – from the PRESENCE of sin.
Happy Mother’s Day
❤
I See You Mom
Your hurts, your worries and prayers
Your passions and purposes
I know it all
And, I need you to know
You are not alone; I am with you.
I always have been and always will be
Before you were born, I knit you together
In your mother’s womb.
And just like those babes of yours
You were also fearfully and wonderfully made.
You want the best for your children
Just like I want the best for you.
So, for this moment, for today,
Rest in this truth:
You are not alone,
I am near
I hear you
I see you
I know your effort
I am proud of your sacrifice
And regardless of where you are in your journey
I am not finished
With You
❤
HOPE – C.S. Lewis
Hope is one of the Theological virtues. This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves, who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.
Continue reading “HOPE – C.S. Lewis”Left of Return
Whether you’re a believer or not, we have all had that experience of being not-quite-awake and not-quite-asleep where you sense communication taking place. Scientists and psychologists will explain this as REM sleep – dreaming – the subconscious part of the brain trying to work out conflicts and resolutions you are struggling with in your conscious life. I can agree with that.
But I disagree with any conclusion saying, that since we all experience it, it is therefore part of our natural life.
God’s Love: It’s Why I Still Live Today
Why are we here? TODAY, I mean! As Christians, we believe in the God of Israel. The God who created the Heavens, the Seas, and the Earth. The God who created the inhabitants of each of those realms – the sun, moon, and stars, the birds, the sea creatures, the animals and mankind. Man and woman, created in His image, intended to co-rule over His creation in partnership with Him.
But the temptation of Sin entered this garden and man’s submission to that temptation, ruined their hearts. They failed to trust God and disobeyed Him. They freely chose the opportunity to define Good and Evil for themselves. As a result, they were cast out of Eden – with the promise that God would reconcile humanity back to Himself through the seed of the woman to defeat the seed of the snake.
Bible Study Journey – 1/6/19
As you have noticed, I haven’t posted in a long time in regards to the Joyce Meyer book. I realized, after some discussion with some others that this way of doing Bible study wasn’t really working.
I didn’t want to end the study without a final post…so here it is…
This is not the end of our journey together with Christ, but just the beginning, and I look forward to discussing the Bible together again one day, in person, Lord willing.
Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
Please…make sure you read the Bible EVERY DAY! Even if you are not a morning person, make sure you find even 1 Scripture verse to think about all throughout the day. Read it out loud if you can and really dwell on what the verse is saying to you personally. If you read it enough, you will memorize it too.
Don’t forget to pray and ask for the Holy Spirit daily as well, especially in regards to wisdom while reading the Scriptures and praying.
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
May dust never be on your Bible, and may you walk with God continually, as this is His desire for you. It is impossible to know God’s will, if we don’t read His Word, and have His Word at our fingertips. It is the main way God speaks to His children. It is also how we walk in victory. It is His Words and the Holy Spirit that gives us the power and grace we need for each moment of each day.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Continue reading “Bible Study Journey – 1/6/19”Testing the Emotions – 12/2/18
Pg 28-29
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
We are told that God tests us, but here, David is praying for God to test him and reveal to him any wickedness.
Joyce mentions, “Trying times are learning times”.
We also know that the more we are tested, the closer we get to God and the more we grow.
So…
Continue reading “Testing the Emotions – 12/2/18”