Saturday, January 3, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
I didn't write this blog, but it does describe what I have been going through. I pray, that in this new year, God will continue to heal my heart and help me to want to focus on Him and not me.
"If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come offer your sacrifice to God."
Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)
Yesterday I swept the mahogany dark wood floors in my house. I worked with so much energy it might have looked like I was a clean freak or, at the very least, industrious. I am neither of those things. In fact, I really didn't even notice the dust bunnies flying through the air. I was hurt, trying to sweep away harsh words spoken the day before by a friend.
I had spent most of the morning mulling over the words from the day before, wondering why I didn't say something. Wondering why she did. I finally put on some music, took out the broom, and asked God for His grace because mine didn't seem to be big enough at the moment.
I've heard people throw out advice on forgiveness as if dispensing aspirin. They casually say things like, "Jesus forgave, why don't you?" The reality is that you and I aren't Jesus. It's an uneven journey at best as we accept His grace and strive to learn from His example. The practice of living a forgiving lifestyle can be an ominous task. There is incredible freedom in living a life of mercy, but it's not something that we just find along the way. It's a purposeful intent to move beyond the burden and restrictions of bitterness, anger, rage, or unresolved emotions tied to a person or event.
Forgiveness is a bridge I thought I had crossed and yet here I was again. I had forgiven an abusive, dysfunctional childhood. I understand the joy and freedom that comes through forgiving others. So why was the small stuff tripping me up? Perhaps it is because I am still growing, a process that will never stop.
Jesus met a man who was paralyzed. His friends brought him to Jesus on a mat. The need was obvious, but instead of healing his legs Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven." (Matthew 9: 2 NLT) Isn't it interesting that He addressed the issue of the man's heart before attending to his physical body?
He hasn't changed. He still sees my heart. I have forgiven - but I will continue to become a forgiver as I meet life's challenges. To do that, I have to give myself a little grace, but also invite Him into the process.
Maybe you're like I once was; dealing with the hurts of the past and forgiveness seems impossible. Forgiving doesn't mean that abuse can continue or that what happened is okay. What it does mean is that you are ready to live life free of entanglements to the past.
Maybe you have grappled with the big issues and they no longer hold power over you, but the little stuff is the big stuff and you are tired of it.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us". As I talked with my Savior, He settled in and made Himself at home in the situation. Yesterday my house got cleaned, but so did my heart.
What happens when we are willing to forgive? It moves us one step closer to deep-seated faith marked by grace.
Dear Lord, Help me to forgive one person today. I lift up my heart. I won't pretend that it doesn't hurt, but I am willing to forgive. I'm not always big enough, but You are and I am grateful. I won't forgive based on a person's response, or even what is fair, but instead I will trust that You desire my heart to be free so that You can love in and through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Think about unforgiveness as a wall. We build it around our heart to keep people from hurting us. What keeps you inside that wall?
What can we miss when we live in a fortress?
You don't offer forgiveness to hear someone say they are sorry. It's nice if it happens, but even if it doesn't it's foundational to wholeness - in you!
1 Corinthians 13:5, "Love does not demand its own way. [Love] is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged." (NLT)
by T.Suzanne Eller
"If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come offer your sacrifice to God."
Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)
Yesterday I swept the mahogany dark wood floors in my house. I worked with so much energy it might have looked like I was a clean freak or, at the very least, industrious. I am neither of those things. In fact, I really didn't even notice the dust bunnies flying through the air. I was hurt, trying to sweep away harsh words spoken the day before by a friend.
I had spent most of the morning mulling over the words from the day before, wondering why I didn't say something. Wondering why she did. I finally put on some music, took out the broom, and asked God for His grace because mine didn't seem to be big enough at the moment.
I've heard people throw out advice on forgiveness as if dispensing aspirin. They casually say things like, "Jesus forgave, why don't you?" The reality is that you and I aren't Jesus. It's an uneven journey at best as we accept His grace and strive to learn from His example. The practice of living a forgiving lifestyle can be an ominous task. There is incredible freedom in living a life of mercy, but it's not something that we just find along the way. It's a purposeful intent to move beyond the burden and restrictions of bitterness, anger, rage, or unresolved emotions tied to a person or event.
Forgiveness is a bridge I thought I had crossed and yet here I was again. I had forgiven an abusive, dysfunctional childhood. I understand the joy and freedom that comes through forgiving others. So why was the small stuff tripping me up? Perhaps it is because I am still growing, a process that will never stop.
Jesus met a man who was paralyzed. His friends brought him to Jesus on a mat. The need was obvious, but instead of healing his legs Jesus said, "Your sins are forgiven." (Matthew 9: 2 NLT) Isn't it interesting that He addressed the issue of the man's heart before attending to his physical body?
He hasn't changed. He still sees my heart. I have forgiven - but I will continue to become a forgiver as I meet life's challenges. To do that, I have to give myself a little grace, but also invite Him into the process.
Maybe you're like I once was; dealing with the hurts of the past and forgiveness seems impossible. Forgiving doesn't mean that abuse can continue or that what happened is okay. What it does mean is that you are ready to live life free of entanglements to the past.
Maybe you have grappled with the big issues and they no longer hold power over you, but the little stuff is the big stuff and you are tired of it.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us". As I talked with my Savior, He settled in and made Himself at home in the situation. Yesterday my house got cleaned, but so did my heart.
What happens when we are willing to forgive? It moves us one step closer to deep-seated faith marked by grace.
Dear Lord, Help me to forgive one person today. I lift up my heart. I won't pretend that it doesn't hurt, but I am willing to forgive. I'm not always big enough, but You are and I am grateful. I won't forgive based on a person's response, or even what is fair, but instead I will trust that You desire my heart to be free so that You can love in and through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Think about unforgiveness as a wall. We build it around our heart to keep people from hurting us. What keeps you inside that wall?
What can we miss when we live in a fortress?
You don't offer forgiveness to hear someone say they are sorry. It's nice if it happens, but even if it doesn't it's foundational to wholeness - in you!
1 Corinthians 13:5, "Love does not demand its own way. [Love] is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged." (NLT)
by T.Suzanne Eller
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Gift...
This afternoon, I heard a bird hit the den window. I looked out and saw a stunned chickadee sitting in a snow pile on the front porch. I went outside to make sure he was alright and picked him up to put him in the sun. Cupped in my hand, he didn't struggle at all, but I knew he was fine. I put him down in the sunny spot and offered my finger to him for a perch. He accepted and we formed a brief friendship! Neat! He sat there for quite a while, looking around and allowing us to photograph him numerous times.
Finally, he flew off my finger, only to land on the window sill, peering inside at the living room. Later on, I realized that the bird feeder was empty...maybe he was trying to tell me something?
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Back from the Brink...
How quickly life can change. One minute you have all the comforts you have been used to, the next minute...GONE! No running water, no lights, no heat...
But no fears! We have each other, right? (and the trusty generator and toasty woodstove!) Who would have thought I could cook a barbecue brisket dinner on the top of said woodstove? That was definitely an experiment! But thankfully, a successful one!
So, after that, I continued to experiment and cooked a bean casserole with leftover brisket in it, and a chicken soup with grilled bread! YUM! We even broke out the campstove and I was able to make eggs, pancakes and grilled english muffins...also hot water for cocoa and tea! So, we had good food! That's the first hurdle out of the way! (at least in my family's book!)
The generator definitely has been a blessing. We were able to hook it up to the fuse box and run everything we needed....water, heat and lights....not to mention the local news station for updates on when the power would be back on! (Thanks Dad!)
Even though it was six LONG days without the power, we survived. No tempers were lost, (although moods were low here and there) and we learned that we can live without the computer and cable tv!
God knows what we can handle. He was always there during this time of "darkness". On the last day before our power came on, I read this interesting verse:
Proverbs 17:1,
"1 Better a dry crust with peace
than a house full of feasting with strife.
Let me paraphrase: Better to suffer a little without all the luxuries and have peace, than to have all we could want and strife along with it.
So, I think the time without power was a time for us to be quiet and enjoy the non-busyness, which is very rare this time of year.
Merry Christmas!
But no fears! We have each other, right? (and the trusty generator and toasty woodstove!) Who would have thought I could cook a barbecue brisket dinner on the top of said woodstove? That was definitely an experiment! But thankfully, a successful one!
So, after that, I continued to experiment and cooked a bean casserole with leftover brisket in it, and a chicken soup with grilled bread! YUM! We even broke out the campstove and I was able to make eggs, pancakes and grilled english muffins...also hot water for cocoa and tea! So, we had good food! That's the first hurdle out of the way! (at least in my family's book!)
The generator definitely has been a blessing. We were able to hook it up to the fuse box and run everything we needed....water, heat and lights....not to mention the local news station for updates on when the power would be back on! (Thanks Dad!)
Even though it was six LONG days without the power, we survived. No tempers were lost, (although moods were low here and there) and we learned that we can live without the computer and cable tv!
God knows what we can handle. He was always there during this time of "darkness". On the last day before our power came on, I read this interesting verse:
Proverbs 17:1,
"1 Better a dry crust with peace
than a house full of feasting with strife.
Let me paraphrase: Better to suffer a little without all the luxuries and have peace, than to have all we could want and strife along with it.
So, I think the time without power was a time for us to be quiet and enjoy the non-busyness, which is very rare this time of year.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 8, 2008
What were we thinking??!
This year we had the brilliant idea that we should purchase an artificial tree. No more needles, no more watering, no more dead tree a week before Christmas. (we actually had to replace a tree one year a week before Christmas...it was so bad, the branches with lights were bare sticks)
We broached the idea about a month ago. They thought we were kidding. We weren't.
So, on Saturday, we took them to the local artificial tree dealer. (yes, we have one of them right here in our area) As we walked around the warehouse, pricing and measuring...we had four, nauseous looking children following us around. (well, Wynne was doing okay, but she wasn't completely on board) No smiles, no wonder or happy comments. Very unusual for us.
Well, it took only 10 minutes and 3 or 4 passes around the room before we were hurrying out the door and headed to the local Christmas tree farm, located on the windy, icy hill.
The good news is, we got the most beautiful fraser fir we have ever had and it only cost us $25.00! (oh ya, and the kids are happy.)
Happy Monday!
Friday, December 5, 2008
I get an encouragement e-mail every morning from Crosswalk.com (a Christian ministry) This particular one is just what I want to say to so many people in my life. I think it is self-explanatory:
Hope for the Holidays
Micca Campbell
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37 (NIV)
God gave each of us what we needed most--a Savior to save us from ourselves. Therefore, the holiday season should be a time of cheer. For some, however, it can be lonely and depressing. While the days leading up to Christmas should be filled with peace, joy, and hope, sadness over past mistakes can hover like clouds on a rainy day. We all have a tendency to define ourselves by what we have or haven't done.
We tend to label ourselves by our past mistakes, and then we wear these labels as if there were no alternative. Failure; Unfaithful; Unfit Parent; Liar; Gossip; Addicted; Bitter.
The Bible tells us that as a person thinks, so they become. Therefore, if you want to live an unhealthy life, you can. If you want to punish yourself, you will. However, being self-destructive is not God's plan for your life. In fact, to think this way is to see yourself outside of God's saving grace.
That's why the Christmas season offers such hope ... because God gave us what we needed most--a Savior to save us from ourselves. The key to putting your past behind you, and moving forward with a bright and hopeful future, is to accept Christ's forgiveness for you.
You'll find it comforting to know that you are not alone in your troubles. The Bible tells us, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23, NIV). That means there is not one perfect person in the entire world. We have all made mistakes. I know I've made my share. Still, no matter how hard we try to do everything right on our own, we can't. So God gave His only Son as payment for our sins. In other words, Christ paid our debt. This payment is a gift of God which He freely offers to you and me.
The awesome thing is, we don't have to earn this gift. Through Christ's death on the cross, God simply says, "Your sins are paid in full."
All you and I have to do to receive His forgiveness is to agree with God about our sins. You might say something like this in prayer. Yes, God, I did that thing ... I receive your free gift of forgiveness for the wrong I have done, and I accept heaven as my eternal home. Cleanse me and change my life. Fill me with your love, hope, joy and peace.
If you sincerely mean what you've confessed, then you have been forgiven. Your slate is clean. God remembers your sins no more. It is as if they never were. That's the good news of Christmas and the open doorway to peace!
The next thing you must do is forgive yourself. You will stay in bondage if you continue to label yourself as a bad or unworthy person for what you have done instead of focusing on the changes God can bring about in you. You must stop defining yourself by your past and read the Bible to learn how God defines His people.
Just think; this could be a Christmas where you experience real peace, joy, and forgiveness. It's why Christ was born ... to set you free.
Dear Lord, I am a sinner. I believe You died for me and rose from the grave to forgive my sins and secure me a place in heaven. Come into my life and take control. Forgive all my sin and help me to forgive others. I'm now turning from my sin and I trust You alone for my salvation. Fill me with your love and peace, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
If you are interested in reading more about Jesus, read the Gospel of John. It's powerful!
Happy Friday, All!
Hope for the Holidays
Micca Campbell
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37 (NIV)
God gave each of us what we needed most--a Savior to save us from ourselves. Therefore, the holiday season should be a time of cheer. For some, however, it can be lonely and depressing. While the days leading up to Christmas should be filled with peace, joy, and hope, sadness over past mistakes can hover like clouds on a rainy day. We all have a tendency to define ourselves by what we have or haven't done.
We tend to label ourselves by our past mistakes, and then we wear these labels as if there were no alternative. Failure; Unfaithful; Unfit Parent; Liar; Gossip; Addicted; Bitter.
The Bible tells us that as a person thinks, so they become. Therefore, if you want to live an unhealthy life, you can. If you want to punish yourself, you will. However, being self-destructive is not God's plan for your life. In fact, to think this way is to see yourself outside of God's saving grace.
That's why the Christmas season offers such hope ... because God gave us what we needed most--a Savior to save us from ourselves. The key to putting your past behind you, and moving forward with a bright and hopeful future, is to accept Christ's forgiveness for you.
You'll find it comforting to know that you are not alone in your troubles. The Bible tells us, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23, NIV). That means there is not one perfect person in the entire world. We have all made mistakes. I know I've made my share. Still, no matter how hard we try to do everything right on our own, we can't. So God gave His only Son as payment for our sins. In other words, Christ paid our debt. This payment is a gift of God which He freely offers to you and me.
The awesome thing is, we don't have to earn this gift. Through Christ's death on the cross, God simply says, "Your sins are paid in full."
All you and I have to do to receive His forgiveness is to agree with God about our sins. You might say something like this in prayer. Yes, God, I did that thing ... I receive your free gift of forgiveness for the wrong I have done, and I accept heaven as my eternal home. Cleanse me and change my life. Fill me with your love, hope, joy and peace.
If you sincerely mean what you've confessed, then you have been forgiven. Your slate is clean. God remembers your sins no more. It is as if they never were. That's the good news of Christmas and the open doorway to peace!
The next thing you must do is forgive yourself. You will stay in bondage if you continue to label yourself as a bad or unworthy person for what you have done instead of focusing on the changes God can bring about in you. You must stop defining yourself by your past and read the Bible to learn how God defines His people.
Just think; this could be a Christmas where you experience real peace, joy, and forgiveness. It's why Christ was born ... to set you free.
Dear Lord, I am a sinner. I believe You died for me and rose from the grave to forgive my sins and secure me a place in heaven. Come into my life and take control. Forgive all my sin and help me to forgive others. I'm now turning from my sin and I trust You alone for my salvation. Fill me with your love and peace, in Jesus' Name, Amen.
If you are interested in reading more about Jesus, read the Gospel of John. It's powerful!
Happy Friday, All!
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