Man's Best Friend?

Jesus promises to be closer than a brother.  He promises to be our friend.

I want a dog. I love that animal...mans best friend. But I am amazed at how it seems we trade real relationships for media and now everyone has to have their therapy dog. I am not against social media or having a pet. As I said I want one too. But as I inquired about having one of these type dogs, they are hundreds of dollars. I hope to get one through my dr.  Will you pray this happens.  People will not go anywhere without their dog. They were all over New York and Atlanta as we went to have my husband honored at these event.  We were at beautiful hotels and these people carried and and leached their little fellows.

 I even think of security blankets. I have a blanket that reminds me of the righteousness of Christ. I guess it does comfort me.  I saw a lady with her pillow and blanket.  I have friends who take their blankets everywhere they go overnight.  Not a bad Idea I thought.  I love my blanket.

As I have been at these wonderful events honoring my husband, family and Clemson I have been so prompted to speak to people who come into my path a word of encouragement. It is amazing the blank look people have as they are focused on getting where they have to go.  Once I speak and am interested in the person and what they are doing.  I see amazing things happen to these people.  The love of Christ comes to them from me and such joy and smiles come over their faces.

I think we all are looking to this world for the things Jesus was meant to give us, like comfort, security, identity, love. Once again I say these are not bad things. 

I was even talking to a coaches wife last night at diner. We were discussing how women look for their husbands to meet their need of identity. Only Jesus can give us these things offered to us in the gospel. I shared with my  new friend,  how doing this sucks the life out of your husband and your marriage.   To look to your spouse and expect him or her to meet the deepest need you are trying to fill will only leave you desiring more.

I think of the woman at the well.  Jesus knew all about her.  She was trying to meet her need for love and identity in having a husband.  Jesus told her that if she drank the water He offered she would thrust no more.  We all long to be known and to be loved.  This woman was told by Jesus to tell others.  He knows me and you completely.  He is our living water and so is His WORD.  He is the WORD.  We can have intimacy in our relationships, but we are too busy and too protected to let others into our struggles and our stories where it relationship is found.

Love, acceptance, comfort, security, identity  are to be received by us from Christ, by His Spirit. As the 2018 year approaches I want to allow more room in my heart to experience and receive more of Christ in my heart. To return to my first Love. Our children nor our husbands, nor our families are meant to be first. Jesus tells us that we are to love him more than our father and mother.

Only when we can find out true identity in Christ and allow Him to more and more fill the spaces of our heart can we love others selfishly. When we find personal relationship, acceptance and love that we long for in Jesus is when...Only then, can we begin to love God with our whole heart and others as ourselves.

We are told not to love the creation more than the Creator. We love because He first loved us. I pray for His life and love and surrender to be mine.  For His Holy Spirit to continue to make His home my heart.

Who is your best friend?

SELF TALK...

Why are you downcast oh my soul?  My Hope is in God...David, a man after Gods own heart, self talked.  God drew David to Himself.  David turned.  The Spirit brought the fruit as an apple grows to the tree.  His roots were going deeper into the very heart of God.

HOW WAS YOUR CHRISTMAS.  OURS WAS A REALLY SWEET PEACEFUL TIME BUT... THAT HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE.  SO I UNDERSTAND NO MATTER WHERE YOU WERE THIS YEAR IT COULD BE HARD FOR YOU ALSO.

A FEW WEEKS AGO, AS I GRADUALLY BEGAN TO DECORATE.  FUNNY THING I WENT TO A GAS STATION TO GET THE GREENERY I WANTED.  THE YOUNG GIRL SAID, '' OF COURSE YOU CAN HAVE THOSE LEAVES IT IS JUST A TREE''.  THERE WERE SEVERAL MAGNOLIA TREES.

I DECIDED I WOULD NOT BE IN A HURRY IN TAKING THE DECORATIONS DOWN. I EVEN PUT A FEW ON THE TREE TODAY.  YES TWO DAYS AFTER CHRISTMAS.  MY DAUGHTER HAD BOUGHT ME A FEW RED BIRDS.  WHEN I SEE A CARDINAL IT IS A WHISPER FROM GOD THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO BE OK.  THAT WHAT MATTERS HE HAS TAKEN FULL CONTROL OF.

AS I BEGIN THINKING ABOUT THE NEW YEAR APPROACHING, THANKING GOD FOR THE PAST YEAR.  I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS HE HAS TAUGHT ME IS HOW TO SELF TALK OVER THE YEARS...

I WANT TO ASK YOU WHEN NEGATIVE THOUGHTS COME INTO YOUR MIND.  HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THEM.

1.  SEARCH YOUR HEART
2.  DETERMINE WHO THEY ARE FROM.  SHAM AND FALSE GUILT ARE NOT GODS.
3.  REFUSE THOSE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS THAT ARE NOT FROM GOD.
4.  KEEP YOUR MIND ON THE THINGS THAT ARE ETERNAL
5.  ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED KNOWING YOU ALREADY HAVE IT

SO I SELF TALK THE GOSPEL TO MYSELF...

1.  I AM HIS
2.  HE IS GOOD
3.  I AM IN HIM AND HE IS IN ME.
4.  ABIDE IN HIM BY HIS WORD WRITTEN ON MY HEART AND STUDING
5.  REMEMBER I AM THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST
6.  THAT HE IS FAITHFUL
7.  I AM CHIEF SINNER BUT ADORED AND ADOPTED CHILD OF GOD.
8.  I AM BEAUTIFUL AS HE IS CREATING ME IN HIS IMAGE
9.  THERE IS A WAR BUT JESUS NOT ONLY PRAYS FOR US BUT FIGHTS FOR US.
10. I HAVE DIED WITH HIM AND I WILL BE RAISED WITH HIM.  NOT JUST IN PHYSICAL DEATH BUT THE DIEING OF THE FLESH.

FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE BAD THOUGHTS OR NEGATIVE ONES...I SIMPLY, TURN FROM THEM AND THINK ON SOMETHING GOOD. THE WORLD CALLS IT OCD.  (This practice may help).  SHAME AND GUILT ARE NOT FROM THE SPIRIT.  HE IS GENTLE AND KIND IN BRINGING US TO REPENTANCE.  TAKE THE FIRST STEP OF FAITH AND DON'T LOOK BACK AS SARAH.

THE THINGS THAT WE DO, WE DO TO THE GLORY OF GOD.  THE BIBLE SAYS WE PUT OFF THE OLD MAN AND WALK IN THE NEWNESS OF LIFE.  IT SAYS WE TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE TO THE OBEDIENCE OF GOD.  REPENTANCE IS SIMPLY A TURNING FROM GOING ONE WAY TOWARD GOD.  TAKE YOUR SIN TO HIM AND TRUST HIM FOR THE RESCUE.  YOU CAN'T DO IT ON YOUR OWN.  YOU WERE NOT MEANT TO.

THE SAME POWER THAT RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD, LIVES IN US.  DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP.  PAUL ASK 3 TIMES THAT THE THORN BE REMOVED.  TRUST IN CHRIST ALONE.  NO GOOD WORK MAKES YOU MORE OF A CHRISTIAN OR LOVED MORE.  IT IS SIMPLY A DEEP WORK OF THE LOVE OF GOD IN MAN PLANTED BY HIS SPIRIT.  IT HAS TO BE PRACTICED.

IT IS HARD WORK THAT BECOMES A GOOD HABIT.  PUT OFF, PUT ON.  LIVING OUT OF THE GOSPEL AND ACTING ON IT IS A COOPERATION WITH THE SPIRIT.  IN DOING THE WILL OF GOD IN HIS TIME.

THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS I TELL MYSELF ABOUT ME AND WHO GOD IS.

I REMEMBER THAT I AM IN CHRIST.  THAT I HAVE DIED WITH HIM.  THAT I AM ALSO RAISED WITH HIN IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.


CHRIST HAS RENEWED MY MIND.

A Love Hate Relationship...

A Time to Remember...

In reading others post it seems extreme to say, but to a degree, we have a love/hate relationship with the holidays.

Searching my own heart...I wonder what is Christmas to me or what should it be in preparing for the time with family and friends?

I miss my father and mother and unborn child.  Does this mean I don't like or enjoy Christmas.  Sure it brings memories to mind that may grieve me over their loss but does Jesus leave me there?

Decorating in the past has been fun at times and a chore at others?  What is the difference in my heart toward Christmas?

Loving giving is not a bad thing.  The wise men brought wonderful gifts to Jesus.  Jesus loves giving us gifts.  Of course, He is the greatest gift of all Himself.  I love giving gifts, as well.

In thinking on these things I wonder what I can give this Christmas to Jesus and others that is lasting and meaningful.

Jesus came to get our hearts?  This is at the heart of Christmas.  I wonder...Do we give the Lord our whole heart in this life?  Or is it a continuing giving Him our heart over and over again until we see Him face to face.

I ask myself what holds my heart.  The world will tell us do not taste, do not touch.  Jesus tells us we are in Him and He is in us.  That all wisdom is in trusting in Him alone.  That the Father can and does turn the heart of man.

The stronger our faith, the warmer our love and the greater our comfort.  Matthew Henri.  The faith he spoke of was trusting in Jesus.

We are not to be of this world but be transformed of the renewing of our minds.

The more our minds are fixed on Jesus and our salvation the more we are transformed in our living, loving others.  This brings comfort to us. Jesus said doing the will of the Father is real food.  Nothing like a comfort food, right!  Paul said the way you began the christian life to continue in it.  Being Justified and trusting in Jesus alone transforms us.  

We are free to love in radical ways.  In ways of leaving this world and its desires behind that promise a false gospel.  Only in Him do we have true wisdom and comfort.  Only  Jesus can give us true peace and contentment no matter what our circumstances.  It would be wonderful if we could stay at this place all the time.  Or would it?  Jesus is interested in our continual coming to Him.  In personal relationship.  I shared with a grand mom raising 3 children today that Jesus want her to come to Him and share her worries and anxieties with Him.  

The problem comes when we try to have a loving heart without going to Jesus to provide for us, what we need.

Paul was content in having much or little.  He did not come to this place in his life easy.  He suffered at a time to the point of death.  He had a thorn God saw it best to not remove.  He dealt with real pride as we all do.  He did the things he hated and hated the things he did.  He was real.  Real about his struggles.  Real about trusting in Christ alone after trusting in himself but failing.  This is where he found peace.  In his forgiveness of sins and fixing his eyes on Jesus.  On looking toward heaven and the glory to be found in Christ.

So I give the Lord the things that have captured my heart.  He has broken down the walls of pretending to be strong and good apart from Him.  The walls of protection and the fear of man.

Sometimes I shudder when speaking to God.   He is so holy.  But am confronted with the Love so tender and kind, yet so mighty and strong I am silenced.

The most wonderful gift I can give is a heart opening up to Him, to receive the gift given to me... The love of the Father in Jesus and give it and Jesus away...Not only to my family but to those. who I come in contact with in my every day.  I had no idea how a life with the Spirit, Jesus and Father could bring such joy.  I had no idea how our world is starved for encouragement.  Now I  know Jesus can love others through me.

So rejoice and again I say rejoice!...Your King has come.  I pray we are content this Christmas and find comfort in knowing it is Jesus we trust in and not our works nor our present circumstances that will make this a Christmas, a time to remember.

Christ has fulfilled the Law for us

The righteousness of Christ is ours by faith...Christ alone.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick...

Has this Christmas brought about joy or sadness.  In either we can
have hope.  When we lose hope our hearts become sick, depressed.

Christ has come and this holiday is my hope, even in the missing of my parents, the lost of our first born child.  Missing my grands...A mind that is only learning how to be renewed and a body that just doesn't work as it use to do.  I have come to see that God is so for me.  His blessings over come me to the point of having joy in the midst of the struggles of a broken world.

I am learning my attitude of hope for the things to come has given me great joy but gives joy to those I am with.  It is contagious.  So I have learned to step out of my comfort. Situations that are out of my control and trust that God is bigger.  More tremendous are His plans for me than I can imagine.  To do the hard things first and see what surprises God will bring my way.  He will bring people into my life to share about the love of God in sending His Son.  To share His blessing and goodness.  

I have learned to see how God is using people in what seems their ordinary lives to bring joy and hope in no matter what life they have.  It all is a gift.

I have hope....

Some of my favorites from Christmas past.  I have hope...

Advent: Day 1...Let your light SHINE!

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

I am taking this day by day, but today I write.  The first day of Advent actually begins Sun.


We all have a side of light but also a darker side.  It is the gospel.


We may or may not know the things that bring out this darker side.  Maybe anger in not getting the life you so dreamed of...a great job, wonderful obedient children, a good marriage...you name it...beauty, traffic or a line much too long for your schedule.  The interruption in the day you planned,
your reputation questioned as a spouse, parent, christian, a clear mind, physical health...the list could go on an on.


I had considered it might be the will of God to not give me what I think I needed.  But to see it as

part of His marvelous plan that I be weak, in this particular way, was beyond my acceptance until

now.  As I have seen this mind of mine is His plan, in this fallen world, to bring glory to His Son.

This has never brought more joy.  The thoughts may remain, but they do not define God or me.  I do

not believe the lie that I will not get better.  As they are with me today, in my broken state of

mind, they do not have power over me.  When confronted with the darker side I ask the Lord to

remind me I am forgiven.  To search my heart and pour out His love to me.  To search me and

change me.  To give me His love Himself and others.   We can be set free,  although we will struggle

with the dark side, the flesh, in this life.  We can know life and life's abundant joy by knowing

who God is and who we are.


Whatever brings out the dark side...know this truth...You are in the light.

You and I are washed in the blood.  We are the righteousness of Christ in Him.  He is cleansing us
through the filth to bring us out of darkness into the light.  He is washing us in the blood of Jesus
to live in the righteousness of Jesus.

So embrace your weakness...your fallenness and trust yourself to the cleansing power of God to bring

about the refining fire of worship to the one true God this Christmas.


There was a star directing the way to Jesus that night some 2,000 years ago.  May we be a light to a

dying world.  Take the time to bring light to those throughout your day.  It is amazing what a smile,

a Merry Christmas.  I appreciate what you do.   Spoken to those you come in contact with during

your day this Christmas Season...This Advent.  As you share the joy of Christ...of Christmas, watch

the faces of those you bless light up too!

 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The Wonder of Christ is Captivating

Has the WONDER of God diminished in you?

AS THE FATHER DRAWS YOU INTO HIS PRESENCE, IT WILL CHANGE YOU.

SEEING THE FATHER'S LOVE FOR YOU, IN SENDING, HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, JESUS TO EARTH TO LIVE AND DIE IN YOUR PLACE.  TO BRING YOU TO HIM...  YOU ARE GOD'S GIFT, THE FATHERS, GIFT TO HIS SON.

Take time to be still, listen, wait, pray and pray and wait.  Enjoy, delight in Jesus and His creation.  He turns the hearts of Kings.  If HE, continues to change my heart he can yours.  Even if you struggle as I do, you can have great joy in the Lord, by the gospel.  You are the righteousness of Christ, in Him.  Satan will try to rob you of joy of sharing this good news.  You are much worse than you think.  You are more loved than you know.  I think this was first said by C.S. Lewis.  But we adopt it, whomever it was, today.  it is the gospel throughout the bible.  Our hearts burn for our coming of the Lord...2,000 years ago and today.

OUR JOY OF TODAY DOES NOT LAST THROUGH TOMORROW.  IT IS LIKE THE MANNA OF THE ISRAELITES.    
THE FRESH, FREEDOM OF THE GOSPEL IS FOR EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I prayed a simple prayer...God may your love burn within me.

The people God used, the prayers and teaching He gave me that

followed has given me an awe of the great love of God.

May we prepare our hearts for our King, for Jesus has come. 

Advent is approaching.

God is a jealous God.  Yes, patient, loving, kind, but He has come

to rescue us. He is crazy with love for us and nothing can stop Him. 

He longs to be with us.  To be our Savior daily.  We are saved once 

but He rescues us over and over again.

When the days of evil come.  He will fight for you.  He has given 

us weapons in His word and His Spirit.

Self control, the Spirit
Stand firm in the truth of the gospel,
Eph 6 in His Word
Worship
Thanksgiving
Prayer of friends and our own
The righteousness of Christ that is ours
We have the very mind of Christ.
He keeps His promises.
He delights to give us good gifts.



Speak truth to your heart and mind, believe, claim what is yours in 

                                      "JESUS".

When you are too weak to pray, Jesus is praying.  He is fighting

The Spirit groans for redemption.  He gives us the very prayers to 

pray.

Darkness can not remain in the light.  We can fight darkness or we

can ask our God to move us into His marvelous light.  We can resist

the Devil and draw near to God.

So we can celebrate.  In due time, as you wait on Him, He will 

you wings like eagles.  He will raise you up out of the pit.  

God rescues the oppressed and sets the captive free.  He brings rest

to the weary.  Boldness and gentleness to faithless.  He heals our 

wounds.

When things were hard for me mentally...I prayed, Lord, I know 

are perfecting your bride.  I know you are purifying my faith and

giving me perseverance.  I fought to not lose hope and the Spirit

would remind me my hope is in Jesus not in an easy circumstance.

Our joy is not in the world but in Jesus.  The joy of the Lord is our

strength.

THE VICTORY  HAS BEEN WON...

Things will just work out?

Have you ever heard someone say...Things will just work out.

This implies that, things work themselves out and everything will

be ok on their own.

Things don't just work out.  We live in a broken world...

The only hope we have is in the promises of God to work every-

thing even our brokenness and dysfunctions for His glory and for 

our good.

If you think you are beyond hope
Your situation is beyond hope.
You are beyond hope in being used by God.
Those you love are beyond Gods redeeming power.

Remember His promises and His character...

He who makes the world keep spinning.
He who created it all from nothing.
He who knows your name.
He who is faithful.
He who promises to be our God and we His people.
He who sent His one and only Son to rescue us.
He alone is good.  Everything good comes from Him.

Jesus is our hope this Thanksgiving.

He will work everything in your life for your good beyond anything
you can imagine.  Think BIG.  Think GOD.

He can even use your sin to glorify Him.  Look to Him as our only hope.  Expect surprises from Him!

He made the blind man see.  The lame walk.  The prostitute forgiven.  He healed the sick.  He made kings out of slaves.  He freed the captives and the oppressed.  He wants to free you from your guilt and shame.  We all have shame because of the fall, the world and Satan.  He wants to heal our pain.

A free man longs to do the will of His God. 

Christ came, the son of a carpenter, to save us, rescue us and make us into the image of Himself. 

Our God is about good.  Even our suffering we can know He is meeting our need.  He is working for you, for Him.

 In your suffering are you angry with Him?  Do you blame Him for your sin?  Can you see Him as a loving Father that is jealous for your affections and heart?  He can handle you.  He is not disappointed in you because of... 

1. His Sons righteousness is yours and
2. He knew you and the struggles you would have even before time.

So be thankful.  If you are not thankful, ask Jesus to work in your heart as only He can and will do.  Ask Him to burn within your soul the very love of God for you.  

Confess to your Lord you need His love.  Open your heart and invite His love.  This is more difficult for us than we realize.  We close our hearts to God and others. We put up walls to protect ourselves.  We shrink back, we run, we turn to other things for comfort and joy.   God knows if we love Him and others. So do not be afraid to be honest and transparent with Him.  He knows we are but clanging symbols. 

We have the very love of Jesus living in us by His Spirit.  If we see His goodness in sending Jesus we have much to be thankful for.  He delights in His children.  He made the birds sing and the sun shine.  He gives you this meal this Thanksgiving. 

 Maybe you are homeless or have been before.  Or are in a broken home.  There are stories of how God met the needs to the least of these.  Just begin, thanking Him.  You will be amazed how your heart catches up.  Ask Him for that.  We have all we need in Jesus for righteousness and godliness.  But God loves giving good, good gifts to us.  Ask Him for what you need without grumbling or complaining.  Thanks flows out of a heart of love so... Give Thanks! Phil 4:6