Forgive and Live a Life of Love

"Forgiveness leads to life. 

Unforgiveness is a slow death. Forgiveness is ongoing because once you’ve dealt with the past, constant infractions occur in the present. None of us gets by without having our pride wounded or being manipulated, offended, or hurt by someone. Each time that happens it leaves a scar on the soul if it is not confessed, released, and dealt with before the Lord. Besides that, unforgiveness also separates you from people you love. They sense a spirit of unforgiveness, even if they can’t identify it, and it makes them uncomfortable and distant". excerpt from Stormie Omartian's book, Seven Prayers that Will Change Your Life Forever.

“Lord, help me to have a heart like Yours"  

Cultivate Plant, Water, Weed and Fear Not

We have to cultivate thankfulness and gratitude over bitterness and accusation. We have to be intentional rather than distracted. We have to remind ourselves to think about our change in that new light we are cultivating.

It’s not a choice; it’s a hundred choices, a thousand choices, and then a hundred thousand choices.

If we keep doing that, it’s like we’re planting a seed and then watering the ground, fertilizing around it, and weeding it. First we see the shoot, then the leaf, and finally the flower.

In other words, we can grow to cherish thankfulness and gratitude.  We create the grooves by what we do, what we think about, and how we respond until it becomes our default mode of relating.

taken in part from a message by Gary Thomas from the book Cherish

Mix It All Together You May Get Great Bisquits

Happy New Year 2017.....
Most everything I post I have found somewhere and I always try to give credit where credit is due.  The following prayer came through Facebook share, originally from Justin Cross.  It's a cowboy way  of saying what we see, feel or taste by itself may not be the end product.  I think of it kinda like me, without Jesus and my faith I'm not the same person..enjoy

That's Important To Me

Joey and Rory Feek said this very well in their hit song of that name, That's Important To Me/  If you haven't taken the time to listen and hear the words, do so, No Excuses.

Everything in today's world is built around keeping it easy to do, find, search and all that entails.

I carry my Bible with me cuz it's on my phone and I never leave the house without my phone....otherwise my excuse might be I didn't have time to look for, find...or no where to carry...No Excuses....if it's important to us, we'll find a way.

AND

You Are Important to HIM

Celebrate Your Accomplishments

Ezra 6:16....And the Israelites -- "the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles -- "celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.

Exodus 34:22..."You shall celebrate the Feast of Weeks, that is, the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year.

Exodus 12: 14......Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance.

**You have done great things....

You have done great things..

.big or small...celebrate them all**

Philemon 1:7...Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Psalm 27:6....Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD

From Saul to Paul Spreading the Gospel

A wonderful message today at Union Congregational by Steve Daniels.

the story behind stained glass windows and how they came about to minister to many of the early congregations that could not read...so they put the stories in their windows in a beautiful way...taking broken pieces of colored glass and told a marvelous story.

“God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.” 
― Vance Havner

After the death of Stephen, Saul was fanatical about destroying this new sect. Saul launched a holy war against the Church, scattering the believers....When word came that these followers of Jesus had spread into Syria, Saul requested permission to go to Damascus....As Saul and his colleagues came near Damascus, suddenly they were flooded with glorious light. It was like looking into the sun from only a yard away. Saul fell to the ground and suddenly a voice emanated from within the light. The voice was both terrifying and soothing at the same time. “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”.....Saul began to tremble...“Lord, what do you want me to do?”

Jesus replied, “Arise and go into the city...”.....this former Pharisee so embraced his calling to minister the Gospel to the Gentiles that he forsook his Jewish name, Saul, and forever adopted the Greek name for which he is remembered  … Paul

How could he have been so wrong? But then he remembered watching the life ebbing from Stephen, and hearing those haunting words, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”...this former Pharisee so embraced his calling to minister the Gospel to the Gentiles that he forsook his Jewish name, Saul, and forever adopted the Greek name for which he is remembered  … Paul

Acts 8:4..Those who had been scattered preached the words wherever they went.




To escape the persecution they ran away and wherever they went they told the gospel, turning the bad to the good news of Jesus.

Keep in mind why God chose and used Paul. It was because He knew Paul was capable of remaining a faithful servant to the end: “…He is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).

And God says
I’m gonna turn it into something different
I’m gonna turn it into something good
I’m gonna take all the broken pieces
And make something beautiful like only I could
So put it all in the hands of the Father
Give it up, give it all over to
The only One who can turn it into
Something beautiful
Something really beautiful

Strength For The Day

Today it is about strength for:
...the continual rain we've been having
...tomorrow perhaps the unwanted bill
...and perhaps eventually each and everyday of pain




each difficult to bear alone...we are not alone.....

"As your days—so shall your strength be." Deuteronomy 33:25

But it Won't Rain Always

Precious Lord Jesus, as all the promises were confirmed by your blood, are deposited in your hand, and are made good through your intercession; enable me to rely on you, walk with you, and openly honor you, by believing always, and under all circumstances, that as my days—so shall my strength be.