Friday, April 30, 2010

Fearfully And Wonderfully Made.

Kayleigh: Mom, I don't like my fingers.
Me: Why, what's the matter with them?
Kayleigh: Well, they're kinda fat and chubby. I wish I had long, skinny fingers like Alana's.
Me: You know when God made you, He made you perfect and unique, and exactly the way He wanted you to be. Are you not happy with the way God made you?
Kayleigh: Oh no, God, He did a fine job, but there's just a few little, little things that I'd like to change.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Am I Failing... or Fortifying?

I read Luke 22 this morning, the last supper account of the Lord Jesus with His disciples. The Lord speaks to the one who would be guilty of His betrayal;

"Behold, the hand of him that betrayeth Me is with Me on the table." (v 21)

Judas' hand is on the table.
He wasn't just standing by the table a little ways off to the side, or sitting at the table in a slumped, half-hearted sort of way. No. Judas was right there with them.
Eyes focused on the face of Christ.
Ears intently listening to the words of the One who was about to suffer for the sins of the world.
Hands on the table, displaying his fellowship with the group.
But within a few hours, his apparent affections cast aside, Judas publicly betrays the Lord Jesus. For money. He placed more value on silver than on his own soul. Made such a pitiful, selfish choice that even he himself couldn't live with. And he died... an unbeliever.

But in contrast to that, a second address is made, this time to Peter.

"Simon, Simon... I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not, and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." (v 32)

The Lord knew Peter was a true disciple. A believer. But, He also knew he was (and would be) humanly prone to failure. But, following confession of his lack of faith, Peter is instructed to encourage others.

Just like Peter, we can all expect to be assaulted by Satan in our christian lives. If Satan cannot destroy, he will still attempt to distress and disgrace. But... we are preserved by the prayer of Christ, the power of God and the inner presence of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, despite my failure, use me, to strengthen others for YOUR glory.

Friday, April 23, 2010

More Songs. And Singing.

This week we attended the 2010 production of the school's Singing & Strings concert. Fabulous and free entertainment. Gotta love the free events. Miss Alana participated.. with her first "school solo", sharing a song with three classmates. She did a fantastic job. Nervous, maybe, but made us some proud. Way to go, girl!


The lady of the night, tressed and poised for her big performance.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Amazing. Love.

Amazing Love. By Chris Tomlin. Do you know the song?

"I'm forgiven, because You were forsaken; I'm accepted, You were condemned..."

Forgiven. Forgiven of what? Forgiven of all my sin... redeemed, cleansed, justified, sanctified... saved from an eternity in hell. Why? Because the Lord Jesus was forsaken. Forsaken by God in those dark hours on the cross, to suffer for the full punishment of my sin.

Yet one of the most precious promises ever made to believers,

"I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5

Forsaken, but He has promised to NEVER FORSAKE me. Condemned for my sin, but by believing on Him, I am NOT CONDEMNED. (John 3:18).

I'm humbled. How can it be? That God would send His only Son to die for a sinner like me. Amazing Love.

What about you? Are you living in the daily enjoyment of this Amazing Love, knowing that your are sins forgiven?

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog. A journal of my thoughts. And life's little blessings. Enjoy!