Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The Nature of the Beast....

When an animal is cornered, it's natural response is to bite back. Sometimes, mine is too. I want to lash out when attacked. I want to scream............yell.............say unkind things............

The BEAST rears it's ugly head...............  and it's not a pretty sight.

I have really had to learn to control my reactions. I do fairly well with my actions, it is my "reactions" that I have to really watch.

How I respond is a reflection of my inner spirit. I want my spirit to reflect kindness, love, concern for others, care, self-control, patience, temperance, empathy, and so many more.  I want to look back at my "reactions" and not have any regrets.

This has only been possible for me since my renewed relationship with Christ. I am just so amazed at the way I have changed when dealing with unpleasant situations or even unpleasant people. 

All I know is that LOVE made the difference. When God entered my heart and really began filling me with his love, it pushed aside the hate, the bitterness, the resentment towards others.  Even when my first gut reaction was not kind, it just wouldn't come out! I use to be a great rant and raver. Now, I have a quiet heart.  I think before I act. I pray before I react.

I did not make this difference in my life because I wanted to be loving towards others, Christ did. Only through him was my transformation possible.


"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."Psalms 51:10 

Monday, October 11, 2010

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)



Oh the POWER of this song. This morning as I was driving to work this song came on and I just began to cry......How beautiful to know that God's grace is ever present. God is alive. God is the answer.



"Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine


When I leave this earth, I want those who loved me to know, I am in the presence of the Lord, my Father, my Maker, my EVERYTHING.

John 14:1-7
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.[c] From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Accepting my imperfections....it ain't easy

I wish I were sinless. But I'm not.
 Deep down I want to be. Then I can look better than someone else. What is that called? Oh, YEAH.....Judgemental? Oh how I love to serve up a healthly amount of self-righteousness...... so I can feel better about "my sins"  (you know, because mine aren't as bad.....)  Ever think that?

I am reminded of the scripture....Matthew 7:4-6 (New Living Translation)


4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

Well, I need to have some tree removal done.

 Thank GOD, for HIS forgiveness.... HIS mercy and HIS grace..... HIS LOVE!