Learning to live for HIS glory

Hello friends! Happy Thursday :) Today I am thankful for: The chance to sit down and write this, The Christmas season, And it's reminder of the great love of our Savior. I'm marveling especially this year that God stepped down into His creation, And became a baby. The One who holds the universe together, Humbled Himself as an infant in need of constant care. All that one day He could go to the cross, And die a horrific death to take the punishment for the sins of the world. I'm thankful that the gospel is indeed a TRUE story, And that Christ offers Himself to all of us as Immanuel. All we must do is believe God raised Him from the dead, And confess Him as Lord. I'm thankful He is such a good Lord. Faithful to show us where we stray, Yet loving and liking us despite our sin. He is SO good. I'm thankful for Hudson, For the gift of a son. For sweet snuggles as he falls off to sleep, For the beginnings of little smi...

The last few weeks have reminded me of the brevity of life. Unexpected losses, Bad accidents, Sometimes it just hits you that this life is short, And the number of our days is completely unknown to us. How thankful I am that my hope, My security, My joy, DON'T rest in this life alone. Instead I live with hope of eternity, Because of Christ, My substitute. It's also been a week that's reminded me of how very much I need Him. I am a flawed, sinful, messed up person. That is true. But the greater truth is that CHRIST isn't. He is perfect in every way, And by His life, horrible death, and resurrection, He has given me His righteousness. So when I fail, I can rest on His unchanging grace. That is true comfort. And that is true LIFE. To know Him. And to press on to know Him more. How thankful I am for these truths,  And also that He does not hide Himself from us. He is the faithful, loving, "Hound of Heaven...

Today I can't help but think about this day last year, The day I figured out Carl was coming to surprise me, And propose. Needless to say, the surprise didn't quite work. But as I think about the things I'm thankful for, This past year is near the top of the list. It's definitely had it's challenges, But I'm thankful for a year of knowing the one I get to love, Above all others on this earth, Till Jesus comes back!  But to put that in perspective,  Top of the list is definitely: The gospel of Christ. That He lived, perfectly, Then died and rose again. All to establish the new covenant... Where it is His work, Not mine, That gives me right standing, Before the throne of the Majesty on high. Now that's something to be thankful for! In other news of things I'm praising God for this fine Thursday: Water, Mail, Birthday mail to be exact! :) Signs with written truth, Art, Creativity, Sunshine, 70...

If not my absolute favorite, then Easter is definitely one of my favorite days of the year.  There is just so much to celebrate!  So much joy is mine because of what happened in history over 2000 years ago.  Wow.  It's hard to fathom that long span of time.  Nevertheless, what I celebrate today has been bringing joy to thousands for all of these years. It's hard for me to put into words all that I think about on Easter.  It's a day that usually involves tears and exultant singing, quiet reflection and much rejoicing.  It's a day that stirs the jubilant longing of my heart.  For although every day is a day to remember the abundant life I have because of my Savior's sacrifice, Easter is an awesome reminder of just how much He did for me. If I could go back to anytime in history, I think I'd go back to that first "Easter" weekend.  I wonder what it would have been like.  (You can see my musings on some of that from about a year ago her...

Yesterday in church, we watched and listened as one of Keystone's family members shared his story of once being a violent drug dealer, and how the Lord has worked in changing his life.  It was a hard but beautiful story to hear.  Afterwards, Pastor Keith was sharing about how God often uses stories like that in powerful ways because people think that if God can save someone like that, if He can love someone like that, then He can love and save them too.  As I sat there and listened to all this, I was once again amazed at the power of my God to take lives and turn them around, but I was wrestling with this question: "Lord, why me?"   See...I don't have a crazy story.  I grew up in a "Christian" home.  I first asked Jesus to save me at the age of three!  I can't point to my life before and after becoming a Christ-follower and say, "See the difference?!"  This is not by any means to say that I am not a sinner who needs the Righteous One'...

Seeing my imperfections, Falling on my knees, Living in guilt, no, Rejoicing in hope. Righteousness: Mine. Blameless In His eyes. Perfect: Me? All because, His body. His blood. Broken, Beaten, Spilled out, For sinners, Like me.

And as I immerse myself in lesson planning He speaks to my soul: " Don't miss this." The simple is profound! Who is Jesus? Why can I trust Jesus? Why do I need Jesus? How can Jesus help me when I mess up? What does Jesus want me to do? In the middle of these "Big questions,"  "Big answers" are true for me just as much as the 7-11 year olds I'll be teaching.  Jesus is God's Son, I can look up and ask for His help in ALL things because He's trustworthy always, His death and resurrection make it possible for me to be a part of God's family, He's gracious to forgive me & help me make a fresh start when I open up to Him about where I'm wrong, and He wants me to know and love Him and have a passion for sharing that love and knowledge with others! Friends, the gospel doesn't change ! "This is how God showed His love among us:  He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him....

Because in the middle of all this planning, I need refocusing. "Keeper of the Stars,    God of the Universe,       Doer of the Impossible,         God of the Ages,            Giver of Wisdom,               JESUS,                 My Savior,   All this belongs to You.  You are the One who gives wisdom.  All I am is Yours.  Be glorified in me~use my planning to fix my eyes on You.  Use these lessons to point kiddos eyes to You.   May Your gospel flow from my pen, my mouth, my heart.   Use this, Lord!  However You see fit.  Mostly though, just grace us with Your presence!  All is nothing if You do not show up.  Lord, let them forget me, "my lessons" . . . and remember YOU                       In Jesus name,    ...

Thick, black, utter darkness covers the land, threatening to choke out life itself.  The Savior of the world is hanging on a cross . . . about to breath His last breath?! How can this be?  Lord, this wasn’t the plan, was it?  Did the angels know, I wonder?  Or were they shaking their heads in sorrow?  Saying, “God, this looks REALLY bad . . .” Somehow I think the darkness that fell for the hours preceding Jesus’ death permeated more than just our physical world, but maybe it wasn’t as dark as it appeared . . . allow me to attempt to paint us a picture: Bloody, beaten, mangled…the body of God’s only Son hangs stretched upon roughhewn pieces of wood, held in place by nails that are more like iron stakes.  A crown woven out of cruel thorns sends streams of blood trickling down His face, from where the soldiers shoved it onto his skull just hours earlier.  A faithful few remain near the foot of His cross, wondering if this was all in vain; and t...

Life turning Life changing Changing direction Changing purpose Purpose for living Purpose in dying Dying to self Dying to live Live forever Live for Jesus Jesus Messiah Jesus gives life Life in death Life for all All who trust All who turn Turn to the Savior  Turn and trust Trust His life Trust His grace Grace to live Grace for sin Sin that destroys Sin that condemns Condemns our lives Condemns our hearts Hearts are turning Hearts are softening Softening to truth Softening to God God is molding God is changing Changing hearts Changing minds Minds surrender Minds now trust Trust in Jesus Trust His death Death for sinners Death to conquer Conquer the devil Conquer the grave Grave now empty Grave of joy Joy unending  Joy in Christ  Christ our Savior  Christ our Lord Lord  Savior

They sat around their regular table, another pulled up to it filled with unfamiliar faces.  Laughter mixed with earnest expressions . . . one familiar face was missing. Gradually word got back to where I stood at register.  That one familiar face is gone.  Forever.  "At least he's resting in peace now." Those words haunt my heart. Is he? Did he know the Savior?  Is he living now in the peace and joy that come from the very presence of God? Or has he entered a forever living death? Condemned because he never accepted the gift of Jesus as Savior? I saw him multiple times a week, wished him a good day, endured his teasing . . .  but . . . did he know the hope I have? I don't know.  I can't know. But this, I do know . . . one day, friends, we will all face death, and on the other side stand before a righteous GOD .  How will He judge?  Rightly He would find us all guilty, and send us away to forever torment . . . forever separat...

I planned on leaving for a dear friend's wedding this evening.  Plans change.  Some sickness has set in at my house, and we aren't able to make the trip.  Sadness and disappointment resulted. This morning though, as I sat with the Lord, He reminded me that the most glorious of weddings is yet to come . . . and no sickness can change the fact that I will be there!  Oh . . . words fail me to describe the GLORY of that thought!  I am so thankful for my Jesus.  There was a time when I was sick--dead, actually--He brought healing and life.  Through His death, I live, and one day will be a part of the most glorious and beautiful wedding of all time. =) =) I'm beyond thankful.  Missing this wedding is sad, but missing that wedding would be devastating.  I rejoice that I can be confident I won't!  And my heart breaks for those who will realize they are sick too late.  Do you know this, friends?  Have you accepted Jesus' gift of hea...

Earlier today, I froze my nose as I walked through the snowy fields with mom.  Now I sit encased in warmth, a mug of tea at my side and candles flickering on top of my bookshelf, searching for the words to share this beauty.  The beauty of snow over empty fields, death covered in purest white, my life exchanged for His . . . Do you see it?  This beauty that makes the world go ‘round?  It tugs at my heart, and burdens me somehow, I suppose because others need to see . . . and don’t. As I walked through the snow today, I marveled at its radiant whiteness.  Just days ago, the world looked dead (there was a stark beauty even in that, but it was not quite the same).  Now, although the temperatures have dropped, this freezing white stuff has added a wonderful encasement of brightness to our dead, dead world.  It covers the barren fields with shimmers and causes the empty branches to glisten in the sunlight. The beauty of it all captures my heart, but n...

Lately these eyes have been watery often.  In some ways that's good.  In some ways, hard.  "Tears wash the windows of our souls, and afterwards we can see ourselves more clearly." ~Robin Jones Gunn I'll testify to the truth of that quote.  There is something so refreshing and cleansing about tears.  Yet sometimes I just want to get them all out, while they seem to remain bottled up inside.  Tears come, but they stop before I know I'm finished crying . . . and so I wait, wondering when the next ones will fall. Do I need to just get away for a day?  Someplace where I can work through everything in stillness before the Lord and have a good, long hard cry?  These thoughts have been heavy on my mind the past few weeks. Last night though, I realized something.  I realized that the Lord is walking with me through each moment, and maybe, just maybe, this is meant to be a journey.  Maybe it's not meant to all be resolved in one sitting. ...

Us 9, plus 1.  The subjects needed, but in some ways dreaded.  Thankful, yet unsure of the next steps.  Change coming is always hard . . . regardless of whether good or bad.  This is good change.  Yet hard.  Selfish hearts would have things stay the same, stay comfortable and familiar.  But growth brings change, and change brings growth, and growth is good. At times the air felt tense and warm.  Heated debates?  Eh, a bit.  Much was talked through, not alot decided on.  At the end of it all, weary heads bowed to pray.  Our hearts poured out before the Lord, tensions eased away.  We told Him of our problems, thanked Him for our blessings, and then the perfect words came . . . "Thank You for Jesus."  Yes.  This is where we needed to end.  Thankful for His love and sacrifice.  Reminded of what life's all about.  

"Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.  In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.  For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.  Above all, ke...