Ever Meet one of those people??

Ever meet one of those Christians who knows they are better than you? Nothing drives me more nuts than someone acting more Righteous than I. I know I'm a horrible, no good sinner, but just think so should everyone else. If you know that than you'll know that judging others for their actions better be second to judging yourself.

Can you tell this has been on my mind a lot lately? Richard and I have been going through somewhat of a financial crisis if you will. We are "fine" financially now, but we have been examining every penny of every dollar. I don't think I can tell you how exhausting but amazing it is.

Today I've had a little pity party b/c it has put strain on friendships I hold dear to my heart. And this is where the righteous attitude comes into play. We all struggle with something. If Richard and I struggle with money while you struggle with lust... is the struggle of money any less damaging than the struggle with lust? Or vice versa? The truth is, we all struggle, and when we have our sin exposed (b/c I honestly do believe mis-spending the money God has blessed you with is a sin) isn't fun.... but I think the true sign of the love of God is embracing others despite the sin in their lives... I just haven't figured out how far we take that.... ack.. and this is how I'm starting out my New Year -laffs. :o)

Grace

Does anyone reading this have a great handle on grace?

Grace sustains us right? No one is perfect so we stand on the grace of God?

But oh how the world would like us to believe just the opposite of this.

OH Lord hear my cry, come rescue me

Let it rain.

Grace Eh?

So I agree that someone needs to live a Holy and pleasing life in order to please God... but the idea of Grace.. wow. its amazing.

You don't have to be good, you don't need to live a certain way... there is NOTHING you can do to earn God's love.. b/c it is a gift.

It's not like any love we as humans have experienced here on earth. As hard as we try there is nothing we ever do that truly expresses the same love as what my Father in Heaven gives to me. What an amazing book I've been reading called "What's so amazing about Grace." It's amazing... and really has made me think.

Loving it.

4 am wake up call

Dude! No one should ever have to be awake this early, though I'm trying to realize that it is awfully peaceful in this house right now.

I was awoken by little feet trying to go places it shouldn't (Clay was laying at my feet right in between my legs)

My mind is racing with thoughts of the day. My prayer is God will slow me down, forgive my sins, and continue to bless me. I'm torn between what true forgiveness is these days.

Looking back at my life I can't really see where I've ever really trusted anyone enough to need to forgive them, but boy have I needed forgiven. I fall short often and even always. I crave that sweet spirit that only falls on the ones seeking Him, so that is my endeavor for today.

Now if only I could get back to sleep!

Seriously Stressful Day

Anxiety has won once again today. Hoping tomorrow will be better.

Doing this on my own sucks... sucks worse to know my husband would want to do it.

The love and joys of making bad decisions... not sure if I'm seeing Mercy right now.. but I sure am trying.

Comfort in Suffering

I was reading tonight in my devotional about how Mary must have felt when she finally met with her Aunt and how they were able to share in their struggles together. Beth Moore puts it that Elizabeth was older with a questionable marriage -- borrowing maternity clothes from her friends grand daughters (figuratively of course) while Mary probably wasn't even showing yet... but here she could talk with her Aunt free of judgement free from fear of what others might think. They could share together and comfort each other....

2nd Corinthians's talks about this very thing... and as Beth Moore points out.. we get to be these people to others.. but today I'm praying for someone to be this for me. (Sounds selfish huh!)

It says: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation. (vs. 3)

I'm learning that this comfort isn't necessarily fixing everything, but being that shoulder to cry on when we feel we have no one else to turn too.

Tonight I was feeling so judged by the world, I wanted to immediately come home and scream out to all my face book friends... I'm a liar, cheater, thief, adulterer, I am who you are so right not to want to be. But I have my King Jesus and He is all I need...He forgives me and loves me... so I don't need you!

but I think God knows better. God knows that in dire circumstances He is all we need... but the truth is.. as human beings we also need each other. That is why right in the middle of proclaiming the birth of Christ, as Beth Moore points out, the angel also tells Mary of her aunt who is in a similar situation.

So instead of yelling to the heavens how drastic a sinner I am (and for anyone thinking of judging, these were sins prior to becoming saved, though as every human I struggle with them still...) I instead put a verse from Romans about being judged... after all that was the root of my issue.. I've been feeling so judged.

Something to ponder: Romans 14: 12 - 13

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. ¹³ Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

I must say as I read this I think of how others have made me feel judged, but like them I need to think of how I might also be judging! I pray I'm never a stumbling block to anyone.

The one and only

"Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" Luke 1:28

How I wish I could have seen Mary's face after Gabriel had left. To hear that all her actions and prayers had been answered... she was blessed and highly favored by God. I wonder if she had instant peace, or if her fear overwhelmed the moment. I wonder if her love for her God overshadowed her fear. Either way, I hope to one day hear that I am favored by God!

Have you ever heard that song by Kari Jobe "The More I seek you"?



I hope that works... on the onset of my journey in 90 days of getting to know my savior (a new devotional I'm doing) the most important thing I want to say is I want to sit at His feet and worship.. broken and empty... ready for His cup to fill me overflowing!

I have those butterflies in my heart. The ones where you know the Holy Spirit is trying to move within you ... I pray I am open and waiting for what He has to show me.