Lest Ye Be Judged

 2/28/2022

Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged; condemn not, and you shall not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven..."

I saw a report this morning on women fleeing Ukraine with there young children while they leave their husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons behind. This is unimaginable to me. I watch the images coming out of this senseless Russian aggression, and it breaks my heart to see what is happening to those innocent people. Of course, there are innocents currently suffering all over the world. These are all the result of a fallen world, which brings the sins of greed, hostility, warmongering, and hatred to the forefront. Humanity has seen them since the beginning of time. Other than us individually leading with love, mercy, and grace, there is not much else for the average person to do. 

In the past few days, I have seen some very strong reactions to people trying to show support for Ukraine on social media. There are many Facebook re-posts of the country's colors, flag, or flower, each with text trying to show support. Many individuals are also calling for prayer. Unfortunately, some people are angry with these posts and prayer requests. I have seen some people state how hollow these actions are. I guess I can see how posting support does not have a direct impact on the actual conflict, but there is no real way that the average person can have an impact otherwise. These social media posts of support are at least one way of saying people stand against tyranny. As far as requesting that people pray: Well, that IS the most powerful thing most of us can do right now. The shocking thing to me is the judgement. Why would this be an area to judge? Have we become so divided, disillusioned, and angry that we now judge people's good intentions? This is indeed a very sad time we are living in, but I take comfort that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are always there, and that the war of eternity has already been won. 

He Knows

 

2/27/2022

Psalm 25;4-5 "Make me to know your ways, Oh Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I will wait all the day long."

There are a couple of people in my life that are struggling right now. A couple of them have trouble showing or allowing themselves to feel deep emotion, because they have learned to maneuver life keeping them locked deep inside. Of course, most of us are very emotional right now in this time of continued pandemic, deep division, and war.

Even during this most difficult time, and even if we may have trouble dealing with our emotions, we can be assured that Jesus knows our hearts. He knows our unutterable prayers. He knows all that we are going though and He is always there. We, all of us, can turn to Him in always and in all ways. Let us, during this time, turn to our Bibles and prayer for guidance and strength. Let us seek Him during this continued difficult to time. He alone will show us the way.

Costly Decisions

 2/26/2022

Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will council you with my eye upon you."

A few years ago, when our family moved far north, my husband and I made a costly decision. He had been looking for a new job, and when he had an interview I went with him. We were both feeling very positively that God was leading us to this new area after having lived 19 years in rural New Hampshire. After Randy's interview, we decided to look at some homes in the area. We contacted a local realtor who lined up some houses we had seen online. We saw 6 houses that mostly met our needs, but as soon as we walked into a particular one, we just knew. It was a small, beautiful ranch with a large detached garage and an apartment for our son. (It also had 2 attached garages for the lower level apartment and the house.) We loved the layout and all the bells and whistles that it came with, and the neighborhood was peaceful and on the water. We couldn't have imagined a more perfect house for us. As soon as my husband was offered the position, we put an offer on the house. 

Now, we knew that the roof needed replacing; that was obvious from our visit. Everything else though seemed fine to us, but because we did not have a lot of time to inspect everything ourselves during our short time there, we hired (according to our realtor) the best inspector in the area. We thought we were doing well by getting the most expensive inspection that he offered. That, unfortunately, did not work out for us the way we thought it would. First, two of our three oil tanks were not to code, and obviously so. Secondly, none of the large double-hung windows in the house functioned properly. We did not realize this ourselves, and the inspector did not report any problems. We did try to hold the inspector responsible and get the realtor (who acted like our best friend) involved, but neither of them ever returned our calls. 

So, we had just moved, Randy had stared a new job, my sister was having a serious health issue and surgery, I was starting a new job, and I was trying to help manage my mother's care from a distance. To say there was a lot on our plates would be an understatement. We certainly could have sued the inspector, but we just had no energy to do so. Now, almost 7 year later, we are just getting around to replacing our windows, as we do not want to spend another spring and summer fighting with them. Well, it is going cost us big time! What should have been dealt with during the sale is now a huge issue for us that we just kept putting off. Not following through because of the business of our lives was a costly decision. 

Isn't this true with some of the decisions we make in life, especially spiritual ones? I mean, the single most costly decision anyone can make is to turn their backs on the Truth of the Gospel and the redemptive power of Jesus' sacrifice for all of humanity's sin. People that think they will get around to going to church, reading the Bible, or dealing with the truth of sin in their lives are making a costly mistake that can have eternal ramifications. To not accept the gift that Jesus so freely offers us has a much deeper impact, because He paid the highest price to give it. Unlike our expensive windows, His love and mercy is free to all who repent and yield to Him. We all must pay a price, either in this life or the next. Do not put off this decision to follow Christ, because I promise you, it will be a costly one indeed.  

A Work in Progress

 2/25/2022

Philippians 2:13 "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."

I have mentioned before that I like to crochet, not that I have any skill or training, but I do enjoy it. I am currently working on a project that is going to take me quite a while. I had already devoted several hours to it when I realized that it was not shaping up the way I wanted it to. So, what did I do? I pulled it all out and rolled the yarn back up into a very large ball. It was a bit if a bummer, but I want my project to come out well. After all, from the first stitch to the final one it is a work in progress. I can start and restart as many times as I need to. 

I got to thinking about how many times I have been unraveled by situations and my own choices, and how many times God loops the parts of my life back together. He keeps working on me and working on me, and although I will never be perfect, He will never stop refining me. I am so blessed to have the Creator of the Universe love me so much that He will pull out what is not in the shape of His will for my life and knit (or crochet) me back together. I am a work in progress that is fully in His hands.

Ephesians 2:10 "We are God's Masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us to do long ago."

A Plea

 2/24/2022

2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear them from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land."

Russia declared war on the Ukraine today. Many people are very worried about this aggressive action, and are projecting a possible World War III. This, however, has happened every time there has been unrest in the world since the last world war. Is it possible? Yes. Did our world need this kind of action to take place while a pandemic still rages? Absolutely not! 

So, what should I do as a follower of Jesus? I should pray for the people of the Ukraine and for our world. Please join me in continued and fervent prayer for our world, but most of all, for unbelievers around the world to yield to Jesus.

James 4:6 "But he gives more grace. Therefor it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"

Pup Lesson #2

2/23/2022

Matthew 22:37-39 " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all they soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."

I have learned another lesson from my pup today. We are trying to socialize her after a lonely, cold, Covid winter. She is great with other animals and people she doesn't know outside of the house, but not great when someone enters. Last night we had two couples over, and she was stressed and barking a lot of the evening. Today, because it was a 65 degree February day in Maine, I invited a dear friend over to walk with me and the pup and then come in for some tea. Our sweet girl did great and was loving on my friend and giving her kisses. A little bit into our conversation my husband walked in the door after work. The pup snuggled up with him as the three of us chatted for a while. All was well until my friend went to leave, and then the dog started growling and barking at her. He behavior, apparently, changed when my husband was in the room. 

I got to thinking about how we do that as humans too. When we are with someone we know and having a good time, all is well and fine. Then someone we are closer to comes into the situation and the other person may get barked or growled at. I know that has happened to me, and I am sure I have done it to others as well. We can easily be blown with the wind when a dynamic changes, but if Christ is our model this should not be. He never played favorites or treated anyone lesser than anyone else; He loved everyone the same. He still does. He died for my sins and yours equally, and he hears our prayers equally as well. I am called to love my neighbor and not just the ones of my choosing or when I want to. There is no caveat or out here, it is a command. So, as I train my pup to accept others into her world, I will also be asking God to help me love all those around me. 

All In

2/22/2022

Acts 2:42 "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and of prayers."

I have stared my entry back into the world. I have been working in the office since August 2020, but I have not socialized much at all during Covid. Actually, all of fellowship times, which were few and far between, were outdoors. Then on February 11th I went to a dear friend's house to spend time with part of my tribe. Then the following Friday, I had a dear friend over with her pup. Yesterday we had a young couple and their sweet pup in for a play date. Tonight, not only did we have people over, but we shared a meal with them as well. We sat with two lovely couples and shared stories and laughed. It was such a wonderful time of fellowship. All of these gatherings have been a balm to my soul and have lifted me up so dramatically. The Bible says in Hebrews that we should not forsake gathering together. We need each other and this time of being apart has been too prolonged. 

So, even with OCD I took the plunge back into life and trusting God to bless each gathering. Will I get Covis> Maybe. Have I wasted a lot of time trying not to, I believe I have. I cannot be a disciple of Jesus in a vacuum. He calls me to be strong and courageous, and because of Him I can be. To God be the glory.

Right Under My Nose.

]

2/21/2022

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. DO not be frightened, or do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

When we are looking for people to admire or get encouragement and inspiration from, sometimes we do not have to look very far. Unfortunately, it may take some time for us to notice. Today, my son and I watched Genesis Impact. It is about how a college student challenged her professor about evolution. In this docudrama, the young woman respectfully debates her teacher about evolution and puts forth the idea of intelligent design, and the teacher engages her respectfully as well. It was all very nice and friendly, but alas, I feel it is unrealistic. Most professors would not give a student this kind of latitude. I know this firsthand, because my son was one such student. He challenged a teacher, very respectfully, about the Bible not being a fairy tale. This ended very badly for my son and put him off of higher education for good. He was emotionally scarred, but his faith remained firm. 

Today, while unpacking the show with my son, it all came rushing back to me. What hit me hardest, however, was how I was not close to being as bold or strong in my faith at that time as my son was. Sure, my husband and I raised him in the church, but his faith walk was clearly his own. He stood up and was counted in a hostile educational environment at I time that I did not dare to. Yes, I helped him recover from the trauma he suffered, because he wanted to continue his education. The thing is, he did not agree with the cost. Not that monetary amount, but the cost of his convictions about his faith. I have known many young Christians that may not agree with the classes, lectures, or lessons that go against their faith, but they just give the professors what they want to get through the class. My son could not and would not give into this kind of manipulation. 

As I thought about that, I was filled with admiration for him in a different way than when it all took place. He took a stand in front of all his peers and an aggressive teacher who wanted nothing less then him to turn his back on Jesus. The deep faith and courage that my son showed, and still does, I know comes from his Savior. I certainly was not an example of this kind of spiritual strength for my son, but he was and is for me. To God alone be the glory. 

One of the most inspirational people in my life has been right here all along.

Admitting

2/20/2022

Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have. For he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'"

Sometimes, I am embarrassed to admit, I am not very content. I get to thinking about the things I would love to have in life, and how most seem so unattainable for me. One of my dreams is to have a lake house. Now, I do already own a very lovely house with a major river only a few blocks away. Our neighborhood is very peaceful and filled with friendly people. Our tiny town is located close to all amenities, yet feels like it is miles away form everything. Our home is the perfect size for our family. I love our home, and yet... 

Why can't I just appreciate my blessing instead of going to that place where my mind and heart wander to the thoughts of wanting more? These feelings don't happen often, but when they do, they really affect me. I become sullen and antsy. Today I am feeling this way. A beautiful house came on the market on my favorite lake in the area, and I have been obsessively looking at it the past few days. After showing my husband once again today, he reminded me how impractical it would be for us to move there. I know he is right, but that fact doesn't quench the desire. To make matters worse, I popped on Facebook and the first thing I saw was someone I know being gifted a car, and a very expensive one at that. Sigh. This is just the sort of thing the evil one uses to make me feel worse. 

Shame on me!!! I have so much to be grateful for, and I know that there are so many people who struggle just to make ends meet. I have love in my life and a strong family unit, while many people don't. I have so much in my life, but sometimes I lose sight of that. During these down times I lose sight of my biggest blessing of all: I am a beloved and redeemed child of the Most High. How can I want or need anything more than that? 

I am, as always, a work in progress. 

Not DIssuaded

2/19/2022

Acts 21: 13   "Then Paul answered, 'Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lords Jesus.' When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and say, "The Lord's will be done.'"

In the verses prior to the ones above, a Prophet name Agabus bound his own hands and feet with Paul's belt, and proclaimed that the owner of the belt would be handed over to the gentiles. The people gathered there did not want to see Paul harmed in any way, but they did not understand the true depth of his faith. Paul was ready not just to be taken prisoner, but to die for Christ. There was no wiggling out of it for him nor accepting help from those willing to help him flee. He knew what was going to happen, but he walked boldly towards the face of death. Was he unconcerned about his life or his mission? I do not think that is the case at all. He just was ready to give all of himself to teach others about Jesus and not be compromised in doing so. Wherever the Lord led him, and whatever he was asked to do, he did it without hesitation; he was ready for all of it. He was completely devoted to Jesus. 

Oh, to have the faith of someone like Paul and the many throughout the centuries who have followed God undeterred. They are the believers who go anywhere and do anything that Jesus requires of them. I wish I had the level of faith of these devoted disciples of Christ, yet I often hesitate when God asks me to carry out the smallest thing for Him. I KNOW that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, but I also KNOW I have to seek that strength. If I am distracted and veer from the path God has me on, because I am lacking in faith and devotion to Him, then I will stay apprehensive about going boldly into the word for Jesus. When, or if, I will ever get there is unknown to me; only God knows, but it is up to me to act and be willing when I am called. 

I am, as always, a work in progress. 

Move

2/18/2022

Mark 3: 1-6 "Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, 'Come here.' And he said to them, 'Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?' But they were silent. And he looked around them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately held council with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him."

This morning, we read about the man with the withered hand. Would a healing take place in the synagogue on the Sabbath? As the Pharisees followed the scene before them, they were lying in wait to level accusations at Jesus for breaking Jewish law. They did not understand that Jesus was not there to break the law, but to fulfill it. 

This is such a powerful piece of scripture. The healing that took place required action on the part of the man with the withered hand. Jesus didn't go over to him and lean in to heal him, He told the man to stretch out his hand. The man had to make that move in faith. Jesus requires the same of us. We cannot just ask for something to happen, then sit back and wait; action is required. If I want a better job, I cannot just pray and think it will fall into my lap. I have to pray and then seek out a new position. Then Jesus will lead me to where I need to be, even if it is where I already am. If my desire is to be bold in spreading the Gospel, He will give me strength and opportunity, but I must also act. This is true for anything done in faith. Move and the blessing will come. Maybe not in the way I desire, but if I am seeking God's in all things, it will come. 

The other part of this powerful section is how Jesus acted. He knew the Pharisees were just waiting for Him to slip up, for He was Jewish and should have kept the Sabbath the way they understood it. They did not understand the truth of who He was, and that He was actually the fulfillment of the law they clung so dearly to. They were, after all, the leaders, and not to be challenged by this young upstart. They were in the presence of God, but were so blinded by rite and ritual, the way they thought things should be, that they could not see Him. This is so evident in our world today as well; people are so blind to the presence of God that they willfully turn away from Him. 

So, what am I called to do? I am called to act. My son, who does very analytical YouTube videos, recently said, "I would rather be proactive than inactive." That statement hit me right between the eyes. Yes, I am called to be proactive and move in the direction God is leading me. When Jesus says move, I will move. Then I thought, I would also rather be proactive than reactive. This is exactly how the Pharisees behaved, and is how so many people, especially the ones in power, behave today. Think about how non-believers lie in wait for the Christians to mess up so they can claim that our faith is a lie. This is something we must always be on our guard about. We must never let our sin reflect poorly on the Gospel message. We must always remind those around us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and that Jesus, being the only one without sin, loves anyway. He loves every sinner and gave His life for us, all we need to do stretch our our hand when He asks us to act. 

The Power of an Image

 

2/17/2022

1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all of your anxieties on Him, because he cares for you."

I had a rough afternoon. My brain was on fire with fearful OCD thoughts. These are, of course, in direct opposition to my faith focus. It is difficult to explain how it works, but suffice it to say, it is extremely exhausting. This hot brain of mine started when I came in contact with a person who very recently had Covid. They actually had Delta, ugh! Now, even though this individual stayed home for roughly 13 days, they still sounded and acted very ill. Even though I was uncomfortable, I didn't say anything. When I was frustrated with myself and texted my brother, he said, "Social conventions and courtesy will get the best of you sometimes." Boy, did he hit that nail squarely on the head!

After this person's departure, the awful OCD mind started kicking in, and I felt the panic in me rising. Now, my fear brain works very quickly forming possible dangerous scenarios to battle the beast, and Covid is the monster that never sleeps. I was strategizing how I would maneuver being home with my family there. For the next week I would; 1. Wear a mask 24/7. 2. Sleep in the guest room. 3. Eat alone. 4. Stay away from everyone. 5. Take several at-home Covid test. Then, as the compulsions began, I started looking up all kinds of information about transmission, masking, variants, and other CDC guidance. This is what I refer to as "going down the black hole." The glut of information usually just muddies the truth. I have a strict rule to not search the internet this way; however, today I broke that rule. All this usually ends with me wrapped in a blanket passed out on the couch.  

Today, thankfully, things ended differently. First my son lobbed me some truth bombs and advice. Then my siblings offered support and prayer.  Afterward, while I was just on the cusp of a panic attack, I called my husband and he prayed with me. Then another friend, who happened to be in the building where all this took place, compassionately listened and helped me talk things through, and offered to pray for me as well. So, my breath came back to a normal rhythm and my brain started to cool down. Shorty before I left for home, I passed a mirror and saw that I was wearing the white and blue anchor mask my sister made me. That image was so strong that the rest of my anxiety left my body immediately, and I smiled. My brain cooled as I thought of one of my favorite verses of scripture. Hebrews 5:19 "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf..."

Not only had God provided me with people to help me, but He gave me a powerful visual to remind me that my hope is, and always will be, in Jesus. Because of this, I not only didn't wind up curled up on the couch, but instead took my puppy for an hour long afternoon walk. To God be the glory!

During difficult times, if we take a pause to focus on Jesus, He will be there to right our ship that is being tossed in the storm. He is our anchor when the waves are crashing all around, and He will never let us be overtaken by them. 

The Ballad of Kevin

 

2/16/2022

Ephesians 6; 10-18 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefor take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand the evil day, and having done all, stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness..."

For the past year, my husband Randy has been dealing with a very difficult person through his job. Very early on, our son and I cautioned Randy to be wary of...let's call him "Kevin", for he did not ever seem genuine to us. We both discerned, just from overhearing some of the conversations between the two, that Kevin was not to be trusted. While my husband, who always likes to give people the benefit of the doubt, would counter with, "You guys don't know him, he is actually a good guy," all we could see was a master manipulator. Sadly, it turns out that we were correct in this observation. Just today, even though my husband no longer works for the same company, Kevin was soundly maligning Randy by bringing both his work ethic and character into question. Why? Why do some people make it their entire mission in life to hurt others? This man does not claim a relationship with Jesus, and it unfortunately shows. I know my husband tried to be a witness to him, and has turned the other cheek so many times he is figuratively bloodied and bruised. Satan has used Kevin to try to literally ruin my husband's reputation and career. Thankfully, the God we serve has overcome the world, and He protected my sweet, hard working husband from all forms of slander and libel. 

Tonight, after my husband had a wonderfully successful day, Kevin felt he had to give him one last very public jab. However, even though he wants nothing but Randy's destruction, he could not steal his joy. Randy knew that God guided him and gave him clarity for a critical inspection that occurred today, and he is feeling nothing but grateful. Despite Kevin's best efforts, Randy is thriving in his new position. It is true that the more devoted to our Lord we become, the more the forces of darkness try to destroy us. Being in prayer and reading God's Word is critical to be a warrior in this current world. It was providential that my husband and son read about putting on the full armor of God while doing their devotions last evening. I truly believe it is these kinds of Bible verses that keep our focus on God, and help us to seek His strength in the battle. The more we purposely go vertical, focusing on God's will and way for our life, the more joy and peace we will feel even when the slings and arrows come. To God be the glory. 

The Voice of Truth - Casting Crowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cKm_mYVPQE 

A Firm Choice

2/15/2022

Colossians 3:2-4 "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

I read a disturbing article this evening about how Netflix should be renamed Sexflix. Apparently, there are quite a few new shows produced by them that have very graphic extended sex scenes. The article claims the reason is the pandemic, and how people are living vicariously through these shows instead of having their own relationships. Now, I don't know how true that claim about people's behavior during Covid is, but I am certain this move towards more explicit programming is of the evil one. He is in control of so much in our world right now and it actually staggers me, and we largely just sit silently back and allow him to continue destroying. It is the slow boiling pot of acceptance. The more we turn our backs or look the other way when we see the world moving so evidently against Biblical principles, the stronger the evil one becomes. People of God, we must start to use out voices against the immorality of this age. How many other things will we silently accept? 

So, I guess I will be cancelling my Netflix streaming subscription. There is really nothing on it that we watch anyway. I know I wrote about being against censorship the other night, and that remains true. However, I can make a personal choice about what I will consume. Psalm 110:37 "Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. 

Dear Jesus, help your people to be bold and raise their voices in truth, compassion, grace, and love against the evils of our day. Give us strength and vision to reach others for you. Help us to be warriors against this present darkness. Amen.

Love : Verb

2/14/2022

1 John 14:9 "We love because he first loved us."

Love is an action. It is true that we can tell someone we love them, or we can write it in some form. Some people have gone to great lengths to be very public with their declarations of love, from writing a message in the sand, to social media posts, to kiss cams at sporting games, and even skywriting. However, a verbal or written proclamation of love does not really prove anything. The true proof is in how you treat someone else.

My husband - although not a usually a note writing, flower sending kind of guy - shows his love for me by doing. No action is too big or too small for him to show me how much he cares. He holds nothing back from me. Many of the things he does are not even conscious acts; they are an automatic overflow of his love for me. He is also very affectionate, even after 36 years of marriage. Again, even an arm around the shoulder or a handhold are actions. I would not trade getting flowers, jewelry, or anything that can be bought for the the way he treats me. 

Of course, our model of how to love is Jesus. He loved others with such empathy and non-judgement. His words were not only loving but His actions were as well. He was all grace and humility in His love, and He loved without expecting anything in return. I wonder how many of us can truly say that? Jesus loves us, every human, so profoundly that He died for our sins. There has never been or ever will be a greater action in love than His sacrifice for us. 

The Power of Words

2/13/2022

Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

My son wrote a short story called The Parable of the The Man Who Slew Dragons. The allegory is, often people build their names and status by fighting a worthy battle of righteous cause that initially does need fighting, Eventually, however, that hero creates the "dragons" that attack, even when there are none left to fight, just to keep their fame, power, or standing. Someone who starts out with altruistic motives can easily turn into the very thing he once opposed: the enemy. A hero with an ideology and no villain to oppose may wind up causing the very harm he initially tried to prevent. 

This story is reflective of our current culture, where thoughts and words are under attack by those that have always claimed they support freedom of speech. Words do have power, but that is the point. They can both heal and harm, it is true. However, if - over the course of time - a word's meaning has changed, and we as a society no longer connect it to its origins, does it still cause harm? Or does exhuming the origin resurrect the harmful power it once had? 

There has been a movement to strike certain words and thoughts from our culture and world. Social media is perpetuating this movement by calling into questing certain words and phrases which they claim once stood for something disrespectful or harmful to certain groups of people. These posts have piqued my interest, so I recently decided to dig into one such claim a little deeper. It was about the phrase "cake walk" having its origins in the Antebellum South. The post stated that plantation owners would make their slaves dress up and dance around as if they were attending a ball, and the slave who was the most entertaining would win a cake. This was, as the post claimed, yet another disrespectful act on the part of the white masters. What I found in my research, however, was that the slaves actually came up with this dance to mock/satirize the behavior of the plantation owners and their guests who were trying to pattern themselves after English aristocracy. The white people didn't understand they were being mocked, and by turning these events into contests, they thought they were in control of the event. Incidentally, the article I read about it was written by the son of former slaves.

So, this demonstrates that while there may be some shadow of truth to claims that phrases have unfortunate origins, often there is a twisting of facts, or a deep misunderstanding of the truth. In modern times, of course, the phrase cake walk has come to mean something is simple to do. So, you see a post on Facebook or Twitter claiming that some word or phrase has it roots in, let's say, racism, and right away you vow to never speak or use those words again. I mean, most of us have no intention of ever wanting to hurt someone, so we take those posts to heart without vetting them ourselves first. 

As I got to thinking more deeply about the subject of words, I then thought that no word should be banned. By banning words, we also water down thoughts, ideas, and even solutions. While discussing this topic, my son told me there is a movement to even take letters out of some words because they are so hurtful or offensive to some people. He gave the example of a certain word that is jarring to hear which has been subjected to this. R*pe was the word he referenced. Now it could be "ripe" or "rope", but in context, we all know what offensive word it is. When I responded that the word should be jarring because that is the point, all he could say was, "Exactly." That word, like so many thousand of others, has extreme power. Why would anyone want to sanitize it? 

We should never ban a word because of its offensive nature or root origin. I, for one, am offended by a certain curse word that begins with an F. I don't need the three asterisks that follow in order for y'all to know which one I mean. Do I use that word? No. Do I think it should be stricken form the language because it offends me? Absolutely not. Why? Because it too has power, and I am not a proponent of any kind of censorship. Maus, a two-part graphic novel about the Holocaust, was banned from a school district in Tennessee because of its content. I have read these book, and while it's not intended for children, they are extremely powerful. They are an account of what the author's family went through during that horrible time in history. I can understand restricting this kind of content from very young children, but banning it from the entire district is a slippery slope for sure. If we cannot read the truth about our history, how can we ever learn from it? 

Exodus 20:7, which is a part of the Ten Commandments, says, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vane." This is firm and non-negotiable The Bible has many verses about how we should speak, but words are not stricken entirely. It is the intention with which you speak them that makes the difference. 

How long is it before the entire Word of God is deemed unacceptable and offensive? That the truths that lie within are stricken from our word because they are too challenging and hurtful to those who do not believe? If we continue to passively allow this censorship of words or phrases by not standing strongly in opposition to it, we will all pay the price. This is another area where we need to raise our voices in opposition, wrapped in respect and love. 

Buoyed Heart

2/12/2022

Psalm 35:27 "Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore, 'Great is the Lord, who delights in the welfare if his servant'"

It was 50 degrees on February 12th in Maine! In the morning, my husband and I each took our puppy for a walk, and then went on one together with her this afternoon. We walked by the river, watched her bound in the snow and chew on sticks, and passed neighbors also taking advantage of being outside on such a beautiful day. 

This winter has been extremely cold and snowy. We have also gotten rain on top of the snow, so all the walking surfaces have been covered in a thick, treacherous layer of ice where grippers are a must. We have had many single digit and even negative number days. All this combined with the raging Omicron has been very wearing. Just when you think you are about to lose it because of the cold, snow, ice, and monotony, the gift of a springlike day appears. 

It is always like this with God. He knows my limits and always sends me, even in the darkest struggle, a bit of light to keep me going. It could be an encouraging word for a friend, a story that gave me perspective, a Bible verse that speaks deep into my soul, or even a smile from a stranger. There are a million different ways that God reminds me of my many blessings and His love. So today, I was reminded of God's love and provision by way of a long walk, fresh air, and short interactions with others. This day has buoyed me for what else Old Man Winter may have to throw at us, and has placed a bit of the hope of spring in my heart. 

All Filled Up

 2/11/2022

Matthew 18:20 "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."

Today I went to my dear friend Ruth's house for the first time in two years. Yes, I finally broke out of my personally restrictive Covid lockdown and ventured back out into the world. Another dear friend, Mimi, was also there. To say that I missed spending time with these wise, faithful, loving, funny, and wonderful women would be a major understatement. The truth is, my life was just not the same without them. I was so blessed when we were able to pick up right where we left off, and they made my soft reentry back into the world so easy and wrapped in caring kindness. We ate an extraordinarily yummy breakfast, prepared by Ruth, and talked for over 6 hours! The time just flew by as we shared all the things that have been going on in our world, our church, and our lives. By the end of our time together, I was encouraged, blessed, and my spirit was full to overflowing. The most amazing thing is that these two dear friends were patiently and lovingly waiting for me to be ready to reenter their lives. I felt no judgement or hard feelings, just love. This kind of friendship has been rare and elusive in my life, so I truly understand how precious it is. 

As we all reflect about the past two years, I am sure we all have all approached life a little differently. I have known people who have pretty much lived their life like they had before Covid, while adopting some CDC guidance to more safely maneuver the world. I know people who have been extremely cautious with who they allowed into their bubble and how they did things outside the home. I know people, like myself, who were back to work and running errands following strict protocols, but only spending time with those in the household. I also know people who have locked down tight, not going out unless absolutely necessary. We have all had our way of dealing with this difficult and unusual stretch of time, and that, in the long run, should be okay. 

I know what I am mostly hearing in conversation now, however, is that we all need to figure out how to get back to some kind of pre-Covid normal. We need to do this for our emotional and spiritual health and well-being. We were designed by God to be with others, and most of us are now collectively weary from being apart for so long. I want to get back to worshiping in church with other believers again, because watching the service online is just nowhere near the same. I want fellowship, no, I NEED fellowship with friends and family. It has been far too long, and I am ready take those calculated risks. I will continue to be cautious, but I will not continue to be away from those I care about. It is finally time. We are truly stronger together. 

Lesson from My Pup

 Note: This is not a picture of my pup, but it is cute. 

2/10/2022

Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Jesus Christ."

My dog is always VERY excited to see any of her family when we walk through the door, whether we are out of the house for hours or ten minutes. She starts spinning around and leaping in the air when she hears even a hint of sound coming from the mud room. Her entire body wags as soon as any of us come into view. She just wants to be in our presence because she knows how much we love her and take care of her. Her well-being is the most important thing to all of us, and we love her so much. 

In contrast to her excited greetings, she is extremely relaxed and peaceful around at home. She is a rescue from Alabama, so it took a bit of time for her to trust us, but now she is fully acclimated to both our family and the Northeast. In the evenings, she usually snuggles up to one of us and falls into a blissful deep sleep. 

She is also learning to listen when we speak. This skill is based on trust, correction, and treats. It takes time and patience on our part, but we gladly give both to help her because, again, we love her. We give her the best of who we are because there was nothing but love for her form the beginning.

So, all this got me thinking and asking myself some questions. Do I react in a similar way being in the presence of my God? Am I so excited when I open my eyes in the morning that He is there and was watching over me while I slept that I cannot contain my joy? Do I concentrate on how much He does for me every day? Do I really think about how much He loves me, or do I mostly take that for granted? 

Do I find peace and rest in knowing He is holding me in His arms always? 

Do I appreciate how patient God is with me when He is trying to teach me a lesson? Do I listen because I have learned to trust Him, or do I still need a "treat" to pay attention? 

God gave His best, His one and only Son, for me solely because He loved me from the beginning. 

Turned Around

 2/9/2022

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."

I was going to write tonight's blog about something that challenged me today. I was almost finished when I got a phone call that changed my direction, and I am so grateful. This morning, I had a conversation that confused me and made me feel like my faith is sorely lacking, which honestly it probably is. Tonight, however, I was blessed by a call from my sister-in-law. She wanted to tell me about a talk she gave at her school's Kairos retreat. Her topic was "Jesus My Friend". She did not have much time to prepare for her talk, but God took over and she spoke from her heart. She shared with the students that Jesus has always been in her life, that she was raised to trust in Him, and how that trust and His love, mercy, and care have gotten her though some extremely painful times. She shared that He has been there in the times of sorrow as well as joy. She spoke from her heart, and I wish I could have been there to witness the powerful affect her testimony had on the participants. As she told me of the evening's events, my heart swelled and my spirit soared. Even my husband, who was in the room listening, was moved by her story. She had experienced this same retreat as a senior in high school and was having her full circle moment. Beautiful. 

Her journey teaching about God's love and mercy, and how having a relationship with Him is the most important thing they can do, is so amazing. A short time ago, she had no idea where God was leading her, and now she is has her "dream job" sharing the love of Jesus with teenagers at a fragile stage of life during a difficult time in our world. To God be the glory!

At the end of our conversation, she once again thanked me for writing Blooms. She has done this so many times, and it blesses me deep down and humbles me. My husband, with tears in his eyes, said to me that Blooms blessed her on her journey, and she is now blessing countless others on theirs. To think that what is written here has impacted even one person is just overwhelmingly profound to me, for it is all done in honor of my Savior. So I began the day feeling dejected, and ended it feeling elated and blessed. Thank You Jesus. You are my way, my truth =, and my life. 

Leap of Faith

 

Roses bouquet, blooming roses. Rose flowers bunch art design, nature. Holiday gift, Bunch of roses flower. Pastel colours. Holiday backdrop, birthday

2/8/2022

2/8/2022

Acts 28:31 "Proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance."

So, tonight I took another leap of faith - well, began to - where Blooms is concerned. As some of you know, I felt called to self-publish on Amazon this past October. That process was both exhilarating and terrifying. The next step that I feel called and encouraged to do is submitting Blooms to a publishing house. 

I am deeply humbled by the small group of you who have faithfully read the Blooms blog over the past two years, or purchased a physical copy of the book, but it has not yet found a larger audience. It is true that I am not great at "self" promotion, but I have tried, and it just has not worked. While in prayer about whether to continue the blog and possibly pull the book from Amazon, I felt led to again be bold. This is an area of my life that God has really had me focus on, both in my everyday life and with my writing. Boldness does not come easily for me, and anything that I do in that area is only because of the strength I get from Jesus. I am working every day towards getting more and more out of my comfort zone, and to walk in faith in all I do. 

The more I go vertical, am still, and listen, the more I have a sense of where God is leading me. Do I know what tomorrow will bring for my life or Blooms? Nope. Do I trust God with both? Implicitly. 

The Problem with Boredom

2/7/2022

 Romans 11:29 "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." 

I have complained many, many times since the beginning of Covid about the sameness of every day. I have been very bored and have filled my time with mostly vapid and unproductive pursuits. Yes, I have gained weight as well because of inactivity and snacking to fill the void. It doesn't help that the winter in New England (and in many places) has been awfully hard. I have been, other than going to work, pretty much cloistered for the past two years. No trips to look around the stores or go out to dinner. No meeting with friends for tea, lunch, or a movie. I have actually been out of people's lives for so long that I may never be able to reform those friendships and connections. This boredom is truly one of my own doing. I could have handled this time so much differently if I was listening to God instead of the Covid din surrounding us all.

It hit me this morning that as a disciple of Jesus, I should never be bored, because He has much for me to do. If I am in a constant state of apathy, I cannot possibly be living a life that is poured out for Him. How could I ever be dispirited if I am truly serving God? So, I had to look hard at myself and ask: is Jesus enough for me? If so, why do I fill my life with things that are destructive at worse and distracting at best? Why have I ceased to serve during this time of being careful? Couldn't I be doing more every day to reach out to those around me, even if I am not in the same room as they are? 

These past two years have been like a slow-moving tidal wave of grief, fear, and living constantly in the unknown. We are all trying desperately not to be dragged under by the weight of it all. I believe it is time for a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual rest. It is time to begin getting back into the life that God is leading me in, and once again walk in boldness without fear, for Jesus is my joy and my strength. It is a time for spending uninterrupted time in study and prayer, and not to be weary. It is a time for action. I am being called to do more, and I am going to heed that call. 

Will I Answer the Call?

1/6/2022 

Matthew 24:36 "But concerning that day and the hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only."

I wonder how many times each of us feel misunderstood in a single day. How often does this end in hurt feelings or worse? A lack of understanding, or possibly not being willing to see another point of view, breaks down the individual and society in general. I have heard more and more people proclaim recently that they are unwilling to even listen to another person's ideas or beliefs if they do not align with their own. These people, unfortunately, are not the talking heads of the 24-hour news channels, but people I know personally. Families have become divided over politics and vaccination status. We have become polarized as a nation and as individuals. This is a sad thing indeed. I long for a society that pulls together during national or global crises. People have come together in solidarity for centuries, so why not now?

Well, to a person of faith who reads their Bible, it seems evident. The evil one and his minions are at work and have a pretty stronghold in our world. It has been foretold that this would happen in the end days before Jesus comes. Of course, there have been times before in history where all seemed grim and drawing to an end, but those times did not last. So, is this tumultuous time we are currently living in now harkening the return of our Savior? If so, what should I be doing as a disciple of Christ? If I knew there was only one week left before the trumpet sounds, would I be shouting the truth of the Gospel message from the rooftops? Would I be focused on the minor irritations of the day, or would I have a single focus to reach as many people as I could, proclaiming Jesus' gift of mercy and grace? 

Not really knowing when that day will actually come, shouldn't this be my focus always? How long will I continue in silence because of the darkness of the world we live in? Why should I be afraid when Jesus IS the light of the world who has overcome the darkness?] Isn't it time for God's people to finally rise up in truth wrapped in love? 

Revelation 1:7 "Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen."

A Balm for a Weary Soul

 2/5/2022

Psalm 18:2 "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

I am a Jane Austen fan. I love the beautifully lyrical language and how her female protagonists are true to themselves and their convictions. I get lost in Austen's stories. When I come to the conclusion of ones of her books, I always find myself missing the characters. They come alive to me even though I am very far removed from their setting and time period. Her novels are a great place to disappear into during this most difficult time. Tonight, I came upon Mansfield Park playing on one of the movie channel stations we get with out cable package. It is not as good as the book, but it was a nice escape for a while. (At least it wasn't another night of HGTV.)

I had a challenging evening. Just like the characters in an Austen book, I feel like I am trying to communicate my thoughts and feelings without much success. I am not a person prone to fiery anger, but I can get to a low simmer at times. I do my best to talk things through calmly, but I usually don't seem to get anywhere. My insights and feelings just breed more confusion and contention. That is when I quiet down and turn inward. If you know me, you understand that a place of solitude and silence is not where I thrive. That is where I currently am. Alone. Quiet, Exhausted. 

It is in these moments of personal struggle that I am even more grateful for my Jesus. No matter how awkward I am, or how crazy I may sound, I know He will always understand. He is not only waiting for me to come to Him with all that is on my mind or in my heart, but He is already there carrying me through every moment of my life. I could not walk this mortal coil without Him through all its pain and suffering, and I am certainly blessed not to have to. He is my anchor, my refuge, and strength. 

Walls

2/4/2022

Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Walls. We all have them. Tonight, my family and I watched the classic movie Breakfast at Tiffany's. Neither of them have seen it before, but I have. The story is not told in a usual way, and you really have to think about the characters afterward. This fact brought about an interesting discussion. My son mentioned that, at first, he had a difficult time connecting to the female lead character, brilliantly played by Audrey Hepburn. That, I believe, was very intentional by the filmmakers. She is not connected to herself, so how can we as an audience connect to her? Her walls are tall and deeply set with cement; no one can enter save her younger brother, who is serving in the army. We never get any clear reason why she behaves the way she does, but there are subtle clues throughout the film. 

I am sitting currently reflecting on the movie, and our conversation has me thinking about how most of us build some sort of invisible wall around ourselves for mental, emotional, and sometimes physical protection. As I have shared in a previous post, I was horribly bullied as a young child by an older group of girls in my small New Jersey neighborhood. This went on for many years, and certainly did a fair share of damage. Mostly, these events made me a people pleaser outwardly and untrusting inwardly. I learned what I needed to do to survive unjust treatment by others. I am certainly not alone in learning this difficult survival skill. Just like Holly in the movie, I lost - or never truly developed - a true sense of self-worth or connection. I felt invisible, and that was mostly okay with me. 

Then, in my late teens, while on my spiritual quest for something deeper in my faith journey, I found my value in my relationship with Jesus. I found forgiveness and healing, and because of God's grace I was also able to forgive. Now, my sturdy walls did not come crumbling down immediately, but they did begin to crack and crumble. They are now more akin to ruins of something that once was, but sometimes - even now - I attempt to rebuild those protective walls when someone hurts me. Then I hear that still small voice telling me how much I am loved by the Creator of the universe, and I stop rebuilding. He has been the ultimate Healer of my soul, and it is in my relationship with Jesus that I have found myself. 

Jesus is my way, my truth, and my life.

The Storm Within

2/3/2022

Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God that goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

I know I have written about my being diagnosed with OCD in the past, and how Covid has been my perfect storm. A world that is normally challenging for me to maneuver has become, once again, almost impossible. Ten years ago, at the height of my illness, I was housebound and mostly couch bound. I would wrap myself up in a blanket like a taco and just sit for hours, trapped in a fear mind state. Even that did not feel safe to me. It is a truly difficult thing to try explaining to someone who has never experienced it. I will tell you, though, that being trapped in your own mind is terribly lonely. I lost so much precious time with those I love, and yet during all those moments watching the hours tick by, time felt like it was standing still.

It felt like nowhere was safe. That ugly feeling has reemerged over the past two years. Something that I had, with God's grace and mercy, been able to fight through for nine years was beginning to creep back in. The time of extended lockdown, how much was unknown about the virus, and barrage of constant Covid news and conversation was very difficult to fight. In the beginning, I would go shopping for the family so I could keep everyone safe; that act gave me some control. The longer all this went on, and the more the experts were advising to wash your hands often and sanitize everything, the more difficultly I had going out into the world once again. This caused my husband to take over all the shopping and errands that needed doing. Whenever I would attempt to shop, get gas, pick up milk, etc., I would be done for the rest of the day. It took all of my energy, and I sadly would have nothing left. I know this sounds odd, but it would to anyone who does not suffer with this kind of disability, . 

So, I have really not been shopping by myself for a very long time. Today, however, I drew the short straw. There is a storm coming and we needed some food to get through the weekend, so I headed over to the grocery store after work. (Yes, I returned to the office, and that has its own challenges that I will share some other time.) The store was PACKED with people doing exactly the same thing I was doing, preparing for the impending storm. I had all of my strategies in place. (Again, this is too long a process to share here.) I was armed with prayer and these words of wisdom my son had texted me earlier in the day: "Just keep your head low and focus on God's grace." 

Like I said earlier, the store was very crowded, and there were also A LOT of people unmasked, but God's grace was washing over me. Instead of feeling angry at the people who weren't wearing masks or did not keep their distance from me, I actually found myself smiling at people and interacting with them while still staying as safe as I could. I chatted with the older lady behind me at the checkout, and joked with the cashier and bagger. I was still over-sanitizing my hands, and the fear voice was still trying to grab and shake me, but God's grace prevailed. I walked out of the store with a full basket and a calm spirit for the first time in almost two years. To God be the glory!!!

Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your Sod is with you wherever you go."

Boundaries

 2/2/2022

Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Setting boundaries is difficult for me, and always has been. I would say I have developed a strategy of avoidance to give myself space form those in my life who may be overwhelming or toxic. (I am certain that many people have had to set boundaries around me for the same reasons.) Recently, I have dabbled in addressing certain issues with some people in my life, but, unfortunately, those attempts at such conversations did not go well even though I tried to wrap things in respect and love. When they did seem to go okay, afterward I could feel a shift in the relationship, and not a particularly healthy one. 

In my past, I have flown to the side of anyone in need at any time of the day or night. This is what I believed I had to do. Being there for everyone in my life just became my responsibility, and I just expected my husband and son to understand. They never complained, but when I finally began to see how much of a toll it was taking, I had to reassess everything about my life. As a Christian, I was supposed to care for those around me, yes, but my order of importance was all upside down. My own family was who I waved to in my rear-view mirror as I was off once again, walking into someone's trauma or mess. Thankfully, they have both forgiven me for these times, and with God's help and guidance, the imbalance has been righted. 

Now there are a few people who truly appreciated my being there for them, and you know who you are. Then there are, oddly enough, people that seemed to pull away after I had walked with them through a particularly difficult or trying time in their lives. I guess sometimes I became a reminder of the pain that they were trying to move past. I get it, I am not particularly fond of remembering anything about the time when I was dealing with my illness and in deep despair. 

So today, after having a difficult conversation about regularly being there for someone during a time that isn't my own, I was asked to set a boundary. Yikes. Can I do it? Painfully so, I think I can, yet I am torn. The person I am "there for" right now really has no one else. They are wrestling with their faith, and have had the destroyer try to hold them down and continue their path of weariness. In the past, I would have had a different approach to this relationship; that is clearly a God thing, In a time of Covid, however, there are limited opportunities to just go out to lunch or grab a cup of tea and talk. This person is being extra careful, as am I. So, I need to respect the person who has requested I achieve needed boundaries, yet my spirit is disquieted. How can I continue to be there for this individual as I am called to be, and still respect the issue of time and productivity? How can I balance all of the responsibilities in my life while still reaching out to others?  

If I truly work for God, and I am trying to not grow weary in doing good for the sake of the harvest, shouldn't I be listening to His voice above all others? If I am striving, like Paul, to be sold out to Jesus and the message of the Gospel, shouldn't I do what He calls me to do no matter the cost? I am, unfortunately, weary tonight, but I know with patience, prayer, and being still and listening, God will show me the way. 

Home Improvement Part 2

 2/1/2022

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Yesterday's post was about how much I love HGTV, and me relating the programs to my own life. I am like an old, broken down house in need of constant renovations. In almost all of the shows I watch, the homeowners have a certain budget allotted for the work to be done. On one show, Love It or List It, there is a friendly competition between the designer and real estate agent. The designer, even after being given large budgets, usually has to ask for more to get everything done that she proposes to do. Most times the homeowners refuse the increase because the cost is too high. This means that they are willing to live with those areas that will not be addressed even when the carpenter shows them the need for the repair. 

I have to wonder, do we as believers say no to some of the changes or renovations that we need in our lives because we also feel the cost is too high? There are certainly areas of my life that need major work, but am I willing to pay the cost? Perhaps God will require me to go somewhere that makes me uncomfortable, or give up something that I do not want to (or think I can). Maybe He is asking me to spend more time with Him in devotion and prayer, but my time is too valuable to give too much over; after all, I have a lot to do every day. Maybe He is calling me to help someone in need, but this will require me to leave my comfort zone, and that could cause stress. "No," I say, "the price is too high." Maybe He is actually laying it on my heart to give more of my finances to Him, but I have to have enough for my family and we may be planning an outing or vacation and there will be no extra to give. 

The truth is that Jesus held nothing back, and the cost was taking the sin if the world upon Himself. There has never been anything with a higher cost. He did this for me and you, no whining or excuses. He was willing to give all of Himself to save me. If Jesus is the model for my own life, shouldn't I be willing to do anything God asks of me also? The Master Carpenter is always showing me areas in need of vital repair in my life and deep in my soul; should I ever think the cost is too high? Will I ever reach the place where I turn everything I have and I am over to Him? The ultimate gift of salvation that Jesus gives is free.

I am, as always, under renovations.