I AM A BLACK SHEEP

Seriously.

I have on some occasions pulled the wool over someone's eyes.

I have been known to count myself when I can't fall asleep.

When asked how I'm doing, there have been times when I've answered, "Not baaaaad."


I even wrote a poem about me:

Mary had a little lamb,
Its fleece was white as snow.
Her sister, Judy, had another lamb,
Whose fleece was black as coal.

Now everywhere that Mary went,
Her lamb was sure to go,
But Judy’s lamb was wont to wander,
And its favorite word was, "NO!"

Mary's lamb was never lost,
And always chose to obey,
But Judy's lamb was an ornery sort,
And always chose its own way.

Mary's lamb was nice and good,
And gladly gave its wool,
But Judy's lamb kicked up a fuss,
Struggling to push and pull.

At the end of the day, Mary's lamb
Was just as sweet as can be,
But Judy's lamb was not so quite,
For you see, her lamb was me.


Yeah, I'm a black sheep.

Every family seems to have one.  That one person who doesn't quite fit into the mold, or toe the line, or obey the rules.  The one person who just kinda gets out of line.

Now mind you, I wasn't a bad girl.

I just had *mess-ups* in my life.

I was born into a wonderful family.  My parents were both believers, same with all four grandparents.  In fact, I was surrounded by a very large extended family, and almost to a person, they were also strong believers.

I myself became a believer at the age of 3, got baptized at 14, and attended church faithfully with my family.  I even graduated from a Christian college.

I had some rather innocuous disobediences growing up – who doesn't? Minor offenses like breaking curfew, or an occasional fib, or some questionable boyfriends.  But overall, I was a good girl.

However, as an adult, I stopped attending church, and fell out of fellowship.


Somewhere along the way, I kinda got lost.

I became a lonely girl.  A confused girl.  

And finally, a girl who was hurt, tired, and wanting to come *home.*


At some point in this journey, I found my way back to the Lord.

I read through the Bible for the first time.  And somewhere in those pages, I was reconciled once again to the Savior who, though I had moved away, had never left me.

It was at this time that God literally "came knocking at my door."

One day, I happened to be standing in the driveway.  At this precise moment, a couple walked by the front of the house.  They stopped...

"Are you going to be selling your home?" asked the wife.  "We've been curious about all the construction going on."

"No, just doing some remodeling," I answered.

At this point, the couple approached and struck up a conversation.  

Turns out that they lived only a few blocks away.  And, in the course of talking, the wife mentioned that she was part of a neighborhood book club, and invited me to try it out if I liked to read.  I chuckled, and confirmed that I was a voracious reader.

So, the wife and I went to get some paper and a pen to exchange information.

I had noticed that her husband's hat had a cross on it, and I casually mentioned it to her.

"Why yes, I'm a Christian," she said.

"Me, too," I said.


Now she invited me to join her Bible Study.

I said I'd think about it.

You know, you'd think that I would jump at the chance to *rejoin the ranks* and gladly begin to attend her Bible Study, and maybe even start going to church again.

But, when you feel like a *black sheep* – it's hard to take that first step toward home.

In fact, in my conversation with her, I had briefly mentioned that I wasn't attending church, and had wandered from the Lord for a while.  She didn't make a big deal out of it, for which I was so grateful.

And then, as she was walking to rejoin her husband and continue on their walk, she quoted this verse:

"'Then I will make up to you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten…'" (Joel 2:25, NASB)


I was really pretty floored.

The New Living Translation says it this way:

"'I will give you back what you lost…'"

And let me tell you, those words were like a balm to my spirit.  Like a life preserver.  Like a cup of water to a thirsty soul.  Like a light shining into the deepest darkness.

Those words gave me hope.

I remember thinking to myself, "Could God really do that?"

I am chagrined to tell you that I still resisted the idea of going to Bible Study.  But, in the end, I did go.  And I cannot begin to tell you how that changed everything.

One little black sheep decided to go home.

And a gracious and loving Father ran to greet me with open arms and a warm embrace.

All these many years later, I still hold that verse very dearly in my heart. For indeed, I have truly found out that God, our Great Redeemer, can give it all back.


Of course, the battle doesn't end there.

Even now, the father of lies does his best to bring up the past.  

He tries to overwhelm me with guilt.

He tries to keep me mired in regret.

He constantly strives to remind me of my *black wool.*

But when this starts to happen, I remember the heart of the One who has been so good to me.

He keeps me looking forward.  He keeps me looking at Him.  

And over and over He washes me with the Truth of His forgiveness, mercy, grace, and love.


So, to all you black sheep out there – or even you guys who are only a little gray – rest assured that you're not alone.

There's a whole herd of us, and we're all ornery and stubborn and prone to wander.

Even those of us who follow the Lord can still find ways to meander off the path, to refuse to yield control – and we can find ourselves caught in the thicket of defiance and disobedience. 

But might I just remind you of something?

There is a Good Shepherd who loves you and wants you to come home.

He is willing and able to forgive ANYTHING – and He is ready to offer His unmitigated grace, His compassionate mercy, and His boundless love.

He's got a hug waiting.

And a fresh, clean outfit of wool tailored just for YOU!



Baa baa, black sheep,
What color is your fleece?
Praise the Lord, it's white as snow,
And I am clean, in peace.

Yes, indeed, He CAN redeem it all!

FLEE TO THE CROSS AND STAY THERE!

Just me, Sheepie,
hanging out
with the
Lion of Judah!! 

"I do not at all understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us." -- Anne Lamont



"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9, ESV)

"For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.  He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:11-12, NLT)

"'Come now, let's settle this,' says the LORD.  'Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.  Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.'" (Isaiah 1:18, NLT)

"'For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.'" (Jeremiah 31:34, NIV)

"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions.  Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin!   For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me.  Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment...

Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt and iniquities.  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.  Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit." (Psalm 51:1-4, 9-12, AMP)

"Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." (Psalm 51:7, NLT)

"Oh, what a miserable person I am!  Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?  Thank God!  The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 7:24-25, NLT)

"Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt.  I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.'  And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." (Psalm 32:5, NLT)

"...forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward." (Philippians 3:13-14, AMP)

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1, ESV)

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36, ESV)

Are you still *blackened* by any sin – big or small – that you've never laid down at the Cross?

Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, GRATEFUL HEART MONDAY, FIND STABILITY, REFLECT LINKUP, WORDS WITH WINTER, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING, MOM 2 MOM MONDAY, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, UNITE, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYS, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WISE WOMAN, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, TELL HIS STORY, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, BELOVED BREWS, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, SHINE, HEARTS FOR HOME, LOOKING UP LINKUP, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, SATURDAY SOIREE, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREW, TGI SATURDAYS, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE, 



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

THE OUTSTRETCHED ARMS

Yesterday was Easter Sunday.

I trust that everyone had a very blessed day.

And I hope that we all felt the real impact of what Jesus actually accomplished for us on that cross…

…and what He achieved when He walked out of that empty tomb.

I don't know about you, but the Easter story is so familiar that sometimes I wonder if I miss the meaning.  Not really, of course, for I never take salvation for granted.  But sometimes I have to make myself stop – I have to stop my SELF – and truly ponder the effects of that momentous act of sacrifice in my life.

Today I am thinking about Jesus' outstretched arms.

Those bloodied, pain-stricken, weak, disjointed, frail arms.

I picture them in my mind.

Would you take a moment and do that, too?

Maybe just close your eyes and hold your own arms out to the side.  Hold them for a while.  Hold them there until they begin to ache.  And in the moment when you feel like you can no longer hold them up, please do this – whisper to the Lord, "Thank You."


Yes, those outstretched arms.

Weak, yet strong.

Full of love.

How grateful I am for them.


When my sons were little boys, I remember telling them often how much I loved them.  Sometimes they would ask me, "How much, Mommy?"  And then I'd hold my arms out as wide as I could and say, "This big."

Do you know how *big* Jesus loved you on the day He died?  Do you understand how much He gave you when He walked out of that tomb?

And do you recognize what those outstretched arms represent?

They are the very picture of grace.

Grace that stretches over all of our lives.  From beginning to end, and into eternity.  Those outstretched arms of Jesus are like protective wings that shield us from death and judgment.

This Easter, I found myself contemplating the impact of grace in my life.

I know that Jesus' sacrificial death bought forgiveness for my sins.  I know that He covered all my sins – even the ones I haven't yet committed.

But as I pictured those outstretched arms, I realized something anew.

Grace goes backwards.

Yes.

Grace covers the sins I commit today, and most certainly covers the sins that I will commit tomorrow.

But it also covers the sins that I committed yesterday.

This is what I felt in a different way this Easter when I pondered the outstretched arms of Jesus.  I saw His grace and forgiveness covering everything that I have ever done in my life.  And that includes my past.

It's almost like grace is retroactive.


I don't know about you guys, but I have a very hard time forgiving myself for the things I've done wrong in the past.  And trust me, I've done some things that I am very "un-proud" of!!

And the memories of those things, if I let them, would open like Pandora's box until I was overwhelmed and consumed with regret, guilt, and shame.

I've had moments when that exact thing has happened.

Times in my life when I've been paralyzed with guilt, unable to move forward.  I've been besieged with doubts about my worth as God's child. I've been weighed down by the remembrance of pain and shame.

And I have forgotten that the forgiveness of God, as expressed through Jesus' death, is much bigger than all of that.

Grace is big enough to go backwards.


Dear friends, are any of you paralyzed with guilt over past sin?  Are you besieged with doubts about your worth as God's child?  Are you weighed down by the remembrance of pain and shame?

Have you forgotten that the forgiveness of God is bigger than all that?

Then come again to the foot of the Cross.

Contemplate the outstretched arms of Jesus.

Weak, yet strong.

Full of love.

And be grateful for them.

Whisper from the very depths of your soul, "Thank You."

Thank Him for opening His heart to save us.

Thank Him for being willing to die a terrible death to redeem us.    Thank Him for His humble self-sacrifice.  Thank Him for enduring the worst sort of torture – including a loss of intimacy with His Father – just for you.

Thank Him for stretching His bloodied, pain-stricken, weak, disjointed, frail arms out on a cross.

Know that His forgiveness spans your whole lifetime.  From one end to the other, and into eternity.  There is no end, and no beginning, to the infinite forgiveness of salvation.

Grace is like an umbrella – a shelter of protection that reaches out into the future, covers the present, and washes away the past.

This is what Jesus meant when He proclaimed:

"IT is finished."


(Most interesting sidenote:  – The Greek word for the phrase, "It is finished" is tetelestai, which is an accounting term that means "paid in full." These words, found only in the Gospel of John, are the most important and poignant words spoken by Jesus.  When He uttered those words, He was declaring the debt owed by mankind to His Father – the debt of sin – was wiped away completely and forever.)



Yes indeed, Jesus paid it all.

And when we look at Him and say:

"How much do you love me?"

See His outstretched arms and hear Him say:

"This big."

Oh, how we are blessed!

 There you saw
how the LORD your God carried you,
as a father carries his child,
all the way you went.

I have made you
and I will carry you,
I will sustain you
 and I will rescue you.

"Then the LORD passed by in front of [Moses] and proclaimed, 'The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin…'" (Exodus 34:6-7, NASB)

"The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love." (Psalm 145:8, NLT)

"He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.  For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.  He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:10-12, NLT)

"'And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.'" (Hebrews 8:12, NLT)

"'I…am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.'" (Isaiah 43:25, NIV)

"Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people?  You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.  Once again you will have compassion on us.  You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean!  You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing love…" (Micah 7:18-20, NLT)

"'Come now, let's settle this,' says the LORD.  'Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow.  Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.'" (Isaiah 1:18, NLT)

"It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not." 
(Lamentations 3:22, AMP)

"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." (Lamentations 3:23, NLT)

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people…" 
(Titus 2:11, ESV)

"...when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  This is a trustworthy statement…" 
(Titus 3:4-8, NASB)

"Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17, NIV)

"And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.   

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!  Amen." (Ephesians 3:18-21, NLT)


Yes, amen!



What do the outstretched arms of Jesus mean to you?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MOTIVATE & REJUVENATE MONDAYS, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, UNITE, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, TELL HIS STORY, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, SO MUCH AT HOME, WOMAN TO WOMAN WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WISE WOMAN, WOMEN WITH INTENTION WEDNESDAYS, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAYS, BELOVED BREWS, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, SHINE, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, A GROUP LOOK, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, GRACE & TRUTH, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, STILL SATURDAY, SATURDAY SOIREE, WEEKEND BREW, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Rescue

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a question (or few)…just a little something to
"fan the flame" of your creativity!

And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!


Today's word: rescue

How would you define the word rescue?

How did God rescue you, personally, from temptation or illness or fear or a desperate situation (or any other circumstance that occurred in your life)?

Take a moment and ponder what it really took for God to rescue us.  How might you show Him your gratitude today?


Let me know what you think!!


(There were so many great verses about *rescue* that I had trouble choosing!!)


"'They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the LORD." (Jeremiah 1:19, NIV)

"'Because you trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe. I, the LORD, have spoken!'" (Jeremiah 39:18, NLT)

"'Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.'" (Isaiah 46:4, NIV)

"Rescue those who are being taken away to death..." (Proverbs 24:11, ESV)

"Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters..." (Psalm 144:7, NIV)

"In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me; turn your ear to me and save me." (Psalm 71:2, NIV)

"And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:13, NLT)

"And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us." 

(2 Corinthians 1:10, NLT)

"Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live." (Galatians 1:4, NLT)

"Giving thanks to the Father who did make us meet for the participation of the inheritance of the saints in the light, who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate [us] into the reign of the Son of His love..." (Colossians 1:12-13, YLT)

"The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 

(2 Timothy 4:18, NIV)

DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:


You are the apple of God's eye.  God will...answer your cries of distress; He is bending down, compassionate and interested in your prayer.  Believe in your heart that God will use His power to protect you.  When you look to God with expectation, you receive the protection you so desperately seek...God is willing and able to protect you faithfully.  He is the only One who can truly shield and protect you, so lay your cares at His feet.


*Hide me in the shadow of Your wings.


(Devotional from: "Grace for Each Moment" Compiled by Kylie Munger from devotionals by Solly Ozrovech, c. 2008, Christian Art Gifts, RSA)


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

WATER DAMAGE

Sometimes really bad things can happen to really good people.  

But sometimes, really stupid things can happen to halfway decent people.

Case in point.

So, I'm up in the middle of the night last night.  This time the insomnia was the *I-fell-asleep-just-fine-but-woke-up-and-couldn't-go-back-to-sleep* kind. I lay there pondering the imponderables, and then I decided that maybe if I ate something I'd get sleepy.

Seems to work just fine at Thanksgiving.

So, I got up to fix a bowl of Cream of Wheat.  Don't ask me why that appealed.  Perhaps a warm bowl of grain product sounded sleep-inducing. (No milk in the house).

I was just bringing the bowl over to the coffee table, just setting it down on the coffee table…in the dark…when the "dumbs" hit.  I knocked over a FULL and LARGE cup of lemon water.  It was one of those plastic protein drink cups with a *drinkee spout thing*.

I could hear the liquid gurgling out…fast.

Quickly turning on the light, I was chagrined to see a huge puddle of water spreading on the carpet.  But, more than that, I was horrified to see the other place the water was going.

Directly into my little plastic tote, full of my devotional books.

Yes, the ones that I’ve been studying all year.

The ones that I guard with my life.  The ones that are NOT dog-eared, NOT written in or highlighted, NOT bent, NOT spine-cracked.  The ones that are as pristine as the day I bought them.

I take pretty good care of my books.  Good *librarian* care.

I could have cried.

I would have if I had not had to race to the kitchen to retrieve the entire roll of paper towels to start my cleanup.

I started with the devotionals.

What a mess.

Pages were now water-warped and crinkled.  I fanned the pages to make sure that none were sticking together.  I laid them out as carefully as I could to let them dry out overnight.  

I tackled the carpet last.

When I finally sat down to eat my Cream of Wheat, it was cold.  I didn't have the energy to re-heat it, so I ate it like Goldilocks with Mama Bear's bowl of porridge.

Thinking to myself.

Thinking how a dumb move can ruin a lot of things…fast.

Thinking how stupid mistakes can set a domino effect of consequences into motion.


Sin can be like that.

It can be hugely evil, yes.  Ugly and awful.  But sometimes it can be just plain stupid.

We humans are prone to acting without thinking, leaping without looking.  We are prone to pleasing ourselves without pondering the aftermath.

Mistakes can make a mess.  They can create sticky situations.

Fortunately, that is what forgiveness is all about.

Cleaning up the mess.


I'm thinking about last night.  And I'm thinking how my careless mistake created a mess I needed to clean up.  But also, my mistake damaged my devotionals.

Just like life.  

Sinful mistakes, dumb sinful mistakes, can tarnish the Holy Spirit within us.  They can thwart God's purposes.  They can ruin things.  And though the mess can be cleaned up, the aftermath lingers on.

But God is all about the aftermath.

He is the only One who can forgive our sins, ease guilt, restore relationships, rectify mistakes, conquer consequences, and clean up the mess.

I'm eternally grateful He does.


Yes, my devotionals will always be *damaged* now.  But they are still filled with words telling me about the wonders of God.

Dumb choices can leave some damage.  But we can still be filled with words to tell about the wonders of God. 

Friends, our stories may have left us with scars – but our scars are our story.

And God wants us to tell our stories.

Because He wants us to tell people about His ending.  The *happily-ever-after* ending where we are forgiven and redeemed.


Dumb and stupid sin happens.

Messy life occurs.

But thank the Lord, we have Someone who will rescue us from ourselves.  We have Someone who will clean us up with forgiveness. We have Someone who died for us so we'd never have to face the aftermath of the afterlife.


We have a Savior.

"Lord, please hand me some paper towels."

He reached down from heaven and rescued me...
...he drew me out of deep waters. 

"'Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.'" (John 7:38, NIV)

"'But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.'" 
(John 4:14, NLT)

"And he also said, 'It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega--the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.'" (Revelation 21:6, NLT)

"Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb." (Revelation 22:1, NLT)



How has God cleaned up a *messy mistake* in your life?


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Darlene at TITUS 2SDAY
Jen at UNITE
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Shari at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Wanda at THE FRIDAY FIVE
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Gail at TGIF
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Good

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!


Today's word: good

What do you think the word good means?

In what ways can something bad (in earthly terms) be something good (in eternal ways)?

Explain what this phrase means to you:  "God is good, all the time."

What is good about Good Friday?


Let me know what you think!!


"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28, NLT)

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep." (John 10:11, NLT)


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

WHAT WAS JESUS THINKING?

Sometimes I ponder…

One of the things I think about is what might go through my mind if I knew that I was dying.  In those last few hours as I approached the gates of eternity, what would be my most important thoughts?  

What would I want to communicate to my loved ones? 

In this week leading up to Easter, I'm pondering Jesus.  Hanging on the cross, battered and bruised, weak and suffering, He knew He was dying.  In those last hours before He died…

What was Jesus thinking?

So, I'm taking a look at His last words, and speculating on what might have been going through His mind.


1. "Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

The message:  Forgiveness

In an amazing act of humility and love, Jesus looked at His enemies, the people that were responsible for killing Him, and asked His Father to forgive them.  The message of forgiveness was of utmost importance to the Savior.  It was the purpose and the motivation for Him to complete His mission on earth. In His dying moments, He was compelled to tell His followers – both then, and through the ages –

"Look at My example.  Forgiveness trumps evil.  Forgive others, as I am forgiving you."


The Lesson: Forgiveness is important.  Embrace it, and pass it on.

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:37, NIV)



2. "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)

The message: Faith 

Jesus didn't make this moment of salvation theologically complicated, or personally difficult – no, He just spoke an unmistakable, clear promise that anyone who believed in Him would be saved.  Even if it was a last-minute repentance.  Jesus offered hope to sinners, and it was another important message He wanted to pass on.  In His dying moments, He was compelled to tell His followers – both then, and through the ages –

"Believe in Me, and you will be saved.  And when you die, you will join me where I am, and live in My Presence forever."


The Lesson: Faith alone saves.  It saves in an instant, and it lasts forever!

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God…" (Ephesians 2:8, NIV)



3. "Dear woman, here is your son." And He said to His disciple, "Here is your mother." (John 19:26-27)

The message: Family

Was Jesus self-absorbed in His own struggle, His own suffering? No, even at the end, in His supreme moment of agony, His tenderness shone like a beacon to everyone at the foot of the cross.  Jesus did not think of Himself.  He took care of those He loved – and at the same time, He was taking care of us.  In His dying moments, He was compelled to tell His followers – both then, and through the ages – 

"Take care of those you love, both family and others.  Love them like I do."


The message:  Family is important.  People are important.  Look out for them like Jesus did.

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other." (John 13:34, NLT)



4. "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" (Matthew 27:46)

The message: Fear

I believe that Jesus had to battle real fear.  I don't think for a second that Satan kept silent when Jesus was hanging on the cross.  I believe that the taunts in those last dying hours were escalated.  The lies must have been a torture all their own.  And can you imagine a greater fear than the moment when God had to turn His back on His beloved Son?  Jesus experienced all the wrath, judgment, and penalty for every sin – He experienced it alone.  In His dying moments, He was compelled to tell His followers – both then, and through the ages –

"It isn't a sin to feel fear.  I've felt it, too.  But, because of what I'm doing right now, you never, ever have to fear separation from my Father or from His love."


The Lesson: Fear is part of being human.  But it doesn't have to consume us.  Love overcomes fear.

"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love." (1 John 4:18, NLT)



5. "I am thirsty." (John 19:28)

The message: Fragility

Jesus was a human being.  While He lived His life on earth, I'm sure there were times when He was sick, and achy, and hungry, and tired.  And on the cross, He had moments of genuine anguish.  He bled, He hurt, He grew thirsty.  Dying is lonely human business, and Jesus died a real, physical death. I believe this statement was important for Jesus to express so that we would understand that He was like us, fully human. He understood what that feels like.  In His dying moments, He was compelled to tell His followers – both then, and through the ages –

"I'm a human like you.  And I understand the struggles and weaknesses you experience.  But because of what I'm doing right now, someday you will receive a new imperishable body!"


The Lesson:  Jesus knows what it means to be human.  Talk to Him about everything.

"Because God's children are human beings--made of flesh and blood--the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death." (Hebrews 2:14, NLT)



6. "It is finished." (John 19:30)

The message: Finality

This phrase is a translation of a Greek phrase that means "paid in full." Yes, Jesus paid the price. Totally. Completely. And in this moment, in this statement, Jesus proclaimed the humbly jubilant truth that once and for all, the price was paid – by Him, and only Him.  We can never do enough to win God’s approval – we can never bridge the gap between a holy God and sin-filled people. Jesus did what we couldn't do. He bought us reconciliation with the shedding of His blood.  In His dying moments, He was compelled to tell His followers – both then, and through the ages –

"I have done what I came to do. I have borne the sins of the world. I have brought salvation to all people." 


The Lesson:  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Only Him – the only way.

"…so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him." (Hebrews 9:28, NLT)



7. "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" (Luke 23:46)

The message:  Freedom

Now, in the last seconds of His earthly life, Jesus expressed utter and total trust in His Father.  Having felt abandonment, He still believed that God was there.  God still cared.  God would take care of Him. And with those last words, He breathed His last. Jesus gave up His Spirit.  He rested in the promises of His Father's words – that this moment was NOT the end of the story.  Jesus saw the death of believers as the ultimate freedom, the final release from the slavery to sin.  In His dying moments, He was compelled to tell His followers – both then, and through the ages – 

"Trust your life to the Father's hands.  Death has no more power over you.  Enter the door to freedom."


The Lesson: Slavery to sin is over.  The fear of death has no power. Jesus has overcome.  We will live forever!

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 
(1 Corinthians 15:55, NIV)



These were the last words of Jesus.

And last words hold a mighty power.  They are important, and well worth listening to.

On this Easter, I'm pondering what Jesus might have been thinking on the cross – what He might have been saying to the world.

And Lord, I am listening.

Into the darkness,
The Light of the World came...

And the Son still shines! 

HE IS RISEN!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

"After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him.  As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.  'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!'"  (Acts 1:9-11, NLT)

"And he also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega--the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life."  (Revelation 21:6, NLT)

How are you celebrating Easter this year?

Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Pamela at A SHELTERING TREE
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

A BEAGLE'S *BANDANNA* BANNER DAY

So, the other day it was Spa Day for Marty.

Truth be told, there isn't too much spa treatment involved.

A beagle does not need to be groomed, trimmed, or styled.

He just needs to be cleaned.

But, we like to call it Spa Day because…well, because it makes Marty feel special.

Many dogs – (most dogs??) – are terrified of the vet.  The dog that I grew up with, Bo, a dachshund, started shaking the minute he got into the car.

Not Marty.

He LOVES the vet.

Which is surprising to me, considering the experiences he's had there.  When he was just two months old, before he was ours, he spent about 10 days there battling the deadly Parvo disease.  That involved all sorts of *sick*, and lots of needles and IV treatments.  Then, shortly after that, he was back for treatment for parasites.

Then, of course, there was that whole neutering escapade.

You'd think that THAT would have made him never want to go to the vet's office again…not EVER.  But no, not so.  Marty still loves going to the vet's because…

…well, because he's Marty.

One of the friendliest, sweetest, most gregarious animals I have ever known in my life.

Marty is a people person.

And the vet's office has lots of people – lots of people that know and love him.

It's pretty funny.  I've had to take him to Spa Day a few times myself.  The vet's office is about 10 minutes away from where my son lives.  At first, Marty is just pretty excited about going on a car ride.

But as we begin to approach the parking lot for the vet's office, Marty becomes more and more concentrated on our surroundings.  He often sits up in the passenger seat.  And, as soon as I get into the left-hand turn lane, he KNOWS where we are.

And he can hardly contain himself.

The moment I put my car into "park," that dog is beside himself with glee.  (Maybe it's more accurate to say he's beside ME with glee…like in my lap).

Once inside, he pulls on his leash, he jumps up to say hello, he sniffs and chuffles every square inch of the waiting room.  Occasionally, though we have thoughtfully pre-peed him in the bushes outside, he does a little *marking* on the desk or floor.

Hey, he's a dog, and it's always fun to let other dogs know you've...ahem...
"been there."

Right?!

With barely a nod to my presence, scarcely a sniff good-bye, Marty is off. Around the corner – see ya later!

So, after a long day, the time comes to go pick him up.

I love this part.

I pay the bill, and they go get him.  I can hear him coming long before I see him.  No, he isn't barking or anything – remember, Marty is a "silent" beagle.  He's only barked like 10 times in his life…

But, I can hear his newly-trimmed toenails (and fingernails) clicking on the tiles.  And then, the best moment of all, Marty appears around the corner.

He rushes over to greet me.

Marty might not be too good at good-bye, but he's a superstar champ at HELLO!

Boy, does he smell good.  And his little beagle hair is all fluffy.  Well, perhaps fuzzy is a better way to describe it.

But the best thing of all?

Marty is wearing a bandanna.

Sometime last year, the vet's office started giving their dogs bandannas after their baths (this last Spa Day, Marty's was red).  I think it's an adorable idea.

I'm sure that Marty knows he's got that thing on.  And he's proud of it.  He has a certain bounce in his step, a certain joy in his trot that he didn't have when he first came in.

Yup, Marty knows he's special – and he knows he's clean.

I'm thinking about this tonight.

Marty teaches me a great many things about God, and this is no exception.

What does it feel like to be clean?

I think sometimes I take for granted the great work, the impossible work that Jesus did for me on the cross.  He took every single filthy thing I've ever done, or that I ever will do, and He crucified it.  He washed it clean.

The dirt and grime and stain of sin – the blot that I could not remove – He bore it all.

And washed me clean.

Honestly, I think that should change how I live – every single day.  It should give me a certain bounce in my step, a certain joy in my trot.

It should make me feel beside myself – I should be barely able to contain my glee.

I know I. AM. CLEAN.

Once and for all clean.  Eternally clean.  Deep down where it counts clean.  


You know, maybe today I'll wear my red bandanna – and I'll wear it proud.

Because yes, indeed, I am special to the Master of the Universe!



"Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin." (Psalm 51:2, NLT)

"For on this day shall atonement be made for you to cleanse you. You shall be clean before the LORD from all your sins."  (Leviticus 16:30, ESV)

"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." (Psalm 51:7, NIV)

"I will cleanse them of their sins against me and forgive all their sins of rebellion." (Jeremiah 33:8, NLT)

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses..." (Ezekiel 36:25, ESV)

"When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?'  Jesus replied, 'You don't understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.'  'No,' Peter protested, 'you will never ever wash my feet!'  Jesus replied, 'Unless I wash you, you won't belong to me.' Simon Peter exclaimed, 'Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!'" (John 13:6-9, NLT)

Are We There Yet??? 

I Am Special 

What does it feel like to you to be *deep-down Jesus* clean?

Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY

Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY

Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Pamela at A SHELTERING TREE
Bonnie at  FAITH BARISTA
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

ANXIETY SANTA

I know, weird title.

But hang in there –  it will all make sense in the end.

Let me start off by telling you that I've had a rather nasty case of insomnia the last month or so.  My gift of insomnia comes in two different forms – (evidently it's an equal opportunity giver).  Sometimes I fall asleep quickly and easily, only to awake anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours later – and then I can't get back to sleep for hours.  Or, sometimes I just can't fall asleep for hours in the first place.

I try deep breathing.  I try watching television.  I try reading.

Sometimes I just lie there and play word games in my head.  

(In case you're interested, I play word games like try to think of a word for every letter in the alphabet that has double consonants in it – like apple, butter, copper, etc.  Or think of a word that has "v" in it, or "th" or ends in silent "e" – and so on. There are many variations to come up with on the alphabet theme. Sometimes just trying to think of another variation keeps me awake!!)

The idea is to tire my brain out so it will give up and fall asleep already! And to distract me from all the (worrisome) thoughts that go reeling through my head.

You see, if you think Satan is bad during the day, just wait 'til you experience his nocturnal attacks.

Ebenezer Scrooge didn't know how good he had it.  The Ghosts of Christmas Past and Christmas Future had NOTHING on the Ghost of What-If…

...just sayin'.

So, the other night, the one following a night when I was up until 3:30 AM, I fell asleep easily at 9:00 PM.  Glorious.  Until I woke up at 11:00 PM.

And I was terribly, terribly anxious.

I finally decided to call my mom at 11:30.  Now, before you get on my case about that, you have to know something about my mom.

She's a night owl.

And, she takes a big 'ol nap every afternoon.  She does it for three reasons I think:

1.  She's tired and needs the rest.
2.  She does it to escape my dad for a few hours.
3.  She does it so she can stay up late at night – probably so she can escape my dad for a few hours.


I understand.

Sometimes I CHOOSE to stay up for the same reasons.  (Sorry, "Hub")

So, I know my mom's going to be up until at least midnight.  So I call.

She's used to my late-night phone calls, so she doesn't panic when she hears the phone ring.  (Unlike my panic the other night at my 10:45 PM call – you know, the whole Marty coffee shenanigan – I knew that call was NOT good news).

I let the phone ring – and I can just picture her on the other end.  She puts aside the newspaper or magazine she's reading, she slowly gets up from the recliner, and she makes her way to the kitchen to answer.  I'm pretty sure she knows it's me.

I wait.

And soon I hear her dear, sweet voice – the one that's so familiar to me I can hear it in my head…

"Hello?"

"Hi Mom, it's me."

If my mom had a nickel for every time I've started a conversation with those words, she'd be a millionaire.  As long as I can remember, I've been reaching out to her late at night for reassurance about something.

You see, I've been plagued by "what if" pondering all my life.

I can remember going into my parents' room as a child, a teenager, a young woman, kneeling by her side, and whispering gently, "Hi Mom.  It's me."

And she always said this, just like she always says it now:

"Oh Sharon, my sweet Sharon."

Yes, I do know how incredibly lucky I am to have her.

So, the other night I tell her that I can't fall asleep because I'm so nervous. And I tell her I've just got so many cares and worries in my head. And this is what she says:

"Climb up into my lap and tell me all about it."

I tell her, "Thanks, Mom.  You're my Anxiety Santa."

And so I do – I climb up into her phone lap, and pour out my woes – for about an hour.

I hang up, so much calmer than before, and quickly fall asleep.

Yes, she is my Anxiety Santa – a warm and inviting soul who beckons me to crawl up into her lap, and tell her my deepest, darkest secrets.  The one who lets me tell her my wildest wishes, and my biggest dreams.  The one who always, always makes my fears subside…

Today, the day before Christmas, I got to pondering.

I've got a bigger Anxiety Santa.

He's the One who came to this earth for all those anxious souls who had no peace.  For all those fearful souls who couldn't find rest.  For all those hopeless souls who thought they had no future…

He's the One who came.

I can’t tell you the number of times that I've come to Him…

"Hi Jesus, it's me."

Only to hear Him say…

"Oh Sharon, my sweet Sharon.  Climb up into My lap and tell Me all about it."

But Jesus doesn't stop there.  Yes, He is the One who beckons me to crawl up into His lap, and tell Him my deepest, darkest secrets.  The One who lets me tell Him my wildest wishes, and my biggest dreams.   The One who always, always make my fears subside…

But you know what else He does?  

He adds these words…

"Climb up into My lap and tell Me all about it…and then let Me tell you what I did about it!"

Yes, to me, that's what Christmas is all about.

It's all about a Savior – a Savior who did something about it.  About all the pain and suffering and futility of the world.  About all the disease and death.  About every single sin that man had found a way to commit.  About every fear and every possible "what if" scenario…

HE. DID. SOMETHING. ABOUT. IT.

He came – to us, for us – forever.


Here's something I shared two years ago about all that:


It came upon a midnight clear…

A beautiful, cloudless, starlit night –

Angels we have heard on high…

What's that?  Can you hear it?  It sounds like heavenly music –

Hark, the herald angels sing…

It IS music – it's a heavenly choir!  Oh my heart, be still.  What are they saying?

O little town of Bethlehem.  Away in a manger, round yon virgin mother and child…

Oh, look!  A young mother who has just given birth to her first child.  And it's – it's a boy!

What child is this…

She and her husband have called him Emmanuel – God with us.  His name is Jesus –

For unto us a child is born…

Oh my, this is THE CHILD.  The One prophesied from centuries ago.  This is HIM – the Messiah!

Holy infant, so tender and mild…

Look at His sweet baby face.  His tiny hands and feet, His soft cheeks, His precious mouth, His shining eyes –

I have no gift to bring…

I have nothing – I am poor, lowly in spirit.  But He should have something from me – there must be something I can give Him.

O come, all ye faithful.  Joyful and triumphant…

Yes!  I can give Him my heart!  I can be faithful and joyful.  He is bringing my victory!

Joy to the world.  The Lord is come...

The Lord of lords and King of kings has come to earth!  He has brought Light to the darkness, and Life to the dying!  He has brought redemption –

Oh come, let us adore Him!

Oh Lord Jesus, how I adore You.  Thank you for loving me before the world began.  Thank you for coming to earth, to live as one of us.  Thank you for understanding what it means to be human.  Thank you for dying, for sacrificing Your life – for me.  Thank you, Lord – for everything –

O Holy Night...


Yes, the biggest Anxiety Santa of them all came to earth, to each one of us – and He brought GIFTS!

The Gift of Himself.

The Gift of Forgiveness.

The Gift of Life.

The Gift of Forever…


Ho, Ho, Ho…HOLY!


"And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."  (Isaiah 9:6, KJV)


MERRY CHRISTMAS to all – and to all a good night!


What are you doing to celebrate the birth of our Savior?


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"