Me and my big mouth

I’m convinced that if I could just keep my mouth shut my sins would be down to half. “If any man offends not in word’s the same is a perfect man also able to bridle his whole body.”

To be honest, I have been punished by the Good Shepherd who is always ready to guide His sheep. “He who the Lord loves, He chastens.” I just know that I have been given more grace.

I’ve been reading the CSE blog of Kent Hovand in jail and he is still strengthening my faith even from there. Click here to get a load of his message on how good pressure is for a Christian. You’ve just got to read it!

Of course I know that no one is perfect so I will forgive myself, learn from it, take the warning, and move on, but it’s interesting how sometimes it is also wrong not to speak up. It’s one of the three things that never come back to you once they are gone, words, time, and opportunity.

Anyway, I will not be satisfied just to know the truth. I am determined to improve and stick to the old rule, “If it isn’t nice, don’t say it.”

Pollyanna

I have recently been challenged not only to give thanks for the wonderful blessings in my life but also for the things I like the least; the things I complain about and detest because we are to give thanks in all circumstances. So let me play Pollyanna here and try to find the good in them. Every situation is supposed to have the potential for good.

· Cooking, there is not a mother in the city or head cook who would not think she had it made if she only had to cook one week of eight. I should also be thankful that I am healthy and able.

· Winter, that’s easy enough, the beauty of it, the rest, the chance to miss summer.

· My weaknesses and extreme feeler tendencies. God’s strength and the ability to feel for others.

Sometimes life stinks, what if there is really nothing good to be found, do I still have to be thankful? Yes? Why? Because…

· God is great
· God is good

· God is merciful, faithful, mighty and all powerful, eternal, wonderful, God IS, and that is the only source of joy and thanksgiving that I can cling to when thing don’t make sense. His ways are not mine and His thoughts much higher and past finding out. Glory to Him.

Snowflakes

We are more likely to be kept out of heaven for our lack of faith than for any of our most grievous sins. -Rev. Ernie Waldner.

This truth has resonated to the depth of my soul in the last week of worship. What will God sacrificing His Son profit me if I don’t really believe it, and why do I have such a hang up with my sin?

I was out walking in the sparkling snow a day ago and it was coming down slowly in lushes, soft, flakes. There was no wind and the stillness became soothing and calming. It was as if the Lord was saying to me again, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” This is how pure and beautiful I have made the saints, this is you washed with My blood.

It was as dazzling and as comforting as the weather it’s self. I’m so amazed and filled with wonder at how God creates moments like this. His love is simply unfathomable.

Happy New Year!! May we ever grow closer to God and have more love to share.