“Almighty God, in this hour of quiet I seek communion with you. I want to turn away from the worry and fever of today’s work, from the world’s jarring noises, from the praise and blame of other people, from the confused thoughts and fantasies of my own heart, and instead seek the quietness of your presence.”- John Baillie As I sat in bed this morning, I read these words. They interupted my routine of my normal mundane Sunday morning- praise music, bibles, and an outward time of prayer before church….Just wow. If only we could all take it here every day. “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ has made me His own.  Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God, Christ Jesus. Let those who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Philippians 3:12-16 Paul says look guys, I’m not standing up here speaking to you like this because I’ve got it all figured out. I know I am not perfect, but I am trying. I press on. I think it is important for us all to realize that even though Christ’s work for us is perfect, The Holy Spirit inside is us is not perfect. It’s progressive. Everyday as we are worked on more and more, His presence over our lives increases and consequentially our decisions are also cultivated more according to His will and purpose. but Paul pressed. 1st Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” Press, Fight, Take Hold. Verbage, y’all. These are actions. I think people think that Christianity is a passive religion that advocates waiting for God to act, to reveal things, make better things, fix things all while we just sit. Be still and know, right? And how do you think you may know God? Seek and find, knock and I will answer, listen and obey. What are all of these things? They are all instructions from Jesus, himself, and are all a call for action. This is not a spectators sport, guys. It’s actually not a sport at all. This isn’t a game. While we are not children anymore, this is also greater than our adult life- it’s life life- the always life, forever life, the life were choosing in our insignificant lives, in these inconsequential details or these tiny years that will feel like days when they’re standing next to our eternity, y’all, what we do, or don’t do RIGHT NOW, is forever. Forever and it’s like sometimes we are just sitting, waiting, and for what? It’s storming right past us. Our time is so small here. Of all the promises were offered as Christians from our Father, time here is not one of them. There is absolutely absolutely no time for passivity. Press on, Fight, Take hold of…. and then don’t look back Paul says. As Chrisitans we’ve all asked for a new life at some point right? and what is a new life when we’re not living renewed? It’s wasted blood, and while the blood is limitless and unending- it’s not any less sacred. I laughed once to myself when my husband and I moved into our first home as a family of seven. His nana bought us plastic placemats because she just couldn’t stand the thought of my new ones getting dirty… I laughed because I had never bought anything with the intentions of not using it. I’m also realistic. Five kids and one spaghetti Tuesday and of course the newness is gone… but I still wanted them used.. even stained they would be beautiful. I’m no different. I want to be used, my life. I want it worn and obviously tattered and worked for a cause- not one like protecting a table from spaghetti, but one that helps protect souls. I didn’t name this ministry Mess and Mercy for nothing. Messy means unperfect, frayed, and sometimes even convoluted. It’s a place of stains, of shadow, and of error and then there’s mercy… the place of freedom from all of those things. Don’t look back. Luke 9 verse 62 says this: “Jesus replied, ” no one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of Christ.” God says anyone can come, but no one need look back. You cannot live an old life of intentional sin and claim a new one. To grab hold of a plow for straight rows, only to look back while driving forward, does nothing but set yourself up for failure. It is trying enough to walk a path of purposeful precision while keeping your eye on the destination, let alone walk towards it without any visibility of the terminus. We can’t get there looking the wrong way, and we can’t get there just looking. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21 You see? It’s more than a prayer. It’s a belief so deep, a love and relationship so deep, that is compels us forward, upward, Paul said, into change, into action towards the life to which we were called. and if you believe otherwise- if you believe it takes less than that- Paul said God would will reveal that also to you. “Only let us hold on to what we have obtained.” v.16 NLT Press on, fight, take hold… don’t look back, not at the mistakes of your past, and not at anything behind you, but should you find yourself in error, back engulfed in sin, when your new placemat finds it’s first stain since it’s new purchase, then we have to hold on to what we have been given- Mercy in our Messes– dust off and continue forward into action. I’ve never known a washing machine to clean up anything with the help of detergent without a little spin and work of its own. Jesus’s gift is even more purifying, but the only thing worse than spilled milk is wasted blood. love yall, #bible

When my dad was still living, he told me… Katie never throw the first punch, but if someone comes at you… you finish it. Don’t let anyone ever push you around. You won’t be in trouble, I promise. I grew up with this mindset. Katie, no one else is going to take care of you so you take care of you. Sad enough, it was true and when someone pushed me, well… i pushed back. I was respectful as long as I was respected… and when I wasn’t… I wasn’t. So… Last week, I watched my kids fight over two legos and a plastic kitten. Two legos and a plastic kitten. Probably not a big ordeal, right? But in that moment… it was to them. It began with my daughter scooting, with her kitten, closer and closer to Haisten. With absolutely no interest in legos at all, she waited until he sat down one lego on top of the other and she snatched them. He pushed her; she pushed him back, and he ran to me crying while she paraded around the kitchen with two legos, a plastic kitten, and her own rendition of a victory song and a complimentary smile. Haisten, you shouldn’t have pushed your sister. “But mama, she took my legos.” Gracie you shouldn’t have took your brothers legos and you shouldn’t have hit him either. “Mama you saw him hit me first. I hit him back; I didn’t hit him; i just hit him back. and mama, he is bigger so he knows better mama and I don’t” In that moment, my heart sank. Don’t our children teach us so much about life? God uses the smallest, most ordinary things to send great messages. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put into practice.   And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 I’ve shared with you guys how selfish I was before I came to know, really know, Jesus. I guess I would have made daddy proud because I certainly didn’t let anyone run over me. Katie took care of Katie because Katie felt like she always had to. I knew nothing of a gentle spirit; some days it brings me to tears because I still don’t. For so long, I’ve had that ‘don’t start it but finish it’ attitude and despite how hard I’ve tried to suppress that old piece of me… at the most inconvenient of times, it will bubble up and out before I’ve reconciled my heart to what it most important. There has to be a time in your life as a faithful follower of Jesus that you quit standing up for yourself and start standing down for Jesus. The Bible doesn’t say if they break your leg; break their neck. It says turn the other cheek. See Matthew 5:39 The Bible doesn’t say that if a person fights you, fight back. It says that in this world we do not battle things of the flesh and people but are engaged in spiritual warfare and that war isn’t won with army artillery; it’s won with spiritual armor. See Ephesians 6:12 The Bible doesn’t say if someone hurts your feelings with words, hurt them back. It says that so long as it depends on you, live peaceably with everybody for vengeance is for the Lord. See Romans 12:17-19 The Bible doesn’t even say that once you are saved you are safe from all of these things, but it does say that we should suffer for what is right even at our own expense. See Hebrews 11:25-26 I’m not sure which hurts worse, the punch to our person or the punch to our pride. My dad promised that I wouldn’t be in trouble if I didn’t start it, but my Father says different. Two wrongs do not make a right: “Make sure that nobody pay back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and everyone else.” 1st Thessalonian 5:15 We all have “those” days and “those” people that sometimes make it hard to be kingdom focused and character conscious. In this scripture Paul says if there is ANY thing that is praise worthy, think about that… and do good things, right things. Isn’t it so easy to be obedient in life when it aligns with something we want to do? When I felt called to a new career, I was excited for what the Lord was doing, and with nervous obedience I jumped into that calling and gosh it has poured blessings on myself and my family. Obedience pours blessings. Always. But starting my day with a slap across my right cheek, and Jesus giving the instruction to just smile humbly and instead of giving someone a piece of my mind, just give them a piece of my other cheek instead.. where’s the blessing in that? Blessed that the Lord said don’t worry about applying my blush that day? I mean maybe but humility keeps us obedient, and obedience always gives us greater access to the promise. Paul said think about that one thing and the peace of God be with you. It will be hard sometimes, and while Satan will pour all of those should have said/ could have dones on you, as believers we’ve got to learn to stand down. “If anyone chooses to follow me, he must deny himself daily, take up his cross, and follow me.” Luke 9:23 In my studying scripture I came across some biblical commentary that quoted it like this: “obedience is your job; outcome is His.” Wow, right? Whatever our circumstance, God is either doing it or He is allowing it to happen. And the outcome to either is His. Satan lets us believe that we have a say in how things end for us, like our lives and decisions are not already known and knitted. If we said this or acted like that then difficult people and difficult things will automatically come to their senses and the situation just dissolves allll because you did (insert here). Hind sight is 20/20 but in that moment we are justifiably sure that what we do matters. I wonder if God sits up there in the clouds and laughs at us? You know… When we think we know better than God or can better control and manipulate a situation better than God. God Almighty, the One that sets the sun and moves mountains? yeah. okay. Sometimes we get so caught up in how a certain place in our lives feels that we completely forget about God’s promises in those places and that is what Paul is urging us to remember here. God is faithful and God will do whatever it takes to keep His promise to those that are faithful to Him. “A faithful man will abound in blessings” Proverbs 28:20 “And his master replied Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your Master’s happiness” Matthew 25:21 “Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “Know therefore that the Lord your God is GOD; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep in His commandments” Deuteronomy 7:9 “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” Hebrews 10: 35-36 The way you live your life is the greatest ministry you can provide to a public people and may be the only way a lost soul comes to know Jesus. As Christians we must carry this  duty heavily on our shoulders and with a sincere urgency. Our human-ness fails our faith sometimes. We are and never will be, by no standard, perfect; however, it is indispensably important that we will ourselves to mirror ourselves in the image of Christ as close as humanly possible. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 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.” Collosians 3:15-17 Never let a momentary dispute place you in a permanent disposition. Nasty people and bad times are temporary and so are hurt feelings. set aside the difference for the destiny. Biggest Hugs, #bible

When my dad was still living, he told me Katie never throw the first punch, but if someone comes at you you finish it. Dont let anyone ever push you around. You wont be in trouble, I promise. I grew up with this mindset. Katie, no one else is going to take care of you so you take care of you. Sad enough, it was true and when someone pushed me, well i pushed back. I was respectful as long as I was respected and when I wasnt I wasnt. So Last week, I watched my kids fight over two legos and a plastic kitten. Two legos and a plastic kitten. Probably not a big ordeal, right? But in that moment it was to them. It began with my daughter scooting, with her kitten, closer and closer to Haisten. With absolutely no interest in legos at all, she waited until he sat down one lego on top of the other and she snatched them. He pushed her; she pushed him back, and he ran to me crying while she paraded around the kitchen with two legos, a plastic kitten, and her own rendition of a victory song and a complimentary smile. Haisten, you shouldnt have pushed your sister. But mama, she took my legos. Gracie you shouldnt have took your brothers legos and you shouldnt have hit him either. Mama you saw him hit me first. I hit him back; I didnt hit him; i just hit him back. and mama, he is bigger so he knows better mama and I dont In that moment, my heart sank. Dont our children teach us so much about life? God uses the smallest, most ordinary things to send great messages. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever isright, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 Ive shared with you guys how selfish I was before I came to know, really know, Jesus. I guess I would have made daddy proud because I certainly didnt let anyone run over me. Katie took care of Katie because Katie felt like she always had to. I knew nothing of a gentle spirit; some days it brings me to tears because I still dont. For so long, Ive had that dont start it but finish it attitude and despite how hard Ive tried to suppress that old piece of me at the most inconvenient of times, it will bubble up and out before Ive reconciled my heart to what it most important. There has to be a time in your life as a faithful follower of Jesus that you quit standing up for yourself and start standing down for Jesus. The Bible doesnt say if they break your leg; break their neck. It says turn the other cheek. See Matthew 5:39 The Bible doesnt say that if a person fights you, fight back. It says that in this world we do not battle things of the flesh and people but are engaged in spiritual warfare and that war isnt won with army artillery; its won with spiritual armor. See Ephesians 6:12 The Bible doesnt say if someone hurts your feelings with words, hurt them back. It says that so long as it depends on you, live peaceably with everybody for vengeance is for the Lord. See Romans 12:17-19 The Bible doesnt even say that once you are saved you are safe from all of these things, but it does say that we should suffer for what is right even at our own expense. See Hebrews 11:25-26 Im not sure which hurts worse, the punch to our person or the punch to our pride. My dad promised that I wouldnt be in trouble if I didnt start it, but my Father says different. Two wrongs do not make a right: Make sure that nobody pay back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and everyone else. 1st Thessalonian 5:15 We all have those days and those people that sometimes make it hard to be kingdom focused and character conscious. In this scripture Paul says if there is ANY thing that is praise worthy, think about that and do good things, right things. Isnt it so easy to be obedient in life when it aligns with something we want to do? When I felt called to a new career, I was excited for what the Lord was doing, and with nervous obedience I jumped into that calling and gosh it has poured blessings on myself and my family. Obedience pours blessings. Always. But starting my day with a slap across my right cheek, and Jesus giving the instruction to just smile humbly and instead of giving someone a piece of my mind, just give them a piece of my other cheek instead.. wheres the blessing in that? Blessed that the Lord said dont worry about applying my blush that day? I mean maybe but humility keeps us obedient, and obedience always gives us greater access to the promise. Paul said think about that one thing and the peace of God be with you. It will be hard sometimes, and while Satan will pour all of those should have said/ could have dones on you, as believers weve got to learn to stand down. If anyone chooses to follow me, he must deny himself daily, take up his cross, and follow me. Luke 9:23 In my studying scripture I came across some biblical commentary that quoted it like this: obedience is your job; outcome is His. Wow, right? Whatever our circumstance, God is either doing it or He is allowing it to happen. And the outcome to either is His. Satan lets us believe that we have a say in how things end for us, like our lives and decisions are not already known and knitted. If we said this or acted like that then difficult people and difficult things will automatically come to their senses and the situation just dissolves allll because you did (insert here). Hind sight is 20/20 but in that moment we are justifiably sure that what we do matters. I wonder if God sits up there in the clouds and laughs at us? You know When we think we know better than God or can better control and manipulate a situation better than God. God Almighty, the One that sets the sun and moves mountains? yeah. okay. Sometimes we get so caught up in how a certain place in our livesfeelsthat we completely forget about Gods promises in those places and that is what Paul is urging us to remember here. God is faithful and God will do whatever it takes to keep His promise to those that are faithful to Him. A faithful man will abound in blessings Proverbs 28:20 And his master replied Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your Masters happiness Matthew 25:21 Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life.Revelation 2:10 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.Hebrews 11:6 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.2 Thessalonians 3:3 Know therefore that the Lord your God is GOD; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep in His commandmentsDeuteronomy 7:9 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.Hebrews 10: 35-36 The way you live your life is the greatest ministry you can provide to a public people and may be the only way a lost soul comes to know Jesus. As Christians we must carry this duty heavily on our shoulders and with a sincere urgency. Our human-ness fails our faith sometimes. We are and never will be, by no standard, perfect; however, it is indispensably important that we will ourselves to mirror ourselves in the image of Christ as close as humanly possible. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 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. Collosians 3:15-17 Never let a momentary dispute place you in a permanent disposition. Nasty people and bad times are temporary and so are hurt feelings. set aside the difference for the destiny. Biggest Hugs, #bible

My pastor asked our small group yesterday what the  verse in James meant in chapter 1: Count it all joy, when you experience trials of many kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. How do you count the joy in trial? It was here, in this book of the Bible, on these pages, that my faith took off. I met Jesus. Just recalling that feeling brings me to tears. I had fallen to my knees and right there, in those moments, the floor was the most comfortable place I had ever known. But I’ll tell you lately, that same “on the floor” feeling hasn’t felt as safe. It’s felt more like sorrow. but joy? PHILIPPIANS 4:1-7 focusing on 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always again, I will say rejoice.  Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God And the peace of God which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in CHRIST JESUS.” Just wow. We want to, I have, asked questions like: What about tomorrow? What happens next? Is this ever going to be okay? Am I? and Paul says y’all look- rejoice, literally celebrate Jesus. Always; Constantly. No matter what show Christ’s gentleness, because He lives with you in you. Forget about it; quit worrying about all of it. Go to God, lay it down. Be filled with gratitude, and give Him your deepest desires and God will give you a peace so great that you will not even have to ask “what about” or “am I” because Jesus. He is going to protect your heart from breaks and your mind from lies. He is God. Rejoice. Count it all joy, when you face many trials. but why? Romans 5 says we rejoice in our sufferings knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. My experience with the ‘church Jesus’ is being saved meant being safe. Safe- uninjured; with no harm done. Uninjured- not harmed or damaged Harm- injury, especially that which is deliberately inflicted Already, after only a year and a half of salvation, I have been injured many times, injuries that have done some damage, damage that was absolutely meant for me. From God. “I am the true vine, and my father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit” John 15:1-2 Have you ever pruned a rose bush? You cut off beautiful growth. Flowers that you worked so hard to develop, and they just fall to the ground. Almost just wasted. Then with time… after those cuts, they grow back- better; more. God has allowed me to hurt, not to hurt me, but to grow me better; to make me more. God has allowed you to hurt to grow you better; to make you more. We act like fools and we’re cut off; we act like not-fools and we’re cut on. God wants the absolute best for us. He wants to help, and sometimes His help is hard because He is trying to produce things from us that are not innately in us: things like forgiveness in the presence of unforgiveness; like patience in the company of bitterness; like love assembled so close to resentment. Things we aren’t naturally compelled to invoke on ourselves to give. Things, hard things, of God but not of man. It’s in these times we find ourselves doubting God because we are taught that God is a God of comfort. and He is. God is so comfortable… even in the uncomfortable, especially in the uncomfortable… and the cultured church leaves that part out. If we only loved God when God was good,  we would not be serving God, we would be using Him. John chapter 9 tells a story about a blind man. The disciples wanted to know who had done wrong, him or his parents, that he was born blind….. and Jesus tells them they have it all wrong. Neither of them had to do anything wrong, but he is blind so that the works of God can be glorified. After this, He spit on the ground, made mud, and restored the mans vision and the Glory of God and His power was displayed. For a while, this was hard for me; some days it still is, but we live in a fallen world where good behavior is not always rewarded and bad behavior is not always punished. Bad people will get good things. Good people will get good things. Fair enough.. but then… Bad people will suffer and so will good people. God, lately, has taught me to stop believing in coincidences. When I’ve popped my mouth off to the very people I’ve willed my heart to be good to no matter what, it is no “coincidence” that I conveniently open my bible to Romans 12 for a bible study. That would be Jesus shaking His fingers at me. God is power and God is control- over the big details and over the little ones and it’s in our best interest to pay attention to both. Rejoicing hurts sometimes, but there is a mystery surprise, a blessing that brings even more healing, underneath the spit and the mud. Always. Every bad thing, God intended for good. Something bad surfaces and we automatically feel like we need to do something, and we’re missing the point. Again: trial… endurance.. endurance… character… character… hope… God wants us to be still. I know its lost on us sometimes, but God doesn’t need our help running the world, all He has asked of us is that we deny ourselves and follow Him. Follow: to come after; move or travel behind. To your best ability, fashion yourself in the way God would have you conduct yourselves, keep your hands still, your mouth shut, and wait it out righteously. Learn to take these muddy opportunities to say, “God thank you for who you are- God thank you for an opportunity to trust you even more. Open my eyes with the mud of this mess, and let me receive your message and it’s blessing- Amen” Let the suffering do it’s work. Learn to endure through your “whatever” so that it may grow your character because a Godly character is a character that is certain of nothing but comfortable in anything. Jesus said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:4 Not death, but Glory. My eternal life was saved because of trial. There was a time when I was insufficiently sure of my salvation. I sat on Sunday’s pew, said my prayers, and did my daily devotions. There were days that scripture touched me. I’d be moved, then I’d move on. It took my sin breaking my heart; Jesus taking me down to bones to rebuild my life. I wasn’t emotionally moved; I was eternally changed. It is hard to really appreciate the light, until it shows up in complete darkness. I pray that if you’re in the middle of something that feels unfair, you will show gentleness anyway; If you’re in the middle of something painful, you can be thankful anyway; and if you’re in the middle of something dark, you will find enough reason to be the light. God is there, in whatever, He is present. Remind yourself that God is faithful to those that are faithful to Him. A promise was made over 2000 years ago that He would never leave you, He would never forsake you.” Rejoice. I’m anxious about nothing, because God has everything. “Katie, What do you think it means to count it all joy?” I count a piece of joy for knowing that my failures are not my fate. I count a piece of joy for knowing that hurt feelings do not hurt forever. I count a piece of joy for a Father that loves me enough to correct my conduct, even if it compromises my comfort. I count a piece of joy for a dying resentment in me, even if there is never a happy-ending resolution for me. I count a piece of joy for the victory that will be won when every ounce of my troubles, your hurts, and this world’s destruction falls to ashes and Light reigns forever and ever. Amen. Missed y’all, #bible

I sat in the passenger seat of my husband’s truck and just cried as he and I talked the other day. I revealed to him that I had let my heart get twisted up and sideways- like he didn’t already know I had let my priorities slip- and just how disappointed I was.. in me. Work has been busy, summer has had me tired, and I have been absent. Absent like not on vacation.. just skating around the house doing what “needed” to be done with little investment elsewhere. I read once that if Satan can’t beat you, he will at least try and keep you busy. And he did… keep me busy… Do you know what I get asked probably more than anything by my followers? “How do find time to study the Bible?” Let me tell you something. The Bible is food, y’all. A relationship and bedtime prayer is not good enough for Jesus. Even if you spend everyday, every thought, with the idea of Jesus… if you’re not spending time with Him in His word.. you’re going to be hungry. Hangry even, I know that’s a thing now and probably more appropriate to what I’m trying to illustrate. This hunger is not that belly burning rumble, it’s subtle… until it’s poked. You don’t realize (I don’t guess you do, I didn’t) until it’s there.. that one thing that caused you to respond in a way you normally wouldn’t. Hangry. Like devouring an entire deep dish pizza and then having to sit in that.. it’s misery. Tasted good at the time though didn’t it? What about that argument with your husband about not taking out the trash?.. felt right didn’t it? Justified. He deserved it. Until he told you how awful his day was.. and then misery- you’re sitting in it. What about fussing at your kids for ruining your new towels. I mean they should not even been messing with the laundry, they don’t do anything else? And then they say, “Mama, I’m sorry I messed this up- but I just knew you’ve been really tired and we just wanted to help you Mama.” Misery. **Disclaimer: these examples are not based on real life events but provided for illustration as an opportunity to learn** Subtle.. until poked, eliciting a greater than normal- or totally different than normal- response. The Bible is food, and y’all were hungry. I mean I don’t know about you but I make time for lunch every day. Sometimes twice. It takes less than five minutes to have a change in circumstance; less than that to have a change in your feelings. Anybody else have that one child that can poke you faster than any of the others or is that just me? …and we have to be ready for that. When you leave for a four hour trip in the car with 3 under the age of 4- you get ready. You go potty and pack a snack or there will be at least one explosion. ….and you really think that a wet car seat makes for a bad day… until you have a wet face because you weren’t prepared. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound.  in any and every circumstance, I have learned that secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13 learned: having much knowledge acquired by study. whatever: used to emphasize a lack of restriction in referring to anything,  no matter what content: in a state of peace. We will have good days, the best days… we will also have bad ones, the ones that feel like the worse… and the secret to survival that doesn’t lead to heartache and regret is the same… Jesus. The way you feel on a day-to-day basis can change in a moment, several times a day if you’re like me… Situations.. circumstances… people… problems… changing.. all the time. Do not let your day dictate your demeanor and don’t let a temporary circumstance compromise your character. I have. I let my heart get twisted around because I let the life I have been given supersede what gives me life. I didn’t regularly feed my appetite for our Lord because I was too busy… or too tired… and because of that, what I have learned in all my studying became rusty, I said things I shouldn’t have even though I know that no matter what I am called to a different response, and because of those things… my soul was stirred and my peace robbed. Satan stole my time, crippled my character, and destroyed my peace. (John 10:10) Busy is what he does; it’s what he waits on; this is what he plans. (Luke 4:13) Satan cannot defeat you, but he can disarm you. You will absolutely be tested (1st Peter 4:12), but Jesus will not test you beyond what you can bear, and for every chance Satan tempts you, Jesus also gives you an opportunity of escape. (1st Corinthians 10:13) but it’s our choice. It’s not that difficult to clean up a soiled carseat… but regret? that’s hard to wash out. Obedience is our job; outcome is His God rewards those faithful to Him, and He only wants what’s best for us. Not what feels best. Even if it hurts, we have not missed God’s protection over our lives. He has a much greater purpose than helping us avoid pain- it’s to make us better servants for Him. God guides us through circumstances- not helps us escape them. Make the time before you make the mistake. Hugs, #bible

I sat in the passenger seat of my husbands truck and just cried as he and I talked the other day. I revealed to him that I had let my heart get twisted up and sideways- like he didnt already know I had let my priorities slip- and just how disappointed I was.. in me. Work has been busy, summer has had me tired, and I have been absent. Absent like not on vacation.. just skating around the house doing what needed to be done with little investment elsewhere. I read once that if Satan cant beat you, he will at least try and keep you busy. And he did keep me busy Do you know what I get asked probably more than anything by my followers? How do find time to study the Bible? Let me tell you something. The Bible is food, yall. A relationship and bedtime prayer is not good enough for Jesus. Even if you spend everyday, every thought, with the idea of Jesus if youre not spending time with Him in His word.. youre going to be hungry. Hangry even, I know thats a thing now and probably more appropriate to what Im trying to illustrate. This hunger is not that belly burning rumble, its subtle until its poked. You dont realize (I dont guess you do, I didnt) until its there.. that one thing that caused you to respond in a way you normally wouldnt. Hangry. Like devouring an entire deep dish pizza and then having to sit in that.. its misery. Tasted good at the time though didnt it? What about that argument with your husband about not taking out the trash?.. felt right didnt it? Justified. He deserved it. Until he told you how awful his day was.. and then misery- youre sitting in it. What about fussing at your kids for ruining your new towels. I mean they should not even been messing with the laundry, they dont do anything else? And then they say, Mama, Im sorry I messed this up- but I just knew youve been really tired and we just wanted to help you Mama. Misery. **Disclaimer: these examples are not based on real life events but provided for illustration as an opportunity to learn** Subtle.. until poked, eliciting a greater than normal- or totally different than normal- response. The Bible is food, and yall were hungry. I mean I dont know about you but I make time for lunch every day. Sometimes twice. It takes less than five minutes to have a change in circumstance; less than that to have a change in your feelings. Anybody else have that one child that can poke you faster than any of the others or is that just me? and we have to be ready for that. When you leave for a four hour trip in the car with 3 under the age of 4- you get ready. You go potty and pack a snack or there will be at least one explosion. .and you really think that a wet car seat makes for a bad day until you have a wet face because you werent prepared. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound. in any and every circumstance, I have learned that secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 learned:having much knowledge acquired bystudy. whatever:used to emphasize a lack of restriction in referring to anything,no matter what content:in a state ofpeace. We will have good days, the best days we will also have bad ones, the ones that feel like the worse and the secret to survival that doesnt lead to heartache and regret is the same Jesus. The way you feel on a day-to-day basis can change in a moment, several times a day if youre like me Situations.. circumstances people problems changing.. all the time. Do not let your day dictate your demeanor and dont let a temporary circumstance compromise your character. I have. I let my heart get twisted around because I let the life I have been given supersede what gives me life. I didnt regularly feed my appetite for our Lord because I was too busy or too tired and because of that, what I have learned in all my studying became rusty, I said things I shouldnt have even though I know thatno matter whatI am called to a different response, and because of those things my soul was stirred and my peace robbed. Satan stole my time, crippled my character, and destroyed my peace. (John 10:10) Busy is what he does; its what he waits on; this is what he plans. (Luke 4:13) Satan cannot defeat you, but he can disarm you. You will absolutely be tested (1st Peter 4:12), but Jesus will not test you beyond what you can bear, and for every chance Satan tempts you, Jesus also gives you an opportunity of escape. (1st Corinthians 10:13) but its our choice. Its not that difficult to clean up a soiled carseat but regret? thats hard to wash out. Obedience is our job; outcome is His God rewards those faithful to Him, and He only wants whats best for us. Not what feels best. Even if it hurts, we have not missed Gods protection over our lives. He has a much greater purpose than helping us avoid pain- its to make us better servants for Him. God guides us through circumstances- not helps us escape them. Make the time before you make the mistake. Hugs, #bible

I’m currently reading this book Everybody Always. It’s a book about learning to love difficult people. I wish I could say I’m learning a lot, but to be honest, it’s only reverberating everything the Lord has already revealed to me over the last few weeks just with less scripture and more words. If I’ve never taught you anything else.. listen to this because this is certifiably true. When God wants you to learn something- He is absolutely going to make it His business to show you. This is both cool and frustrating because there’s no fooling God- in case you didn’t know. I bet I’ve told Jesus a million times, maybe two million, okay God I’ve got it. I understand that whatever I lay down at Your feet, I should leave there. Gosh God, I know you know better than I do so I’m just going to let you fix this. Could you please move on, Lord, I get it. I promise that I am going to do my best to just let it all go because you are sovereign. ….. just in case you needed a few examples…. And you know what? No matter how many times I’ve told Him these things… until I truly move on from one “I’ve got it” He is going to pull me back. Because He loves me. I’ve started asking myself.. is your pride really worth having to learn this over and over? I’m getting better at reminding myself that it is not. “What we’ve spent our time collecting might not be worth it.” That’s the title of tonight’s chapter. For as long as I can remember, I’ve collected things. Conversations, behaviors, personalities. Some people would call these memories but I pocketed them differently. When I heard women talk about someone and then turn to the subject of that conversation with the biggest, most friendly smile… I pocketed that. When I had an argument with my significant other over something he did wrong, I pocketed that. And when I did something I shouldn’t have, I pocketed that too. Here’s the scripture: Philippians 4:14-23 “And my God will supply ever need according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 Only a few weeks back a good friend of mine was sharing some of her heart with me, and to illustrate what she was trying to get across she said, “and I used you as an example, all of your every day people will only see you for what they think you did. They will never know who you really are because their minds are already made up.” She was right- She still is. People pocket the things they’ve heard; they pocket the past. People form opinions and they pocket those too and that’s it. And what do I do? I pocket my opinions and then carry theirs too because now I’ve got something to prove. We see another woman in swim suit and she’s got it together (you know abs- together- because none of mine touch)- y’all, she’s busting her tail- and we pocket that, not to compliment her on her hard work- to tell her how great she looks but to resent her for the time she sets aside because “we don’t have time, we’re too busy” or to have something to compare ourselves to right before we slip into the shower. You’ve had an awful day at work and you’ve pocketed all those feelings because you can’t spill them out there… and when you get home your kids are fighting over a bag of cheeto puffs and the entire bag splits open onto your fresh swept white tile. Not only do you have to pocket those puffs into a new sack (because who wastes Cheetos) that one mess is what splits the seam and your entire day pours out onto your kids or maybe your husband. Anybody else as guilty as me? “What we’ve spent our time collecting might not be worth it.” Now this guy in the book was talking about hoarding arcade tickets for the purpose of illustration and Paul is talking about the way his ministry was financially supplied and how God will also supply our every need too but guys, I’m talking about life. We cannot call ourselves Christians by way of forgiveness through Jesus Christ all the while stuffing our pockets with everyone else’s shortcomings to pull out for comparison when you’re feeling bad about your own. We cannot call ourselves loved and God honoring when we use another woman’s success to discount our own. I promise Jesus didn’t just bless her with abs; with the right work you could have some too. And you absolutely cannot claim redemption over your life if you’re living in yesterday while God is pushing you to tomorrow. Growth and comfortability cannot co-exist. You don’t need your past and you don’t need hers (or mine either for what it’s worth) God offers you so much more. All that stuff we’re holding on to, because who knows when you might need the ammunition to blast that girl that stole your third grade boyfriend (because I haven’t forgotten), and it’s just weighing us down. Internalizing these things are crowding your heart, leaving no room for what God wants to supply you with. You think that size two girl is out to get you? She’s not. Compliment her. You think that other girl is a straight up mess? Okay, maybe. Pray for her. Your kids throw Cheetos on your clean floor? You just got y’all a picnic without all that extra work. The floor is clean, sit down with them, laugh, and turn your day around. God grants us forgiveness and gives us the ability to forgive (Colossians 3:13), shares with us an unconditional love with the expectation that we also distribute that (John 13:34), and anything else we could ever ask for so long as it aligns with His will and His way. (Matthew 21:22) We need nothing else- the things you’ve been saving are a waste of space. He will supply our every need. Pocket that. He will not move on until you do because He loves you too. And so do I, #bible

I set my TV to record War Room months ago. I’ve never seen it, and I’ve heard how good it was. I didn’t need it for my marriage; I learned how to appreciate that the hard way. My husband has too. But God always has a message. The message is always on time. I was riding with a dear friend of mine in the car yesterday. My exact words to her were, “I know I could do something, but I’m so worried about being outside of God’s will that I’m afraid to. I don’t know where the line is drawn between laying down and doing the next right thing is… and hold up now, you’re not just going to run over me.” I prayed over it. God answered through words that didn’t apply to my marriage, but do apply to my life. VIDEO I still don’t have the answer to my question, but what I just learned is this… “What am I supposed to do? Just back off… choose to forgive and just let them walk all over me?” “God is a good defense attorney. Trust it to Him and then you can turn your focus to the real enemy.” The real enemy seeks to distract you, deceive you, and divide you from God. Satan distracts you by luring you in by your weaknesses. Satan deceives you by fooling you into thinking there’s something YOU can do, to change your circumstances. Satan divides you from the Lord when you jump to actions that God has not called you to because Satan knows your feelings just like God knows your needs. This is how it works. Satan came to steal kill and destroy and he is stealing your joy, killing your faith, and destroying what he can. Get your heart right with God and do your fighting in prayer. I read a book recently that said, “Arguments don’t change people, only God can change people.” … but we still try… We try to navigate things in our life like it’s our own. We don’t feel like “it’s fair” and so we see what we can do to make it even. We even speak to the enemy sometimes like they even care what we have to say. It’s not our life. Things aren’t fair. And He don’t care. Nothing we do will change any of those things, but doing all of those things will make them harder. When we hear the word idol, most of us think of things like the golden calf. A song that I love sets this straight. Hear it Here The lyrics say this: Anything I put before my God is an Idol. Anything I want with all my heart is an idol. Anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol. Anything I give all my love is an idol. WOW. It’s easy to say, “God comes first in my life, then my family….” and then so on. But what do you desire? What do you want so bad to come to pass? What can your mind not let go of? That you feel like you think about constantly? What do you pour yourself in to? Your children? Your work? Your marriage? Satan uses good things in bad ways all the time. It’s because he’s learned that we will believe half truths over full lies every day of the week. God tells us to forgive but Satan says only if they’re sorry. God tells us to love but Satan says only if they deserve it. God tells us to be still but Satan compels us to do something. God tells us to wait but Satan demands us to act now. I wish I knew the line between walked on and ran over; I don’t. I do know Jesus was cursed at and spat on and I ain’t no Jesus and you aren’t either. Ephesians 6 makes it clear that even though it may seem like it’s people we need to protect ourselves from or fight back it, it’s not. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places” Eph. 6:12 It’s not people we’re battling, but Satan. The real enemy hides behind the manipulation of our weakness to keep from exposing himself as pure evil. We’re much more inclined to fight when we think we may have a chance at winning, but we were never a match for Satan. If we were, we wouldn’t have needed Jesus. And thank God for Jesus. God, I pray the you will expose the enemy in every form; that you will make his presence both known and despised and replace his half truths with Your Eternal ones. I pray that You will keep us protected from ourselves and the humanness that calls us to action while Your Holiness commands us to stay. God let us not be deceived into thinking that anything we do in our own power can positively intervene in a plan You have already previously perfected and God let us set You above all things both good and not so that You will have full reign over not only our hearts but also our lives. God thank you so much for loving us even when we forget to love you. Thank You for Grace; thank You for You. Amen

I set my TV to record War Room months ago. I’ve never seen it, and I’ve heard how good it was. I didn’t need it for my marriage; I learned how to appreciate that the hard way. My husband has too. But God always has a message. The message is always on time. I was riding with a dear friend of mine in the car yesterday. My exact words to her were, “I know I could do something, but I’m so worried about being outside of God’s will that I’m afraid to. I don’t know where the line is drawn between laying down and doing the next right thing is… and hold up now, you’re not just going to run over me.” I prayed over it. God answered through words that didn’t apply to my marriage, but do apply to my life. [wpvideo 7dB4Eyrb ] I still don’t have the answer to my question, but what I just learned is this… #Mercychristfollowerofchristproblemschristianbloggerjesusheisgood #GodTruthTeachMeGuidemeHopeitrustinYou #ChristLightInthewordMadeNewTrustUnfailingLovegracemercyshame #HiswillbrokenpiecesGodreligiontruthMessandmercy #messandmercythegreatiamgodis #GodTiredMercyAngerReligiousRevengeRest #religionreligiousGod #Messandmercymessandmercywordshehealsbrokenessbrokentrustfaith

#Mercychristfollowerofchristproblemschristianbloggerjesusheisgood #GodTruthTeachMeGuidemeHopeitrustinYou #ChristLightInthewordMadeNewTrustUnfailingLovegracemercyshame #HiswillbrokenpiecesGodreligiontruthMessandmercy #messandmercythegreatiamgodis #GodTiredMercyReligiousRest #GodTiredMercyAngerReligiousRevengeRest #religionreligiousGod #Messandmercymessandmercywordshehealsbrokenessbrokentrustfaith

I sat in the passenger seat of my husband’s truck and just cried as he and I talked the other day. I revealed to him that I had let my heart get twisted up and sideways- like he didn’t already know I had let my priorities slip- and just how disappointed I was.. in me. Work has been busy, summer has had me tired, and I have been absent. Absent like not on vacation.. just skating around the house doing what “needed” to be done with little investment elsewhere. I read once that if Satan can’t beat you, he will at least try and keep you busy. And he did… keep me busy… Do you know what I get asked probably more than anything by my followers? “How do find time to study the Bible?” Let me tell you something. The Bible is food, y’all. A relationship and bedtime prayer is not good enough for Jesus. Even if you spend everyday, every thought, with the idea of Jesus… if you’re not spending time with Him in His word.. you’re going to be hungry. Hangry even, I know that’s a thing now and probably more appropriate to what I’m trying to illustrate. This hunger is not that belly burning rumble, it’s subtle… until it’s poked. You don’t realize (I don’t guess you do, I didn’t) until it’s there.. that one thing that caused you to respond in a way you normally wouldn’t. Hangry. Like devouring an entire deep dish pizza and then having to sit in that.. it’s misery. Tasted good at the time though didn’t it? What about that argument with your husband about not taking out the trash?.. felt right didn’t it? Justified. He deserved it. Until he told you how awful his day was.. and then misery- you’re sitting in it. What about fussing at your kids for ruining your new towels. I mean they should not even been messing with the laundry, they don’t do anything else? And then they say, “Mama, I’m sorry I messed this up- but I just knew you’ve been really tired and we just wanted to help you Mama.” Misery. **Disclaimer: these examples are not based on real life events but provided for illustration as an opportunity to learn** Subtle.. until poked, eliciting a greater than normal- or totally different than normal- response. The Bible is food, and y’all were hungry. I mean I don’t know about you but I make time for lunch every day. Sometimes twice. It takes less than five minutes to have a change in circumstance; less than that to have a change in your feelings. Anybody else have that one child that can poke you faster than any of the others or is that just me? …and we have to be ready for that. When you leave for a four hour trip in the car with 3 under the age of 4- you get ready. You go potty and pack a snack or there will be at least one explosion. ….and you really think that a wet car seat makes for a bad day… until you have a wet face because you weren’t prepared. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low and I know how to abound.  in any and every circumstance, I have learned that secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13 learned: having much knowledge acquired by study. whatever: used to emphasize a lack of restriction in referring to anything,  no matter what content: in a state of peace. We will have good days, the best days… we will also have bad ones, the ones that feel like the worse… and the secret to survival that doesn’t lead to heartache and regret is the same… Jesus. The way you feel on a day-to-day basis can change in a moment, several times a day if you’re like me… Situations.. circumstances… people… problems… changing.. all the time. Do not let your day dictate your demeanor and don’t let a temporary circumstance compromise your character. I have. I let my heart get twisted around because I let the life I have been given supersede what gives me life. I didn’t regularly feed my appetite for our Lord because I was too busy… or too tired… and because of that, what I have learned in all my studying became rusty, I said things I shouldn’t have even though I know that no matter what I am called to a different response, and because of those things… my soul was stirred and my peace robbed. Satan stole my time, crippled my character, and destroyed my peace. (John 10:10) Busy is what he does; it’s what he waits on; this is what he plans. (Luke 4:13) Satan cannot defeat you, but he can disarm you. You will absolutely be tested (1st Peter 4:12), but Jesus will not test you beyond what you can bear, and for every chance Satan tempts you, Jesus also gives you an opportunity of escape. (1st Corinthians 10:13) but it’s our choice. It’s not that difficult to clean up a soiled carseat… but regret? that’s hard to wash out. Obedience is our job; outcome is His God rewards those faithful to Him, and He only wants what’s best for us. Not what feels best. Even if it hurts, we have not missed God’s protection over our lives. He has a much greater purpose than helping us avoid pain- it’s to make us better servants for Him. God guides us through circumstances- not helps us escape them. Make the time before you make the mistake. Hugs, #Mercychristfollowerofchristproblemschristianbloggerjesusheisgood #messandmercythegreatiamgodis #GodTiredMercyAngerReligiousRevengeRest #religionreligiousGod #Messandmercymessandmercywordshehealsbrokenessbrokentrustfaith

I’ve told this story before. When my husband got down on one knee, he proposed with a pony tail holder. We were tied up in buying a house, planning ahead for marriage, and he surprised me one night after I got off from work. Opening the door, I found him knelt down in the dark entrance of his rental house on one knee. He told me he couldn’t wait anymore to protect something that was his. He said he knew that ‘this’ wasn’t much, but he promised to give me so much more for the rest of our lives. That ponytail holder still sits tight in it’s box, and while it seems like little to most, I’ll treasure it forever. Not long after that night, He and I ran off to Memphis one Tuesday night, signed our marriage licenses in front of a stranger at Starbucks, and then followed her to the Museum steps in downtown Memphis where he and I would follow up our signatures in words. My ponytail wasn’t fit for everyday wear; three loops was not tight enough and if I had worn four, I might be missing my ring finger. Proud of the promise Neal and I had made, I needed something to attest to it. Still tied up in paperwork, a nice size 5.5 gold band from Claires had more diameter than it did price, another circle that I will always treasure. With every passing day after the first, my makeshift wedding band wore more and more until eventually all of its “gold plated” had turned just plated, and with that turned my finger. I wore a new ring after that, a green one. I wore it with pride. Some of you may not realize that you too, are wearing a ring much like the one I carried on my finger for some time. You see, my second circle, the first ring, faded because it was fake and with time… anything else that isn’t real will eventually erode also. Then what? So many times I have said that the way that we live our everyday lives is our greatest and most powerful ministry. People watch people. We truly, truly need to take that to heart; over and over I’ve replayed the scriptures in my head… “But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.” 1 Corinthians 8:9 “therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this — not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in another brothers way.” Romans 14:13 “And it will be said, ‘build up build up, prepare the way, remove any stumbling block out of the way of my people'” Isaiah 57:14 “But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but of man’s'” Matthew 23:13 I’ve had my relationship with Jesus questioned lately, and that’s just not something I want to be responsible for…you know, being someone’s stumbling block. How we live as Christians can greatly impact the lives of others, those that know God and those who don’t. Sometimes an image is hard to uphold; certainly one that is only gold-plated- full of some other dull metal on the inside. Like any imitation metal eventually wears to it’s true foundation, so does any imitation Christian. Satan knows no boundries and self? It only knows sin. Everybody’s self. Yours and mine alike. So how are we supposed to know what is real and what is not? Paul said it best in Romans chapter 7. “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, But I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep doing.” v.14-19 read that again… slow. I’ll translate. I know what is right is good by God, But I am human, a slave to sin. I don’t understand myself sometimes. I don’t always do the things that I should, even though I want to, and instead, I end up doing the very things I am against.. things I hate because God hates. Now even though I do bad things, things I don’t mean to, I still believe that what God wants is good and right. So now, its not me doing all these wrong things, but the sin in me. Nothing good comes from self, you know, my flesh; for I, so bad, want to do what is right but can’t seem to always get myself there. I don’t do everything right like I want, but the bad things, I so very hard try to avoid, I sometimes do anyway. Anybody else relate? This chapter goes on to say is verse 21 that you can count on it, any time you want to do right, evil will always be close by. Can I just say Thank God for God? Even as Christians we try to uphold this standard.. a super one. I swear God laughs at us all the time because for whatever reason we think we’re invincible and are surprised when we don’t ‘get it all right’ when the very religion we devote our lives to, literally lay down our lives for, is built around the one perfect human… you know.. not you. or me. Every sin is sin. It’s all offensive. It’s all bad; the Christians sin; the sinner’s sin. all of it. bad. but sin is different. Not ‘good’ sin and not-good sin.. just different sin. There is sin and conviction and there is sin and condemnation and while it may be the very same sin… it effectuates very different endings. conviction: “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free, free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” Romans 8: 1,2 condemnation: “there is a way that seems right to man, but it’s end is the way to death.” proverbs 14:12 Romans 3 says ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but 1st John 5:17 says that though “all wrongdoing is sin, there is sin that does not lead to death.” If there is sin that does NOT lead to death, wouldn’t is also be right to know that there is sin that does? A life lived under the rule of Christ doesn’t give anybody the authority to live as ones flesh would desire, but the freedom to make mistakes with consequence of conviction without the permanence of condemnation. So while all sin is sin, only unrepentant sin leads to death. And while Jesus knows all well that you and I are not perfect, He expects us to know perfect and feel the weight of those things not perfect in ourselves as they become present in our lives… and then he says “Go, and sin no more.” So learn. Learn that the most christian Christian you look up to, or even you, yourself, are still and only always human; and know also, that if you’ve committed your life to a image of impersonation instead of to The Life of our ‘I AM’ you are only under cover as long as you are under sky. There will be people to criticize your faith, others that character play theirs lives but know that even Jesus had people talk about Him. The Jesus that lived a completely perfect life. “and there was much muttering about Jesus among the people. While some said, “he is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading people astray.” John 7: 11.12 and at a distances glance, you cannot tell the real from the plated. Some will say good things and some will say bad things. Others will say what everybody else is saying, just to have something to say… Sometimes, most times, it comes down to you and Jesus. Only the two of you know who you are; what sin you carry.. and while I adore the diamond studded band that now wraps around my left forth finger, I will never forget what the first two taught me: too tight or too loose does not make a good fit, and trying to pretend what looks good on the outside is just as good… isn’t. There’s only one true fit and that fit is imperfection guided by divine intervention because only Christ Jesus himself can decide which golds purify and which ones perish. So so much love, #Mercychristfollowerofchristproblemschristianbloggerjesusheisgood #GodTruthTeachMeGuidemeHopeitrustinYou #ChristLightInthewordMadeNewTrustUnfailingLovegracemercyshame #HiswillbrokenpiecesGodreligiontruthMessandmercy #religionreligiousGod #Messandmercymessandmercywordshehealsbrokenessbrokentrustfaith #bible