Category Archives: Life lessons

Lord, It’s Always Been About You!!!!

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Revelation 1:8

“I Am the Alpha and the Omega,”

says the Lord God,

“who is,

and who was,

and who is to come,

the Almighty.”

John 1:1-3

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He was with God in the beginning.

Through Him all things were made;

without Him nothing was made

that has been made.”

Song lyrics:

Out Here, The Greatest Love Is Bold…

Out Here, The Greyest Skies Are Gold…

Out Here, It’s All Laid On The Line…

Out Here, You’re Always On My Mind…

And It’s Always Been About Love…

It’s Always Been About Grace…

It’s Always Been About Hope

And It’s Always Been About Faith

It’s Always Been About Peace…

It’s Always Been About Truth…

Oh, Everything That’s Ever Been Before

It’s Always Been About You…

Out Here, We’re Running With The Light

Out Here, We’re Breaking Up The Night…

Out Here, The Lost Are Coming Home…

‘Cause Out Here…

No One Goes Alone…

And It’s Always Been About Love

It’s Always Been About Grace…

It’s Always Been About Hope…

And It’s Always Been About Faith…

It’s Always Been About Peace

It’s Always Been About Truth…

Oh, And Everything That’s Ever Been Before

It’s Always Been About You!

We Will Run For You!

Always Been About You!

We Will Go For You!

Always Been About You!

We Will Fight For You!

We Will Run!

We Will Go!

Oh, We Will Fight!

Oh, With Everything!

It’s Always Been About You!!!

Psalm 90:2

“Before the mountains were born  

or You brought forth the whole world,  

from everlasting to everlasting

You are God.”

Lord…

In my life…

It still is…

All About You!!!

Amen!

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My One Year Blog-A-Versary!! July ’13

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How should I celebrate my…

Entrance into the blogosphere???

I’m going to first of all thank my son…

For thinking of it…

Setting everything up for me…

Supporting me…

Mentioning me on FB…

And constantly answering my technical questions!!

And…

I’m going to let him…

Post whatever he wants!!!

So here goes!!!

So my Mother, the very same one you all so love for her blog posts,

wanted me to write something for her “Blog-A-Versary.”

I told her I didn’t think that was a real thing

to which she replied “Well, I’m making it a thing.”

Thus, her Blog-A-Versary was born.

She instructed me to have some sort of guest post written by the beginning of July,

so she would have time to “get it ready for my Blog-A-Versary” [sic]

I asked when she REALLY needed it by (myself being a procrastinator)

and her answer was a hard deadline of July 13th her actual Blog-A-Versary (or so she claims).

Enough backstory.

Here I sit, proudly, on July 14th, to compose a special guest post for my beloved Mom. 

She is, as I’m sure you all have found out, sort of a strange one,

but endearing.

I always get questions from her about how WordPress works (much to my chagrin)

and the ways of computers.

I’ve become the unofficial tech support for my family, friends, and half my neighborhood.

My Mother, at least, learns.

Some people just don’t know how to take instructions.

*Sigh*

But she’s so supportive in all the crazy things I do,

I’d be a super-jerk-face not to help with her blog-o-things.

Enough backstory.

Here I sit, proudly, on July 14th, to compose a special guest post for my beloved Mom. 

One thing I wanted to talk about real quick is the difference between hating sin and hating the sinner.

This is something that’s really bothered me a lot recently.

As a Christian, there are certainly things that people do that I don’t agree with.

I’m not going to specifics chiefly because my opinion of what’s right and wrong doesn’t matter.

But what I’m talking about is not a religious thing.

What I see so much in the world now is people hating people.

Now, seriously guys?

That’s not cool.

I completely understand disagreeing with someone’s opinions,

but that’s no reason to shun the person.

It’s not my place to judge people.

It’s not my place to condemn anyone or to speak ill of them.

It is, however, my place to be kind to everyone.

Everyone has the right to make their own choices on what they’re going to believe in (or not believe in).

I can tell people my beliefs and explain them if they want,

but I can’t hate them for anything they believe.

Everyone’s done things they’re not proud of;

everyone’s messed up in the past.

What’s normal to some is not normal to everyone.

Keeping a person down and trying to make their life tougher

to try to “scare” them into agreeing with you

is no way to make an argument for your case.

You really want someone to share your opinion?

Awesome.

Being mean is a horrible way to get your point across.

I’m talking to everyone here,

whoever you are

and however you choose to identify yourself.

All I’m saying is that people are still people,

no matter what.

If you think they’re wrong?

Yup, they’re still people.

If you completely disagree with how a complete stranger

chooses to live his/her life?

NEWSFLASH!

That’s still a person.

Take a step back

and try to put yourself in their shoes.

If you still can’t see eye to eye,

you can still be friends,

you can still be courteous.

Just because someone disagrees with you,

they’re not automatically an enemy.

So hey, everyone, just chill out a little.

As a wise woman (my Mother of course) once said to me,

“If it’s not life and death,

it’s not life and death.

Don’t worry about it.”

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Fly little bird…

Fly!!

Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other,

just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Colossians 3:12

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people,

holy and dearly loved,

clothe yourselves with compassion,

kindness, humility,

gentleness and patience.”

1 Peter 3:9

“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.

On the contrary, repay evil with blessing,

because to this you were called

so that you may inherit a blessing.”

Amen!!

America…God’s Beautiful, Diverse Scenery!!

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Genesis 1:1-2

“In the beginning

God created the Heavens and the earth.

Now the earth was formless and empty,

darkness was over the surface of the deep,

and the Spirit of God

was hovering over the waters.”

Deuteronomy 10:14

“To the Lord your God

belong the Heavens,

even the highest Heavens,

the earth

and everything in it.”

1 Chronicles 29:11

“Yours, Lord,

is the greatness

and the power   

and the glory

and the majesty

and the splendor,  

for everything in Heaven

and earth is Yours.

Yours, Lord,

is the kingdom;

  You are exalted as head over all.”

Listen to the Lord, as He speaks to Job…

And to us!!!

Job 38

“Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm.

He said:

 ‘Who is this…

that obscures My plans   

with words without knowledge?

Brace yourself like a man;   

I will question you,   

and you shall answer me.

Where were you…

when I laid the earth’s foundation?   

Tell me, if you understand.

Who…

marked off its dimensions?

Surely you know!  

Who stretched a measuring line across it?

On what were its footings set,    

or who laid its cornerstone—

while the morning stars sang together   

and all the angels shouted for joy?

Who shut up the sea behind doors    

when it burst forth from the womb,

when I made the clouds its garment   

and wrapped it in thick darkness,

when I fixed limits for it   

and set its doors and bars in place,

when I said,

‘This far you may come and no farther;   

here is where your proud waves halt?’

Have you ever given orders to the morning,   

or shown the dawn its place,

that it might take the earth by the edges   

and shake the wicked out of it?

The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;   

its features stand out like those of a garment.

The wicked are denied their light,   

and their upraised arm is broken.

Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea   

or walked in the recesses of the deep?

Have the gates of death been shown to you?   

Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?

Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?   

Tell me, if you know all this.

What is the way to the abode of light?   

And where does darkness reside?

Can you take them to their places?   

Do you know the paths to their dwellings?

Surely you know, for you were already born!   

You have lived so many years!

Have you entered the storehouses of the snow

    or seen the storehouses of the hail,

which I reserve for times of trouble,  

for days of war and battle?

What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed,   

or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?

Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain,   

and a path for the thunderstorm,

 to water a land where no one lives,  

an uninhabited desert,

to satisfy a desolate wasteland   

and make it sprout with grass?

Does the rain have a father?   

Who fathers the drops of dew?

From whose womb comes the ice?  

Who gives birth to the frost from the Heavens

 when the waters become hard as stone,   

when the surface of the deep is frozen?

Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades?   

Can you loosen Orion’s belt?

Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons[c]  

or lead out the Bear with its cubs?

Do you know the laws of the Heavens?  

Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?

Can you raise your voice to the clouds   

and cover yourself with a flood of water?

Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?   

Do they report to you, ‘Here we are?’

Who gives the ibis wisdom   

or gives the rooster understanding?

Who has the wisdom to count the clouds?   

Who can tip over the water jars of the Heavens

 when the dust becomes hard  

and the clods of earth stick together?

Do you hunt the prey for the lioness   

and satisfy the hunger of the lions

when they crouch in their dens   

or lie in wait in a thicket?

Who provides food for the raven   

when its young cry out to God   

and wander about for lack of food?”

 Oh, stop and ask yourself those questions!!

Psalm 8:3-9

“When I consider Your Heavens,
    the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which You have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
 You made them rulers over the works of Your Hands;
    you put everything under their feet:
all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is Your Name in all the earth!”

Press On!!!

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Look beyond today…

Keep going…

Forget the past…

Don’t let it steal your peace…

Press on to your future…

Hope, Joy, and Peace…

Jesus is waiting…

Don’t give up…

No matter what!!

Rise Up…

It’s a race to the finish…

Don’t run aimlessly…

Aim high to reach your goal…

Endure to the end!!

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Philippians 3:12-16

“Not that I have already obtained all this,

or have already arrived at my goal,

but I press on

to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Brothers and sisters,

I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.

But one thing I do:

Forgetting what is behind

and straining toward what is ahead,

I press on

toward the goal

to win the prize

for which God

has called me Heavenward

in Christ Jesus.

All of us, then,

who are mature should take such a view of things.

And if on some point you think differently,

that too God will make clear to you. 

Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

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Hebrews 12:1-2

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders

and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

For the joy set before Him

He endured the cross, scorning its shame,

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

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Matthew 25:23

“His master replied,

‘Well done, good and faithful servant!

You have been faithful with a few things;

I will put you in charge of many things.

Come and share your master’s happiness!’”

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1 Corinthians 9:24-27

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,

but only one gets the prize?

Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.

They do it to get a crown that will not last,

but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;

I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave

so that after I have preached to others,

I myself will not be disqualified for the prize”

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1 Timothy 6:12

“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.”

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Colossians 3:2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

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Our old time Pastor/Evangelist…

Tommy Waldron…

Who has since gone on to be with the Lord…

Passed away several years ago…

At the age of 86…

The day after preaching a fiery message…

For us to “Plod On!”

What a way to go!!

Preach, Be in God’s Presence…

Die, Be in God’s Presence!!

Here are the words to the song he always had us sing:

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Plod On

Plod on. Plod On.

Whatever life does,I’ll plod on.

Whatever the weather;

Whatever’s in my way;

Whatever life does,

I’ll plod on every day.

My life is there to live

And I’m living it well.

I can succeed in my own special way.

Whatever life does, I’ll plod on every day.

Success doesn’t have to be instant,

Just as long as it comes in the end,

I’m plodding, slowly but surely.

No problem is too big, and there’s no rule I can’t bend.

Plod on. Plod on. That’s the way to go.

If it feels good – do it! Never mind the trend.

There’s nothing to it. It’s a life I recommend – Plod on!

Plod on. Plod on.

Whatever life does I’ll plod on.

Plod On

From the 2002 album by Luke Smith

Called “Life Will Work itself Out”

http://www.lukesmithmusic.com/Life/Life.htm#PO

Oh, I So Agree!!!

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My Beliefs by Bella Grace

http://walkingonwaterwithgrace.org/graces-walk/my-beliefs/#comment-2117

Check out her entire blog!!

I am a BELIEVER first!

Romans 10:9-13 NIV

9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

I am a CHRISTIAN next!

1 Peter 4:16 NIV

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

I believe in ONLY ONE GOD!

1 Corinthians 8:6 NIV

yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

I was called to EVANGELIZE!

Ephesians 4:11-12 NIV

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

I am a MINISTER!

Deuteronomy 18:5 NIV

for the Lord your God has chosen them and their descendants out of all your tribes to stand and minister in the Lord’s name always.

I am an OVERCOMER!

Philippians 4:13 NIV

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

I am a VIRTUOUS WOMAN!

Proverbs 31 NIV

I was called to WORSHIP HIM!

1 Samuel 1:28 NIV

So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

I was created to PRAISE HIM!

Psalm 150:6 NIV

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

I LIVE for Him!

John 15:7 NIV

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you

My job is to LOVE!

John 15:12 NIV

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
This is who I am…
Be encouraged. Be inspired. Be who He created you to be.
With Love Always,
Bella Grace

Power Failure???

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There’s never a power failure with God!

Unlike in Florida…

Where we experience power failures all the time…

Like today…

The sun was shining…

It was beautiful outside…

And our power went out!!

We’re used to it in hurricanes and lightning storms…

Prepared for it even…

But, I wasn’t prepared for a power outage today…

Electricity!!!!

I can’t live without it!

I was on the computer…

The internet went down…

Digital clocks were blinking…

The security alarm was beeping…

My hubby was watching his beloved Yankees…

And now nothing!

My son was getting ready to go out…

But can’t use the hair dryer…

Life just stands still a moment…

Or two, Or three…

I quickly forget we have no power…

I’m so used to having it available!!!!

 I go to turn on a light…

I go to microwave something…

I know I’ll freak out soon…

When I realize…

The air conditioning is dying!!!!

Help!!!

Oh, wait!

Thank You, Jesus!!!!!!

Here it comes…

The power is back…

Oh, Praise God!!

I know I need all Your power, too, Lord!

All the power Your Word says I have in Christ!

Power in Your Holy Name, Jesus!

And the power of Your Holy Spirit living in me!!

Thank You, God!!

You’ve never failed me yet!!!

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Luke 24:49

“I am going to send you what My Father has promised;

but stay in the city until you

have been clothed with power from on high.”

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John 1:12-13

“Yet to all who did receive Him,

to those who believed in His Name,

He gave the right to become children of God

children…born of God.”

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Romans 15:13

“May the God of Hope

fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,

so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

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1 Corinthians 4:20

“For the Kingdom of God is not in word,

but in power.”

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You can count on God’s Power!

God’s Nightlights!

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Genesis 1:3-4

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’

and there was light.

God saw that the light was good,

and He separated the light from the darkness.

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John 8:12

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said,

‘I am the light of the world.

Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness,

but will have the light of life.'”

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Psalm 119:105

“Your Word is a lamp for my feet,

a light on my path.”

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2 Corinthians 4:6

“For God, who said,

‘Let light shine out of darkness,

made His light shine in our hearts

to give us the light of the knowledge

of God’s glory displayed

in the face of Christ.”

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Psalm 43:3

“Send me Your light and Your faithful care,  

let them lead me;

let them bring me to Your Holy mountain,   

to the place where You dwell.”

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Psalm 27:1

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—   

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—  

of whom shall I be afraid?”

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1 peter 2:9

“But you are a chosen people,

a royal priesthood,

a holy nation,

God’s special possession,

that you may declare the praises of Him

who called you out of darkness

into His wonderful light.”

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Proverbs 4:18-19

“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun,  

shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;  

they do not know what makes them stumble.”

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Ephesians 5:8

“For you were once darkness,

but now you are light in the Lord.

Live as children of light

(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

and find out what pleases the Lord.”

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Matthew 5:14-19

“You are the light of the world.

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on its stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house. 

In the same way,

let your light shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your Father in Heaven.”

Be God’s nightlights…

Even in the dark of night!

“On My Knees…” Is An Attitude!

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Humble Yourself!!!

How to survive???
Get on your knees…
Before the Lord…
It changes you…
Don’t know how…
But there’s power…
When I’m on my knees!!
In a crowd…
By myself anywhere…
When there’s a need…
To talk with God…

He is Emmanuel!

Close your eyes…
No darkness there…
Only light!

Power!
Blue skies or at midnight…

When I’m On My Knees!!

Trouble  again???
Breaks down my best defense…
God, I’m looking for You!!

I need rest…
Fear’s is filling my head…

God, I’m longing for You!!

I will find You in the place I’m in!
Find You when I’m at my end!
Find You when there’s nothing left of me to offer You…
Except my brokenness!!

Lift me up…
I’m thirsty…
I’m weak…
I’m lost and searching…
I’m on my knees!!

Sorrow shakes my faith…
Heartache still remains…

My God, I’ll trust you…
‘Cause you are faithful!!

My hope is gone…
Fear is strong…
Pain is real…
Hard to heal!

Faith is shaken…
Heart is broken…
Joy is stolen…
Lift me up!
Never leave me searching…

When I’m on My knees!!

PRAY!!!

In a wide variety of ways:

Sitting, bowing, kneeling, and standing.

1 Chronicles 17:16

“Then King David went in and sat before the LORD,

and he said:

‘Who am I, LORD God,

and what is my family,

that You have brought me this far?'”

Nehemiah 8:6

“Ezra praised the Lord,

the great God;

and all the people lifted their hands and responded,

‘Amen! Amen!’

Then they bowed down

and worshiped the Lord

with their faces to the ground.'”

Daniel 6:10

“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published,

he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem.

Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed,

giving thanks to his God,

just as he had done before.”

Mark 11:25

“And when you stand praying,

if you hold anything against anyone,

forgive them,

so that your Father in Heaven

may forgive you your sins.”

Pray with the right heart attitude…

Offer silent prayers wherever you are…

God hears our prayers…

Even though they may go completely unnoticed by those around us!

Amen!

The LOVE Letter!

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(I received this e-mail today…author and photographer unknown)

There’s a beautiful soul…

Working in the dead letter department of the Post Office…

who understands…

LOVE…. 
 

Our 14-year-old dog, Abbey…

Died last month…

The day after she passed away…

My 4-year-old daughter Meredith…

 Was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey…

She asked if we could write a letter to God…

So that when Abbey got to Heaven…

God would recognize her…

I told her that I thought that we could…

So she dictated these words:

Dear God…

 Will you please take care of my dog?

Abbey died yesterday…

And is with You in Heaven…

I miss her very much…

I’m happy that you let me have her as my dog…

Even though she got sick…

I hope you will play with her…

She likes to swim and play with balls…

I’m sending a picture of her…

 So when You see her…

 You will know that she’s my dog…

I really miss her…

Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope…

With a picture of Abbey and Meredith…

 Addressed it to God/Heaven…

We put our return address on it…

Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope…

 Because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter…

 All the way to Heaven…

That afternoon, she dropped it into the letter box at the post office…

A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet…

I told her that I thought He had…

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch…

 Addressed, “To Meredith” in an unfamiliar hand…

Meredith opened it…

Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, When a Pet Dies

Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God…

In its opened envelope…

On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey and Meredith…

 And this note:

Dear Meredith…

Abbey arrived safely in Heaven…

Having the picture was a big help…

 And I recognized her right away…

Abbey isn’t sick anymore…

Her spirit is here with me…

 Just like it stays in your heart…

Abbey loved being your dog…

Since we don’t need our bodies in Heaven…

 I don’t have any pockets to keep your picture in…

 So I’m sending it back to you…

 In this little book for you to keep…

 And have something to remember Abbey by…

Thank you for the beautiful letter…

 And thank your mother for helping you write it…

 And sending it to me…

What a wonderful mother you have…

 I picked her especially for you…

I send My blessings every day…

 And remember that I love you very much…

By the way, I’m easy to find…

I am wherever there is LOVE!!

Love,

God

I’d love to write a letter myself to God about the loved ones I’m missing!!

Romans 8:37-39

No,

in all these things

we are more than conquerors

through Him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future,

nor any powers,

neither height nor depth,

nor anything else in all creation,

will be able to separate us

from the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 John 3:1

See what great love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!

The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.”

“It’s A Shame!” Is Different Than “It’s A Sin!”

Standard

“Condemning looks”

When it’s not a sin…

Annoy me!!

And it makes me sad to think…

That people need to do that…

Judge others!

Let’s be clear about the two…

Shame

noun

A painful emotion caused by a strong sense of

guilt, embarrassment, unworthiness, or disgrace.

 

Capacity for such a feeling:

(Have you no shame?)

 

One that brings dishonor, disgrace, or condemnation.

A condition of disgrace or dishonor; ignominy.

 

A great disappointment.

 

 Shamed, Sham·ing, Shames

 

tr.v

 

To cause to feel shame; put to shame.

To bring dishonor or disgrace on.

To disgrace by surpassing.

To force by making ashamed:

(He was shamed into making an apology.)

Put To Shame

Idiom

To fill with shame; disgrace.

To outdo thoroughly; surpass:

(Your productivity has put the rest of us to shame.)

 

Sin

 

noun

 

A transgression of a religious or moral law, especially when deliberate.

 

Theology

 

Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God.

A condition of estrangement from God resulting from such disobedience.

Something regarded as being shameful, deplorable, or utterly wrong.

 

Sinned, Sin·ning, Sins

 

intr.v.

 

To violate a religious or moral law.

To commit an offense or violation.

 

James 4:17

 

“If anyone, then,

 

knows the good they ought to do

 

and doesn’t do it,

 

it is sin for them.”

 

Colossians 2:6

 

“So then,

 

just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,

 

continue to live your lives in Him,”

 

*One on-line answer that I liked to the question:

 

What is the Biblical difference between sin and shame?

 

“‘Sin’ is generally used to describe a wrong doing of some sort,

 

usually ethical, moral, or religious.

 

It’s a known wrong,

 

that people in their respective society shouldn’t do.

 

‘Shame’ is often associated with sin in most cultures,

 

however it is definitely very different.

 

Shame is the emotion

 

associated with either being,

 

or doing, something that others disapprove of.

 

-You can feel shame because you were caught doing something wrong, like stealing.

 

-A child can feel shame when they don’t get picked for the basketball team because they’re not tall enough.

 

-A person can even feel shame for a wrong they’ve done that no one else knows about.

 

Shame is often associated with a conscience,

 

and it has some connections,

 

but shame is not necessarily an indicator that you have done something wrong.

 

The easiest way to define shame is:

 

An emotional sense of disappointment either in oneself or another,

 

caused by failure to meet some given standard, moral or otherwise.”

 

Summary:

 

A sin is an estrangement from God

 

And shame is a feeling of inadequacy or guilt.

 

Romans 6:14

 

For sin shall no longer be your master,

 

because you are not under the law,

 

but under grace.”

Ahhh…

 

Grace!!!

 

Shame or Sin…

 

Neither control me any longer!!

 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

 

“But He said to me,

 

‘My grace is sufficient for you,

 

for My power is made perfect in weakness.’

 

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,

 

so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

 

That is why, for Christ’s sake,

 

I delight in weaknesses,

 

in insults,

 

in hardships,

 

in persecutions,

 

in difficulties.

 

For when I am weak,

 

then I am strong.”

 

Don’t feel shame for something that honors God…

 

No matter how weak or foolish it makes you look…

 

In the eyes of unbelievers.

 

That would be misplaced shame!

 

Because the power of Christ…

 

Is perfected in our weaknesses!

 

1 Corinthians 15:34

 

“Come back to your senses as you ought,

 

and stop sinning;

 

for there are some who are ignorant of God—

 

I say this to your shame.”

 

 Only having shame for what dishonors God:

 

Ignorance of God…

 

Sin against God…

 

False beliefs about God…

 

Equals well-placed shame!

 

Consider the difference between:

Not dishonoring God vs Dishonoring God

 

God-Centered vs Self-Centered

This will explains the difference between…

 

Misplaced, or well-placed, shame!

 

If you’re dishonoring God…

 

You’ll feel shame…

 

No matter how strong,

 

Or wise,

 

Or right

 

You are in the eyes of men!

 

Sin is always a proper cause for shame…

 

Sin is behavior that dishonors God.

 

Solution????

Get rid of the unbelief that feeds shame…

 

Through belief in God’s Word…

 

And faith in the promises of God!

 

Read more at: 

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/battling-the-unbelief-of-misplaced-shame

 

Romans 9:33

 

“As it is written:

 

‘See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble

 

and a rock that makes them fall,

 

and the one who trusts in Him

 

will never be put to shame.'”

 

http://christianity.about.com/od/faqhelpdesk/f/romans14issues.htm

 

Christians…

Our traditions, rules, and regulations…

 

Are not equal to God’s laws.

 

We can’t base our moral judgments of others…

 

On opinions and personal dislikes…

 

Only on the Word of God!

 

Our relationship with Christ and His Word

 

Regulates our convictions!

 

Romans 14:23

 

“…everything that does not come from faith is sin.”

Let faith…

And your conscience convict you…

And tell you what to do in these matters.

Romans 14:12-13

“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.

Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle

in the way of a brother or sister.”

But how do we decide if something is sin when the Bible is not clear?

According to: 

http://christianity.about.com/od/faqhelpdesk/qt/knowsin.htm

 

“The Bible presents general guidelines to help us judge sin when we are uncertain.

 

Romans 14 is a great place to start.

 

Usually when we’re in doubt over sin,

our first tendency is to ask

if something is bad or wrong.

I’d like to suggest thinking in the opposite direction.

Instead, when you’re trying to determine if something is sin,

ask yourself these questions based on Scripture:

  1. Is this a good thing for me and others? Is this beneficial? Will it draw me closer to God? Will it strengthen my faith and my witness? (1 Corinthians 10:23-24)
  2. The next great question to ask is, will this glorify God? Will God bless this thing and use it for his purposes? Will this be pleasing and honoring to God? (1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 1 Corinthians 10:31)
  3. You can also ask, how will this thing affect my family and friends? Although we may have freedom in Christ in an area, we are never to let our freedom cause a weaker brother to stumble. (Romans 14:21; Romans 15:1) In addition, since the Bible teaches us to submit to those in authority over us (parents, a spouse, a teacher), we can ask, do my parents have a problem with this thing? Am I willing to submit this to those in leadership over me?
  4. Finally, in all things, we are to let our conscience before God convict us of what is right and wrong on matters that are not clear in the Bible. We can ask, do I have freedom in Christ and a clear conscience before the Lord to do whatever is in question? Are my own desire’s submitted to the Lord’s will? (Colossians 3:17; Romans 14:23″

 Something may be a shame, but not a sin!!

Don’t judge!

And don’t cast that condemning look!!