Restoring Relationships ~ Reconciliation

Today's thankful:

“No matter how you have been hurt, no matter how lost you may feel, God wants to comfort you and restore you.” ~Jody McFadden

Ezekiel 34:16 - “I will look for those that are lost, I will bring back those that wander off, bandage those that are hurt, and heal those that are sick.” GNB

Psalm 147:3 - "He heals the brokenhearted ands binds up 
their wounds." 
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2 Corinthians 5:19 "In other words, God was using Christ to restore his relationship with humanity. He didn’t hold people’s faults against them, and he has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others." (GW)

I'm not sure what the GW translation is, but this says it plainly, we have this message from God to share the wonderful news with the world! Don't keep this great story to yourself! (Me)

The above was shared this morning on my Facebook page and I wanted to expand briefly here.  For over a year I've been posting a thankful thought on my wall, and today, the first statement above by my brother in Christ struck me as being very much overlooked.  We tend to think that we have 'gone too far,' or are 'beyond God's reach' in our broken lives and relationships.

God says in the passage in Ezekiel that he looks for those who are lost. . . I love the old picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, out on the rocky hillside, rescuing the wayward sheep.  That's me.  Carelessly striding along, plunging over the edge and caught in the middle of a situation of my own making.  Then he comes, calling, searching and finds me.  He reaches down and takes me gently in his arms and carries me back to the rest of the flock.

Not only a restored relationship with the Shepherd, but fellowship with the rest of the sheep.

More on this later.

Choosing Our Path

Wow!  It has been months since I last blogged. . . not that there haven't been many ideas rattling around in my head. . . .but October has come and gone and then November . . . December and January is now quickly fading.

It was recently brought to my attention, that all things are not under my control.  It is time to let go of those things and people that are going in other directions.  I have a path to my heavenly home that needs tending. . .and a sweet young daughter I want to guide along that path.  Opportunities are frequent right now to share godly wisdom and spiritual knowledge. We find ourselves laughing and even crying over some common joy or earthly hurt.  It's a great time to hear what is on her mind.  She is one of those rare kids who seem to 'get' things that people years older than she don't seem to understand.  I feel privileged to be her mom.  It's a special honor.

Let me add: I was *not* one of those rare kids, but rather a late bloomer.  But I do not remember a time I did not want to live for God or walk in His ways.  Yes, there were times I took side roads and even got off the path into the weeds and brambles. . . .those were difficult times, times I want to forget.  Thankfully, God in His great plan provided a way to pay  for those side-trips.  Yes, I'm saying I chose to sin, but He provided the path through Jesus' blood for me to find redemption and salvation.  It was a terrible price, however,  and it grieves me when I think about it.

But how grateful I am that He catches me when I stumble and fall, that He does not remember the sins of my youth (or the sometimes foolishness of my old age.)  I am thankful to have heard a great sermon Sunday morning on the grace of God.  When taken in context with what we need to do, it encompasses those who are safe in Jesus.  Grace does not act alone, but God grants us mercy and grace when He offers us salvation.  But there are things we must do, not to earn salvation, but to accept it, not on basis of our works, but in giving our faith obedient legs.

So, tie on your walking shoes! Let's explore the path of righteousness together, as we focus on heaven's road.

Victim or Victorious?

First of all, where did September go???  I intend to blog at least once a month but this past 30 days simply escaped me. When I write, I pray it to will be something you are glad you took the time to stop, read and consider.

This past year, I took a challenge from a  friend  to post one "thankful"  each day for 30 days.  Then I just kept going.  I know I have missed some days, but have tried earnestly to keep it going all year.  

It is so easy to forget what we have to be thankful for and begin to complain, to whine, to grumble about the negatives.  There are many and some must be dealt with. Pretty soon, we are down, discouraged and just grumpy!  However,  many situations are beyond our control. I have tried to practice true belief in the Word. This past year has been one of learning what actions and situations are mine to own and what belong to others. We can and should learn to set boundaries and limits.  It is not only healthy, but I believe Biblical.  Otherwise, we will spend our lives spinning our wheels, stuck in the same old rut.  Stuck in the past.  We will never truly enjoy the victory of overcoming our sin or the hurts hurled at us by others.

Today I choose to be thankful for the glorious gift of life in Jesus Christ.  I choose *not* to be a victim of past injustices or hurts. I look forward with a heart full of gratitude and thanksgiving  to a gift far above my of surpassing mercy and grace.  Because God, through Christ, loved us enough to send the only One through which we can find eternal salvation.

With Just a Word

By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. 
~ Hebrews 11:3

Consider how strong the word of God is.  He speaks and things come into existence from nothing.  That sends chills down my spine!  No one else could do this.  One of the laws of nature is that all matter comes from pre-existing matter.  Not one thing comes from 'nothing.'  Yet God is able to speak, and things are there which were not!!  In Genesis 1 verse 3 it states, "Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light."  He just says the word and light is where it was not before.  

Then if we jump over to the New Testament, Jesus speaks to the raging seas we find not creation, but Jesus asleep in a ship at sea, a raging storm threatens and his disciples are frightened.  "Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea,“Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm." 

His word carries such authority, such power. How is this so?  Because He is the Creator, the great "I Am."  He is, was and ever will be God, the son.  The Bible tells us that nothing that is made was made without Him.  He has the power the authority given Him by His Father, to command light into being, seas and winds into stillness.  They are His workmanship, at the disposal of His will.    

Is it any harder to believe that the God who spoke this world into being from nothing can take away that which exists?  Is it any more difficult for Him to take away our sins; that He can make us clean and pure, fit for the kingdom?  Yet we condemn ourselves by not believing, but guilting ourselves day after day for things done in the past.  Hebrews 8:12 states, "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”"

Do we believe?  Then we must act as those forgiven, if we have indeed asked for it.  Now it is up to us to walk as those whose destination is heaven!  Our walk must be worthy of our eternal home.  (Titus 1:2 and Ephesians 4:1)  

Travel directions

I am currently in route to Washington State.  Plans are for me to stay a few weeks to help our eldest child with her family while she settles into her new role with the National Guard.  My dear husband and I prayed and talked about what we could do as grandparents and this is one thing we felt would benefit the boys as they adjust also.

Many times in our married life (we just celebrated our 32nd anniversary) we have had to adjust to new direction.  We met in the small church of Christ in a tiny mountain town in California where he worked in radio and I was the new school teacher.  I smile as I remember those early days of shyness and uncertainty.  Little did we know when we committed to one another that hot day in June where the road would take us.

We could not have begun to imagine the places or experiences we would visit. He eventually left radio to begin training for pulpit ministry.  God blessed us with children. He also blessed us with loss, not only of a much-wanted child, but also of parents, and sometimes hopes and dreams.  Through it all we have clung to the hope and dream of eternal life with God in heaven.

I believe that God in his infinite wisdom does not let us see the future, joyous or sorrowful, for many reasons.  Trusting Him has to be the top of the list.  Where would faith come from if we knew what would befall us?  Would we rush headlong into things that eventually would undo our faith?  Would we avoid situations that were meant to strengthen and establish us?  Certainly these are both possibilities.

I recently set my status on Facebook as "thankful for suffering."  I smile again thinking of the growth that is taking place as I submit to God, learning to trust his strength, giving up my own will. The battles are not easily won. The progress must be defended daily.  I learn to trust God's direction for my footsteps.

Several verses clamor to be shared here:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Forgetting those things which are behind; . . .   I press on towards the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12b & 14

I thank my God upon every rememberance of you. . . . being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;  Philippians 1:3 & 6

So as I continue traveling on this detour through Washington State (where, by the way, my journey here on earth began over 56 years ago.)  Some may smile at the thought of coming 'full-circle.'  But this isn't anywhere near the end.  Who knows what time I may have left here?  Only let it be spent in following the footsteps of Christ where they may lead. Let me be found faithful, setting an example of His love and good works for those who follow.

Finally:
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for teh Savior,  the lord jesus christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to his glorious body, according to the working by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself.  Philippians 4:20,21

- Unbelief will keep us from Heaven -

Hebrews 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said:

“Today, if you will hear His voice,
Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

When going through suffering we must guard our hearts against unbelief.

'But I believe!'  I can hear your voices protesting. . . but belief is not just a statement of fact or a one-time confession, we need to pursue it with constant action on our part. Trust me, as I stated (was that back in April?) We must not lose heart and become unbelieving by complaining, grumbling, growing weary to the point of giving up. (Gal.6:9)  We must be thankful for the things God has done, great and small. (Phil.4:6 and Ps.126:3)  He is in control and He will bring it to pass in His time, not ours.  (Isaiah 40:31)

To stay strong, we must exercise our spiritual knowledge in doing what God has taught us through His word.  It is essential that we let God's word dwell richly in us.  Read (or listen to), meditate, ponder, memorize, and sing it throughout the day. (2 Pet.1:5-9)

God knew we needed this reminder, or He would not have written it here.  So, my dear sisters, I exhort (strongly urge, emphatically plead) that you read God's word, understand what He is asking you, and do it with all your heart.  

Today may be all we have; this moment, this time, the present, to do what we must do.  Do not procrastinate in giving your lives to living totally for the One Who gave His all that we might have life, abundantly and eternally.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23


We know that God speaks to us through His word.  But have you ever heard that 'still small voice' nudging you when you begin to doubt?  Let me assure you, it just takes a little of that doubt to settle in and soon the mind becomes  paralyzed by fear.


 I was privileged to hear a Ladies Day speaker a few weeks ago who challenged me in my weakness. "I want to leave you with two words today, "Trust Me."  She reminded us of what God had already said, but my own thoughts drowned out.  I shared a few of her thoughts with my husband, but left this one out. Maybe I was feeling guilty over my lack of trust and faith.  I don't know.  But Sunday evening I heard him say, "God is telling us, 'Trust Me.'"   It made me squirm!  I knew I was being reminded that I was wavering and needed this reminder!  Again, the next day, someone or something reminded me of these two words.  Believe me, after hearing it three times in three days, I became very contrite and humbled over my lack of belief and trust.  


There was just no getting around it.  I was not really believing God was going to keep His promise, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (From Hebrews 13:5) When the going gets tough, sometimes I just want to run and hide.  But that isn't an option.  We either need to prepare for the battle that we see coming and remember that God's grace is sufficient for the day, or we will fail miserably in our Christian walk.  


I'd like to leave you with these words in closing, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."  Ephesians 3:20-21  We don't need to fear, because He has promised and He, unlike our earthly friends, family or neighbors, will always keep His promises.