Gratitude Beats a Bad Attitude

For over a week now our Internet access has been spotty, to say the least. Most days we have had no service at all. Other days it has been extremely slow.

My first reaction to this issue was to become frustrated, then to get upset. None of this accomplished anything so i just learned to accept it though i still didn't like it. The thought finally occurred to me that things could be so much worse.

I still had my health, a roof over my head and a loving family. To let something like the lack of Internet service get me down was just ridiculous. I was being spoiled and ungrateful. The truth of the matter is my blessings far out weigh my petty inconveniences and gripes. How pathetic that it takes insignificant matters such as this to make me realize the significance of God's grace toward me.

Jeremy called to find out what the problem was and it turned out to something with our tower. He can explain it much better than i can. I just repeat what he tells me. Since talking with the right people the situation has improved though there are times when it is still problematic.

Well, we have done all we know to do at this point. For now there is nothing else we can do. But there is something i can do about my attitude and that is to take my thoughts captive and submit them to the authority of Christ and stop worrying about things i have no control over.

Maybe it isn't always the easiest thing to do but it is the very best thing to do and something i will be working on this week.

Nothing...Absolutely Nothing!

“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 seperate us from the love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans8:38-39

As well as i think i know myself-past and present-there is One who knows me like absolutely no one else can. He knows my past, present and future. Even in His unlimited knowledge of me He loves me still. God’s love for me is perfect and extravagant. He lavishes His love upon me!

Still, i doubt. Things i have said and done come back to haunt me. When these memories play in my head my heart begins to question how God could still love me. Somehow i can see how God might love others but not me.

It all boils down to pride in my heart. Yes, pride. At first i tried to deny it but the truth stared me in the eyes until i could deny it no more. In my pride i convinced myself that i was beyond God’s love and grace. I was basically calling Him a liar.

Now, as God has been showing me my selfish pride He has done it out of His faithful love. I don’t know how many times in the past few days He has brought me to Romans 8:38&39 but i have learned that when God continually brings certain Scripture or thoughts to my attention i better listen closely! And i am so glad i did because as i read and meditate on Romans 8:38&39 i too am convinced that NOTHING can seperate me from God’s unfailing love. Not even my failure or my foolish pride-NOTHING!!

Help me, Lord!

What is it that holds me back,

standing in the shadows,

at the edge of the light?

Is it fear that paralyzes,

doubt that denies

or pride that defies?

Whatever it may be,

Lord, help me to see,

Your love is greater than these.

Your faithfulness is deeper than the seas.

Your grace has given me life,

Now You want to end my strife.

Lord, help my unbelief,

That keeps me in constant grief!

What is Your Name?

Since changing my name to Charis, God has made me more aware of the grace that i show others. I believe that was His intent all along. Allow me to give the definition of charis one more time: charis-grace, grace of speech, good will, loving-kindness and thanks.

That is why i love the name. These are the very traits i’ve always wanted to posess. So Charis is more than a name to me, it is a way of life.

Now, when the spirit of judgement clouds my view; God whispers in my ear, “What is your name?”. It doesn’t take long for the condescending thoughts to disappear. I ask His forgiveness and He redirects my thinking. Mercy replaces judgement. When my children try my patience, as they often do, and i feel the frustration building; God is in my ear again, “What is your name?”. Sometimes i speak before i think and say things i have to go back and ask forgiveness for-from God and the children. Sometimes i pout, “But God…”. Either way i know He is right and i thank Him for reminding me that my name is cHarIS.

Peace From the Pieces

In our sorrow we look at our lives and see brokeness. Broken promises,broken hearts and broken dreams. We try to pick up the pieces on our own only to find it hurts too much. As we mourn what could have been and what should have been we are convinced nothing good can come from these fragments. The old familiar voice of condemnation screams with hateful vengence, “You are ugly and worthless! You will NEVER be good enough!”.

But above the angry shouts there is a whisper, “Beloved, give me the pieces and let me show you just how beautiful you are.” Could it be true? Will you allow yourself to hope,to trust? There is such tenderness in that quiet voice and at the same time such great authority. You hear it again and it is like sweet music to your longing soul. Now the gentle voice says, ”I created you in my image and gave my only Son to die for you.”

Suddenly you realize the desperate voice of the accuser is growing smaller and smaller while the voice of the Master becomes clearer and clearer. Falling to your knees,you cry out,”I do believe!” Your hands tremble as you lift the shattered pieces to Him. Finally there is peace as you feel the burden lifted. Then the Father says,”Look,my child.” And before your very eyes are the pieces you once despised-God has used them to make a mosaic and you are His Masterpiece!

Meditate on These THings

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Help me, Lord, today with its distractions and worries to keep my eyes on You. In You are all things true and noble. You are just and You are pure. You are lovely, true beauty belongs to You. You are all together good and virtuous. You are worthy of all praise, all glory and all honor! I meditate on Your Word and i am filled with joy ! Your Word sustains me and fills me with peace in a troubled world. In a dry and weary land You give me Living Water for my thirst and the Bread of Life that i might live. Your grace is sufficient! You are all i need and i look to You in expectation, Heavenly Father.

If

Staring ahead, seeing nothing. Surrounded by sounds but i don’t hear anything. The sun is shining but i don’t recieve it’s warmth. Thoughts flood my mind but i refuse to think. If i see…if i hear…if i recieve…if i think…then i feel. If i feel i will hurt and if i hurt…i become vulnerable. If i trust You with the hurt will You earn my faith…or will You turn me away? Is Your love truly greater than my sin? My hurt? My shame? Will Your love be enough to take away my fear?

”Look around and see the love I show you. Listen closely and you will hear My voice calling to you. (Rev. 3:20) Accept My grace and let the hardness of your heart melt away. (Ez. 11:19) Bring your thoughts to me and I will give you a new way of thinking. (Col. 3:2) If you see…if you hear…if you recieve…if you think…then you will feel. If you let Me, I will heal your hurt. (Luke 4:18) Be vulnerable with Me. I’ll never let you down or turn you away. My love is so great nothing can seperate my love from you. No sin…No hurt…No shame. (Romans 8:38&39) My love is perfect and perfect love drives out fear. (1 Jn. 4:18) If you accept My love as truth the truth will set you free! “(Jn. 8:32)

Man's Anger and God's Righteousness

“My dearly loved brothers, understand this: everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.” James 1:19 20

There is no grace in anger. When we act in anger we are hearing only our own prideful voices telling us that we have been done wrong and someone must pay. Our tongues and sometimes our hands become instruments of destruction. When all is said and done the pain remains. There may be no physical evidence but there are scars just the same. Though we may ask for and recieve forgiveness we cannot change what has been done. Our words come back to haunt and to taunt. The ghosts visit both giver and reciever of the angry exchange.
If we are to accomplish God’s righteousness we must not act in anger. Things happen and we all get angry at times. Sometimes our anger is even justified but we are never justified when we react in anger. We are so quick to give a piece of our minds we lose our peace of mind. That is why we are told to use our ears before we use our mouths. When we take the time to listen to the Voice of Truth-God, the anger is lessened and He shows us a better way to deal with our emotions. He can even show us the other side of the issue so instead of compulsion we feel compassion for those who offended us. God will also show us when our anger is not justified. No one wants to hear when they are wrong but it is necessary that we know. It is also necessary to know that when God rebukes us He also gives us a resolution. It may not be easy(it usually isn’t) but if we just do it God’s way we will accomplish His righteousness.

I no longer wish to stand upon this shore where safety is no comfort anymore. I long to run against the breeze and leave this life of ease. Beyond the water's edge and into the crashing waves that is what my soul craves. To feel Your love wash over me and explore the depths of Your grace!