The Week Ahead

As a mama, today i am feeling a mixture of sadness, pride and joy. This morning we saw Rachel off to camp. This week she and her friends from church will be serving by helping those in need. There will be so much to do; cleaning, yardwork and childcare to name a few of the known assignments. With so much to do the week should go by pretty quickly for the kids and their leaders.

On the other hand, for Jeremy, the boys and me the hours will tick by very slowly. We will miss her so much-we are already missing her. Though her absence makes it difficult for the next few days we are proud of Rachel. She is going with such excitement and wanting to help that it is hard to imagine not being proud of the young lady she is growing into.

Then there is the joy of knowing that Rachel is doing what she feels is God's will and we believe that the center of God's will is the very best place to be.

It is going to be so much fun to hear of Rachel's experience upon her return. I am sure she will be exhausted but more than anything she is going to feel a deep satisfaction knowing she has shown God's love to those who may experience so little of it in their own lives. The memories and the eternal rewards are going to be far greater than any temporary exhaustion she may feel at the end of the camp experience.

As a mama i ask everyone who reads this to pray for Rachel and her friends this week they act as the hands and feet of Jesus.

Thank you and God bless!

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!

The Calling

Here i am again. Right back where i started. A place i never wanted to return. Yet i am the one who returned. It was my choice to turn from Your way and step out on my own. Now my walk has become a stumble and the road has turned to mud. My feet of clay sink deeper and deeper into the mush and slime. Though the trip wearies me so and i know it doesn’t have to be this way, i trudge along anyway. Pride and unbelief weigh me down, making me sink deeper into the miry ground.

I hear You calling my name but the tears in my eyes sting and remind me it was my folly that got me in this mess. Covered in this mud that is my shame, i doubt that i could ever be in Your presence again. As these thoughts fill my mind another thought comes. Only this thought does not condemn but it gives me hope and restores my faith. No, this isn’t my thought at all-it is Your voice that i hear!

You tell me that You knew the choices i would make and the wrong turns i would take. You knew the day would come when my heart would stray til i became painfully aware that nothing else i pursue could ever take the place of You. When i could no longer bear the pain and there was nowhere else to turn You would take me back with arms wide open. Because of Your great love for me You allowed me to stray but You have never taken Your eyes off of me. Now You are calling me back. From my marshy pit i cry, “Father, frogive me for my rebellious pride that has brought me to this awful place. Bring me back to Your embrace and keep me at Your side!”.

Already i feel my strength returning as You lift me from the mud and set my feet on solid ground. Thank You, most precious Heavenly Father!

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.

Father, I am beginning to know how much I miss when I fail to talk to thee in prayer, and through prayer to recieve into my life the strength and the guidance which only thou canst give. Forgive me for the pride and the presumption that make me continue to struggle to manage my own affairs to the exhaustion of my body, the weariness of my mind, the trial of my faith.
Let not, I pray, any future forgetfulness of mine, or a false sense of self-sufficiency, any spiritual laziness, or doubt of thy faithfulness keep me from taking everything to thee in prayer.
And now, I thank thee that the fresh breath of heaven is even now blowing away the close, damp air of all my failure, of every doubt and fear. I ask thee for that soul tonic of prayer that shall reburnish my faith, brighten my hope, revive and rekindle my love. In thy name, I pray. Amen.
Peter Marshall