Lessons from Africa Remembered

All of a sudden I realize how "American" I have become again - it has just crept into my soul.  Jesus, please help me remember the truths you revealed to me.  Help me become more selfless; more focused on Your good and perfect will.

Truths I need to remember:

1. Because of the fall - Life is suffering, life is pain – so learn to live with it, expect it, and learn how to cope with it.

Job 1:21 “And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

2. When something good or joyful does happen, embrace it, cherish it, remember it.

Luke 2:19 “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Revelation 3:3 “Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent.”

3. Always keep your eyes on the Cross – our only hope in this world is Jesus Christ. 

Romans 8:18 – “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

4. Remember that His ways are “higher” than ours– that His plan is far better than ours.   

Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” 

5. Regardless of our current circumstance, we are in our maker’s hands.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

6. God loves us and wants the best for us.

Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

REALity

With so many sad things happening in the World, it is easy to be sad. Right now, the Lord is reminding me that these things "are a shadow of the things that (are) to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ." (Col 2:17)




So, while we can only see what is right in front of us - allow the Holy Spirit to remind you that there is another reality where there is no more pain or brokeness, and where all these sad things fit into the Lord's sovereign plan. Focus on that REALity today.

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Jesus Christ." Ephesians 2:6

Wedding!

I just saw a magazine Ben and I are in - so fun! It makes me remember how perfect and BLESSED our wedding day was:)

Alabama Weddings : Booksamillion.com (Magazine)

Happy Valentine's Day!

I have heard it said that reading the Bible is like reading God's love letter to us ... so wouldn't it make sense that the verses are just like valentine cards?! Happy Valentine's Day!

Just passing through

I woke up this morning - realizing the full magnitude of the day: my sister is having her first baby today, my aunt just had her baby, Ben's mom just got out of surgery, he and I are traveling this afternoon, and of all things - it is my 29th birthday, TODAY. We just have lots of things happening right now - life is just packed with transitions and changes, TODAY!

As I am soaking this all in, praying for this child, and trying to relax with my coffee - my wise aunt dixie emailed me, and I just can't help but share:

"Travel well, Travel safely, Travel- realizing that is a picture of what we do with life --- we're just traveling through."

This reminds me of the Israelites; traveling for YEARS - can you even imagine the amount of change that happened over, say, 29 years of their life?! And, every single day of their journey the Lord went ahead of them and provided for them. What an amazing picture of the way He is moving ahead of us, ushering us into new seasons of life, and taking care of us the whole way. Amazing. Hold tight to Jesus today - He is the only constant in our journey through this world:)

My aunt Dixie says, "Life is all about learning to recover." In my devotion a few days ago, Beth Moore wrote "Christ gave us the ministry of reconciliation." Both of these phrases insinuate constant action: learnING and ministry. Both phrases assume a constant need for recovery and reconciliation. Both writers know the brokenness of this world we live in - both have experienced deep pain and heartache and both have been redeemed and reconciled to God the Father through His deep love and mercy for us, given through Jesus Christ.

With a little time off of work to ponder the miracle of (in the words of my five year old nephew) "The maker of us coming to live with us" - KNOW that "the maker of us" came to redeem the brokenness and loss of the past year or years. He came so that our sorrow may be turned into gladness. He came so that we may live for eternity with our heavenly Father. Praise Him!

This year, allow God to continue His good work of reconciliation and recovery in your heart - and then go into a hurting and broken world to help others learn to recover and be reconciled with God, and with each other - through Christ's love and mercy constantly covering and redeeming.

..."while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:13-14