LOOKING TO A NEW YEAR

A New Year is always a time of reflection and that's a good thing; look at things that went well, others you pray for change in, ask God to continue His sanctification and the things HE wants me to change..

I was thinking about some of my "big" personal moments this year, where God met me in a special way in special times of need.

My Biblical influences this year:
1) The Apostle John (has been since I landed here in RO, and even before).  God takes things from Johns life and writings, and shows me how to apply them personally.  He is taking me from being the disciple who wanted to "call down fire"; to the disciple, who at the end of his life said "Beloved, I give you a new commandment, that you love one another". That's not an easy thing; you are often given lots of testings - like people cutting in front of you in line and when you drive (Cluj is crazy traffic - crazy!). I just keep praying "God, help me get an 'A' on this test, I dont want to keep re-taking it!".  :o)
2)  Jehoshaphat and the beauty of absolute surrender and worship when the battle/enemy is too great.  And (oops I am starting a sentence with "and") - when things are going good, dont turn your heart to wrong places - keep the course.
3) Deborah - the most misunderstood/misinterpreted woman of the Bible.  Oh, that I would be "that" woman of God who speaks His words and is entrusted; who my husband wants in battle; not because I can fight well (I can, but only verbally ;o) - but because I am so near to God that I hear His voice and can be trusted.

Maybe 2015 wasnt the best of years for some of us, or there are things we wish we had done better or got a chance to go back and do over.
Praise God His mercies are new every morning and Great is His Faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:22-23)
Praising God that He is the God of redemption, "fresh starts", "do-overs".
All we have to do is come humbly to Him and surrender (and that can happen ANY time, not just "New Years").
Most times that is easier said than done, I know I like to work it out in my head - over and over and over - sort it out -but the fact is I can quickly take it all to Him and the faster the better.

Dont give up; keep your eyes of Jesus "the author and perfecter of your faith".  One day at a time, one step at a time (like Peter in the midst of the storm; he kept his eyes on Jesus and not the storm and was able to walk out to him on the water.  Jesus' hand was always extended out to him (LOVE that part).

But have a PLAN !!!   The best fought wars were won because there was a plan and preparation.  The U.S. military has been one of the finest because they train, train, train.  And when your battle is heavy - surrender!
Have a plan in place to have moments alone in your day with Him.
Have a reading plan in place for the Bible each day.

I promise you, I have to put these "plans" into place myself or I will set myself up for failure.  I have my Bible reading plan for the year, and I asked God to speak a special verse to me for this New Year.
Last Year it was James 2:13b:
"mercy triumphs over judgment."

I cant tell you how many situations that He put me in, where He kept having me exercise being merciful over being judgmental (and just "being quiet" - yeah a real challenge for me :oX  ).
This "new" year, He wants to me to focus on "love" more than anything; and its an action, not just a word - its a state of "being".
I am sure I wont always get it right but my heart longs to choose love over all; it is, after all, its the greatest gift (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Verse for 2016: 1 John 3:18b
"let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth."
*for me this begins with quickly forgiving offenses and dying to self (ouch!)

"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained."  Philippians 3:12-16

THE DAY THE SKY FELL ON MY MARRIAGE...AND GOD's RESTORATION

Please be patient, the Lord has been bugging me to get this down, and it was time to "get 'er done".

Every time I see a marriage or family suffering, I want to so badly to help them "fix it".  I mean it's just what we women love to do - fix things and make everything all right.  The best way I can help a fellow struggling sister (or brother), is to share with her what the Lord has taught me - and hope/trust that she will ask God to speak to her heart and help her correct those things He is trying to speak to her.  I truly am my own worst enemy in being honest with myself so this scripture is so key so often:  

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139.

So, this is my story to the road to healing my marriage from "strife" and my life from a boat-load of stress.

When JeJe and I first married - we had never had an argument.  We soon found just how passionate, argumentative, and stubborn each of us was.  We had both grown up in harsh worlds of reality; his parents separated when he was just 3 months old, they would divorce that year, and he would be raised by his grandparents - then his aunt and uncle, after his grandfather passed when he was 7.  I was raised by a loving Christian mother, but forced to be very independent quickly as I had to come home from school to an empty house (she worked to support us) - starting at the age of 8 years old.  My father was an alcoholic, loved to gamble and spend time away from our home and away from his job.  I soon grew to enjoy his being away from our house; he was often violent and mean - and our home was peaceful when he wasn't there.  This brought on many trust issues for me in life; things I am still being made aware of/allowing the Lord to heal/change; specifically, my responses and defenses in new relationships and ongoing ones.  I am thankful for the Lord's constant sanctification in our lives and His never giving up on us.

I brought these fears and mistrusts into our marriage.  I was older than JeJe by a handful of years (ok, a little more than that ;o))), I had a better education, grew up in a big city - was fast on my feet (street smart); and, let's face it, I thought I could do better or knew better in most circumstances.  I respected him, or so I told myself; but my responses to various situations would dictate otherwise.  Was I really letting him lead?  Was I really honoring and respecting him in submission to his God-given authority (I really dont like the word "obey" but submit would be the only other really good definition and they are the words used in scripture telling us our role to our husbands; unless our husbands are asking us to sin against God - that's the only time we are to deviate from that plan, it's God's plan.  When we submit to our husbands, we submit to Christ; if we can't submit to our husbands, we will never submit to any authority - especially Christ (ouch!)

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the bod^y.  Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything"  Ephesians 5:22-24

Our first 5 years of marriage were here in Romania.  It was JeJe's culture and so he handled our financial dealings and budget.  Everything went very smoothly in that area of our marriage.  Then we moved to the U.S.  JeJe started working 40-80 hours a week.  He needed me to handle the finances, pay bills, write checks, take care of banking, etc.  I was over the finances & completely running the house on my own.  I soon started to work and decided that I had complete/sole authority as to how/where/when the finances were spent. 

Until one day, JeJe came home from work to tell me that he was not satisfied with our lifestyle.  He missed serving God and someone had asked him that week "How much money do you need for it to be enough?".  That caused him to stop and consider things...there was no amount of money that brought him the happiness that serving God and being in fellowship with him brought.  He told me that he was praying for God to do a change in us.  I thought to myself "don't pray that!".  After all, we were going on vacation to Hawaii in a month, we both drove nice cars, owned a home, and provided good things for our children. Who wants to change that?  I think I feared more what might come...and that might mean my giving up control.

That night, God spoke to my heart as I went to bed in the stillness of the night:  "Coleen, how much is enough?".  He had my attention.  He had been trying to get it for quite a number of months, but I was too busy to hear his voice any more.  We had been thru a leukemia testing/scare with James and I had been called in for an extensive biopsy just a month or so before.  Was I not grateful my sons' test came back just revealing a serious allergy?  Was I not happy to have my health and an amazing husband who loved God?  I told the Lord that night "Thank You for all I have. Forgive my ungrateful/unsatisfied heart. You are enough for me God.".

But that was just the beginning.  Within a month, the real estate market would crash and all the sitting/waiting deals I had would fall right through my fingers (I was a sales/buying agent).  We would sell our home to get out from the payment, move to a smaller home to consolidate and get our bills paid...until one night my fight for control would come to a crashing end....

JeJe asked me for the checkbook, and control of the finances....A very brave man was he.  I was so upset.  We had both just listened to a couple of really good sermons on financial responsibility Charles Stanley and Andy Stanley.  JeJe had a plan of action, and it started with taking the leadership of our home back into his authority.  It meant he would be calling the shots with the finances, and decisions would be discussed but he would be making the final call on them.  I fought him so badly on this....to the point that he left the house to go be alone with God, and allow God to deal with me.  He did.  Was I a hearer of the Word only and not a do-er?  Did I really want to fight/disobey God by disobeying JeJe?  Because when we go out of God's authority for us as wives - that is what we are saying to Him:  "God, I got this, my plans are way better than yours".

JeJe came home a couple of hours later, and told me that I had been carrying the weight/stress of running things - yes, he even apologized for not taking control sooner - he stated that things were not working well with the finances, and that he would be taking responsibility for all of it.  He was right, all that striving I was feeling was because I was out of God's plans for me as a wife and not submitting to my husband's  authority & decision making (Ephesians 5).  Now, let me just tell you - my husband values greatly my insight and my two cents on just about everything.  He listens to what I have to say (He knows God has given me gifts to bless him); we pray together, and there are times when one of us feels strongly about something - so we wait and pray more.  We do not make decisions when we are divided, and there have been a couple of times where I didn't really have an opinion 'yea' or 'nay', even after praying, so God told me "just let him make this decision" and that's that.

JeJe created a budget, gave me weekly funds (learned to write checks ;o))) - within a few months our bills were paid, we had a savings, we were faithfully tithe-ing the exact amounts God told us to - in faith - regardless of bills sitting there; and, you know what?  He increased it all, over and over and over again. There was a moment of having to borrow from our kids piggy banks for a tank of gas (so bills could get paid), but He would faithfully bring increase based on our obedience - especially with titheing and giving where He asked. btw - the kids got their money back first thing.

We still live on a budget - we stick to our budget - and our giving and God brings the increase when needed. 

Why, oh why, did I think my plan was better?

Why, oh why, did I doubt God's promises?  After all, HE owns the cattle on a thousand hills ! Psalm 50:10

Honestly, it was because I had a problem with trust.  Trusting JeJe, trusting God; and once I confessed this to the Lord, and asked for His help in healing this area - He was faithful...as usual.

"I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed." Psalm 37:25-26

My prayer:  that I (we) never step out of His plan/design that is so clearly laid out for us in His Word.  That's why "His Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" Psalm 119:105 and Proverbs 3:5-6 is key - NEVER, EVER trust your own understanding; get into God's presences and ask Him to speak His Truth into the situation. **my mind is my own worst enemy!*

Best part of this:  A couple of years ago, my daughter and I were discussing an exchange we had witnessed with a married couple, where the wife had totally humiliated the husband by making him to feel "dumb" in front of a crowd of people (oh, I have been guilty there too; we have to repent and ask the Lord to help us get rid of that old stronghold - sometimes repeatedly - as often as it takes - trust me, you will see a change take place).

Elli brought it up in conversation to me a few days later, and I told her "Please don't ever disrespect your husband like that; because that is dishonoring to God and His plans for marriage, and I love you and want you to be blessed in your marriage, and I really don't want to have to correct you.".  She replied to me, "Don't worry Mommy, I see how much your submitting to Daddy and letting him lead has been a blessing for you and Dad, and relieved you of stress; I know that's because you are following God's design."

That's when I had to turn around and hide my tears....THANK YOU LORD !

Our children are watching and learning from our examples...and don't we all want them to lead great lives, FULLY blessed by the Lord?  We need to stay honest before God and continually allow His cleansing sanctification in our lives, so our bad choices/habits aren't passed onto our children.

Submit to your husbands and you are submitting to God, and watch Him bless your marriage and home!

Husbands, take Godly authority in your homes, and watch Him bless your marriage and home!

Psalm 25

LEGACY

Once again - God was right on time with yesterday's Sunday (Mother's Day) message:  Our Legacy - what we leave behind.  JeJe did not intend for this message to land on Mother's Day - but it could not have been more appropriate.  He has been teaching a 7 Point Series on God's Purposes for us In Life, and yesterday was #6: Our Legacy.  My mind had already been moving in that direction the past few days, with Mother's Day approaching.  You see, there's a stack of Bibles on a table in our living room; each one has significance - especially a bright red one that is usually on top, and in my full view.  It was my mothers' Bible (it has her name engraved on it).
My mother passed away when I was 16 years old.  When I remember my mother, the very first thought that comes to mind - is a picture of her that I hold dear in my memory:  I was about 14/15 and came bounding down the staircase in the morning to see her in the quiet of the morning; with this Bible open, spending her alone/quiet time with the Lord.  It is the greatest inheritance she could have given me; "faith" and a love for God's Word.  She wanted to leave behind so much more; but she was the supporter of our family - working long hours to pay the bills; because my father often lost jobs due to drinking and gambling.  When I was 21, I received some monies from her life insurance policy; those monies are long gone, but the life lessons she taught me - and the great faith she maintained in the 3+ years she battled cancer - I will carry with me for a life time.  Hundreds of people attended her funeral; all of them talked about what a great friend she was (always laughing and joking, and there for whatever friend needed her), and how much she loved serving the Lord through her gift of singing in the church choir.  She went to glory and she left behind a great legacy of faith, as did my grandmother who also instilled so much of God's Word into my life.
There was a time when my children were much smaller, that I allowed the cares of the world to crowd in to what was truly important.  I was busy with many "good works" - serving in church, helping friends, working to help provide income for nice things for our family, fun vacations, etc. - but I was so busy, that my "alone time" with God was crowded out (I could not discern His voice)- I was moving full speed ahead and just asking Him to bless things as I moved along.  The one day, He caused me to stop in my tracks and spoke to me:  Coleen, your 2 children are the 2 greatest disciples you will ever pour into.  Everything would change....for the good (change isn't always easy - it;s usually painful, and HE often has to pry things we are holding onto; but its very necessary and the blessed outcome so worth it).  The Lord spoke to my heart that I needed to leave my job; JeJe was in full agreement.  When we made this announcement to our children, we explained that it would mean tight budgeting; do you know both of them squealed in delight?  Both of them (grade school age) said I was too stressed with work and they were excited that this would take away my stress.  Oh, sweet children; they see/perceive much more than we give them credit for.
As I found more time for my personal time with the Lord, my eyes and heart became open to the Him speaking to me about some "bad habits" I was passing along to my children.  They were learning them from me.  Some people call these "generational curses"; as children of the Living God, my husband and I reject the fact that His beloved would be "cursed" and do not like this term.  It's really "bad habits" and things we need to get cleaned out because they are harmful to them and can harm relationships; especially their one with the Lord.  Best way to kick a bad habit?   Ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal them to you (I am the world's  BIG-est excuser/rationalizer/blamer) - and repent.  Then give Him the authority over that area of your life, and ask the Holy Spirit to convict you when that old tendency rises up.  You will watch it melt away; my family watched mine, and they have my full permission to hold me accountable (in love, always in love); and sometimes still need to.  The sinner never stops sinning; but the repentant at heart, work on keeping it away and allow for that accountability to help them.
In closing thoughts, I guess it's just my hearts cry to help all of us leave behind the best legacy possible for our children.  I was so blown away at reading God's Word during the service as JeJe pointed out so many important points in scripture about our faith inheritance extending to future generations:

"As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them."
Psalm 103:15-18

Also:  In 2 Timothy 1, Paul talks to Timothy about how he sees the faith his mother and grandmother had, on display in him.  The House of King David was promised blessing into future generations because of His faithful relationship to God; you can see in the books of Chronicles and Kings that God showed mercy to his descendants "because you are from the house of David"; even when they behaved abominably !!!  God remembered David - even 1500+ years later (and today to the house of Israel) - and said "because of my promise to your descendant David; I will have mercy on you".  Rich, rich treasures are held on the pages of Scripture !
I want to give my kids a faith they can hold onto in any storm, and one that will move any mountain they face.  A faith that will extend for many, many generations beyond me.

NOTES TO MY DAUGHTER: "MEAN GIRLS"

My most treasured & beloved daughter, I could not give you any greater lesson - than to learn to love and forgive.  It is a life lesson, you will need to "master" for many situations and relations in your life; for a lifetime.  Learning how to handle "Mean Girls" - in a Godly way - NOW; this will equip you for those "life" situations when I cannot be with you (Jesus is always with you).  Unfortunately, "Mean Girls" come in all ages, cultures, sizes, colors, and are most prevalent in the most of unsuspecting of places - even the church and family. They often display mean tendencies towards their mothers or/and have groups of friends who follow them, or refuse to address their bad behavior less they be cast out of their social group; those people can be in put in the same category "mean"/"bullies" since they are unwilling to stand up for what is righteous. You MUST choose to forgive them all.
A "Mean Girl" - we ALL have tendencies to be one (don't ever "be one"; even when you want to protect yourself from one; choose love instead).  There is some sinful drive wired in women -to be in control of people and situations.  The minute we don't feel  we are in control over a situation or individual (our territory is somehow threatened), there arises a tendency to be "mean" (treat others as less, not welcoming, a gossip, show unkind behavior, etc.).  I know you know them well; you have been placed in many situations in having to face them.  You always will. Have courage to obey the Lord in loving others no matter how they treat you; He asks for "obedience over sacrifice" and in that will be blessing.
That DOES NOT mean you have to be best friends with them (or friends at all); in fact, it's often Godly wisdom not to be (bad character corrupts good).  That DOES NOT mean you have to tolerate their unkind words (you are not a "door mat"); but remember to never (ever) "return evil for evil". Just turn your cheek/shoulder;  God is much better at dealing with those who come against us, than we ever could be.  People always reap what they sow; it may be sooner, it may be later - but be "like Joseph" and trust God for the justice and outcome. Always, Always allow room for grace; we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  We all can have "bad moments"; be ready to receive a repentant heart - and forgive regardless, to not allow that individuals actions to have power over you.  By doing so, you transfer power/authority to Jesus over the situation/individual.
YOU MUST be able to be in a room with someone who has been hurtful towards you and be able to make genuine "eye contact" - this requires you going to the Lord quickly with whatever offense has been committed against you - and saying "Father, forgive them - they know not what they do" (even when you are sure she knows exactly what she just did); tell Him, "Lord, I trust you for the outcome of this. I choose to forgive her for ____".  Then, quickly find a way to "wash their feet" - serve them.  Do what Jesus did with Judas - find a way to serve that individual in the strength and love of Jesus (only after true forgiveness), so that no one else in the room (or world) sees your wound.  An unkind heart will eventually be revealed to others; how others deal with it, will speak volumes as to their character.  TRUST that Jesus sees (He is El Roi - who saw Hagar crying in the desert after Sara was so mean to her).  Have faith that He promises to handle injustices brought against His beloved.  Pastor Jon Courson once said "If the Lord promises to deal with all my enemies; why would I want to stand between Him and them?".  Also, don't allow the enemy to re-dig up past offenses - speak affirmation to the Lord when the enemy tries to mess with your head "Thank You Lord, that the offense has been covered by Your blood; and that You are well acquainted with my rejection and hurt - and thru Your victory on the cross-I too am victorious".
“'YOU  SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF'". On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Jesus   (Matt. 22:37-40)
So, LOVE GOD COMPLETELY (in obedience with how you respond to "mean girls") & LOVE OTHERS BY LOVING THEM AS YOU WANT TO BE LOVED (I don't know about you, but I want others to be full of love, mercy and grace when I "blow it".) .
YOUR VALUE IS IN JESUS CHRIST; A daughter of the King of Kings. Not who "mean girls" make you feel you are.  I am thankful for the girls in your life, who are mature in Christ and know how to be friends to all; keep them close.  Be wise in who you choose as friends... Jesus said others would know who His true disciples are "by their love for one another." (John 13:35)
In closing. Remember to ALWAYS choose LOVE
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4:7-8

**My heart loves you so much more than any human words can ever express; walk in His ways and blessed**

HERE COMES 2015 !!!

The Lord gave me the following verses this past month, with regards to the season of life I have been walking in with personal family hurts (a lifetime of memories for the enemy to use in his arsenal).  It's been such an encouragement, and brought much joy/hope, as I have walked thru the holidays focused on Him, the blessing of my family unit and extended family of Christ, as well as His promises to me in His Word.  I trust Him completely with all that the New Year brings.

“Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.  Isaiah 43:19

Isaiah 61 was big for me, especially verse 3: "To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

The past few years living overseas has brought trials, triumphs and especially big breakthroughs in my walk with the Lord; I am praying for more of the same in 2015.  I never want to find myself "dull" in my faith; but don't get me wrong, I enjoy green pastures and still waters, but everything is being used by God for our good (Romans 8:28).  Especially the trials and pains.

The Lord faithfully gave me scriptures for each situation of this past year.

He also blessed me with the ability to "break free" from heavy bondage and strongholds; brought on thru the hurt caused by others (unforgiveness and unresolved issues stuffed down; wanting to forgive but not really knowing how...until He met me in that quiet place).  He reminded me often that He is no stranger to rejection-esp from family; it's what drove Him to the cross so that I would have victory over my sin, rejection & hurt caused by others, and every other trial brought on by life - because He overcame the grave.

"Nothing touches us that has not first flowed through the fingers of our God. That’s why we can trust Him completely."   Chuck Swindoll

He taught me a new approach to the things I was dreading (like being a "pastor's wife" and hurtful relations) through this little phrase:  "Don't despise the very thing that God is using to drive you to Him.". 

I learned how to take my thoughts and hurts directly into His presence and allow Him to speak His truth in difficult situations (rather than waste time revisiting those things and allowing bitterness and strongholds to come in).  My mind is often my biggest battle field.  He gave me this scripture:  

"We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete." 2 Corinthians 10:5

By doing this, He reveals where I may have wronged others (Psalm 139:23-24); allowing me to "come clean".

These are ways that I can remain completely surrendered to Him daily; by staying in His presence and treasuring up scripture in my heart to enable me to do battle when the enemy attacks.  It also instills in me His Perspective and heart towards others. The ability to choose love, grace and mercy over all.  After all "Mercy Triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13) and "love" is the greatest gift (1 Cor. 13:13).  It's "choosing" "the more excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31).

Time in His presence is to be purposeful (not lengthy but purposeful), and I found how important it is to just sit in silence and ask Him to simply "speak" (Jeremiah 33:3)

I do not know what He has in store for 2015 but I know that my desire is to abide in Him "daily" (John 15), with no expectations; other than to know that whatever comes my way, His hand is on the pulse of it and He is true to the promises in His Word. 

CUTTING COOKIES

Thus begins the CHRISTmas baking season.  This first round of homemade cookies is for tomorrows' Christmas celebration with our beautiful friends at Casa Sanctuary.

Baking Christmas cookies takes time and patience.

Today I was noticing all the shapes I have to choose from in my cookie cutter bag; I went with the trees and snowflakes because of time (icing and decorating).  It got me thinking as I cut, baked, cooled and iced tree after tree, after tree, after tree.  They all looked the same...

How boring would it be if the church of Christ was the same?  If we all looked and tasted alike?

Sometimes the church can make the mistake of "cookie cutting" people; expecting them to act and look a certain way.

I grew up in a very "religious" environment; once people got "saved" they put these very expectations on them.  If you didn't act and look a certain way, you were at risk of being judged as possibly being not saved...I never dressed the way they wanted me to; I grew up in North Hollywood and shopped a lot in thrift stores on Melrose with my friends.  These expectations kept me far away from the church as a teen.

Now, I dont say we should step all over grace and keep our old sinful ways, nope; but God is working in each of us in different ways and we can trust the Master Baker to work a great product as His Holy Spirit resides and works in others.  He has also created each of us with certain looks and tastes/styles.  However, we should be free with giving grace and love thru the power of Christ (not ourselves); remembering that while we were yet sinners HE died for us (Romans 5:8).

We also should never put our own personal convictions on others, that are not Biblical - that would be "legalism".  I am so thankful for the ladies I know who have the most amazing quiet and gentle spirits, I glean from the gentle and spirit filled words that pour from their lips; I long to "get there".  Yet, I am also thankful for the gals that are openly passionate and vocal about Jesus (and love a good pair of shoes), like Beth Moore - can I get an "amen?"   "anybody?".  I love that we all come from different countries, backgrounds, triumphs and trials; so that we can be there to lift others who may be walking familiar roads to us.  (2 Corinthians 1:4).

Thank goodness in my bag of cookie cutters, I found the stocking, candy cane, snowman, angel and star.  This way I can make beautifully arranged gift plates for my neighbors; they will be colorful with sprinkles (or not) and candy balls (or not), and two colored (or not).  It's much more exciting than a plate full of trees (note: there are snowflakes for tomorrow too ;o)).  Do we really want everything "vanilla"?  Isn't it great to spice things up from time to time, and have a little rocky road or rainbow sherbet?

I think the church should be very much the same; all of our colors and decorations coming together beautifully.  And a HUGE sprinkling of the love and grace of Jesus.

"There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles." Romans 3:30

"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28

"In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us." Colossians 3:11

Law of Love (Deuteronomy) & The Year of Release

Good Stuff !!! I am going thru Beth Moore's The Law of Love (Deuteronomy).  So powerful. And no homework, just power packed videos (I need no homework right now ;)))
Some powerful thoughts I was left with, in case they might bless you:

1) When He wants to take us out of something; its so He can take is in to something.
2) Why did they read the Law every 7 Years at the Feast of Tabernacles?  The tabernacles were their little hut/dwelling places, and the 7th year was the "year of release".  It was a time to be rid of shame and regret and go back into the promised land.
***This was written for ALL - every generation and even for the foreigner.  The only ones who could not partake were the "dead".

???Dont we all want to be released of whatever it is that has us in bondage - so we can go in and take hold of the promised land He has waiting for us?
???Dont we all have those situations and relationships where He has said "go" and we have stayed too long? Or are stuck in regret having not obeyed to "go" and it has us frozen still in that place.

Personal Application:  When things are "hard", I often ask God "what am I doing here?"  I was in bondage to many things in America; being in Romania - at this season - is my promised land.  It is where I can flourish in Him and be fruitful and i have grown tremendously (so says my hubby ;)); He speaks many things to me, where I might otherwise be "too busy" to hear them....

Thank You Jesus, My Redeemer and the Holy Spirit who convicts, moves, and speaks to us today. THANK YOU that I dont have to wait 7 years to be released from whatever bondage I am in, but I can enter your presence in prayer right now - and you promise to meet me!

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."  Matthew 7:7 (Jesus speaking)