2019 ACFW Carol Award WinnerWe have been so very blessed! (And I’m not just talking about the incredible home thing that just happened!)
We have been blessed to receive the free gift of salvation. Do you ever take this for granted? Do you ever take forgiveness for granted? Wow – really think about that one . . .
Let me give you a few of my thoughts. The Lord has blessed us through ABC, EMHE, and our INCREDIBLE community. We have tried with all our might to make sure that He is glorified through it – but we are also imperfect, sinful creatures – we are not perfect. The enemy has been on the attack – and we haven’t even had the chance to let it sink in because it has been so hard. I keep thinking that one of these days I’ll get to breathe a deep sigh of relief 🙂
In the process of all of this, I am really working hard on forgiveness. There have been lies said and deceitful things done that have hurt deeply, and guess what? It was “Christians” who did it – but, isn’t that the best way to attack? The enemy wants to see us divided and wounded, angry and not getting along. Are we going to let him win at his little game? Or are we going to keep going, working at it, forgiving no matter what?
I wrote a post a while back about how we might need to love one another a little more. I have had so much positive feedback from that post 🙂 it made me realize that that is what is happening to the body of Christ – we’ve stopped loving one another and instead get jealous or angry. Petty things like, “everybody likes you more than me,” or “you get more attention than me” are ruining the church. Trying to get rid of the people that disagree with you rather than working out your conflicts are leading innocent people astray and why non-Christians don’t want to have anything to do with Christianity. Legalism is sucking the life out of believers.
I’m going to reiterate what I wrote a while back:
“So, my question is this: What can we be doing for each other that would help us come together to make the beautiful creation He has intended us to be? Maybe we need to spend a little more time encouraging one another. Maybe we need to spend a little more time praying for one another. And maybe, we need to spend a little more time loving one another.”
Comments 6
Yes, we have a pastor friend that says, "Ministry would be great if it weren't for the Christians…I can talk to a unbeliever all day long and won't have to deal with half of what I do when I talk with Christians". How sad, but true. We've found that in ministry as well, but don't back down from a calling! Our God is a just God even if people aren't.
Yes, we have a pastor friend that says, "Ministry would be great if it weren't for the Christians…I can talk to a unbeliever all day long and won't have to deal with half of what I do when I talk with Christians". How sad, but true. We've found that in ministry as well, but don't back down from a calling! Our God is a just God even if people aren't.
Yes, we have a pastor friend that says, "Ministry would be great if it weren't for the Christians…I can talk to a unbeliever all day long and won't have to deal with half of what I do when I talk with Christians". How sad, but true. We've found that in ministry as well, but don't back down from a calling! Our God is a just God even if people aren't.
HI Kim, Just catching up on friends tonight. The kids are in bed and it is quiet, a rare time for reflection. I don't really know what to say in regards to your comments other than I have been on the outside looking in for awhile, with lots of questions as well as suspicions rumbling through my head, as to what really goes on behind closed doors (even now I really only know bits and pieces). All I can say is that God is in control and has a way of dealing with the deceptions and falsehoods that are portrayed as truth. It's true that Satan uses those closest to us ~ the ones who should know/do better ~ to inflict the deepest wounds. Never do we display Christ more though than when we forgive and move on(the hardest part of all is to hold our tongue in retaliation). "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his footsteps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.' When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffeed, he made not threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:21-23). From what I have witnessed, your family has displayed Christ through many difficult situations, including this one. Your family is an inspiration to many and I truly believe that God has great plans for all of you through the pain and suffering. A fresh and new beginning ~ another thing to give thanks to God for, yet "old" and true friends to share the journey with! God Bless ~ you are in our prayers! Stacy
HI Kim, Just catching up on friends tonight. The kids are in bed and it is quiet, a rare time for reflection. I don't really know what to say in regards to your comments other than I have been on the outside looking in for awhile, with lots of questions as well as suspicions rumbling through my head, as to what really goes on behind closed doors (even now I really only know bits and pieces). All I can say is that God is in control and has a way of dealing with the deceptions and falsehoods that are portrayed as truth. It's true that Satan uses those closest to us ~ the ones who should know/do better ~ to inflict the deepest wounds. Never do we display Christ more though than when we forgive and move on(the hardest part of all is to hold our tongue in retaliation). "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his footsteps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.' When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffeed, he made not threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:21-23). From what I have witnessed, your family has displayed Christ through many difficult situations, including this one. Your family is an inspiration to many and I truly believe that God has great plans for all of you through the pain and suffering. A fresh and new beginning ~ another thing to give thanks to God for, yet "old" and true friends to share the journey with! God Bless ~ you are in our prayers! Stacy
HI Kim, Just catching up on friends tonight. The kids are in bed and it is quiet, a rare time for reflection. I don't really know what to say in regards to your comments other than I have been on the outside looking in for awhile, with lots of questions as well as suspicions rumbling through my head, as to what really goes on behind closed doors (even now I really only know bits and pieces). All I can say is that God is in control and has a way of dealing with the deceptions and falsehoods that are portrayed as truth. It's true that Satan uses those closest to us ~ the ones who should know/do better ~ to inflict the deepest wounds. Never do we display Christ more though than when we forgive and move on(the hardest part of all is to hold our tongue in retaliation). "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his footsteps. 'He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.' When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffeed, he made not threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2:21-23). From what I have witnessed, your family has displayed Christ through many difficult situations, including this one. Your family is an inspiration to many and I truly believe that God has great plans for all of you through the pain and suffering. A fresh and new beginning ~ another thing to give thanks to God for, yet "old" and true friends to share the journey with! God Bless ~ you are in our prayers! Stacy