Emotions, Hormones And Sin!

Ever since my children were small I've noticed that it can be easy to make excuses for sinful behavior. When they are two we call it "the terrible two's". Many behaviors are excused because it is said that they "are normal for that age". When they turn 13 "their bodies are changing"! When they are 16 "it's hormonal" or "they are teenagers". When they are college age "they are just immature...it's 'normal' to act that way 'at their age"! What I find interesting is that it doesn't stop there. Women blame sinful behavior on hormones. When we're pregnant, "it's hormones". When we're in our 40's, "I'm perimenopausal". In our 50's, "It's menopause".


And so on...

With each age and season of life it can be a challenge to respond correctly. I've had my share of days when I haven't felt good or when I've felt "hormonal"! It is not easy. Thanks to some faithful women who have been living examples to me, I am also aware of the fact that regardless of how I FEEL, I am responsible for how I respond to life! I am responsible for every word that comes out of my mouth, for every response, and for every second that has been given to me.



I have a friend who regularly gets terrible migraine headaches. Although she will ask me to pray for her when she gets them, it is not normally prayer just for herself, but prayers that she will be able to serve those in her family or get accomplished what she needs to get done. I have never heard her complain and have observed her push through many things while suffering with a migraine. She has pushed through migraines (and menopause!) with self control and grace!

I have another friend who went through breast cancer, surgery and chemotherapy. Not too long ago her oldest daughter passed away at age 28. She never ceases to have a cheerful spirit. Whenever I talk with her one of the first things she says is, "Gina, God is good! He really is, Gina." The only explanation for both of these women's responses is that God is POURING OUT HIS GRACE that they might choose to glorify Him in their hard circumstances. He is also enabling them to be examples to those of us who are younger as we face our share of difficulty.

One author put it this way: "The problem is not that we have emotions--they are a gift from God. The problem is that our emotions (unlike God's) are tainted by the fall. The challenge is to let the Spirit of God sanctify us in the realm of our emotions so that they can be expressed in godly ways."

Brian and I have made it our goal to teach this to our children since they were very little. Although we are aware that there is a process of maturity going on with them (and we give them room for that) we also know we would not being doing them any favors if we made excuses for sinful behavior.

I am also aware of the responsibility I have to model this in front of my children. It would be hypocritical for me to tell them they need to respond well to difficulties and then melt down whenever I face a challenge! With the combination of health issues and hormonal ups and downs, this can been quite a challenge at times. That is when I need to be honest with my family and tell them how I am feeling. I tell them I am working very hard to control myself and that if I am more quiet than normal it is because I am working at responding correctly. In doing this I feel like my son is learning to be aware and sensitive, and preparing for the possibility of being a husband. My daughter is learning that she needs to be in control even when she has PMS! (Her husband will be very grateful!)

I understand that what happens in our bodies is very real and can affect us in many ways. I know women who have gone through very hard times both physically, hormonally, and emotionally. I have gone through it too! Yet we need to be careful that we do not buy into the lie from the enemy that we can justify sinful behavior because of these challenges.

Two year olds might throw fits, yell "NO!", and hit other children. They need to be taught that is sinful. Teenagers may become emotional or disrespectful. They need to be taught that is sinful and unacceptable. College age students may may feel like their parents have no right to tell them what to do, they may resist authority, or may act foolishly; however, they need to be told that rebellion is sinful, that they still need guidance, they need to press on to maturity and that they need to honor God. AND, women need to remember that it is sinful to allow how we feel to control us and our responses.

I find that I need to CHOOSE to practice this on a minute by minute...no...second by second basis! With the help of God I am determined to persevere in this. I don't want to make life miserable for my family. I don't want my children to remember me as a "basket case"! Teaching self control to my children is one of the greatest gifts I can give them. I pray that I would live that principle out before others. I pray that others might see God's goodness and grace, which helps us get through anything that He allows into our lives.

"Grace abounding strong and true,
That makes me long to be like You
That turns me from my selfish pride,
To love the cross on which You died...for me!
Grace unending all my days,
Will give me strength to run this race
And when my years on earth are through,
My praise will all belong to you."

This is the grace that is available to us in all circumstances! I am grateful!

I Thessalonians 5:23-24 "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole SPIRIT, SOUL, AND BODY be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."

(Gina has begun writing again after taking a few months off. She has some fresh, new perspective after going through some very dark times. She would love it if you stopped by for a chat and some coffee! You can find her at her personal blog: Chats With An Old Lady.)

7 Abominations

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

~ Proverbs 6:16-19

‘Mom, look at that lady!’, my daughter smugly exclaimed, ‘she’s smoking a cigarette!’. The statement pierced my heart as I saw the ‘face of unsure’ upon the woman’s countenance. I know she heard my child’s blatant expression of disapproval. The LORD quickened my spirit, as well as my tongue. I herded the children into the vehicle and turned and smiled apologetically at the woman. I then explained to my daughter that our LORD deeply loves this woman created in His image - just as He loves us - even while a cigarette hangs from the woman’s lips.


‘Do you remember the seven abominations that our LORD hates?’, I asked my daughter who had recently memorized that particular verse due to abomination number two. ‘Smoking is not one of them....but a proud look is’, I said.


After this incident, I realized that my sweet daughter’s childish retort is not far removed from many in our congregations today. I asked our Heavenly Father if this is what He sees in His children more often than not. The legalistic religious crowd had Scripture memorized, too, but their lives were void of The Spirit of Love. Therefore, their lives turned away and condemned many from the very God of Love they professed to follow.


Sweet Daughters of The Most High, do any one of these seven abominations rule your life? Only one abomination is needed to begin our walk away from our Redeemer and LORD.


What do your face, your tongue, your hands, your heart, your feet, your witness and your actions reveal about your standing before our Great Judge? Peter reminds us that judgement begins with the household of God (1 Peter 4:17). I find it so amazing that Peter goes on (2 Peter 1:5-11) to reveal in The Spirit SEVEN Godly attributes that we are to ADD to our faith:

‘...with all diligence, add to your faith, virtue (goodness), to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly-kindness, and to brotherly-kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.’

May we add these to our faith today and may we each remember those things our LORD delights in - “lovingkindness, judgement & righteousness in the land, in these things I delight,” says The LORD (Jer. 9:22-23).

There is abundant grace and hope available for the smoker and the proud alike. Blessed be The Name of ADONAI forever!

I'd love your company at Women of the WORD!

The Stinkin' I in Pride!

Please welcome our Guest Barista, Alisa Hope today!

A while back I was reading a book about God's grace, and I had to be honest with God. I didn't quite understand the whole concept of grace. I knew it was important because I've read so much about it, but it was obvious I was missing something. I prayed and asked God to help me gain a better understanding, and I had faith that He would.

God kicked-off my lesson in grace a few days later while I was in the shower. (It seems like God always talks to me in the shower). I was complaining to God about how I always make mistakes and that it feels like no matter what I do, what I read, what I learn; I always say, do or think something wrong. I always fail. I always fall. I always sin.

I was acting like the victim in this thing called life, and I pointed my finger at God and demanded, "Why is life so difficult"? "Why do I always stumble?" "Why do I always do something stupid?"

On my spiritual journey, I have an idea of where I want to be, and no matter how I grow, it feels like I always fall short. The person I want to be doesn't put her foot in her mouth. The person I want to be doesn't have insecurities. The person I want to be doesn't have problems with eating, lusting, lying, gossiping, pride, laziness, blah, blah, blah.

The person I want to be is PERFECT!!!



Oh! And that's when God pulled a fast one on me. He uncovered my "I'm-the-victim-attitude" and exposed it for what it really was: pride. I wasn't where I thought I should be and I was upset: pride. I couldn't except the fact that I was flawed and I made mistakes: pride. I didn't want others know my struggles and watch me stumble: pride. My little pity-party was boiling over the flame called pride.

And after God nicely humbled me there in the shower, He gave me a smile (in my mind's eye) and said gently, "That's why you need my grace."

What I realized is that I didn't want to accept God's grace because my pride was telling me that I should be something that I was not.

But I am a woman that says things to friends that I later regret. I am a woman who just ate about 15 Peppermint York Patties without stopping to exert some semblance of self-control.

I am a woman who has to fight with feelings of insecurity and inferiority. I am a woman who has to stop herself from judging the actions and decisions of others.

I am a woman who's stuck in the middle of a battle between her own will and the will of the Holy Spirit.

I am not perfect, and I will never be. I will fall on a daily basis and those around me will see it. I can't put on a show for others or for me. Accepting God's grace frees me from being hard on myself. I am not loved because I try to be the best Christian girl possible. I am loved because God created me and He chooses to love me. There is nothing that I can do to make Him love me more or less. I will make mistakes, and I should not care who sees them because I have grace. And I won't use those mistakes to justify playing the victim role again.

God is showing me that women are naturally very hard on themselves. What can we do in our day to day lives to cut ourselves some slack and to offer grace to others?

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made
perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my
weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me." – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

“Thank You, God, for Your grace. Help us to see the beauty in holes of our weakness, for that is where Your glory shines through.”


In Him,

Alisa Hope



Alisa Hope Wagner has a MA degree in English - Applied Linguistics. She taught high school English before becoming a full time mom. Alisa married her high school sweetheart, and they have two sons and a daughter. Alisa homeschools her kids and enjoys writing and reading in her spare time. Alisa loves writing about what the Holy Spirit is teaching her, and her goal is to show women how much Jesus Christ adores them.

Alisa can be found at her personal site, faithimagined

Descriptive Grace

"I'm a sinner saved by grace." How many of you would agree? Go ahead, raise your hand, talk to your computer.

I raised my hand too. It's not uncommon to nod our head in agreement, shake our heads at our failings, and then raise our heads to thank God for His grace. I don't think there is anything wrong with that. It's good. It's humbling. Keeps it real. However, does anything strike you odd or out of the ordinary about that statement?

I began to look at it and I even asked God, "Do you prefer to hear 'I'm a sinner saved by grace,' or 'I'm a Child of God'? I think he just let me mull over it awhile. I came to a conclusion.

If I say and think "I'm a sinner saved by grace," then my definition of myself is "sinner." Yep, that's me. That may be true, but is that to be my identity to myself, even to others, or to God?

I believe that to continually put "sinner" on my I.D. card concerning who I am says more about what I think about myself than what I think about God.

Not that I can't recognize that I sin, but Sinner cannot, must not, be my proper name. I say this because the Bible calls the sin nature the "old man" or that which is dead in us. We were crucified with Christ, not that we live but that Christ lives in us. (Galatians 2:20) And if Christ lives in us now, how then can we make our main I.D. "sinner"? That is dead in us, it doesn't rule us and Christ went to hell and back to make sure we didn't let it define us.

If sin is so dominant, but forgiveness can trump it, the power of the Holy Spirit can overcome it, the cross shamed it, and God seated Christ at his right hand over every authority, then why give it such prominence in our description of who we are? Don't we all know we are sinners? Then why keep telling each other this?

Why not say, "I am forgiven - saved by grace."? Why ever call myself by such a name He came and died to set me free from? Jesus never referred to us as sinners saved by grace. He said sinners needed him. He said it is by grace through faith we are saved.

Ephesians 2:8 says "For it is by grace you have been saved..." and is followed up directly with "For you are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus.." not, "You are now a sinner saved by grace created in Christ Jesus..." Even in the very passage we get our phrase "sinner saved by grace," our God doesn't even say it! He calls us his workmanship. He gives us new hearts, minds, titles, positions and proper names.

Why not say, "I'm Natalie, a Child of God, forgiven, saved by grace, and oh yeah, I can struggle with such-n-such if you really want to know."

What if a dear Follower of Christ who was an alcoholic said, "I'm so-n-so, saved by Jesus who is breaking the bondage of alcoholism in me." Wouldn't that inspire more strength, more fortitude, more hope than introducing yourself as that which holds you so tightly?

And why do we only do that to those who struggle with alcoholism? Why not all of us? "I'm so-n-so. I'm a soap opera addict." I'm so-n-so I'm afraid of rejection." "...I'm plagued by bitterness." Why the proper names of addiction, sin, fear, worry?

I only wonder what would happen to us if we changed the way we define ourselves, whether we say it our loud or not. I believe those addictions are real and true, but what if we moved the statement around and stuck the truth of who we are in Christ first?

Would it disarm much?
Would we think differently?
Would we gain a greater respect for ourselves and a higher regard for the power of Christ in us?

I think I'll try this one for awhile:

"I'm a child of God, saved by grace, seated at the right hand of God, anointed by the Spirit, ready for the fight, and created to do what he called me to do when he set me free from the power of sin!"



Yeah, I like that one better. How about you?

In Him, Natalie

Join Natalie at her personal blog:

and her Bible Study blog:

Place of Grace

I love reality shows.
There, I admit it and I'm not even ashamed of it. But I'm not a hit show reality show kind of girl; I love the obscure, the off-beat, the nutty reality shows.

I don't watch Survivor - too many bugs and weird stuff to eat. I don't watch Big Brother, it just makes me sad. I do watch the Bachelor. I LOVE The Amazing Race and I can't wait for the new season.

Other than these here are some of my lesser known current / recent past favorites:

Groomer Has It - 12 dog groomers wash, cut, and fluff their way through 12 weeks of pet grooming drama. Don't laugh, there was actually some serious cat drama.

Here Come the Newlyweds Show -- seven newly married couples compete for weekly prizes and a shot at the grand prize. I tried to get my newlywed daughter to try out for the show - didn't work. What can you do, you try to raise them right and then they just go off and become responsible and all.

Project Runway - I've watched every season. Nothing like watching someone whip up a ball gown from left over fruit, some scrap metal, and a string of Christmas garland.

Top Chef -Another one I've watched since the very first episode. The whole cooking thing fascinates me and if I had the time.... oh, who am I kidding, if I had the time I'd just read more.

As someone who loves reality shows, I'm always shocked when Reality slaps me in the face. I assume that everyone is truly kind and honest deep down. I want to believe that people don't hurt others on purpose and I tend to forget that people are human - and flawed. Just like me.

When I find myself smack dab in the middle of a reality slap, I try to remember the words Paul wrote in the book of Romans

For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Romans 7:19

When I find myself on the receiving end of hurt, I remember that I've hurt people, too. I know just how Paul feels. I struggle. I want to do the right thing and I don't. I want to be all those wonderful Christian attributes - kind, compassionate, merciful, giving, faithful, loving and all the others. Many days, I'm not. I want to do the good, but I end up in the bad. I'm human and flawed. Most days I'm just a mess. I'm blessed because I know I'm saved by grace - and not only saved by grace, but also into grace.

Also through Him, we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:18

Read that verse again -- into this grace in which we stand -- amazing. We aren't only saved by grace but into grace!

It's in this grace I want to stand. It's in this grace I want to live. It's in this grace I find my reality, I find my reason for being, and it's in this grace I find my sanctuary.

I'll stand in this grace and face reality head on - slaps and all. And in this grace I will find the joy of knowing God and the hope that will sustain me, the hope of the glory of God.

It's an amazing place -- this place of Grace.

Is Reality knocking at your door? Are you facing trials or dealing with struggles? Look to God for the grace to face anything.

Are you standing in the grace that God so freely pours over you?

Remember He has a plan for your life -- stand on this promise and in His grace.


In Him,

Mary




Come by and visit my blog, Adventures in Faith & Friendship

Mary Snyder was a featured speaker at A Woman Inspired Ministry Online Conference!! Join us at A Woman Inspired to purchase the entire Ministry Online Conference in an mp3 collection!

An Amazing Grace Life

I'm a huge fan of The Amazing Race. I love the adventure, the thrills and new experiences, everything …. except the eating weird stuff part. I don’t like that.

As I've watched this past season it struck me how much this show makes me think of life in Christ - -a fully lived life in Christ is an Amazing Adventure. It's not a race so much as a marathon. It's not about competition but about facing adversity and adventure together. It's about stepping out of your comfort zone; it's about reaching out to new people and cultures; it's about having a spirit that wants to learn and grow, and it’s about partnering with my brothers and sisters in Christ and working together.

I want that kind of Amazing Race life – more an Amazing Grace life. I don’t want to settle for the quiet, peaceful, comfortable existence. I want to live on the edge; I want to reach out to those who others shun; I want to step out in faith – no, I want to LEAP out in faith.

I want to live BIG because I serve God Almighty who spoke this world into existence. I serve the God who raised His son from the dead on the third day and He’s now seated at the right hand of God. I serve a God who is , and was, and is to be! That’s why I want the Amazing Grace life because that’s what He’s done for me! He’s poured out His Amazing Grace over my life.

“And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16

And when the day is done I want to speak the words of the Apostle Paul

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. “ 2 Timothy 4:7

It’s easy for me to sit in my comfortable chair and type these words. It’s easy for me to say “I want to live on the edge,” but it’s not easy to see the need that’s right in front of me. Like the lady in my church who suffers from depression; the man down the street who lost his job; the teenager who lost her Mom to drugs. Reaching out will take me out of my comfort zone. Reaching out will put my heart on the line. Reaching out may require a leap of faith. It’s easy to say I want to live BIG for God; it’s much harder to do.

My heart cry is to see, truly see, the world around me and to open my eyes and my heart to where God is leading me. I want to see the needs He places before me and meet them. I want to reach out to the people He places in my life and connect with them. I want to go wherever He leads me no matter if it’s down the street or across the world. I want to live the life that God has called me to live and if I do that I will have finished the race and kept the faith.

Where is God leading you?


In Him,

Come by and visit my blog, Joy Filled Living

Join us June 8th - 11th where Mary Snyder will be a featured speaker at A Woman Inspired Ministry Online Conference!! We'd LOVE to see you there!

Plenty To Go Around

photo from Flickr
Plenty To Go Around
“Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed are those that trust in Him.”
Psalm 34:8

As I sit and watch the hummingbirds out my window feasting on the sugar water we’ve put out for them, I am amazed at their lack of concern for each other. Let me explain. They come and taste the sweet concoction, but when one of their fellow feathered friends come to share in the joy, they immediately run him off. Even though there is plenty of room for all of them on the feeder and there is an unlimited supply, they still do not want to share. They almost spend more time fighting over what we’ve given them than actually enjoying it. They seem to be so afraid that it will run out or that they won’t get all they want, that they waste a lot of energy keeping the other birds away.

This reminded me of us, as believers. You know the Bible says we are to “taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed are those that trust in Him”. Many of us have tasted the goodness of God and experienced the blessings that come from trusting Him, but sometimes, even without us realizing it, we are so busy protecting what we have, our own dreams, plans, and ambitions, and enjoying all that God has given to us, that we ignore the needs of others around us. It’s almost like these little hummingbirds that are clueless to the reality that this sugar water really cannot run out. You see, sugar and water are two things that you can always find here at our home, so these little birds can have as much as they want and we will continue to supply all that they need. In other words, the hummingbirds can’t out-drink our supply. It’s the same way with God. His Word says that He supplies all of our needs “according to His riches in glory”. His supply of grace, strength, peace, and joy never runs out.

Let take the time today to not only “taste and see that the Lord is good” ourselves, but let’s invite those around us to join us in the blessing, as well. Let’s bring them to His endless supply of grace. Let’s not hoard the sweet Savior we know all to ourselves while we are busy bumping into so many thirsty people around us, but rather, let’s use all of our resources, time, talents, and energy in sharing Him with others, knowing that there’s plenty to go around!

Lord, thank you that you are all sufficient. Thank you for the sweet grace, mercy, and peace that you offer to us. Help me today to savor the sweetness of my relationship with you, but also share it with others by inviting them to taste and see how sweet and good You are! May I remember that to not share, is to hoard it. Remind me as I come in contact with others today to be mindful of their need for spiritual nourishment and may I be quick to direct them to the You.

In Him~


You can read more from Tammy at Steps In Our Journey

God's Light Show

“Just look at the lightening, His sky filling light show, illuminating the dark depths of the sea! These are symbols of His sovereignty, His generosity, His loving care.”
“And, yes, it’s God who fills clouds with rainwater and hurls lightening from them every which way. He puts them through their paces – first this way- then that, commands them to do what He says all over the world. Whether for discipline or grace or extravagant love, He makes sure they make their mark.”
Job 36:30-33; 37:11-13

We’ve probably all sang the children’s songs about the rain. Songs like, “Rain, rain, go away, come again another day.” I’ve heard it said that when you see lightening and rain along with sunshine, it means the devil is beating his wife. These are just silly things people have come up with over the years. People with too much free time on their hands, I might add.

As I read these verses in Job, I couldn’t help but smile and wonder how often we actually see rain and lightening as “symbols of His sovereignty, His generosity, or His loving care”. Sometimes rain can be inconvenient, as it can altar plans that have been made. Sometimes, it can be dangerous, causing flash flooding, and, we all know, that lightening can be fatal. Unless you live in Georgia these days, however, how often do we see it and think of it as His “grace or extravagant love” for us?

Job 27:13, speaking of lightening, says “whether for discipline, grace or extravagant love, He makes sure they make their mark”. At first glance, we could wonder why He would choose these three words together as a description, but as I pondered it further, I came to realize something.

We all know what extravagant love is. We may not all be able to comprehend it, but we understand what it conveys. Grace is us getting what we do not deserve, and, again, I can understand why it would go hand in hand with extravagant love. Then there’s discipline. For many of us, discipline doesn’t bring the same “warm and fuzzy” feelings that extravagant love and grace bring. Discipline is a strong word that denotes authority and power, but Hebrews 12:6 says that “God chastens those He loves”. I smiled as I was reminded that discipline, although it can be harsh, is something God does that conveys His love to us. I discipline my children because I love them and want what’s best for them. Even more so, Christ does the same for His children.

It made sense to me. I could see why the writer would say that lightening is a symbol is His sovereignty, His generosity, and His loving care,” and then emphasize it with the reminder that “whether for discipline (which is always done in perfect love), grace, or extravagant love, He makes sure that they make their mark.” He is sovereign, He is generous, and He loves us extravagantly. We can see it through His grace, and, yes, we can see it through His discipline.

So, next time you see rain or lightening, take a moment to enjoy God’s “sky filling light show”. It really doesn’t get better than that and there is no admission fee!

Lord, thank you for your Sovereignty. Thank you that nothing catches you by surprise. Thank you for the symbols, even in the storms of life, that remind us that You are in complete control and you deeply love us.

In Him ~

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Have you ever had one of these days where you just long for Jesus to come RIGHT NOW! I had one of those moments last night. It wasn’t because “this world is so awful and heaven is such a better place”, or “oh my kids are so awful, I need rescuing”. Nope, it was “please Jesus come back and save me from myself”. Yup. I was dealing with the “ugly” me. Every word that came out of my mouth that previous hour, I just wanted to pull back in. I kept hearing that verse in Romans 7 in the back of my head when Paul says, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do”.

I really do want to believe that I am perfect and have it all together; that I never raise my voice or yell at my children; that I never speak an unkind word to my husband or about him; that I am the perfect friend, the perfect wife, the perfect mother. And, let us not forget the most important; I am the perfect child of God. For a few moments sometimes, I let myself believe that. Then that world comes crashing down, and I remember who I really am. I am a full-blown sinner.

In fact Isaiah 64:6 says,

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”

Let’s face it; I am ugly, and I have a lot of ugly in me. There, I have said it. Ouch.

Thankfully, though, when my Father looks down upon me, He only sees beauty and perfection. Of course, he is looking at me through blood stained glasses; the blood of my beautiful and perfect Savior Jesus Christ. The blood that is my saving grace.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” 1 Corinthians 12:9.

Undeserved grace. Unmerited forgiveness. The ugly turns to beauty and the slate is clean once more. Of course, that isn’t to say that the ugliness doesn’t rear its head or that I don’t still long for the return of my savior. However, at least while waiting, I can rest in His saving grace and forgiveness.

Oh heavenly Father, how thankful I am that each day is a new day in You because of the saving mercy of your Son. When my flesh screams ugly, You cover me in beauty. Help me to remember, everyday, who I am in You Father.

Do you have moments of fleshly ugliness? What promises do you lean on to remind you who you are in Him?

Faith Conquers All...

I have been studying the Book of Romans for a while now. Each time time I read from this awesome book, I learn something new and incredible! This book is full of gold nuggets… that is, if we take time to take in what God is trying to teach us! I have been going over chapter five of Romans for two weeks now.

I believe the Lord is telling me through His word to encourage you:

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith in this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance character, and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

The peace mentioned in verse one is much more than the absence of conflict but rather, the unspeakable peace for those who have experienced that new relationship with Jesus Christ.

For those who have not this saving knowledge and a new relationship with Jesus – they remain awaiting the day of His impending wrath.

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." Romans 1:18

Paul goes on to say:

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:7-8

Our relationship lost by our all being born into sin, is restored through faith in Christ, which banishes all enmity between we and He. The result is the unexplainable peace we now have - especially during times of hardship and tribulations.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we don't have to go to a mediator to have total access to our Heavenly Father. In verse two it makes it clear that we stand in His presence and He is available and immediate to hear us when we speak to Him.

I don't know about you sisters but these truths brings even more joy and peace to me. He is indeed, a harbor and place of shelter against the storms of life and coming judgment. What about you?

As we respond to tribulations by rejoicing in them we gain eternal rewards too! It is the proper response to our tribulations that really matter to our daily Christian walk. Tribulations don't always mean tragedies but it can mean additional stresses or pressures as we journey the Christian walk day to day.

In verse 3, we are reminded to glory our trials. Why? Because these tribulations produce perseverance - meaning we don't give up but rather, pressing on to something greater with God’s power to help us to do! Paul is encouraging us to endure the hardships and life's difficulties because it produces character too. Character learning to walk with grace under pressure and is another part of our Christian experience. Through all these things, we are being purified through and through.

I remember when my kids were younger, I would read a character building book to them that helped their realizing just how God builds character in their lives. Thinking back of some of the different characters gleaned from the bible, individuals such as David, Samson, Zacheeaus, Deborah and more, became real-life examples. These wonderful saints still are there for our examples too!

When we finally grasp some of these basic truths found in the scriptures; coupled with the testing and trials each of us face day to day, we emerge victorious! We possess "hope" which is based on the eternal love and power of God. This same Hope is our one day, making to our eternal heavenly home with our sweet Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

I was so excited to grasp this as I have really been digging in these few verses. What an encouragement it is, to know that what we go through and how we handle each hardship is building in us character, perseverance, peace and hope!

He is working in us what we don't know we even need! The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to endure and persevere though… so as we are building our character we look forward to the day we see our Savior face to face too. We wait to hear these words from our Jesus Christ:

"Well done thy good and faithful servant."

Romans chapter five and in fact, all of God’s Word is really helping me to understand and to handle the day to day crisis we might face as wives, mothers, and daughters.

If we decide to question our Savior, it should not be.”Why?”, but rather, “ What?”

This nugget you might want to carry with you as you walk this journey in life!

Close and Personal;

• How do you handle the day to day crisis?
• Do you make a point to remember through out the day where and what is our hope?
• Have you been thankful for "character building" techniques that our Savior has used in your life?

Dear Lord,

Thank you Father for your many blessings and love you have for us your children! Thank you Father for choosing us. Lord, I want to take this time to specifically thank you for using the tribulations we face in this world to build into us perseverance and endurance in our Christian walk. As we have experienced this in our lives we have a peace that reminds us of our eternal hope Father. I am here to tell you Thank you and I love you!

Join Elaine daily at her personal site.

New every morning

My son Ingram is 18 months old. Each morning he wakes up and cries out for his momma. I enter his room see him standing in his crib, swaying back and forth. He's so cute. He's just so stinking cute. No matter how cranky or tired I may be, as soon as I see his face, I break into a huge smile.

Ingram has bad allergies, so usually in the mornings his little smiling face is just caked in snot. Under his nose, and then wiped all over his face. There's often even some dried snot in his ears and hair. And his diaper is always full so the first thing that greets me, before I see his crusty face, is one of two stenches - or both. On a good day I catch a whiff of it as I walk up the stairs. And he usually chews on his crib rail while he waits so I also get slimed by drool.

He's a mess.

And oh, do I love that boy. My heart dances at the sight of his nasty little self. Covered in uck, I sing good morning to him, kiss him, and take him downstairs to begin our day.

Do I love this baby more when he is fresh from a bath and covered in lavender lotion? No. I love him, dirty or clean, because he is mine. He is my child and I would give my life for him.

Do you realize that your Heavenly Father sees you this same way?

For years, I was crippled by what I termed a Janet Jackson view of God, based on her hit song of years ago. I thought that God looked down on me and thought, "What have you done for me lately?" (Ooo, ooo, ooo, yeah.) And I always felt he looked down and said "tsk, tsk", disappointed because on any given day I had led zero bible studies, and fed zero homeless people, and hadn't even cracked open my bible.

And I had some sin. Lots of sin that haunted me. I felt like I was covered in snot, and poop, and drool - just covered. I was a mess.

I knew God loved me, he officially had to, the Bible tells me so, yeah yeah. But how could God possibly really love me, unconditionally, me being so stinky and sticky and such a flop at being a "good Christian"??

God impressed upon my heart - through a mentor - that God actually loves me. Really, really loves me. He delights in me.

Because it's not about me.

When the creator of Heaven and Earth sees me, I am not covered in snot. I am drenched, soaking, dripping wet in the blood of the Lamb. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, and because I have believed in my heart and confessed with my mouth that he is Lord, all God sees when he looks at me is a holy shade of the purest white.

Have you also believed that he is Lord? Then when he sees you, he sees the face of his perfect Son! God is not judging us with a naughty or nice list. His list always reads nice. More than nice: perfect and unblemished. The bible tells me so.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Hebrews 9:14

That's what it means to be washed in the blood of the lamb.

What a relief, y'all! It isn't dependent upon you! It's dependent on Christ, who is totally reliable to complete the work he began in you!

If you forget to pray or do or don't do quiet time or yell at your kids or gripe at your husband or are otherwise not the perfect Christian, his love is not diminished. Even if you are carrying around some "big" sin, God does not turn his face from you. No matter what you do or have done, he still sees you the same way that I see Ingram each morning: precious, perfect, and melting my heart with his beauty. The Lord of the Universe sees you with that same pure love and joy every. single. morning.

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Every morning, I walk into Ingram's room and he laughs, claps, then reaches out his hands to me. I never fail to lift him up, embrace him, kiss his fuzzy head and tell him I love him.

When the Lord sees you each morning, he says, "That's my baby. She is mine. I gave my life for her!"

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name: you are Mine.
Isaiah 43:1b

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
1 John 3:1a

Rejoice! Clap your snotty hands! Reach out and allow him to gather you into his loving arms!

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!
Psalm 47:1-2

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:8

Let him clean you up

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Mark 1:41

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,
having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience
and having our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:22

and feed you breakfast

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
Psalm 63:5

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:35

because he loves you.
About a million times more than I love sweet Ingram.

the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 147:11

How could believing this change the way you live your life?

Visit Missy at her blog,

Messing Up

The Cafe is welcoming Denise Grove! Enjoy a cup with her today!

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep doing.

Romans 7:18-19(NIV)

“Mom, I am a terrible person. I lost my temper again and said things I don’t mean. I keep trying, but it is just a cycle of messing up and asking for forgiveness and messing up again. I feel like I am no good.”

These were the words of my daughter one day after saying something to me and her brother that she regretted saying. I am sure we can all relate to her struggle. After talking to her about this I thought of these verses in Romans where Paul is talking about wanting to do good but the struggle to stay on that path even when it is our hearts desire.

You see so many times when we do wrong we truly desire to do what is right, but the flesh prevails. There are days it seems as if this happens more than it should and we feel defeated. That day my daughter was feeling just utterly defeated. She has a desire to do good but instead was finding herself doing wrong. Satan loves for us to feel this way. He loves to make us feel defeated and no good. No matter much we tell ourselves it is not about what we do but about what was done on the cross for us we still get caught up in our works.

It is times like these that we need to redirect our thinking. We need to go back to the truth of who we are in Christ. That day was a valuable teaching time for my daughter. Satan had her believing that she was a failure. I had the opportunity to speak truth into her life about who she is in Christ. I also was able to share with her that no one has the ability to be perfect this side of heaven but with the power of the Holy Spirit(the same power that rose Christ from the dead by the way) we do have opportunity for change in our lives.

No we will never be perfect but I am not the same person I was 10 years ago or even last month for that fact. We have hope. Someday we will be perfect, but in the meantime we need to keep pressing ahead rejoicing all along that we have a God who rejoices in forgiving us our sins and delights to show us mercy.

How about you? Do you desire to do what is right but find yourself in a constant struggle with the flesh? Take heart beloved our time here is short. Hang on to the truth. Don’t believe the lie and keep pressing on. We will join him in the heavens someday and there we will be perfect.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13(NIV)

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.

Ephesians 1:18(NIV)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you that in you we have hope. Help us to remember that you love us and even when we mess up you delight to show us mercy. Fill us Lord with joy and peace that our hope will overflow and out of that overflow we become better people for you and your glory alone. Amen.

Questions for reflection:

Do you have find yourself feeling like my daughter did that day?

When those feelings arise what do you do about it?

What is your struggle today?

Take it to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine!

In Him,

Denise

Join Denise daily at her personal blogspot, Choosing Today.

Get Back Up!

Have you ever felt like a failure? Have you ever felt like you have "gone around the same mountain" a hundred times on a particular issue? Do you find that you "beat yourself up" about it, or do you extend grace to yourself? I think sometimes it easier for us to extend grace to our children, our best friends, or our coworkers than to ourselves. I am so disappointed with myself when I stumble and fall in my spiritual journey.

Praying one morning, God used an example of Abigail to illustrate a point He was making with me about all of this.

You see, our Abigail is just learning to walk. She is so cute as she is testing the waters.

She gets up and takes a few steps.

Oops! She falls down.......

But, she gets back up again.

God asked me, "Tracy, do you get mad at Abigail when she falls? Do you think she is a failure? Do you scold her, telling her she should know better, do better, BE better?"

Of course not! When she falls, I encourage her to get back up. I am not angry or upset with her, but understand that as she grows and learns and "masters" walking, she will make mistakes, she will "mess up" and she will stumble and fall. I smile at her, clap my hands to tell her what a good job she is doing. I scoop her up in my arms, hugging and snuggling her!

And, so it is with our spiritual walk. We will make mistakes. We will stumble and fall. But, our Abba Father, our Daddy, isn't sitting behind us with arms crossed, furrowed brow, scolding us. No, "there is now NO condemnation in Christ Jesus". Our Abba Father wants to encourage us, to help us up. He is smiling at us, clapping His hands to tell us we are doing a good job, scooping us up in His arms, hugging and snuggling us.

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus....For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." -Romans 8:1, 15

Father God, thank You for Your grace and Your mercy. Thank You that You are my Abba Father, watching over me, encouraging me, and cheering me on! Help me to extend grace to myself, not focusing on my failures, but on how You are growing and maturing me. Glory to You, God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Questions to Reflect Upon

1. Are there areas in your life where you need to extend yourself grace and forgiveness?
2. How do you extend grace to family and friends, and why do you think it is difficult to treat ourselves in the same way?

Please visit me at my personal blog:

The Hated Son

For those of you who are moms to multiple children, I think you can relate to the fact that most often there is one standout kid in the trouble-making department. In my case, the one who misbehaves the most is also the one who can turn heart ache into a heart tug without even being aware he's done it.

(That same kid is also the same one who has his mom around his little precious finger.)

My Number Three is one of those boys for whom spanking just doesn't cut it. Having to sit on his bed in isolation has proven to be the most devastating punishment therefore we use it often. During the first rounds of bed-sitting, Number Three decided he could still drive us batty by yelling at the top of his lungs for anything from having to use the bathroom to needing a drink. Luke then told him he both had to sit on the bed AND not speak. To remedy that, he began writing notes and slipping them under his bedroom door. Here is the one we got the other day:

"Dear Mom,

I am going to the Little Gym Church.

From,

Your Hated Son

p.s. Goodbye.


You may think I'm the worst mom on the planet when I tell you this but my first reaction was to giggle. You just have to know how dramatic this child is and for him to chicken out by running away 100 feet versus 100 yards just got me all kinds of tickled. Then I wanted to say, "Son, after all we've been through together how could you possibly think I hate you?" But as in many challenges I face where my kids are concerned I started to hear God whisper, "Listen, I'm trying to give you something here."

I was reminded of something I read in John Piper's Desiring God that explained how our view of God's disposition influences the amount of joy we find in Him.

"We could all relate to God like little children who have a frustrated, gloomy, dismal, discontented father. They can't enjoy him. They can only try not to bother him and maybe try to work for him to earn some little favor."

Now I am not going to even attempt to delve into the 8-year-old psyche that wrote this note, but Piper helped me understand I am completely guilty when it comes to projecting my own character flaws on God instead of believing what the Bible says in regard to His thoughts towards me. Do you have any idea how much time I've wasted on the 'hated son' mentality by standing off in a corner simply trying to avoid getting on God's nerves? What's worse, I will come out of the shadows long enough to perform some duty that I think will somehow please Him and immediately shrink back so as not to undo my good with some new or recycled blunder.

The problem is born out of our distorted view of God's nature and disposition. Because He is All-Powerful, All-Knowing, All-Present, and Sovereign, He can not be thwarted. If all He plans always comes to pass, and we know it does, then He can be nothing but joyful. And if He is nothing but joyful, why wouldn't we do anything possible to spend every second as close to Him as we can get?

Girls, we are not 'the hated son'! You are the beloved, treasured daughter.
Can God be grieved? Absolutely. Does He discipline? You bet. But not with the mind of destroying us. He is for us and wants us to have a clean conscious so that we can glorify and enjoy Him forever.



Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." The same boldness that allows us to approach God in our needs also serves as the invitation to climb into His lap and call Him 'Dad'.

So put that notepad full of drama away, my friends. Your Dad is calling and He says it's time to get off that bed.

IN HIM,

LISA


Please visit me at my personal blog, The Preacher's Wife.

Life in the back yard

I read a book recently entitled "Straight from Hell" by Donna Frank. The book tells her story of being born into Godlessness and despair and abuse and confusion and fear. It tells of her maturing into a lifestyle that would guarantee her more of the same.

Then . . . God showed up.

The rest of the story describes her deliverance, one painful step at a time, at the hand of God, into truth, freedom and life in Christ.

It's a gripping story because I know that it's true - I've met her. It's also gripping because I know she's not the only one who has struggled with following the flesh. Most of us do at times. We all deal with things in life that God calls sin - things like unforgiveness, bitterness, anger and lust. (yeah, my drooling over the house down the street is lust.)

There are days when my own struggles are "obvious" to everyone within the same zip code as me. Then, there are days when I kind of look like Jesus. On my Jesus days, I feel deserving of God's attention and of my role in the body of Christ. "Oh yeah. I can see it . . . God using me in some fashion to advance the Kingdom, spread some truth, make someone's burden a little lighter. It could happen!"

But, on those "other" days, things can take an ugly turn. On those days I sometimes decide that I have a right to do a little blaming, nurse a few hurts, sling a little attitude in all directions, and exercise a little lust (I'm telling you, if you could just SEE this house. . . ).

And, if it begins to look like I'm not gonna straighten up and fly right - on my own - God will almost always throw me "the look". (If you have parents, you know "the look"). After 2o-something years of walking with God, I am proud to say that "the look" stops me in my tracks. I instantly realize that I've been playing in the devil's back yard and it's time to go home.

The problem is, when I get home, I can't look God in the eye.

I hang around in the back yard hoping He doesn't come looking for me. Because I've sinned - and knew better - I don't feel that I deserve His attention anymore and I'm sure that He's given my assignment in the kingdom to someone else who's nicer, more forgiving and less a pain in the neck. I would have.

Enter, Donna's book. She describes the moment that she prayed and asked Christ to be her Savior. While making Himself very real to her, He spoke to her, saying:

"You are going to build My Church."

Here's the incredible part. She was YEARS away from total deliverance. She would spend several more years dealing with a lifetime of anger, abuse, dysfunction, sexual identity issues, fear, confusion, etc. She was years away from actually being what some might call "useful" to God. But God didn't say, "Listen Honey, if you get yourself cleaned up and stop embarrassing Me, I'll consider looking into whether I might have a little something for you to do behind the scenes somewhere. Maybe." He simply said, "You will build My Church."

"You, who are, at this present time, a mess."
"You, who don't yet know Me very well."
"You, who even while you're hearing My words, think that I'm talking about building literal church buildings."
"You, who have never experienced peace or freedom, will bring both to many."

(You, hiding in the backyard. You who won't look Me in the eye. You, who think that I've given up on you because of your mistakes, which are many. You. I have called you.)

God called Donna as a 'church builder' before the foundation of the world. He saw her ministering to prostitutes, homeless folks, strippers and run-a-ways long before He even created the universe. God never saw her as the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wreck that she was. He saw her as His "Church Builder".

He saw the end before He created the beginning.

That's why He is able to "call things that are not as though they are." (Romans 4:17)
That's why He called Abraham "the father of many nations" while he was childless.
That's why He can call us (yes, us) "kings and priests , a royal race" (Rev. 5:10) though we struggle with everyday life and on the surface, bear little resemblance to anything royal OR holy!

While we walk around on this planet bungling our responsibilities, ministering to our flesh and living lives of ------- distraction, He is calling us to leave the back yard and enter His house. He is calling us to come by the kitchen table and pick up our assignments and believe that He has called us and gifted us to minister. While we sit in shame, believing the devil's lie that - because of our mistakes - we are no longer of any real use to God's Kingdom, part of the Kingdom remains un-manned.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10)

Our struggles don't disqualify us. They simply identify us as human --- and our 'human-ness' doesn't surprise God. Donna took God at His word when, after He healed her and set her free, He asked her to ''Pass it forward!" She believed that she was, indeed, a new creature filled with the power and love of the God of the universe - despite the fact that she spent a lifetime in the devil's back yard. And I'll just bet that the people she ministers to in the streets and back alleys and strip clubs are very grateful that somebody took God at His word and isn't afraid to jump the fence and come after them and explain to them just whose back yard they've been playin' in.




Visit Darnelle at her personal blog:
All Things Work Together. . .

"My Grace is Sufficient for You"

"My grace is sufficient for you, Laura." (2 Cor. 12:9)

That scripture raced through my mind while I sat on the toilet, with a neighbor of mine standing next to me, as my back wrenched in painful, unrelenting spasms. At nearly 6 months pregnant yet too often hoisting my 18-month old daughter, I found that my back stopped working a week ago.

The clenching pain was far more serious than anything I felt in childbirth. I literally couldn't walk for days. My legs wouldn't respond. Any movement exacerbated the pain. Over the last few days, I’ve relearned to walk, and the pain has diminished. But I also know I must take better care of my body if I don't want to face that kind of paralyzing pain again.

(Honestly, if you want to read more, you can click here and here. But read what follows first.)

In this experience I became helplessly dependent on people around me. And they had to help me do things like walk me to the bathroom and pull my pants down for me. It was profoundly humbling. Far from home, an expatriate in the Middle East, I had no choice but to turn to people near me who were willing to help and receive what they could give.

These neighbors were God's gracious gift to this proud and self-dependent soul. We received meals, childcare, and ministering presences over this past week--none of which we could have planned. These "coincidences" awakened our little family to the reality that our Lord knows what we need and will give to us. He will.

Today, you may be facing physical pain, emotional turmoil, marital strife; or life for you might be rather cheery. Regardless, I know with confidence that our Lord is actively at work to provide for you.

But it might not be in the ways you want or expect. I never would have wanted what I've been through. But God opened my eyes to his provisions right in the middle of my pain. He gave me the eyes to see what he was giving me; the pain woke me up to his mighty hand of grace.

My priest prayed this prayer for me when this whole episode began, and I'd like to give it to you: I pray, Father, that you would give (your name) a clear perception of your grace today in the midst of the circumstances in which she finds herself. Let her know that your grace is sufficient, in whatever form it comes. Amen.

A clear perception of grace - that means having the eyes to see it: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints..." (Eph. 1:18).

Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord. We want to see you. We know you are with us.

Dig Deeper: Pray the prayer above, and watch for God's hand at work today. Pay attention to the small things. Take the time to thank God--and the people he uses--for the ways his grace meets you today and everyday, even if it's not how you'd expect.

The Prodigal Beagle

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety‑nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety‑nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
Luke 15:4-7

I would like to introduce you to Daisy, the most precious beagle this side of the Mason-Dixon.




(Told ya.)

Daisy was a Christmas gift from Luke and me to our kids two years ago. She began her darlin' life sleeping in the laundry room at night and gradually found a permanent home in our fenced-in backyard. Her body may be penned, but her hound dog heart roams somewhere outside the confines of the chainlink fence alongside the strays who like to taunt her with their freedom. Her breed is prone to follow their noses, run with a pack, and get lost easily so we have to keep a careful eye on the gates so she doesn't take off on a wild adventure.

The careful eye wasn't so diligent on New Years' Eve.

We awoke New Year's Day to the wails of our youngest son crying, "The gate is open and Daisy is gooonnnnneeeeee!"


So much for sleeping in.


Luke reluctantly climbed out of bed to go look for our wayward girl. I cooked breakfast and tried to keep everyone hopeful dad would find her, but in my heart I knew she had to have been gone for hours and there was no telling how far she'd gone. Daisy had gotten out a couple of times before and I knew from experience even if he found her, she was prone to run like the wind in the opposite direction to keep from going back to the fence.


After an hour had passed, Luke came back in to report he had seen her once outside a patch of woods but that when she'd seen him, just like I predicted, she had run into the trees. Luke kept calling but she never came. All he knew to do was come back to the house and wait.


As I whispered prayers for her to find her way home I realized her little escapade was not at all unlike our own.


How often are we safe inside God's boundaries when temptation comes sniffing at the gate? "It's so much more fun out here. We are doing anything we want! There are no consequences. No one will ever know if you sneak outside for just a bit. You are all alone in there but if you come with us, you'll always have someone who understands. What do you say?"


And before we know it we've slipped out. Tentatively at first, we may even walk back inside the fence for a bit before we venture a longer stay. There's the ever-deepening relationship with a male co-worker, hidden shopping loot with hidden debt to match, one week that turns to one month of no prayer or time for God's Word, or bitterness turned to hatred over an unforgiven hurt. The list could go on forever but in each of these circumstances the tragedy is that we often don't realize the exact moment when we got so far away we could no longer fiind our way back home.


For both believers and unbelievers, there is always a Father searching, calling, and hoping the wayward one will quit running, cease striving, and accept His mercy. The strays of the world tell us He is only coming to lock us away and hold us back from a self-indulgent, exciting life. And because our nature is to follow our nose, we run.


Back to my prodigal dog. A few hours passed when our doorbell rang. Our neighbor was at the door and said, "Daisy is over at the house. She's laying down and looks worn out."


Excitedly, Luke and the boys grabbed a huge piece of a ham out of the fridge and went to bring her home. She looked like she might bolt again but the food and the sweet voice of her masters were just too much to resist. Daisy wasn't greeted with "Bad, stupid girl! How dare you run? Why did you break our hearts?!", though that is what she most likely deserved. Instead, she was welcomed by the hugs of three boys and a feast. I wonder if her little doggy self had any comprehension that within the bounds came freedom, abundant food and water, and unconditional love the strays would never experience.


Wayward one, are you worn out and ready to accept the fence is for your freedom and not your bondage? Stray one, do you yearn for a place to belong and be loved? Inside the backyard is all that and more.

Won't you please come home?


Father, I pray for my sister who may be thinking of bolting from the fence. I pray for the one who has barely stepped out. I pray for the one who doesn't quite know the way back home. Keep your watchful eye on each one and reveal yourself to her no matter how far she's roamed. Bring her to her senses and welcome her with the feast of your lovingkindness. Amen.

Dig Deeper:

Do you want to know more about the lengths to which

God will go for you?

Read all of Luke Chapter 15.

Visit Lisa at her personal blog, The Preacher's Wife.

A Valuable Gift

“…they traded in their glory for shame.”
Hosea 4:7

I remember a few years ago when my husband received a signed bat as a gift. Although he was excited about this, it wasn’t until one day as he was walking into a Starbucks for coffee and he saw on the cover of Sports Illustrated a picture of the 2005 Baseball MVP, Albert Pujols, he realized the value of what he had been given. You see, the bat was signed and dated by Albert Pujols for my husband. Even though we were extremely grateful for the gift itself and the thoughtfulness behind it, the bat instantly grew in value to us. However, just because we didn’t realize it, this didn’t change the value of this gift from the beginning. This gift was of great value long before we came to understand it, but now it is treasured more. It’s like a boy with baseball cards that trades one of his cards that he may not care all that much for, only to realize later that it was actually quite valuable and should have been kept. Lucky for us, we never considered trading the gift we had been given. (ha!)

Many times we, as Christians, are like this with all that Christ has given to us. Do we really comprehend the incredible value of what He offers? Do we cherish it, or have we, like the people in this verse from Hosea, traded “glory for shame”? Many times we trade the glory of God and all that He extends to us for our own sin. It could be a relationship, a job, a bad habit, or just a selfish attitude.

Take the time to today to dive into God’s Word and get a glimpse into the treasure we have been given. Then, see if there is anything in your life that you have exchanged for your intimate fellowship with Christ. We are blessed that, although we make foolish decisions and often trade His way, for our way, He is “waiting around to be gracious to us” (Isaiah 30:18) and will always exchange our life for His abundant life if we will but give Him all we have. Oh, for Him, it’s not an even trade at all, and for us it’s getting far more than we deserve, but that’s Grace and that’s what makes it so glorious.

We really have been given a treasure that cannot be taken away! May we hold on tight and not trade it for anything this world has to offer.

Lord, thank you for the incredible gift you have given to us through your Son, Jesus. Help me to stay close to you and guard my relationship with You, not being willing to trade it for anything else in this world. Keep me mindful of the value You are in my life and may I share it with others, so that they, too, can receive the eternal treasure that You offer.

In Him~
Tammy…

To read more from Tammy, visit her at Steps In Our Journey