Breaking Through

Life is full of difficulties, disappointments, pain and trials. Everyday we come across situations that burden our souls and leave us wounded. We turn to anything to try to avoid the pain and make it go away. We stumble over the lies of the enemy which can cause us to be paralyzed or ineffective. As a result we descend into depression, anger, and bitterness over our situation. I truly believe that these lies are what cause us to not be all that God wants us to be. One of these lies is that we are unforgivable or somehow must attain Gods favor. We experience the gap between us and God that our sins create and assume that maybe this sin isn't covered by the grace demonstrated by Christ. In fear we then desperately attempt to get Gods attention by our good behavior as if to say to him, "Am I good yet? Have I paid my debt? Anything else I need to do to take care of this?" We have a problem with grace. Either we do not understand what it means or we refuse to except that the answer is as simple as, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). The truth is we are washed clean and made White As Snow by his blood. He forgives us. He paid the price. IT... IS ... FINISHED!!!! ""For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians (2:8-9)

White As Snow
By: Eric and Leslie Ludy

Alone and confused, your heart is bruised from sin
your joy is gone from love gone wrong
and you're trying to start again
I know that you've been hurt, and you don't know who to trust
I won't pretend I understand your pain
but I can see repentance in your eyes and I know its not to late
I hear Him calling your name

White as snow, He has made you white as snow
The moment you confessed, His heart forgave
You might think you've ruined all the plans He had for you
But its its fro that very reason Jesus saves
White as snow, He has made you white as snow
Pure and innocent like a dove
Though you have done nothing to deserve His pardoning
You've been purified by Jesus blood
White as snow

The guilt and the shame, its keeping you chained
Not wanting to let you go
Its not how you dreamed, not how you planned
And you can't see that still there is hope
Receive His healing for your bruises
Receive His riches for your rages
Though you cannot imagine all the plans He has for you
So take His hand, and don't look back


Another lie that we often believe is that God will not provide for our needs. This is the oldest lie in the book and stems back to the creation of man. The serpent got Eve to believe that somehow God was holding out on her. She believed that what God had provided was not enough. We see still to this day at the heart of mass consumerism. We have to compete. Comfort has taken over and the idea of having what is essential for life has fallen by the way side. We have to have the bigger and better house car, job etc. This also translates to the spiritual realm, when we begin to believe that the condition or occupation that we find ourselves in is second class to everyone else. The best example that I can think of is singleness. This strikes at my heart because it is something that I struggle with. I want to get married and have a family someday. I notice the couples around and begin to think that there is something wrong with me because I am not dating. The feeling only increases with the questions of various people who want to know what is going on in my life. Don't I have more to my life than just my marital status? Now that I am an Aunt it is even harder. I look into the eyes of my niece and nephew and dream of having my own children. It is in these times I must challenge myself, Am I Sustained by God ? Recently the Lord showed led me to the truth that "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32). God graciously has already provided for our greatest need and that we can trust His goodness and sovereignty.

I'm Sustained

I'm satisfied by Your love so completely
How can I thirst for the praises of men
Theres nothing I need that You haven't provided
No one could offer me peace like You can

Jesus Your love is enough, Sufficient for me, all I have needed
You've given for free, Your love is enough
I don't need man's applause, I know what I'm worth,
I remember the cross

I'm sustained oh Lord, When Your light surrounds me the world goes away
I'm sustained oh Lord, My heart knows Your love like it flows through my veins
Such peace and contentment I found in Your grace
I can't think why I ever complained
You loved me what more can I want, I'm sustained.

Window into the unoticed Part 1

I wrote this a while back and I don't know if there will ever be a part two. I started thinking recently about Mary from the movie Pride and Predjudice. Why is it that she always seems so melancholy and walled off from people? Mary seems isolated and alone. I almost wonder though if this has become a pattern for her because it is what she has experienced for most of her life. Look at her family, everyone has someone or is part of a pair. Jane and Lizzie seem to have a deep and special bond. Kitty and Lydia, though they fight, seem to have many things in common and are almost always together. Then her parents are of course a pair even though Mrs. Bennet is well.... you know. So Mary really has no one to identify with and has no friends. She has had to adapt to doing things that do not require other people like reading. As I watched the movie again another thought occurred to me, no one seems to value Mary or what she is interested in. This is highlighted at the party given by the Lucas’. Mary is playing the music she enjoys playing and Lydia demands she plays something else. This is isn’t a big deal, it is how her mother reacts that shows that no one values her. She petitions her mother for help and does her mother try to compromise? No she says “Oh, play a jig, Mary. No one wants your concertos here.” Essentially saying, "Hey no one cares what kind of music you like, shut up and play something so I don’t have to deal with you or your sister." How many years has Mary heard things like this? How many years has she been pushed aside? I think the reason she has taken to being a “philosopher” is because it is the only way she can deal with the rejection. She just tries to rationalize it away. All of the off the wall or untimely things she says is because she is trying to connect but really does not know how.

Love that Builds

It is interesting that I often run when life goes wrong. For example, a few years I stopped going to a college group. From my vantage point they insulted me and my point of view. I look back and wonder, was that decision pride? Was I viewing the situation and those involved through the eyes of Christ? Brothers and sisters in Christ don't give up on each other but let love overwhelm your heart. People may hurt you but rather than respond to them in anger or resentment. Remember "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..." Christ would not expect anything less from us.

Simple Faith

Today I had one of those encounters that inspires to go higher with God. After working out today, I spoke to one of the employees whom I had met before and tried to use what little spanish I know. We talked about her day and her family which brought a smile to her face. She told me how much she thanked God for all the blessings in her life. She shared with me about her church and asked where I go. I told her I was still looking and she responded that it is important that God direct you and not go where you want to. We talked for a little longer and then I left. This woman is an inspiration to me. She was an example of what real faith and a deep love with God looks like.

Purpose

I began to write my first blog to vent my anger at what I saw as ignorance. As I looked at what I had written I realized that it was unnecessary and that I was mainly venting at a specific person. I was writing it as if by doing so this person would change their viewpoint. That is not my responsiblity. So I am determined that this blog never become a place where I complain or vent my anger. It is not productive because I probably will not do anything about whatever I would be venting about.