Nothing Separates Us from the Love of God

(Read Romans 8:38-39)

Today I'm overwhelmed by the love of God. Last night, I had a plan: deliver a couple pizzas to a family in need and leave. God's plan: So much more.

The man who gratefully accepted my take and bake pizzas invited me in for a few minutes. Since I know him(barely) and his wife(more), I stepped in. What a joy to see their two kids playing freely. I love little kids. Fun to see Hot Wheels all over the floor again. I hoped his wife would be home soon so I could hug her again. She wasn't.

Anyway, we started talking. He asked about my writing and speaking. Kind of him to remember. Then he told me more about his suffering(disease). As he described his daily prayers, worship and gratitude, I wept tears of joy. He used powerful imagery to explain his relationship with God. I told him I needed a recorder to capture it all. He spent most of his childhood in an orphanage in India.

This man of faith knows suffering. As a child, and now as a married man with two children. And he still chooses Jesus. What an amazing story of really living!

I still feel emotional this morning. Full of gratitude to see someone walking by faith no matter what comes his way. Outwardly, this man is losing his physical strength, but inwardly he is more alive than most people I know. He's not bitter. To him, little things like sunsets are big. He appreciates every day. He's thankful for his disability because he is able be with his kids during the day since he cannot work anymore. He thanks God for his disease because it brought him the deepest desire of his heart: intimacy with Him. His peace is something the watching world cannot explain. I'm undone by the beauty of all of this. I see life being lived to the full in a man with an incurable disease.

I see Jesus.

What a gift God gave me as I delivered a simple meal to a family in need. I left feeling like I had dined at the King's table. Stuffed and satisfied by God's love.

This morning I'm hungry for more. :) More of God's love!

May this serve as a sweet reminder that nothing, including disease or death, can separate you from God's love. Allow yourself to receive God's love more and more and watch how joyful your life becomes. Even in dying, living in Jesus is beautiful.

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(pic taken at a cemetery in Florida last month)

Please pray for this man and his precious family. No name given since they don't know I've written this. I may ask and tell them.

Your Sins Removed - East to West

How are you feeling today? Do you feel light, free and full of joy? Or are you feeling burdened by yesterday's choices?

Whatever happened yesterday, you are forgiven today. Receive the truth that you are not your past. God's mercies are new each morning(Lamentations 3:22-23). Take what is rightfully yours: Forgiveness through faith in Jesus.

My prayer is that you will lay down whatever you are carrying at the foot of the cross. Focus on this verse and accept this truth. It's yours to keep.

For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him., Psalm 103:11-13(NLT).


If you have time, enjoy this song by Casting Crowns, East to West.




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(pic taken on vacation last month)

God Sees You

What if today you lived like God sees you because it's true.

One of the Hebrew names of God is El Roi, meaning God Who Sees Me. The question is do you believe God sees you? Or do you feel invisible in a sea of 6 billion people? Maybe you're trying to hide from Him because of shame. Good luck trying, you can't.

God sees you.

Want proof?

From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;

from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-

he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do, Psalm 33: 13-15(NIV).



Friend, notice the word all. All again. All, a third time. You are no exception.


Father God, I love the fact that You see me. Often times I feel unseen in this big world. What comfort to know no matter how I feel, I can rest in the truth that You see me. I'm never hidden from You. I'm seen fully covered in a robe of righteousness. Not because of something clever I've done, but because of what Christ has done. Thank you, Jesus, for replacing my rags of filth with a garment of praise. There is no shame for those who look to You(Psalm 34:5). Thank You, LORD. Amen.



(For further reading on El Roi, read the story of Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 16. Or read Psalm 139 again.)


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Took this pic on Saturday in a parking lot. :) A sweet reminder that God sees you and me.

Guest Blogger: Jennifer at Getting Down with Jesus "Crimson"

Today I'm doing something different by bringing in a guest blogger. As I've prayed about the direction of my ministry, I've sensed God wanting me to share with you some of the blogging friends who have touched my life over the years. Jennifer at Getting Down with Jesus is one of those friends. When I found her blog, I immediately loved her heart. Her ability to communicate depth with story grabs me every time. She isn't afraid to look below the surface to discover more about Jesus. She isn't afraid to be real.

This week I spoke with Jennifer for the first time. She's even sweeter voice to voice. We talked for 45 minutes, which felt like 10. If you haven't visited blog, I encourage you to. You will be blessed.

Please welcome my friend, Jennifer, as she shares a blog post titled Crimson.




I saw myself in the pages of Matthew and Mark, Luke and John today.

I am one of them -- crimson-stained and in need of a Savior.

And so I pray and I confess:

Lord Jesus,

I am the innkeeper,
with crowded Heart-Rooms that push you to corner stables out back.

I am the Pharisee,
quick to point out specks in eyes while ignoring planks in mine.

I am a frightened passenger,
too scared of the waves to step out of the boat.

I am a mourner at Lazarus' grave,
with heart seething as I wait for you.

I am a palm-waver,
shouting "Hosanna" one day then leading you to the cross the next.

I am your disciple,
asleep on the job as you sweat blood in a garden.

I am Pilate,
daily handing you over to be crucified.

I am Peter,
talking big, but warming myself by the fire as I look for a way to save my own hide.

I am a bystander on the road,
watching you carry a cross but too prideful to carry mine.

I am a criminal on the cross next to you,
deserving justice while you -- the innocent one -- suffer.

Yet I, robed in crimson, have the nerve to speak to you, robed in white. I don't even ask for it; I demand it:

"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." (Luke 23:42)

How dare I?

Yet, you look over your right shoulder,
and you see me in the mess I've made.
Blood and grace flow mingled down, crossing your forehead and over lips that speak Truth into places no one else knows.

And still. ... Still you say to me:

"You will be with me in paradise."

And I'm left breathless.

I deserve justice, but receive grace. I am a wretch, yet you call me your treasure. My sins were as scarlet, but they shall be white as snow.

The beautiful irony of our faith buckles my knees, Lord Jesus. And with this lump in my throat, all I can do is shake my head and choke out thanks and try to tell You again how much You mean to me.

I'm alive with the hope of a brand-new day.*
All because of You.
All because of You, Jesus.

Amen.

"Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom."
-- How Deep the Father's Love for Us
by Stuart Townend

* (This line: An inspiring lyrical snippet from Aaron Shust's new CD, Take Over.)

Thankful Thursday - Trials

This week's theme for Thankful Thursday is trials. Yes, trials. Is it possible to be thankful for trials?

I am.

Without my trials, I wouldn't be who I am today. I've learned much from making the wrong decisions. I've learned life is hard. I've learned bad things do happen to good people. Life and relationships hurt. Someone I know and love is always in need of prayer. And I mean desperate prayer. Confusion is common. Answers are limited.

But the truth is trials make me stronger. I've grown because of them. I don't panic like I used to when something happens. I no longer think "death" first thing. (You'd have to understand my fear in the past to understand this.) Walking through trying situations make me dive deeper for truth.

And as I've dove for answers, I found the greatest treasure I know.

I've found Jesus.

I wouldn't trade my relationship with Him for anything. I've found life and life to the full because of trials.

I'm beyond thankful.

What are you thankful for?


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What are you thankful for? Want to join us, visit this month's host Iris at Grace Alone.


(I'm having a life to the full kind of week this week. Yesterday I talked to 4 friends for a total of 5 hours. I rarely even talk on the phone, and never that many hours. What a gift! Today I have Bible study then prayer with a friend. I hope to have time to visit blogs tomorrow or this weekend. Thank you for taking time to visit me. I appreciate your encouragement and friendship!)

Praise God for Small Wonders

How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24

What small things do you thank God for? It doesn't have to be insects. :)


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Would appreciate your prayers for a friend today. No details to share but God knows. Pray comfort for her broken heart.