Do you want to get well? It's a question asked of all of us ...

Me ~ Do I want to get well? In what areas you ask? Well, all of them .. it's a journey, a process, it can't and won't happen over night.  So, as God does His best with me ~ He graciously takes an area at a time, often overlapping a few of them too.... As He guides, directs, prunes and grows me ~ I want to be obedient and "get well."


And the degree to which we’ll do what He tells us to do to trash the trash in our lives, also holds some weight. (Weight - it's the area I am currently within ~ see, I've battled this badboy for most of my life). Sometimes we know exactly what to do to get well, but we’re just stubborn enough not to do it. Yet, He says He’s given us everything we need for life and godliness. Not that we would get caught up in just following the rules, but that we would get caught up in the grace offered to us.  And I am completely and totally addicted to His grace; as there is NOTHING ~ NO THING that compares to it!
The verse that follows has come up DAILY this week, therefore, I know that I know that I know (KWiM?) that God is saying ... pay attention to this one, please! It can take me longer than the average bear.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:3-4

Mercy, what messes we are all in. Not one of us is immune and not one of us is perfect. This is both good news and bad news! Because none of us is immune to any pit of sin means we need Jesus in the worst way, but because none of us will attain perfection here on earth means we can cut one another a little slack. It also means for those of us perfectionists, to take a chill pill. Or, for those of us holding someone to a perfect standard, to take them off the high horse we’ve put them on. I am preaching to myself here ... I know, I know and still I don't ~ Uggh. Help me Lord!

I’m far from being any type of scholar, but naturally I thought of the healing at the pool that Jesus performed.

“After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.” John 5:1-9 (ESV)

I’m not going to pretend I know all the history of all that went on here, but can we all agree that thirty-eight years is a long time? I realize that some of us are bound up for much longer than that, but isn’t it exhausting?

I may have grown up in church, but I can assure you I didn’t even begin to think about grabbing onto some healing until I was 18 and a senior in high school. And it wasn’t for the lack of people encouraging me, pointing me towards truth and loving on me. It was because of my own pride, and the fact that I liked my sin. It felt good. I can’t imagine an invalid feeling good, but I can imagine getting too lazy in our sin that we never want to get up and move on, because if any of us have tried, we can testify that it is h-a-r-d.  And healing means change, often radical change and that is H - A - R - D.

Notice that after Jesus asked him if he wanted healing, he didn’t even say yes! He gave an excuse as to why he was still laying there.  I have and have had a list, a very long list of excuses (of which are all lies) and how pathetic of me ... do you have excuses? Can we at least agree, we all have excuses and to us they sound legit but they NEVER really are; so here begins the healing ~ removing the first layer of lies we believe for ourselves.

Is that not so true of us? We can think of every excuse in the book as to why our healing has yet to come to us. As to why we’re still drowning in sin. Or why that stronghold still holds all the power in the world over us. Or, "I can believe God for a miracle, even a healing, for YOU but not for me."

“I have no one to help me…” who are we waiting for? Who are you waiting for? What is that one thing you think can heal you? PLEASE, stop waiting. His name is Jesus. He is my Redeemer, Rewarder, Restorer, Re-dreamer, Lover of my soul, .... (keep the list going!)

That brokenness, that shame, that addiction, the mindset, that sin cycle, that stronghold, that lie, that greed, that lust, that past, that self hate. He came for that. Our excuses, though they may seem legitimate at the time, are illegitimate.

“Get up, take up your bed and walk!” Today is the day. Want to walk with me? Let's not do this alone ... I need YOU & YOU need me.

If it seems impossible, it might be, but the Lord knows your fears. Knows how painful it might be. But He’s still telling you to get up and walk! Walk free! Walk confidently! Maybe it’s time to stop asking God for some healing and believe He’s granted us the freedom. The freedom He gave us on the cross.

Or maybe you have yet to even ask the Lord for some freedom, but you’re dying for some! Today is the day to ask! Tell Him every single detail. What may seem insignificant to you, is not to Him.

Some of us need to let God simply demonstrate His power through us.

He is trustworthy. He cares. He sees. He loves.

Learning & Living .... m

I believe .... statement of my FAITH ~

I believe that being a Christian isn’t a thing we do only on Sundays, and that church isn’t something that just happens at the altar or in a sanctuary or in a building & that grace abounds everywhere – sometimes where I least expect it.

I am a truth-seeker, Bible-believer, addicted to grace, passionately in love with Jesus and in need of a Savior daily.

I believe in a Savior who died for the outcast, the town drunk, the corporate executive, the preacher, the doubter, the prostitute, the rude waitress, the junkie and the guy who cut me off in traffic. I believe in a Savior who died for me.

I believe that even if people make fun of you – even if your own Christian community rolls its eyes at you – it’s still OK to be “on fire for Jesus,”  to call yourself a Jesus Freak and to raise your hands in church. And I also think it’s OK if you don't.  But let's unpack all that you've learned or are learning about Jesus, the lover of your soul.

I believe that every moment is an opportunity to offer love and to find a way to forgive. I believe all those things can happen anywhere: in funeral homes, in subway stations and in the sandbox, at the community pool, at the park right after a mean kid throws sand in your toddler’s eye, in the high school parking lot ... every where and any where. For we will be known by our love (and believe me, I am NOT perfect in this area at all). 

I also believe this: I am saved but still a sinner & that I will never ever ever lose my salvation. NOPE, it's not gonna happen ~ for Christ died for me, to set me free. 

I believe in scandalous grace, and that the Cross is the most priceless and costly gift the world has ever seen. I believe that it really is all because of Jesus.  My dailyness is all for and because of Christ. 

I believe that  Jesus is more than a wise teacher, a fine philosopher or a miracle worker. I believe that He is God, the living Word, who became flesh. I believe He voluntarily atoned for my sin by dying on the Cross. I believe He rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father.

I believe the Holy Spirit is a divine Person.

I believe that the same Spirit who hovered over the waters and who inspired the prophets and who fell upon the first believers, is the very same Spirit who guides and empowers believers today ~ that's you and me! 

I believe that the Holy Bible is God's true word; that it is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) I enjoy reading, memorizing, meditating, talking, unpacking & studying God's word ~ will you join me?

I believe that salvation is a work of God’s free grace and is not the result of human works, “being good” or taking part in religious ceremonies.

I believe that God exists, even creation can verify He exists. Often when I open my Bible, I can almost smell God ~ and no, it's not Old Spice ~ it's God. 

All people matter to God, for He is patient NOT wanting any one to perish (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus loves you & me.

I believe in miracles; I am one.  I've been eye-witness to a few also. I believe in glory stories, for God loves to bless His beloved ... and others are encouraged by your glory story. 

I’m a mess. I live in a mess ...and life is hard ~  however; because of that, I believe I will always need forgiveness, I will always need a Savior and I will always look to Him for my very life. I don't have all the answers ~ but I know I can pray & talk it all out to Jesus honestly, from my heart and He will listen, and never leave me. That there is real power in prayer. 

I believe that Jesus Christ is coming again. 

And I believe that this is not the end,
and that there is hope for all people ~~
and that Love came to rescue the weak and
the broken and the angry, the lost,
the confused & the helpless and … YOU
& me.

And as a believer, so in love with Jesus ~ I believe that I will live with Him forever.

Alligator, alligator ...

What has the potential to scare the wits out of me, can and indeed can also bless me. Let me explain, living in SW FL I know that alligators live here. I have wanted to see one not in captivity, but not so close and personal. Well .... We took a short walk in my neighborhood after a severe rain storm and just looked into the pond. Thought it strange there weren't any fish ~ fish love to come out after a storm (best fishing times!). So ... I thought let's look on the other side of the bridge. Oh fishy fish where are you? NONE! but out of the corner of my eye I saw a wiggle, then a gator head popped up and look at me. I told him to stay put.  We (darlin' daughter & me) quickly made our exit.  After thinking about it, I regretted not having my camera and/or phone ... but I captured it in my heart and thanked God for the viewing and our safety.

So, my Q for all of U: What scares you that could bless you?   A thunderstorm with symphonic sounds? A relationship that is so undefinable, yet it's from the Lord?  A child that can't speak, yet communicates by hugging you daily .... what blesses you?

Hoping you all grow in grace, and cling to the knowledge we gain/attain in the Lord. Blessed I am!!

LIVE your LIFE

dear beautiful YOU ...
This is YOUR life (your very own life)!
Get to know YOUR soul, dance YOUR dance, sing YOUR song, take charge of YOUR story, love YOUR day, let YOUR heavy stuff go, embrace YOUR blessings, kiss YOUR beloveds, thank YOUR everything, see YOUR plate, stand in YOUR power, forgive YOUR mistakes, drain YOUR secrets of their poison, heal YOUR pain, find YOUR tribe, rest YOUR body, share YOUR talents, practice YOUR passions, find YOUR bliss ...

LIVE YOUR LIFE
LOVE YOUR LIFE ... because the best years of your life will happen as soon as you open YOUR hands to YOUR happiness all by TRUSTING YOUR MAKER.
Trusting ... it's hard and yet easy. All for today ...

routines .. we all have them for EVERYTHING ~ or at least we should

Routines .. for work, for the weekend, for personal things ... for EVERYTHING!! I personally like to brush my teeth before getting into the shower. Why? I dunno know .. just because. I shave my legs EVERY DAY (included that info for Jillien). Why? I dunno know. Studies show that we thrive with routine. It makes us more productive, more organized, more everything. And routines, change. As we age, as we add members into our families, as we move into different apartments, homes etc. What routines do you have? What routines do you want to have? What do you think about routines? and what are some of your more 'successful' ones?  I personally have a to do list DAILY. If it doesn't get done today, it goes onto tomorrow's ToDo. Well, it's Monday .. and I'm off to begin my routines. Happy week everyone ...

And if We Don’t Practice Gratitude?
 On the other hand, research shows that youth who are ungrateful are “less satisfied with their lives and are more apt to be aggressive and engage in risk-taking behaviors, such as early or frequent promiscuous activities, substance use, poor eating habits, physical inactivity, and poor academic performance.” Why does gratitude do all of this — how can it, really? Because we were made to live in gratitude to God, giving glory to God. “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those we know they are sinners” (Mark 2:17). I was reminded of my problem. Sure, I’m broken; we all are. But I lose sight of that sometimes in the glow of praise and achievements and an inflated sense of self. Then a flawed character comes along to remind me to let Him shine through the broken places of my life. And it's hard for I want to 'demand' respect and gratitude ~ and honestly, it ain't ever happenin'. Will that stubbornness ever be channeled correctly. Or even a simple honest-to-goodness apology? I don't think it will ... Uggh ~ huge sigh!! Again, I'm tired ~ I know where to go for rest, yet I don't. I'm overwhelmed ~ I know what to do to untangled the mess, yet I don't. I do what I don't wanna do and know what I need to do ~ yet I don't. To be GRATEFUL ...

Hello ~~ Hello ....

Hello 2013, Hello April, Hello blogworld. I've been absent waaaaay to long ~ my heartfelt apologies. I've been encouraged to blog again, so I start over. My biggest motivation is ~ I learned that at the end of the year ~ these posts can be printed and put into a book ~ well, hello, I'm a bookAholic!! Hello to all of you. With all that's been happening this week, my heart is heavy. Have a new computer, learning a new language etc. is all apart of my world NOW. So, here goes. My word for 2013 is "peace" .. peace with myself, peace with my family, peace with issues, peace with my environment ~ peace ... not of the world but God's peace, that surpasses all. I'm on my journey ... here in Florida, hoping to meet women my age and do life with ... to continue growing and learning. So ... Hello ~ Hello