"Knowledge hurts sometimes!" My granddaughter, Paige, exclaimed the one day.

Her outburst rang a bell with me. Facts discovered about sin in my life or someone else's can easily cause me to wince, step away, or weep. It seems the truth causes pain before it sets us free. Certainly not all truth reveals sin. Sometimes it is a discovery of beauty, grace, or love. It is the knowing of evil that hurts.

Adam and Eve were the first to know pain. The knowledge they acquired from disobedience became a life of pain, not only for them but for us as well. The scriptures tell us plainly that even God experiences pain from knowing our sin. He became a man so He could take our sin upon himself. He suffered with the knowledge of becoming sin for us.(2 Corinthians 5:21)

God also suffers in knowing our sin-filled lives. He is grieved because He knows how much sin hurts us. Knowledge hurts God sometimes, just as it does us. We have a Savior that truly understands.

Savior Lord, You know all and yet you remain good. You are the only One we can go to with the pain of our knowing. Forgive us our sins, Good Father! Thank You for knowing all and revealing truth.

Walking in Truth

III John 4 says, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

John says what our hearts long for, doesn't he? When our children follow in Jesus' footsteps, we find a joy that exceeds the happiness that comes with trophies, or degrees. We want to know that those who follow us on the road to eternity embrace the truth and tread carefully in order not to not fall to the enemy's deceptions.

Our children's children can be named in this heart longing as well. We all would like to see a long line of followers making their way to their final destination along the road of reality,not fantasy. Followers need leaders. A leader must be walking in truth in order to show others a clear direction. Grandparents can be chief in their families as wizened path finders, if they know the way.

Many times we ask "How?" How can we help lead our families in the right way when we, ourselves, stumble and fall? How can we point them in the right direction when we sometimes don't know which way to go? I suppose that is why I am so glad that God has made a way and given us a guide book to follow. He even sent us a Teacher, and then sent us a Personal Assistant to help us every day.

It is important for us to know that we can begin our walk in the Truth at any time. We can jump off of the circular track of deception and on to the high way. We only need to check out the Book to be introduced to The Teacher and He will send His Helper to get us on the right track.

You, God, are Truth. You are Good. You are The Way to the joy we seek. I am saddened to realize that I walk in circles far too often. I stray from Your truth and wander away from the good You prepare for me every day. Forgive me! I understand that, when I walk in truth, You are filled with joy because You love me and want the best for me. Thank You for providing all I need to walk in the right direction. I need You to be my Teacher, my Father, and my Helper.

Kneeling on the Inside

Sunday I had the privilege of praying with a Mom whose thyroid cancer has returned. She asked me and my daughter, who is her friend, to join in prayer as the elders of the church prayed and anointed her. After her explanation of what she faced, I got on my knees to pray.

My age may make people think it would be hard to kneel in prayer, but it really is not a difficulty for me. It is harder for me to get up from that position. In fact sitting, kneeling or lying on the floor only becomes a problem when it is time to lift myself up to a stand. Pulling myself up after the prayer for my daughter's friend, I noticed the difference and began to ponder. I sought to dig deeper.

One of the thoughts that came to me was how different I feel when I lower myself to the floor now that I am older, than what I have felt in the past. I have not enjoyed lowering myself. It is true that I have had a prideful spirit many times and humbling myself in any way was a struggle for me. But things have changed. Age has brought experience and maybe just a little understanding of who I am and who I am not! It is okay now for the joke to me on me or about me at times. I even tell on myself sometimes!

I came to ponder the idea that my inner kneeling and humbling myself is making it much easier for me to physically get down, and harder for me to lift myself up. Maybe it has little to do with creaking joints or slower awkward movements. Just maybe it has everything to do with knowing that I am dust and I will return to dust. I am but a breath and will be gone as quickly as I come. I only have worth when I huimble myself before my Heavenly Father, bowing to Him and letting HIM lift me up.

Someday, every knee will bow and every tongue will confees that Jesus Christ is Lord (from Phil. 2:10-11)

God, my Father, You are my King and to You I bow. I, too often, rise up with pride and arrogance toward You and the people You have created. Forgive me for not being truthful in who I am. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to lift me up out of the darkness of my sin. It is when I accept His help then I am able to sit humbly at Your feet, bow before You, and relinquish all my pride. I continue to ask You to reveal Yourself to me and teach me truth. In all things You are Good, You are worthy!

Proverbs 25

Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Words are important to me. I try very hard to say the right things at the right times even if the saying of them is a difficult task. Truth often can be bittersweet. I also love to hear words from a loving and truthful foundation. The first hearing can be painful, but the meditation on that word can become a source of strength.

This past weekend Patrick came to me with a word that was beautiful to me. He said he wanted to get me an Easter basket but knew i didn't need the candy and he could not think of what else I would want. Sweet! Gold and silver could not have given me more joy! His truth wrapped in love and graciousness was a delicious treat that filled my heart. I heard more than his words. I heard love, blessing and kindness. It was a word fitly spoken.

Amazing God of resurrection power and love, You are the Word fitly spoken. You are the source of rich delight. Though I fail to always treasure Your word as I should, I want to grow deeper in my appreciation and love of Your Word. Thank You for giving us life giving words. Thank You for the newness of Your word every time I open it. I yearn to go deeper, Lord. Draw me into Your truth until it is my very own life!

Proverbs Nineteen

Proverbs 19:20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

When I read this it reminded me of a poem I wrote some time ago. I thought it might be appropriate to put here.

Am I Teachable?

Am I teachable?
Do I listen for Your voice,
Even when it comes to me
Through criticism, rebuke, or
Those under my authority?


Do I set my eyes on You,
Following Your every move
So that I might not step
Ahead of You or fall too far behind?
Am I willing to let go of my desires
allowing You to determine the outcome of my work and
letting You have Your way in and through me?


Am I willing and eager to hear the truth,
Obey it and let it be the
Hallmark of my life?
Do I do my work with honesty and integrity,
Perseverance and determination?
Do I reject the worlds’ definitions of truth,
Knowing without doubt that
You are The Way, The Truth, and The Life?
Do I place myself under the authority of the entire Truth?


Are the places I put my heart at one with You, my Lord?
Do I embrace You with my whole heart
leaving nothing for self gratification or for worldly lusts?
Does my inner being yearn to dive deeper into You,
Experiencing Your fullness:
Learning about You
Learning from You?


Am I teachable?


Carolynn J. Scully © 2009


Teacher and Lord, You are all knowing and all wise. You are the teacher with all the answers. I am not always teachable, Lord. I am sorry for being stubborn and hard headed not willing to listen to Your wise counsel. Thank You for reminding me again that I must have a teachable spirit and let You lead me! Open my heart to teachable moments.

Excuses

It must be a human condition to make excuses. I know of no one, myself included, that accepts responsibility for his/edher actions all the time. Even when we accept the blame, we can find a reason why we acted the way we did. People, circumstances, our health, how we were raised or just how God made us can all become excuses for our actions, good or bad.

Recently, the Spirit of God open my eyes to the excuses I make. The first was in response to a Sunday School question: Why do we not hunger for more of God? Even the question begged me to face the excuses I make for being hungry and thirsty for the things of this world more than for God. I can think of pretty good excuses for letting the world and its lies take the place of knowing, really knowing the heart of God. However, my excuses most often involve my pride, yet they bring nods from others, Chrisitans included. But what does God think of my excuses?

The second mirror held up to reveal my excuses was a question from the study we are doing in Potter's Wheel: Why do I procrastinate with my writing if God has called me to write? Again, the question brought me face to face with not an explanation that could be accepted, but an excuse revealed as sin.

My excuses almost always include a statement avowing that I do the right things. I guess the truth is that I am not perfect. I do let other things replace my total dependence and walk with the Lord. Having my excuses exposed is the first step to repentance.

I bow before You Lord God Almighty in humble repentance of my sin of hiding behind my excuses. You have said that nothing is impossible with You. Could You have meant that there really is no excuse for me for not seeing and knowing You more every day and obeying Your direction for my life? Thank You for opening my eyes. Expose my excuses, Lord and teach me the blessings of being honest with You, myself and others.

Childhood Memories

Do I remember truth about my childhood? I find it interesting to ask my six (yes, 6) siblings what they remember about certain events in our childhood. There is a mystery in every remembrance that I share with family. We can laugh or cry in empathy with parts of a story, but often there are parts I do not recognize. Each story is personalized for the individual.

Where can I go to find out the truth? Maybe it takes all of us telling our stories to see the bigger picture. Listening to my sisters and brothers tell about their relationships with our parents allows me to see a fuller picture of Dad and Mom.

One of my sisters shared Dad's love of aviation. She delights in telling stories about the things they shared. I love learning about all those wonderful treasures she found hidden in my Dad. But He was more than that! I enjoyed sharing with him some very special moments uniquely mine. Many of them were priceless images of his love of beauty and his art and creative talents. Each of us has something to share about Dad that the others need to know.

Mom shared her love of the church and her faith more deeply with my older sister. Though we may all have shared Mom's love of music and her cultural food dishes, we all seem to have found little unique treasures that we tucked away into our memories. Again, mom gave each of us unique experiences that need to be shared with the rest.

Our personal and unmatched memories are intertwined with each other. Our individual remembrances need not be a cause for argument or misunderstanding. They should be used as opportunities to fit the puzzle pieces together to see the big picture. We are a family! Family memories are a portrait of us!

Father God, Creator of the family and head of our forever family, You are wise and good. I thank You for giving me family. Thank You for the earthly family I was born into and for the eternal family into which I was born again. I forget sometimes to treasure those moments with family. Forgive my ungrateful, and selfish heart. I, too often, want my way and my memories to be right. Teach me to let the whole truth make my remembrances a clearer picture so that I might learn the lessons my family was meant to teach. Thank You!

A Lot to Learn

I learned a lot this past year. I learned about God, and discovered I have so much more to learn! I also discovered that I need to learn more about myself and about others! I love to learn. That is a good thing when there is so much that needs learning!

Learning is a faith filled and disciplined task. To learn I must walk into uncharted territory. I do not know what might lie ahead in the search for understanding. I find that I often take small timid steps when I sense that the new knowledge will shake me to my bones or knock me off my feet. I need a strong faith to face what may come as a result of new knowledge. It also takes discipline to learn. Not all lessons are learned the first time I am exposed to them. I must take the lesson, do homework and repeat the new knowledge over and over to make it become a part of me.

The things I've learned in 2010 will be a foundation for the coming year. If the foundation is weak, I will walk through the lessons again till I make the structure of my knowledge of God, myself and others strong enough to support the new truths God reveals. I want that firm foundation. I want to live my life learning, believing, and trusting God for all truth, knowledge and wisdom.

Father, Author of Truth, Your wisdom and knowledge come to me when You are in Your rightful place in my life. I confess that though I love to learn new things I sometimes pride myself in the learning rather than setting You as the awesome Creator Revealer! Forgive me Lord. Knowing You is my deepest desire. I thirst to know You. Teach me Lord. Open my eyes and ears to You and I will be filled with Your knowledge and wisdom to be used for the sake of Your kingdom! Thank You for touching my life in deeper ways and with the nearness of You.

Secret

Do you want to know a secret? I will tell you if you promise to not tell anyone else!

Nobody is perfect!

The funny thing is that not many of us are eager to let anyone else know this secret that really isn't a secret! We go to church, work, or even family gatherings and pretend. We put on a mask of being better than we really are. I know, for me, my mask includes not sharing my honest self with others at times. I withhold my opinions and my ideas, for fear that I might be rejected or thought strange. Since everyone else is doing the same thing it really isn't a secret, it is just a poor disguise of a secret.

People are very good at pretending that we are not afraid of what others think. We are very willing to say what we think others think we should say, or act as if we agree with others when we really don't.

What would the world be like if we let the secret out about ourselves? Would we feel free, or would we feel afraid of the quizzical looks and misunderstandings that would follow? I've tried it and I feel both. I feel free that I am being my real self, but when others stay hidden behind their masks I feel vulnerable and afraid. Sometimes I worry, that if people saw me for what I really am, they would not like what they see. It makes me want to hide again and it takes a bit of prodding to come out from behind my mask again.

I guess God really is the only Truth. He tells us outright that all have sinned and come up short. He not only reveals Himself in scripture but He reveals our true selves also. We must unmask ourselves before Him alone. Until we do there is no good that can come from revealing our secrets before men.

Holy Father, You see all things. The darkness is not a place where I can hide from You. It is only a place where my fears and insecurities breed. You are the God of Truth and Light! You do not hide Yourself from those who seek You. I need to come to You often during my day letting Your truth and light shine on me. I need You to reveal my secrets so that I may never be afraid to let my secrets be known to the world. Thank You for fixing Your all-seeing eye on me. Thank You for opening my eyes to know You. Take my mask. It is useless before You.

Good News!

Have you heard the Good News? In this world we seldom hear good news, but there is Good News to be heard. We can even join in the experience of it on a daily basis!

Problems surround us. We wrestle with our finances, relationships, and all sort of other issues. The world seems to have turned wrong side up. Many people have embraced evil and call it good, shunning good and calling it evil. Within our own hearts we do, think and say things we do not want to do. God seems so far away! The truth is that there is separation between us and God, but He does not desire for us to be wrapped up in this place so far from His love and care. There is hope.

The solution was given long ago. God, Himself, loved us all so very much that He became a man. He alone could cross the chasm of sin that separated us from Himself. He crossed over in to our world and then died on a cross so that we could cross over into His presence! He did it all out of love for you, and me! Though He paid a price, He asks for no payment from us.

His free gift is held out to all. He wants so much for us to reach out and take it. He gives us free access to Him and all He has for us. What would you do to gain this free gift? Would you believe in its goodness and trust the giver? What would you say if I told you that is all it takes?

Why is it so hard to take a free gift from a good God? Maybe because we don't believe it is really free. But it is! I have to admit that religious people have made long list of what we must do to cross over into the heavenly world God has prepared for us. Once we choose this gift we fear that we must follow a long list of stringent rules that make this world near impossible to enjoy. Foolish notions like this are not from God.

Our free gift from God is unhampered relationship with Him! In that relationship we continue to have freedom to choose His riches of a life lived with joy and free from bondage, or remain stuck in our chains and blinded to the true beauty of life. In relationship with God we have access to the best ways to deal with the problems of this world. We are free to take His advice or live with the consequences.

I pray that this blog might reach one or more that are searching for that cross over place. Is that person you? Are you ready to hear and be a part of the Good News?

Father, You have proven Your love for us! You have done all that needs to be done so that we can live in Your presence, not only after we die, but now as we travel this world. You call us to take the first step to You. It takes faith. We must believe in Your goodness and Your free gift. I pray, Lord, that someone reading this will come to know You, by receiving Your gift of life. I pray that this day will be their beginning. Thank You for the cross. Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your free gift.

Perfected Government

Political ads are filling the tv screen, mail box and even our phone lines. Many are not aimed at the issues, nor at the candidates' own ideas about the issues. They are mud balls slung at the opponent to make sure the voters see them as a better choice. I imagine they believe that the one with the least mud will win.

Politics isn't much different than playground spats. Children who want to feel important tend to tattle, gossip and make known anything to bring down the classmate they imagine has more popularity or brains. Sadly we have not learned much since our playground days.

Voters watching the melee must decide who would be best to lead and guide our country. Do we really want to get what we see? How do we stop this cycle and demand a more sane campaign? Will we find a way to change for the better? Probably not. We will continue to do what works and what works is the truth or lies being used as a punch at the other side. Don't get me wrong, I want to know the truth before I vote and sometimes the opponent needs to make the truth known, because the other guy certainly won't tell you his past mistakes, not willingly anyway.

If we want honest politicians don't we want them to be honest about their strengths and their failures? That is risky politics isn't it? I think I would be inclined to trust a person running for office who was forthright in who he is and what he will bring to the governmental process. I would also know where he/she would need to be made accountable. As for now, who do I believe, those who have the most muddied campaign or those who have thrown the most mud?

Perfection only lies in God. If we seek to find a perfect match for our side of the issues we will surely fall into the mud with them. Maybe the best way to look at the ballot is to look first at our own truth. What are our strengths and weaknesses? If we can be truthful in ourselves maybe we can see the truth that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. We will not find perfection in the polling booth. Our hope is in God. He is our perfect governor! If we are governed by Him and His laws we will find freedom!

We MUST VOTE. The important point is that we must vote with honor and integrity knowing that we too are sinners and our leaders are fallen too.

God Almighty You are the perfect Governor, Senator, President, Mayor, etc. You have given me the freedom to choose You as my Lord. You are the only one I can trust to lead with perfection. I am blinded in my choices and so I ask You to reveal what I need to see. I ask You to be in my voting booth and direct my vote in truth and wisdom. Thank You for letting me live in this wonderful country that was founded on the freedom You have given every person. Help me to be Your light.

Search Me, O God

Looking within my heart is tough. It is most difficult after I've been accused by the devil or someone I care about. It is tough to hear my failing from God, also, but He brings love and forgiveness along with His correction.

I've been searching through my relationships, my actions and my thoughts to see if there is any thing within me that goes against what I know to be true. I haven't liked everything I have seen. It makes me sad and I know repentance is the cure.

Some of the questions I have asked myself are:
* Am I being transparent and totally honest with myself, my husband, family, and friends?
* Am I being kind and loving in the honest communication I am involved in?
* Am I doing what I know I should ? Am I obedient to God in what He has revealed in His word and in His urgings throughout my day?
* Are my thoughts centered on the truth and what is good and pure? Am I choosing to forgive others and put them higher than myself?

There are more questions, but you get the idea. Tough questions. Sometimes the truth hurts. Sometimes I must confront myself more than I'd like to confront others!

My truth rests in God. He sheds light in the dark places of my heart. He reveals my failings only because He loves me. He is with me in the revelation, in the decision, in the repentance, and in the healing and restoration. Unlike those who would point accusing fingers, He opens His arms to welcome me into His embrace.

O Ancient of Days, You alone have the right to judge. You judge rightly! You are merciful, loving and faithful in Your judgements.You are truth! I fail so often along the way to the eternal home You have provided. I need Your presence to lead me into truth and to make me more like Your Son Jesus. Thank You for being God! Thank You for the power to overcome by the blood of The Lamb and the word of my testimony. I trust You! "Search me O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

Crying Truth

I woke up this morning feeling as if I wanted to cry. I am not sure why, but I think it might be part of what I am studying for Bible Study. The belt of truth is essential for all spiritual warfare. One of the questions being asked is, "Am I fully honest with God, myself and others?"

That question has made me search my heart. I've had to go deeper and deeper, because though I may hide things from others, I do work at being honest with myself before God. To be honest, however, there are times when I try to cover my true feelings and motives from myself and God. I am sure it is not intentional, but it is also not beneficial.

If I am to tell myself the truth, I must admit that hiding is something I do when I know, or think I am wrong. When I know I have crossed the line it does no good to try to cover over my sin. There can be no healing or forgiveness unless it is brought to God and confessed. Running away before knowing the truth and letting God shine His light in and through me is tiring and useless. When we go to God we will know the truth and it will set us free.

So what are my tears for today? Today my tears are for the truth that one of the desires of my heart has been lost. I have tears for the fears that hold me back from doing what needs to be done. Now that the tears have been shed, and I have agreed with God that I have been keeping these hidden from Him, I can rest in His knowing, loving and healing presence.

Being fully honest with God is being in the center of His heart. It is the safe place to be. Hiding places are where the shadows lie. The only safe hiding place is within the light of Truth in Christ. It is in this hideout that we are safe from the enemy's attacks.

You are the One True God, Father. You are my hiding place and in You I can be secure in even the most difficult truths. Sometimes I try to run away from Your truth only to find myself in a battle much bigger than the battle with the truth. Thank You for being patient with me while I open my heart to the truth. Search me O God, and know my heart. Open my eyes to the truth within myself and the Truth of You!

Telling Myself the Truth

"Am I judgemental?" was a question posed by a young woman who has high standards. I can't read the intentions of her heart, but my answer to her included my own experience with judging others. Her response revealed that she was not willing to even accept the possibility that she might be something she did not want to be. She asked a question to which she did not want an honest answer, even if the answer came from herself.

Sin likes to hide in the darkness. The truth may lie hidden under the false humility of asking a question we really don't intend to answer truthfully. We do not want to see ourselves as we are because our "High standards" do not permit that failure in our lives. The shadows of pretense successfully mask the truth, and our sin is not dealt with completely.

Sin is like the tiny thread that dangles from a seam. If we care for it immediately destruction is avoided. If we ignore it there will come a day when the garment is unwearable. Sin is like a stain on a favorite dress. It needs to be attended to with the proper cleaner for that particular stain. Left unaddressed the stain becomes harder to remove.

Honesty with ourselves is the first step toward freedom from sin. If we cannot say we sin, there is no offer of forgiveness and grace. If we think we can decide for ourselves what is right and wrong we wear the mantel of humanism. Where do we find the truth that we must tell ourselves? We find it in God's Word and through his Holy Spirit. It is HIS standard, not our own that we need with which to compare our selves. The light of His Word shining on our lives will spotlight the sin in us. We then have a choice to run and hide behind the mask we wear, or tell ourselves the truth and begin the change.

Light of the World, You are Truth and Mercy. You are the Grace I seek. You are the only way to holiness. My sins are many. I fail often to allow truth to open my eyes before damage to myself and others. Thank You, Father, for being persistent in calling me to repentance. I need Your voice to reveal truth to me so that I might tell myself the truth and make the right decision to change.

Faith-Filled Dreams

Why is it so hard to let go of dreams and hold onto faith? Dreams can be difficult to attain and yet the desire for their realization tempts us over and over. We grasp for those visions and believe if only we try hard enough, it will happen. Faith, on the other hand, seems to slip away so easily from us with a simple word or circumstance.

Sometimes the loss of a dream causes a loss of faith. It is sad indeed to lose faith over worldly hopes, but we too often choose what we would see more than what we cannot see. A woman seeking the love of a man might surrender her faith to get him. A couple dreaming of a perfect home might manipulate and forget their faith in order to gain what may someday become a nightmare. There are many dreams that have the foundation of faith, but there are also those that have no support. The only way to hold onto faith is to let your dreams be rooted in a faith that is based in truth.

Faith founded on the one true God and His plan for our lives, His wisdom and great love for us, is the only sure way to find our dreams and the desires of our hearts fulfilled. Yes, I have known the sadness of losing those dreams I wanted from the world. I have also had the deep abiding joy of receiving from God's hand the things I most desire.

Father God, You have generous hands. You know my heart and You supply all my needs and most of my desires. Trusting in You is a sure foundation. Thank You for allowing me to dream big when walking hand in hand with You. Thank You for leading me into the best places....those green pastures where You shepherd me safely. I love You, Lord

Truth?

I am blessed with good friends. Friends who really care tell you what they think and will give you their "honest selves." Fred Rogers of Neighborhood fame said that "The best thing you can give others is your honest self." I agree, and I do try my best to let you see the real me.

After reading my last blog entry, a good friend confronted me about my confession to being prideful. She was adamant that she saw no pride in me at all. She provided proof through scripture and through her experience with me. It was humbling to listen to her espouse what she saw as my virtues. After thinking it over, I had a few thoughts of my own: 1. If truth is absolute, we both cannot be right in the assessment of the pride issue of my heart. 2. If I am to give others my honest self, I must also be honest with myself. I must look to God for the truth in my heart. I must accept the true condition of my heart as revealed by God. I must tell myself the truth before I can tell the truth to others.

I must admit that my friend may see only part of my inner life. I do struggle with being puffed up with pride, believing myself to be better than others at times. I don't want to be that way, and so I keep watch over my heart in that matter. When those thoughts come, I do battle and I must say most often I am victorious.

My blog yesterday was a glimpse into my thoughts. It was meant to be more about Jesus' sacrifice of His reputation as God in the flesh for me who failed Him in my sin. So, Yes, I battle pride, the puffed up image of myself as better than others. Yes, I have not lived pridefully towards others. Yes, I gave you my honest self.

Whatever good you might see in me, it is the work of the Holy Spirit. Whatever truth is to be known must come from the God who knows all and discerns the truth in each heart.

God of all knowledge, You see all of who I am! You have knitted me together and You know my strengths and weaknesses. You lead me with love, patience and truth. Thank You for keeping me honest before my dear friends. Teach me to open my heart to You first and to the world with Your direction. I rely on You alone!

Trials

Jesus had more than one trial. He was tried by the Jewish leaders, the Roman government and the common man. All failed to judge Him in truth. All were blinded by sin.

I, too, judge Jesus each day. I judge His, goodness, faithfulness and truth by my obedience to His word, His calling on my life and His guidance in all my ways. I sometimes allow my sinful nature blind me to the truth and my judgement is clouded. I choose within me to turn away from my Lord and join the crowds who would deny His Godhood. My actions reveal the truth of what I believe.

I am a wretched sinner in those times and I need a Savior! I need a Savior that loves without first being loved. I need a Savior who is willing to be mocked by my trial and crucified for my sin. I need Jesus.

Lord Jesus Christ, You alone among men are holy, good, and loving. You alone are worthy of my complete trust. Yet, I do not always give You my trust. I let the crowd persuade me to follow their lead. I let my desires lead my heart away from You. I am weak. Thank You for coming to my rescue! Thank You for calling me back to Your side, Your pierced side where I can be washed clean of my sin. hold me close, Lord. Teach me to renew my mind so that i will believe and not doubt, so I will know the truth and live always in Your presence!

Loving Jesus

What do you love about Jesus? I read that question this week and it did not take long for me to answer for myself.

I love that Jesus is Truth. I know that sometimes the truth hurts, but it is a good hurt! His truth helps me to live a better life and to know Him more!

The other day I had a moment of truth with Jesus. After being around some very negative people, I saw myself in a different light because God's word spoke to me. I examined my attitude and found that though I often hear people say that I am judgmental or negative, the truth is that I am not that way at all! Jesus, the Truth, sees my heart and knows who I really am. Coming to Him makes the truth about me known.

I am reminded of a wonderful quote by St. Augustine. He said that after his conversion he saw that " ...the scriptures were not just words to be interpreted; they were words that interpreted their reader." (quote from "Loving God" by Charles Colson p.54) To me that truth and the truth God reveals to me about Himself is why I have come to love Jesus.

My question for you is: What do YOU love most about Jesus? I've been asking others and the answers are mini revelations of who God is! It is a wonderful question! answer for yourself then try it out on someone! I think you will see what I mean!

Lord, we love You in so many ways! Teach us through each other the Truth about Yourself!

I Need

I need words. I need to hear a loving voice whisper or maybe even shout the good things they see in me. I confess that I don't get enough from those who love me, and so I seek out someone who will speak the truth of my beauty and giftedness and tell me how my weaknesses can be turned into good things.

It is THE Word to which I run for my needs to be satisfied. I turn my ear to hear His voice. I look for Him and His little delights that romance me and draw me close. He speaks truth and love.

Yes, there are times when earthly loves speak the words I need or want to hear. There are times when my needs are met, but when they aren't I have Someone to run to! He is ALWAYS there for me!

Thank You, Jesus! Thank You Father for letting Jesus be my Word that loves me and tells me the truth!

Healing Wounds

Wounds that come from words spoken can sometimes be healed by the words of the wounded to someone willing to listen. It need not be the one who caused the pain, but it could be.

The speaking out about the feelings, reaction and changes that occurred with the wound is like the cleansing needed to prepare for the healing balm of forgiveness. It is not easy to do this without overwhelming emotion, but to look at both sides with truth is the important surgery needed to restore relationship.

Healing does not always turn back time to restore anew the feelings and communication, but the relationship can produce new and wonderful connections. Healing may still leave a scar. The scar remains only to remind us of the vulnerability of one another and our need to be kind and gentle. Scars teach us to watch out for words that become weapons and to freely use words of compassion and tenderness, especially when confronting or revealing a truth. Healing takes time and patience. It is a work of God for all involved not just the one who suffered the wound.

Healer God, touch us with Your love and tender mercies. Wipe away our tears and teach us Your way of forgiving. Cover our relationships with love and grace. Heal us from the inside out and remind us to rely on You for our strength and hope! Thank You for resurrection power that lifts, restores and frees us from the death of friendships, marriages and other relationships caused by our words.