This Easter I dare you to NOT be Religious

                                                   

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For it is by grace we have been saved, not for our own sake but the Glory of God and his Great love for us (his creation.) We are loved so deeply and unconditionally. But do not be deceived. It was not God who separated us from himself, it was and is our sin. We have sinned and continue to sin. It is NOT our goodness (like our mothers taught us to be good little children) or the sacraments (that the church hierarchy claims) that will bridge the gap to him. NO. He stands longingly loving us. He is a HOLY and just GOD, he is YAHWEH. Light cannot live with darkness. So He sent his son (Yeshua) to live as man. The Light came into the darkness. It broke through the darkness. He came and lived Holy, in the way man once did- unblemished, unstained in the garden Paradise- without sin. And Yeshua (Jesus) chose to live a life that was not comfortable. In fact it was hard. He walked miles to fulfill his Father's wishes, sacrificing his own human desires. His death (by choice) was the result of his sacrificial life. His death was torture, brutal and unjust, yet God continued to be just. (For God cannot change) His love alone for mankind became sheer passion, The Passion. His resurrection proved the victory over the enemy’s hold on us.
Yahweh continues to stand waiting for us to have TRUE fellowship with him. But the church (the church community in whole) has begun to preach a different type of Gospel and while it is Yeshua alone who is the gift of God for salvation and unites us with Yahweh, the church tickles the ears of the deaf. They teach death saying good works trumps the Fellowship with God. Yet the truth is that God desires relationship NOT religion-legalistic acts or works. He desires intimacy not mere words. He does not desire a building or temple full of sleepers, full of the walking dead. He is Life and offers his life to us. He is the Word, yet few will receive his truth or his Word. Grace calls to the darkness of our hearts. Religion screams, “Work hard, be good, do right. You are okay, you are good to go.” Many choose salvation but refuse the Lord himself. But you cannot have one without the other. So many are deceived. They claim fire insurance but do not know the Savior. Grace accepts us unconditionally and offers the gift of reconciliation through TRUE faith which results in repentance and the sacrificial service to God and others. We want to live HOLY because he is HOLY. We do so knowing we are already loved. Religion teaches the opposite. It is not our works that saves us, so do not be deceived!! Do not believe that because you said a prayer, or joined a certain church that you are right with God while you continue live like those in the darkness. (For light cannot live with darkness.) For in that way of thinking is a great Apostasy, a falling away from the truth of the Good News of Christ. But it is the recognition of his GREAT LOVE for us that draws us to him and brings us to our knees in adoration and service to him. It is his Light that penetrates our hearts and spirit that gives life to us. It is what Jesus calls being Born of the Spirit. Without him, we remain dead. Going through the motions is not salvation. Seek Him and Him alone. We must ask the Lord to examine our hearts and to lead us to the Light and deliver us from the dark deception that is running rampant. We must ask for guidance and direction by His HOLY SPIRIT. We are called to service for him. Our allegiance is to him, not a church denomination. We are to be his hands and feet on earth until he comes again. Yes we are saved by GRACE, the choice is up to us whether we shall live or continue in death. Do not be DECEIVED, we were not saved for our glory, honor and comfort. He is LOVE and offers us a bridge to him; a bridge in the shape of the cross. It was not free for Yeshua but it is free for us, by way of Faith. It is in that freedom that in turn we give thanks by serving Him. HE is ALONE IS WORTHY.

Seeing Fully

The Wonder of Time; time, to capture or regain, no one can. Swift while drawn out, shadows cast over each life. No one can see it dance across space but its fruit touches each of us. Young ones long for its rhythm to beat quicker and the gray desire a quieter waltz. Tick tock of the clock. Tick tock, a reminder of how powerless we truly are. Towering majestic buildings we have understood, their stucture ornate and Godlike. Mountains we have conquered, oceans we have explored; yet in the end mankind has mastered nothing. But what is it we are to master, if not time?


Fifty candles sat upon the sweet chocolaty goo; my name written in cursive with the warm birthday wishes. Tick tock went the clock. What minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years tick ahead for this still young soul? What remains for the next page? (Remembering chapters are not promised us) What actions can I take to stave off the ticking, or should I even try? I dream to live life fully, to experience each tick with grace and awe. But gray heads don’t dance quickly, they don’t run and play like this soul still craves to do. There is fear of slowing, of getting caught up in the angst of painful joints and loss of hearing; and what's worse, the loss of sight.


Seven billion dollars, Seven Billion American Dollars spent in beauty products each year. A propelling force of fear drives a nation to fight the un-mastered power of time. Are we so vain? Why is the gray so dreaded? Do we think youth is where we live fully and gray is where we go to die? Could it be that life begins not with mastering time but with the mastering of the time we have been given? And so the journey begins. What is living fully? Seduction, gently and deceivingly guides us to believe youth and activity is living life fully. Is it found simply in movement? Is living fully found through action; to live fully, verb or noun, action or attitude?

Old eyes, though eye sight diminishes, can see more clearly. Vision is found in seeing what lies right before us. True living; childlike awe, awaking to the wonders, seeing miracles that otherwise go unnoticed. Conquering mountains can come by opening our eyes to the world around us; finding gratitude in the most unexpected places. Gratitude for the aching feet and slowing joints, gives way to freedom; to live life fully aware of the gifts we have been given. Stop, look and see. In the face of a stranger, a cup of cold water or the laughter of a child; even the tears of heart ache and in the most painful moments of this life we can experience Him. He is the maker of life. For God is found in each of those moments. His gifts are all around us. We don’t age by growing older; we age when we stop acknowledging his gifts, when we stop seeing the wonders of God. In growing gray dreams don’t stop nor does adventure, but growing dull is the greatest thief of life. Dare to explore once again.
God calls us to be grateful in all things. Fifty sits on my face as does the aching of my feet. Perfectionism screams that I must master time, slow it down, and stop it all together. But God’s Grace whispers, “Embrace it.” Embrace it all. For all is a gift of grace. In the pain there is joy when we can give thanks. For the one who does master the clock watches over us and expresses his love in ways we often miss. But they are before us. How he desires to give us adventure, to experience life to the fullest. No, age is not our enemy blindness is.

I can imagine God's voice:


“Open your eyes and see as a child, with the awe you once held for the gifts I have given. Look afresh at the world around you once again and see me smiling back. Be grateful in all things, for that is where I am present and when I can move freely in your life. Circumstance may not be the problem. It may be your vision is lacking. So go on a treasure hunt today and seek my gifts which are waiting for you. See me in all things. Be not afraid to take risks, be not afraid to dream again or to explore the mysteries I have for you. I have great treasures to show you. I long to shower you with love. Simply open your eyes and have the vision to see. Acknowledge my love for you then you have mastered my greatest gift to you, the gift of time.


Love, God

Jesus said, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

A Beautiful Mosaic

                                  
  

(Google image)





I have lost many members of my family over the years. As I ponder over


the kaleidoscopic of precious memories, I can't help but see God's hand


along the way. I couldn't see or understand why things happened like


they did at the time, but I have a better understanding now. Today I


cannot live in the future but I know the one who is there. He is also


with me today. We may not understand the "Why?" of our circumstances


but we can draw into the "Who" that paints our lives into a beautiful


mosaic. He is the beginning and the end, he is ever present. If you are


struggling today, direct your focus on his love and leave the


circumstances in his hands; and he will guide you to the finished product,


helping you to finish strong even when the tides seem to overtake you.


He himself is our refuge and our guide. Trust him, follow him and if you


don't know him, let me introduce him to you. His name is Jesus and he is


waiting to hear from you today.



"The salvation of the righteous (faithful) comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him."

~Psalm 38:39-40

Choose Faith

Anxiety, like a thief in the night, comes to steal the peace of God’s children. When my head hits the pillow, anxiety never announces that will be breaking into my peaceful night’s rest. Yet it often makes its way into my room, always in the wee morning hours. Always without compassion and without warning it abruptly awakens me.  Though the room is dark and I am the only one stirred, my reaction is like a well-rehearsed dance, and I find myself always whispering the same three words, “Lord, help me.” It is a plea from deep within, below the depths of a sleepy mind.

Before this dawn the bandit once again jabbed my shoulder.

Not you again.

As usual I did not know why he came, for life is truly good. I am blessed, I am not facing disease nor any recognizable dangers in which I am aware; so why another visit?

What do you accuse me of this time?

A sudden lump in my throat, the pounding of a frightened heart meant his presence was more than known.  My mouth took its post and began to whisper the usual plea, the only thing it could speak at three am.

Lord, help me.

It was the desperate plea of a distracted soul under attack;   and yet this time, there on my pillow, something stood out differently;  A recognizable hidden despair, the desperation, and more importantly,” the doubt.”

Where is the faith?

Was my plea one of faith or one of trust? Was it simply the tapping of the panic button? My eyes opened as I tried to bury my head further, hoping to close out the darkness.

Where was the faith? Words of scripture raced through my mind…

 ^“1I, James, am a slave of God and the Master Jesus, writing to the twelve tribes scattered to Kingdom Come: Hello! Faith *Under Pressure

^2-4Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced *into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

^5-8If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, *without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.”

~James 1:1-8  The Message

I felt the Lord’s nudging, another word stirred in my heart…

^“6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, *with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

~Philippians 4:6

So in the moment of panic, we have a choice?  The focus of our prayer matters?

 We can respond with a frantic plea, simply hitting the panic button; hoping God will come through, yet not certain, leaving an open invitation to the seed of doubt.

But God calls us to a different type of prayer, one with power. Though we tread water and are quickly sinking, this type of prayer is like a driving force shooting us up and out of the fear that is trying to overtake us. It is when we give God thanks and acknowledge him in the moment that the power is released into our lives, the water recedes.

I remember his words to me explaining that nothing is wasted, no detail great or small. Even this moment has purpose…

This transferring of understanding settled into my soul. It took hold.

THIS is how to LIVE Christ.

I rolled over inhaling deeply. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

“Lord, thank you that you indeed are with me. Thank you that you are my refuge and my strong tower.  Thank you. Thank you, Lord that I am safe in you.”

A simple prayer of faith directed solely at magnifying him, eyes off self.

No blinding quasar of light filled the room, no choir of angels; just stillness, a turning point, a renewing of the mind.  I could sense the darkness slinking back, retreating.

Inhale. Exhale. My breathing began to deepen; my eyes grew heavy once again.

 It was the Lord who taught the lesson; my heart’s beating leaped and then slowed at this new awareness. We always have a choice. We always have a choice, whom will we believe, whom will we magnify?

It is He who holds us in his right hand; he who lifts us out of the waters deep.

And like a father leads his child, he is leading each of us. And though I don’t know where I am going, I find safety in knowing that he does. Panic will try to visit again, this I am certain. Yet in the prayer of faith, we find his cloak of protection surrounding us. The word says he goes before us and he goes behind us, he hems us in. He himself is our shelter, nothing or no one can penetrate unless he allows it. And should it be so, it is still good; for he is goodness and his purpose is ALWAYS good.

Knowing that and acknowledging that is livingfaith, is living Christ.

Ephesians 1:11-12

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[a] having been predestined according to the plan of him *who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ,  *might be for the praise of his glory.

*Italics mine

A THOUGHTFUL SERVICE

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The last few days, okay I'll admit it; the last few weeks I have been doing everything in my power to keep my feet from sliding down into the cavernous hole that has been set before me. I've known that hole far too well with all its stench and hopelessness. Like a scared rabbit I’ve quivered at the thought of falling into that pit once again; once inside the hole all hope of freedom seems lost in the darkness.


For anyone who has ever dealt with depression, they can relate to the twirling thoughts that forever condemn and torment; to the lack of energy as the life blood is drained, and the heaviness that slumps us down, even to our very core. Even in our dreams there is no peace. When lying in the dank darkness of the pit, sometimes even whispering a prayer takes every bit of our strength. Silence seems to rule the pit, for often prayer cannot be found. My name was carved many years ago into the dirt walls of the sulfurous cavern, along with many other silent sufferers.

Yet, I am thankful to God. Several years ago he rescued me and set my feet upon solid ground. He delivered me from the cup set before me; and from my squandering captors. Now He calls me by name. He delights in those that He loves and sings songs over them. For those who have tasted the foul breathe of the enemy God exchanges beauty for ashes and joy for mourning. (Isaiah 61:2-4)



“The Lord, your God, is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17


Yes I was set free. Stubborn however is the captor who refuses defeat. Thus he still tries to haunt my thoughts.


“If you have been set free, why do you struggle so much?” the voice questions. The carrot dangles before me. I have come to recognize the dangling trick but sometimes fail to ignore it and begin to entertain the questions as if they are my own. The anxiety then follows, so do the fears and guilt. Let’s face it; does it take much in today’s world to feel the angst, the pressure, the fear and the guilt? I've had to pull away from much noise; the cable news and even Facebook can unload too much negativity. Then there are the shorter days which are known to cause Seasonal Effective Disorder for many. Our lifestyle and diet can affect our mood as well, but it is our thought life that has the greatest impact.



Some days the temptation to listen to the liar is greater. Some days his voice seems louder, he knows our weaknesses. He is crafty and his ways are ever so subtle. The Bible says he roams around like a lion looking for someone to devour. In my world he slithers, sending suggestions of condemnation and hopelessness. "You will never change, this will always be afraid. F-A-I-L-U-R-E." Sadly, I have never truly understood the greatest ramification of giving into his words, his accusing voice; and it is not that I may fall into the pit. Oh no, his voice serves and even greater purpose.


"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15


"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." Matthew 6:24



We cannot serve two masters. I’m thankful my master, Jesus, tells me there is no condemnation for those who are in Him. Yet sometimes I find myself wandering outside the protection of voice and refuge and wonder how on earth I got there.


Do our thoughts really matter to God?



The Bible tells us that as followers of Jesus, we are to take captive every thought and stronghold that comes against the knowledge of God; and that we must put on the mind of Christ. It tells us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers, authorities and the power of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (2 Corinthians 10:4-6, Ephesians 6:12)



What thoughts do we entertain? Lately I have been stuck in the rut of odorous contemplation, better known as stinkin’ thinkin’. Beware, ruts can get pretty deep and sometimes difficult to climb out of.



Today I had an epiphany, a revelation. The truth will set us free. The truth is: not only do those damaging thoughts cause us pain; they turn us away from the God we hope to serve.


“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23



The Lord knows our thoughts and in his love he beacons us to think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy that we may have peace. (Philippians 4:8-9) He is the Prince of Peace.



This is the character of God. He calls us to love him, honor him, magnify him and serve him in all we do. He longs for our undivided attention. Yes we magnify with our thoughts. Yes we even serve with our thoughts! When we host a party, or “entertain” do we not serve those whom we are entertaining?? Whom have you served with your thoughts recently?



The lies that have twirling about, twisted with just enough truth to catch my attention are for the very purpose of serving the enemy! Yes indeed, he knows my feeding ground and he aims for us to serve him and if we fall into the pit in the process, even better for him!


Oh I know the pit but I had no idea that by giving into the temptation to entertain such thoughts meant I was actually serving the very enemy of the lover and rescuer of my soul.


What have I been feeding on lately?? So much noise! Much has been calling for my attention and I have missed the quiet calling of the one who loves me dearly. His words give life.


He calls to me, His love so great, so amazing. He isn’t the ultimate ‘kill joy’ that the world would have us to believe. He calls us and warns us because he does not want us to fall captive. The voice of the enemy may pull but the voice of the lover nudges, and He longs for our love and his promises are great.


“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29:13-14 (italics mine)



It is his love alone that we must dwell upon, and in his very presence we find great joy. For worship is the true antidepressant, where true healing is found.



When the accusing thoughts and guilt come our way, God tells us to simply draw near and submit to him, to resist the devil and he will flee. James 4:7


If we simply will abide in Him he will produce the fruit we long for in our lives.



“I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man (or woman) abides in me and I in him (or her) he will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5



So when the accuser stands knocking at the door claiming we are not good enough or don’t DO enough; we must remember the words of the one whom we long to serve and stop striving. Trying does not make us good enough, trusting does. We must be still and know that He is God.



“You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on you, leans on you and hopes confidently in you” Isaiah 26:3 AMP



His words, not the words of the enemy; His words alone are full of promise and hope.



“When I said, ‘my foot is slipping,’ your love O Lord supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your comfort brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:18-19


Our thoughts DO matter. They give life to whatever it is we choose to magnify; who’s voice we choose to bow to. We must remember that Worship begins with a single thought. Choose you this day Whom YOU will serve.



“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:8

STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN

                                                 
                                                   (Google image)




Some great nuggets of truth from a my archives:


Just in the last few weeks the Lord has shown me so many great truths that can be freeing, if I will just apply them to my life. I've posted about them on FB here and there. Doncha know that when the Lord does show us these truths we'll be tested on them!
I was tested yesterday big time!! The darn ol enemy just sat waiting, stalking for the perfect opportunity to start his jumping up and down and screaming in my ear, "whatcha gonna do? It'll never all get done... nothing will ever change, and if you don't do it yourself, it won't happen! There's no hope, aren't you tired just thinking about it? Why even start, it'll only be the same again tomorrow? Just look at the holes in the wall, they've been there for years... nobody cares that you've asked them to fix 'em. -why bother? You know you'll never have any peace; you'll always be dealing with this stuff. It'll never go away, nobody cares about your feelings, you'll never be used by God if all you ever do is pick up dirty socks and clean up after everyone else, you poor thing, you are so tired... you have every right to be angry, these kids are old enough, it's all your husband’s fault....if only he'd help more and set a better example..."
You know the enemy usually does add a little truth to his lies, and that is what hooks us. It is true; the holes have been there for years! And I do pick up dirty socks all the time. The Devil hates to see families flourish and he is so good at twisting things around so to cause discourse and disharmony. Thankfully my husband was out of town, so he didn't get much tongue lashing yesterday, that's just what the devil wanted. Yet, the more I sat there and stewed in it all, the more tired I became. As a matter of fact I took a nap, and wouldn't you know it, I tossed and turned the whole time, feeling guilty I wasn't doing something productive!
What I failed to recognize was that while this house is in much need of repair, (it's almost 20 years old, it's normal for things to start to wear out!) and while some of the grown kids are not pulling their weight, much had been done in the last year. Small things, mind you, yet still some things had been accomplished, but I was blind to that fact!
You know I always thought that peace would come to me when everything got done around the house to my liking, which never ever happens all at the same time. One room here, and one bush there, etc. but ALL at the same time? It is a rarity! Truthfully living in a home with messies is frustrating, and very tempting to just join them and become one of them myself. Believe me there have been some compromising moments along the way, which I think may have given added ammo to the ol devil.
But after 27 years of marriage and 4 kids, ages 16 - 25, I think I am finally starting to see a pattern here, sheez, took me long enough didn't it? I am so thankful for the truths God has shown me, so that now I can begin to put them into practice and have the peace he wants for me. I have experienced that peace a few times over the last few weeks, but I know God is calling me to a lifestyle change in which I will have it more often than not. A change by him in me, from the inside out.

He has shown me:

a. The stresses of this life (and how I perceive them-which are often askew) will always be there, no matter how hard I try to fight against them.

b. They are used by the enemy to drain us and pull us into the pit of hopelessness- look out! The pit is deep!

c. The fatigue I feel is most often a result of my attitude, not the situation itself! Attitude does determine our altitude! The physical fatigue is due to lack of joy.... And the Joy of the Lord is my strength. Praising and Worshiping him for who HE IS refreshes me physically. The antidote for fatigue is worship.


d. "In Him" (see my note on my vision) we have everything we need. Being in Christ, we have refuge, peace, strength, courage, wisdom, discernment. Joy, love, etc.

e. The Battle belongs to him. He gives us a light yoke to carry; all he asks from us is that we trust him to work out what he has already planned in advance. (His hindsight is 20/20) As well as to have a thankful heart for all the blessings we have from him, IN him and through him.

f. He doesn't call us to be 'human doings', rather he made us as 'human beings'... and that is simply to be in his presence through prayer and worship all the time, not when things simply go our way. It's a process, a journey and not a destination. My goal shouldn't be to get it all done and then rest, My goal should be, to rest in all that HE is doing.

g. We are called to walk by faith and not sight. A great analogy is when I've been cleaning all day and my husband comes home and says," So, what have you been doing?" Okay, maybe not such a great analogy, but you get the point. While we may not see the Lord working, he is orchestrating things all the time on our behalf. He is our biggest cheerleader and he is our Savior, our deliverer, our coach, our friend and our rescuer.

h. The Lord says, to STOP,LOOK and LISTEN;

Stop: Stand Still, Worship God right in the middle of it all, especially when you don't feel like it!
Look: Look out for the enemies traps, because as we begin to have victory over and over again, he'll set new ones!
LISTEN: As we stop listening to the enemies lies, mixed in with a tiny bit of truth, we MUST start listening to the promises of God and his leading for the next step in our lives. One thing I must always remember, because I am "IN HIM", if I do choose to step out too quickly-without his leading- I'd step right out of his will and refuge for me. Only In Him is where I find the peace and harmony I so long for, not in a home that appears to be without flaws and imperfection... no such home exists... though the devil would have us all to believe otherwise.
Thankfully his grace is sufficient and his mercies are new each morning. Today’s motto: Stop, LOOK, and Listen.






“Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” ~Jesus

JUST AS I AM

This morning, all disheveled inside and out, I have made a decision; one that has been a long time coming. Though my emotions scream against it, I choose to believe the voice of truth. As a little girl I believed many lies. As a teen, I believed many lies. As a young adult I believed even more lies and as a middle aged woman, the lies continue. The result- Deception rooted so deep within me. And today it is exposed. I raise my weapon against it by choice! 

The mirror wastes no time, "You are not good enough to be loved." My eyes see the aging one, the unlovely. My heart patterns would scream, "No! Fight it!" Yet today the threads that bind are to be broken. A determined choice I have made.

 I have decided to stop believing the one whom I thought was my protector. The accusing voice that would step in and share the flaws that needed perfecting. The voice of the marble roller that would stand in the distance pointing the way to what the world says is the path to love. Yet, the voice of truth says that though outwardly we are wasting away, day by day we are renewed inwardly. 

 The voice of the accuser does not stop calling but I will not listen. I hear his voice and see his talons as they point to each imperfection, but this day I will direct my eyes up and my ears to the gentle one that stirs like a warm spring breeze, melting this frozen paralyzed heart. 

 Today I choose to love myself, even though I stand flawed and imperfect. Today I choose to receive God's love, Fully. I AM loved, just as I am, a disheveled mess. I choose to believe the voice of truth that says I am loved-Eternally loved.  Loved in the good and the bad;  forever LOVED. No depths nor heights can separate me from Christ’s love. I am loved, and in that love comes the ability to truly love. With open hands I receive and let go. With open hands I am given that I may give. And though outwardly I waste away and daily grow older, I have purpose; God uses the noble and in-noble. Who can say who is noble or in-noble in God’s economy, if not God?

 I recognize the vulnerability of my declaration. Today is a new day dawning.  I recognize my worth for WHO I am- all that I am in HIM and Him alone. For IN HIM, I have peace, joy, safety, strength, wholeness, vision, wisdom, security, gentleness, faith, hope, power and Love. Some may stand in judgment of me. Yet we all make declarations, whether consciously or not. Freedom or slavery comes with each choice. Which choice will we make this day, whose voice will we believe?

The distance of my life has harbored a mask. A mask that the world gives us to wear and hide behind.

I strip away the mask and all it hides. I stand and look and yes, continue to hear the voice of the accuser, but the gentle breeze of Christ's Spirit rises, moves, stirs and lifts me beyond the voice. It moves me to freedom. Through faith I can believe that I am indeed loved! It is through the substance of faith that I can dream again.

In order to receive fully, one must open fully.

I declare, I stand- my arms opened wide-I AM LOVED, JUST AS I AM, mess and all. 

I pray you also will make the decision to accept the unconditional love of Christ and recognize in his love is perfection, perfection as he loves the imperfect. In his perfect love, he takes the imperfect and turns ruined messes into pieces of art, into purpose, into TRUE BEAUTY. He loves that we too may love. Love heals.

May the peace of God envelope you this day. May his joy make your steps lighter, may his love pour forth over you and in you and so much so that you cannot contain it. For when we know we are truly loved, it is then and only then that we can truly love. Love truly heals. Love conquers all, even the voice of the accuser. 

I AM LOVED, JUST AS I AM!