Beauty from Ashes - A Continual Process

We can FEEL a lot of different things all within a short span of time.  They can often be conflicting feelings.  Feelings are real.  Feelings are valid.  Feelings come from a variety of circumstances.  Feelings can tear us down or build us up.  But feelings do not have to have the power to define us or anyone else!  That is why putting on the "glasses of truth" is so important in sorting out our feelings! FREEDOM We need the Word of God in our hearts as the measure of truth.  So when conflicting thoughts rise up and battle for the win, we have assurance of the true win.  We can never be perfect, we can never earn our worth.  Our worth is Jesus.  We get to wear His righteous robes.  Isaiah 61:10 says, " I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness."   J esus won for us!  This gives us free...

The sun is shining in Kentucky this Labor Day weekend.  But it doesn't feel like it to some.  Do you see them?  Are you that person? "Do you know someone who needs encouraging in their faith today?"   The reply  of  the unknown reader was "yes, me."    I froze for a moment. I have been there, have you?  That place where you can't encourage your own heart?  You are too numb to think.  You pray to God, you read His Word, you listen to worship, and yet it's so dark.  You're screaming, but it's silent..., you feel no one would want to hear it. It's just not true.  We care, there is someone ready to listen.  We are meant to be here for each other, to help share the load, better yet, to shift the load to God's shoulders. "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.   But exhort one another every day, as long as it is...

It was 6 am Monday morning, May 20, 2019.  Steve and I were quietly sitting at the kitchen table, candle lit, Bibles opened.  We each read different passages so we are together, but not reading out loud. It is peacefully silent, apart from the burning wick.  It's been a gift to sit by this man and meet with Jesus side by side in the quiet of the mornings. On this particular morning, 3 weeks ago, Steve's sister called us at 6 am.  We both knew before he answered.  Steve's mom had gone ahead of us to be with Jesus.  By God's grace, she went quietly in her sleep in her own bed.  I had prayed for her peaceful release from earth, but honestly, I did not have full faith when I prayed for that.  It could not have been more peaceful. We were instantly in planning mode.  We had had our bags packed for 3 months because of many last minute medical trips.  But ironically, we were not packed that morning.  For all the planning, you a...

Miles in the bag? Yeah, that's good!  But it does not define me!  Measurements!  They can be so conflicting!  It is good to have goals, to move forward, to make progress, but to what end?  If you are like me, the bag that holds your miles has a big hole in it!  There's never enough!  By the grace of God, I've been on a life long journey learning that running with a hole in your bag can be a good thing!   Now I picture a wind sock instead of a bag.  Let those miles fall out the bottom!  Try that one on!   A banner trailing me that is empty .  My hope is that the empty banner  I carry is filled with the full wind of God!   If you struggle with measurements you can find peace here today. God actually discourages comparison by measurement when done for the wrong reasons. Paul had heard that people were talking about they way he did ministry and comparing him to others.  He explains the importa...