The Perfect Day

So today was just a great day.

This morning I woke up and took an exam for my online class.  I am getting way more layed back about these exams.  100%.  yea!  I stepped outside to feel the weather and knew that I wanted to take advantage of the great weather while it was here so I again went for a walk/run along the trail.  Pretty awesome.

Got home and decided to get some yard work done before I showered.  Pulled some dead plants, raked some leaves and started a bonfire to burn up alot of shrubs and branches that my husband has cleaned up.  (He was at work.)  As I walked back and forth between the bonfire and the pile that needed to be burned I would get this feeling - let me try to explain it.  The sky was blue, crisp, clean and the air was perfect.  The kind of temperature where you just need a thin long sleeve shirt.  No chill in the air, just a freshness.  I would breathe in the air into my lungs taking in the beauty around me.  I had the feeling of the perfect day. 

You see, my life has been in such transition for the past six months I can hardly put it all in to words and feelings.  I just got a job yesterday as a Nursing Assistant at an Assisted Living facility about 10 min. from my house.  Pretty awesome.  My husband just finished a week long training on Rescue.  (Don't ask me to explain his training, it's alot. :)  God is moving in our life and I love it.  Some days I am still left "wondering" but don't we all?  I cannot imagine being in this day without the presence of Jesus in my life.  He is all I need - he is my guide - and he does know all the plans that he has for my life.

He knows you too.

So today, I just breathed in his freshness in my perfect day!
As I was working this is the song that I was singing and it made me smile.  I hope you smile too.

This walk we call life!

This morning when I went out to get the mail I knew that today was the day for an outdoor workout.  It is beautiful.  So off I went for a good long walk with a little running along the way.  I love walking the trail along the river that flows across the street from our house.  It started out as just a good walk, enjoying walking in short sleeves and breathing in the fresh air.  As I started to pray I ended up being blessed by the most amazing prayer walk I have ever experienced and ended up walking way longer than I ususally do.  I have always loved nature and today God was using the nature all around me to speak to me.  I love that about God, that he will always meet with you.  All you have to do is come.  So simple, but we make it so hard sometimes.

Two things stand out to me.  This first picture speaks to the first one.  God made this.

 

He made the blue sky, he made the colors on the leaves, he made the beautiful fall smell in the air.  As I looked up and saw this I was so overwhelmed by the majesty of God.  I was reminded that I cannot do this.  I cannot put such a soft blue color in the sky.  I cannot make the leaves change colors and gently fall to the ground and crinkle under my feet.  I am in awe. 

The second was this image.  The barren tree with the blue sky.  Just cool.  Just because the tree is barren does not mean there is no beauty.  I use the word "cool" for this image. 

Both of these were reminders that in this walk we call life we will see many things along the way.  Take in the beauty that is around.  And do not look down, keep your eyes up.  I observed how easy it is to look down when your walking.  But also noticed what I see if I am just looking down.  The cement or the gravel, but when my eyes look up I can see all the beauty around me.  I can see others walking past me, I can see the river flowing and would have missed out on the beauty that was all around me.  I am so glad that God reminded me of this.  When the path seems scary, different or unknown just keep looking up for when you look down you miss out on what is all around you.

A few days ago I read this verse in Proverbs 15:13 and I just fell in love with this.  "A happy heart makes a cheerful face..." 

As I came around another turn in the trail I noticed two hawks soaring above me and felt like God was saying "just soar with me, enjoy the ride, follow me, I know where we are going to land."  As I came to last leg on my walk the words to this song popped into my head.  As I say this I speak it as a reminder to me and to you.  ENJOY THE RIDE!

Thorns

The other day I went for a much needed walk.  After spending the morning studying and preparing to take an online exam I just needed some good fresh air before the exam.  I love walking here because just down the road from our house is the river with a running/walking/biking trail that goes for 8 miles.  It's pretty in all seasons.  As I was coming near to were the trail begins I was struck by this tree on the side of the road.  I stopped and just looked at it.  (You can click on the image to enlarge it.)

I thought about Jesus - the crown of thorns that was put on his head.  I have never seen a tree with such big thorns.  Jesus endured this crown made out of thorns for me - for you.  Matthew 27:29 "and then twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on his head...they mocked him saying, "Hail, King of the Jews."

I cannot comprehend his love for me.  I cannot comprehend that he thought of me as he endured the suffering.  I cannot comprehend that he took all of my sin on himself.  I can only imagine the pain of just one of those thorns in my head.  Because of what Jesus did the following verse tells us what we receive.  Wow!

Isaiah 61:10  "I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Lets live today claiming the truth - that we are forgiven and free. 

Fight - Fight

Have you ever been concerned about money/finances?  Have you ever been at a point in life when you didn't know how you were going to pay your next bill?  Have you ever been or are you at a point in life where finances are not a concern?  I've been on both ends.  I bring this topic up because I was reading in 1 Timothy this morning.  Paul is writing "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.  But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils." 

I found myself thinking that I don't desire to be rich so I'm ok.  NOT!  I felt convicted that even spending too much time focussing on money, even the basic needs and wondering where it will come from is harmful.  It can take my focus off what's important.  The next verse says that "many have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."  Wouldn't that make sense that the more you give money much of your attention it often becomes a distraction and begins to become more of a challenge?  The definition of pang is 'a sudden feeling of mental or emotional distress or longing.'  One thought can lead to the next and pretty soon it has become monumental.

Here is where our attention should be.  A few verses later: "But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.  Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith."  Those in battle do not shrink back.  I want to fight the good fight of faith. 

Due to copyright I couldn't post this clip, only the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUFJ30_Y0EM

You have a friend

I feel honored that my daughters call me their friend.  What greater gift could a mother receive.  I feel honored that they want to talk on the phone with me (even though I am not a fan of talking on the phone. :)) and that they want to hang out with me.  This past week I have been able to do this more as we have had both of our cars in Michigan for some much needed car repairs.  Our son in law works for a tire/car company and the discount is worth the drive.  Thanks Eric! 

My grandson is 2 1/2 and has discovered make believe play.  It's fun to play with him or just watch and listen to him in the next room.  He is happy to play with little characters and have conversations with them.  If one of them falls on the floor he quickly picks it up followed by "he's ok."  When we were getting ready to come home last night my husband picked up his shoes and began to untie the knots in the laces.  He looked at  him and said "no tie shoes."  He didn't want him to leave.  Why would he really - grandpa had time to sit on the sofa and play make believe with him.  They are buddies and it's the cutest thing ever.

 

Me and my grandson watching a duck.

As we spent time hanging out with our grandchildren (others to be featured in future blogs) and grown children, I was remined this morning of our friendship with Jesus.  I was reading John 15 this morning. "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I call you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.  You did not choose me but I chose you..."  I am humbled that Jesus would call me his friend.  And I am even more humbled to know that Jesus has told us what he heard from God the Father.  Think about that.  All that Jesus heard from his Father he has told us.  WOW! 

I love that he is my friend.  He is yours too.

Empty handed but Alive!

Do you ever feel empty handed? 

Today I am winding down from my first day of clinicals yesterday at a skilled long term care facility.  This is completely a new work experience for me.  Completely new!!  A few things stick out in my mind from ladies in their 80's and 90's - "I'm sorry that you had to clean me up, I am so sorry; thank you so much, thank you so much." - "I like you." - "I have 5 children but 4 of them have died - why did that happen to me?" - "When you are 94 years old you just can't do things anymore." - "I use to tell my son what to do, now he tells me what to do."

Needless to say it took me a while to fall asleep last night.  I am processing the path that God has me on.  Not in a bad way, just processing.  I don't know if I will work in this type of facility or a hospital, but wherever it is God is definitely shaping me. 

I see God working in the life on my youngest daughter, now a freshman in college.  I see how much she is growing and learning.  Kinda blowing me away actually.  She is awesome.  I love hearing her tell me this morning how she was talking with another friend and telling him how thankful she is that we moved to Ohio.  She can see God's hand at work.

And I have to add my husband here.  He has been working at an inner city ministry and growing and experiencing ministry in a way that he never has.  Praying with men, teaching them how to communicate with others, talking about Jesus with them, talking men down from fighting...etc.  He is pretty beat when he gets home. 

The three of us living in this house are definitely facing some new ventures in life.  Change can create tension, tears and even fears.  But change creates joys, growth and new life.  Think about the changes in your life.  Can't you see how without that change you may never have reached the point in life you are at?

I love being in worship to Jesus through music.  I love just opening up my hands and being completely open and vulnerable before him.  Holding nothing back.  As I was blogging I was listening to a Pandora station and the following song came on.  Take a moment to just worship your creator.  He loves you and he is calling you to him.  If you have felt far off from God lately, remember he is right there, hands outstretched for you, hands reaching to take hold of yours.  Close your eyes, open your hands, open your heart and worship him.

The definition of Majesty is supreme greatness of authority; sovereignty.

"Empty handed but alive in your hands!"

Do you understand?

It's been a long time since I have blogged.  Why?  I went back to school and have been non-stop for the last 5 weeks.  This morning I sit in the living room listening to a worship song and am just blown away as I think about what he has done in my life.

I had a long talk with my sister last night.  It was awesome to catch up and share life with each other.  After I got off the phone tears filled my eyes as I came to this realization of how God has been moving in my life.

I begin with the huge gift of my new friends that I have met through The Daughter Project.  It started out with becoming involved in this non-profit organization that is building a recovery home for girls that have been rescured from sex tafficking.  It turned in to more than that.  It turned out that I would meet some of the most amazing women.  Some of the most vulnerable women - broken - freed - redeemed - and I love them all so much.  Then a few months ago I began to pray about going back to school and become certified as a STNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant).  I had two options - a 2 week intensive course, full time OR a 5 week class twice a week at Owens Community College.  I didn't know which course to take but I wanted to take the class that God wanted me to take.  So Tim began to pray and asked God to shine a light on where I should go.  As soon as he finished praying I happened to look over the bookshelf that was filled with Tim's books and saw the words on these books.  4 times!  Not only that but notice to the left the "student" bible.  I had my answer.

I have completed my couse, besides my clinicals and my state exam.  I don't know where or what kind of facility I will work in but I will pray and ask God to show me.  I am also completing another online class that will run the full semester. 

Sometimes God confuses me, sometimes I wonder what he is doing, sometimes I am just blown away how he takes my confusion and shows me the next step, shines a light so to speak and takes away my confusion.  Then the next unknown place in life comes along and we become stronger, sure we will still "wonder" and may even begin to doubt again, but if we take the time to stop and look back at how God has taken care of things we can know that he has a plan for our next step.

I was reading in John 13 when Jesus washed the disciples feet.  "He poured water in a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and wipe them with the towel.  He came to Simon Peter who said to him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?"  Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand."   Something is going on in life and we are wondering why it's happening, what God has in mind - let's remember Jesus words here. "Afterward you will understand!"  God has had me in many circumstances where he wants me to just trust him when I don't understand.  How comforting that he says to me that afterward I will understand.  The definition of an aha moment is "a moment of clarity."  I think God does that with us.  We all of a sudden have that moment when we get it.

Thank Jesus today.  Run to him.

Don't have a title for this one.

I love worshiping God in church.  I love singing songs of worship to him, it's one of the ways that draws me near to him.  I also love being in nature and worshiping God on a good hike.  I love sitting on the sofa with my bible in hand when a scripture jumps out at me and stirs in my heart.  These are times of worship for me.

This morning I was reading John 4, about the Samaritan woman at the well.  Jesus talked with her about living water, he talked with her about her life.  The Samaritans followed their own traditions rather than the Word of God.  Jesus said to her, "But the hour is coming and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."  So if the hour was here for this Samaritan woman it is certainly here for us.  What does this mean?  I am not a bible scholar but I do know this.  He wants you - just you - to come to come to him, to worship him, with all your heart.

I was imagining what this woman at the well must have felt.  After the above words she said to Jesus, "The woman said to him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ.) When he comes, he will tell us all things.'"  Jesus said to her, "I am who speak to you am he." I feel like I would have broke down in tears.  Now she could understand worship.  The one to worship was standing right there next to her.  And you know what?  She didn't feel condemned either by Jesus.  He knew the sin in her life but he just loved on her.  That is what he does for you and me.  Blows my mind!

Last week we were at a family reunion.  About 60 of us gathered together for fellowship, games and devotions.  If your that family reading this, I love you all.  I want to share the following clip with all of you.  This is my father in law.  One of the most humble and gentle men I have ever known in my life.  A man of God, a sinner, a retired pastor, a father and a great grandfather.  This was his time of closing for the reunion.  May you be blessed.

Keep those promises alive!

It has just been way too long since I blogged.  I've been missing my quiet time in the word lately in the mornings.  Something that had become such a part of my morning coffee for years now has started to slip.  Time to get back into the rhythm.  I love this about mistakes - we don't have to beat ourselves up about them, we just have to turn around and start over again.

Lately I have been feeling really discouraged.  Looking at the life situation around and allowing every doubt or fear from the enemy to slip in.  Sometimes we need someone from the outside looking in to speak a word that helps you put things back in to perspective.  As church had ended on Sunday, the pastor shared just a few words that I so needed to hear.  He had been in a similar situation as us before so he understood.  He reminded me/us to just - "enjoy the ride, it may feel like you are free falling, but God knows where you will land.  He is laying the foundation."  Seemed to be just what I needed.  When you are "inside" a challenge it makes it harder to see the whole picture. 

Then tonight someone had a facebook post that read, "Never ever let the words of men, steal the promises of God."  How often don't we do that?  We are walking along confident that God is leading us then - bam - somebody shuts it down, throws into question the path you are on, the job you have, the move you made and you begin to doubt that God lead you in the first place.  Makes me think of Adam and Eve in the garden.  "Did God really say?"  Satan putting the question out there.  The promises of God - LET'S KEEP THEM LIVING IN OUR LIFE.

Today I was blessed to bring a lunch meal to the volunteer workers who are working on the home for The Daughter Project.  An organization that I am volunteering with.  They are building and operating a recovery home for adolescent girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking.  I was blessed to bring them a lunch - those guys working out in this unbearable heat, giving freely of their time to build a home, a place of healing for these girls.  The many volunteers who will still give of their time blows my mind.  It is a rather emotional work site to be at.  And those promises of God - may those girls be filled to overflowing with the promise that God loves them so much and that he does and will heal their wounds.  He will heal yours too.  Just ask him!

His love is marvelous.  The following song (a demo) was written by my son (in law).  He is working on a worship CD.  Copy and paste the following link into your internet browser.  Close your eyes, listen, and meditate on the one who loves you more than you can begin to imagine. 

http://www.facebook.com/lagodmusic?sk=app_178091127385

Siblings and Heaven

So this past weekend I drove for 24 hours in 4 days.  All by myself - my niece was getting married in Omaha and we were unable to attend until a few days before I got this feeling that I really needed to get there, somehow.  Knowing that my husband and daughter both needed both of our cars I called around for a rental and a few hours later I was on the road to my brothers house, then the next day to finish the drive to Omaha.  I was so happy that I went - all 6 of us siblings were together for the weekend.  It was such a blessing.  We are all so different and some of us don't know each other that well since we haven't had much time together in the last decade.  We had time to talk and share life and relationships are growing.  I will say this - we are so nice to each other and we treat each other with respect.  I hope my siblings don't mind that I put this picture on my blog but it's just too great not to share.  My sister sent it to me and when I looked at it I cried.  I love them all so much.  Isn't God just so great?!!  I can't wait for the next time when all the in-laws are there and we can have a picture with all of our spouses too.  They are my sisters and brothers too and I just love all of them.

You know, life is short and we never know when God will bring us home to be with him.  So I treasure my family - right now.  In a blink life here on earth can be done.  I heard the most beautiful analogy last week.  Think of what it feels like when you get home after a long vacation or trip.  You walk in the door and just breathe a sign of relief or you lay down in your own bed and just breathe that sign of relief.  I usually say "wow, it feels so good to be in my own bed and to be home."  Now think of this - when we get to heaven I think we will just breathe that sign of relief, that feeling of peace and rest will overtake us.  That thought makes death seem so much more peaceful.  We will at last be really home.

So for now, as long as I live on this earth, I want to live my life to bring glory to God.  I want to love my family and tell others about Jesus.  Relationships are what will matter in the end.  It won't matter the money we made but the relationships we had, the love we shared and most importantly - Jesus my Savior!!!

John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

How about some encouragement!!!

This morning in church we were asked to look at the person next to us (which is usually your family) and tell them what you are thankful for about them.  It was actually really neat to look at the person in the eyes and speak truth to them.  I happen to be in the middle of my husband and my daughter.  I looked at my daughter and told her I was thankful for her testimony of God's faithfulness, to which I then turned to my husband who looked at me with a few tears in his eyes and told me; "I am thankful that you are walking this life with me, you are so brave."  Being the woman that I am, I too shed tears, partly because of his words to me and partly because I don't feel very brave.

I have a dear friend who began going through some tough medical issues about the same time we began this unknown leap of faith we are on.  I have found that many times we have called each other, or chatted on facebook, at times when each of us needed it.  Maybe she was scared and God had given me the peace I needed that day to help her.  On rough days for me she ended up being there to encourage me.  I would be blown away that she could lift me up when she was facing upcoming surgery.  Encouragement!  Isn't it just the best?

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Don't you find yourself drawn to people that just care about you or your situation without passing judgment?  There is an older couple at the church we have been going to that do just that.  We have talked maybe 4 times, they have prayed with us 3 of those times, prayed for open doors, provision and much more.  This morning we talked to them for a while and he said, "God has really had you guys on my heart this week, I would like your address so that I could send you some support."  I knew the love in his heart when his eyes filled with tears as he looked at us.  I feel drawn to people like this.  They have been such an encouragement to us and I will always be thankful for them. 

Lord, may we all be encouraging to those around us, to our family and friends and those we meet along the way.  Help us not to pass judgment on them, but to love them as they are, sons and daughters of the Almighty God.

Do you know Jesus?  He knows you by name.  He died for you and rose again to give you eternal life.  He is the son of God, your Savior!!!  He is the only way to heaven.  Romans 10:9 says, "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  It's as simple as that.

What are your plans?

"There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death."  Proverbs 14:12

I have learned this in many ways the hard way.  I have come to the point in my life when I don't want to plan out what my future should look like.  I have learned that it actually is a waste of valuable time.  If I took off running with a direction in my life that looks good to me it would fail miserably.  God already has a place for us - God already has our next steps prepared - God already knows what is best for me.  As soon as I begin to plan things out and try to take control is when anxiety begins to creap in. 

There is another Proverb that says "Many are the plans of a man's heart, but it is the Lord's will that will prevail."  This brings comfort to me.  So I will continue to bring my prayers to him.  I will continue to seek his will.  Our youngest daughter is registered for her first semester of college classes for the fall.  She will live at home.  I am excited for her and it leaves me also with "God please keep us living here" feeling.  Those are my thoughts, those are my feelings, but that's all that they are - thoughts and feelings.

I can tell that my husband needs to preach.  I believe that he has been annointed for this.  So I will continue to pray for him.  Right now he is working a job at Cherry Street Missions Ministry in Toledo.  It has been a hard transition for him as it is an area of ministry that is completely different for him.  Working with the homeless, the drug addicts...etc.  This is where God has him now and I believe that he will grow in ways that will blow him away.  And when God opens up the next door - well I think that will just be fun.

Are you waiting on some life plans?  Are you wondering what might be next for you?  Wondering about a decision you have to make?  Keep praying and rest in his hands.  Just rest there.  And when you have those moments, those days when you've taken it back on yourself, give yourself some grace - and bring it back to him.  He is already holding it.

Please pray for a clear direction for us.  Your prayers are greatly appreciated.  

Don't lose heart

Sometimes I pray so long for clarity, for an answer, for a direction and when I don't feel that I am hearing from God I begin to wonder.  Not that he heard me, but if he will answer me, or how long will I have to wait.  This morning I read Luke 18 "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."  I needed to read this today.  Not lose heart.  He told the parable of the persistent widow who kept coming and kept coming with her request to the judge.  He finally gave her justice so she would stop bothering him.  Jesus said "And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?  Will he delay long over them?  I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily.  Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

I am reminded to just keep on coming with my prayers.  Have faith that he hears me and will act.  I can be persistent with my prayers.  I am reminded of the scripture that says "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you."  I can easily be seeking what I need in this life and forget to seek Jesus, my friend and my companion.  Just to be with him.  I am sitting here this morning and looking around outside at all the beautiful trees around my house.  So high, so deep green from the rain.  I hear the birds singing together, and once in a while I hear the sound of the Mourning Dove.  A choir of birds singing for the Lord.  Then I hear the sound of the cricket and once in a while a car drives by.  A cool breeze with some humidity is blowing.  I can't help but think about how God has all of this under his care.  It is all his creation and I matter more than all of it.  I am just a speck in this great big world but I matter to our heavenly Father.  He loves little ole me.  Hard to even get my hands around such a thought sometimes.

So today, remember to keep praying.  He hears you, he has not forgotten you.  He loves you.  Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus.

Italian night

Last week my daughter told me about a website to go to where I could get $25 gift cards to some area restaurants for only $2.  Wow, so cheap, so I bought a bunch of them.  $250 worth for only $30.  Awesome right - until I found the details.  Dumb me got them so fast I didn't even take time to read the details.  With minimum purchase of $35 or $45 - and on top of it The Melting Pot is a minimum of $75 per couple to eat there anyway.  What a waste.  We felt like eating Italian last night and started looking online for area Italian restaurants only to find that to order simple spaghetti it was $15.99 a plate.  I then suggested we have our own romantic italian dinner at home, in our sunroom, with candles and music.  So, off Tim went to Kroger for a bottle of wine while I prepared homemade spaghetti sauce.  We were home alone, so that topped it off.  Found a nice Italian music station on Pandora, and the weather was perfect.  Amazing meal, glass of wine and even a little dancing.  So much better than eating out and feeling guilty for spending $40 bucks.  My spaghetti was way better anyway.

This morning I woke up to children playing in another yard.  At first I was bummed it woke me up until I saw that it was 10:00.  I NEVER sleep that late.  I think I had some serious sleep to catch up on.

Last night we prayed and asked God to open the doors soon so we know where to step next.  Plus I let God know that I am tired of thinking about all the "what if we..." and "maybe we should..." or "let's just go to..."  After a while we can just tire of all those thoughts and a clear direction would be awesome.  Yes, in God's time - we feel ready for some clarity.  I wonder what God thinks!!!  But in the meantime - God is amazing!  The peace I feel is incredible.  He does know the plans he has for us and I cannot forget that - ever!!  Anything other than that is a lie and I will remember the truth.

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

Celebrations!!!

So I am not usually up this early in the morning.  The house is quiet and will be just my husband and I until this evening.  We are hoping to accomplish some serious prayer and job searching today.  Praying for clarity today!

As I was reading the scripture this morning I was struck by a few parables, the ones most of us know all too well.  The one about the lost sheep and the lost coin.  The 1 lost sheep out of 100, and how you go and look for the lost one and then rejoice when you find it.  Or the lost coin, when you search and search until you find it, then rejoice when you do!!  Both of these end with the same thing.  "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents..." and "there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."  Do you think that your sins are just too big to forgive?  Do you ever feel ashamed by them that you don't even want to talk about them with God?  Remember the TRUTH!  Heaven rejoices when we repent.  God doesn't condemn us or look down on us but celebrates with us when we repent.  How cool is that?

When I was reading again the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) I caught some words that I hadn't before.  This son, took his inheritance and spent it all in wild living.  He lost everything and was feeding the pigs when verse 17 says "But when he came to himself..."  He must have had a moment when all of a sudden he thought "what am I doing?"  He must have thought he had been out of his mind.  So he went home to his father hoping to be treated as a servant but instead his father celebrated his return with a feast.  The father said "for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.  And they began to celebrate."

No matter what you have done Jesus loves you.  He wants to celebrate with you a free life.  A life that embraces his forgiveness - a new life.

We are so free!!!

Re-learning how to ride a bike!

Do you ever feel defeated?
I do - I have.
I watched the clip below (don't watch it till your done reading. :) and I was overwhelmed with, well, I'm not sure exactly how to descibe it.

When children are little they work so hard to learn things.  As a parent, aunt, babysitter, grandparent or however you interact with children don't you notice how hard they try to learn a new task.  When a child is learning to walk they fall so many times, banging their head even, but they still get back up and keep trying.  When my girls were learning to ride the bike the same thing happened.  And sports - mistakes made, game play improves.  The list can go on.  Do we teach children to quit?  No, we cheer them on to keep trying, to not give up.

Now watch this clip.



I couldn't help but think about this little boy inspiring adults.  How often do we, as we get older give up and feel defeated.  Situatations in life seem so hard, they get so hard, and we just give up. 

I want to re-learn to ride a bike, with this boy cheering me on. :)

Romans 12:11-23 "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervant in Spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

The rich and the poor - so cool!

Awesome night on the West side of Toledo tonight. Tim and I went to a Community dinner at someones home.  People were coming in and out from the area neighborhoods. Homeless and Doctors, the rich and the poor.  It was by far the coolest mix of people fellowshipping I have ever seen.  We talked with a homeless man in one conversation and then to a young dating couple who are both in med. school.  One neighbor came in the house for food and asked if she could go and get her friend to come over.  "Well of course" was her answer.  Half hour later here she comes back with her friend.  You see, everyone is welcome there.  Nobody is allowed to donate for the food otherwise some might not come because they would feel bad if they can't give.  We didn't know people but met a few and loved just watching the interaction among people.

It was the epitomy of what the body of Christ is suppose to be about.  Just loving on people with no barriers between each other and giving, giving and giving to others.  I plan on going again.

We gave a homeless man a ride home (not sure how your homeless if you have a home, although we dropped him off at a corner so who knows) and he told us that God will bless us for giving him a ride home.  Sounds good to me, although he blessed me.  As we listened to him talking to us from the back seat my eyes filled with tears.  Seriously, why do I ever think I don't have enough?  Why do I ever want more?  Why am I not more content?  He said "people tell me your shoes are so old and your clothes are so old, how can you talk about Jesus?  I just tell them that it's not what's on the outside but what's on the inside that counts.  I have Jesus in my heart?  Have you ever felt Jesus so much in your heart that you just want to explode?"  I could feel the tears in my eyes.  He sat in my back seat for maybe 15 minutes but he blessed me and reminded me of what is most important in life.

I think Jesus would have hung out with him.

Do you ever worry?

How many times have you been guilty of worry?  How many times have you been in a place of wondering how you will pay your bills and put food on your table?  Maybe you haven't had to deal with these types of issues but most people have at some point in their life.  Jesus talked about this in Luke 12 when he said "do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on."  He goes on to talk about the birds and how he cares for them - how we are more valuable to him.  "...how much more will I clothe you, O you of little faith!  And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.  For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, seek his kingdom, and all these things will be added to you."

I have read this so many times in my life.  So many - but do we really take to heart the underlined words?  I think in those trying times we can easily forget them.  To "seek his kingdom" - well I think that means for him to be Lord of our life.  We should seek relationship with him more than anything else in life.  Is he in every aspect of your life?  I know for me it's daily.  The world has so much that can take our eyes off of him and distract us from what is most important.  And remember that he knows what we need.  Let's not forget that!!

Jesus concludes by saying "for where your treasure is there will your heart be also."  I would love to be able to say that I have my heart in the right place all the time.  It is a daily walk and a daily coming to him and laying everything in his hands.  But the more we do the stronger our faith becomes.  Never stop.

Today is a beautiful day outside - sunny - 70's - low humidity!  I turned off the air conditioner and opened up all the windows - my favorite.  "This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Now What?

I/we have been going through a mix of emotions lately.  In this place of unknown in ministry/job and just life my husband put it simply in an email he sent to his sister.  It was beautifully said but very "real."

But in the end it was the voice of God that we followed, with His timing.  Now we are in that challenging time of "what exactly next?"  It is uncomfortable, but I am sure God has his shaping purposes at work in us.  That is the nice translation.  The other translation is "some days if feels like a train wreck."  Yet somehow in the middle of it all we cling to the fact that we followed His lead, so we will cling to His promises, even when we do not yet see them.

Sometimes I wish that I was more encouraging to him.  Sometimes I feel the same as he does and the frustrations make it hard to encourage.  You know those times in marriage when your both down so you can't lift each other up.  I highly dislike those times.  This morning he woke up looking like that "train wreck."  He usually goes to a men's prayer group on Friday's with some other pastors in the area but was thinking about not going today.  It was my chance to encourage him to go.  I don't think the enemy wanted him there.  Lord bless him this morning!!!!!  I should interject here that we have been dealing with a serious water issue in our basement which is causing more stress.  It is an added challenge that I wish we didn't have.

So we cling to the promises of Jesus.
2 Cor. 4:8-9 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."

JOY--------------:)

This past week has been challenging for me as I have been doubting way too much.  Doubting the next step and even doubting God.  Ever been there?

Until.....I read these words from a young missionary.  "Satan can only take from you what your willing to give him.  Don't give him your joy."  Those words hit me as I realized that's what I had given him.  In the midst of uncertainties it's easy to get down and lose the joy.  But it is true that it is the thief who wants to steal that from me.  Jesus said "I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly."  That sounds pretty joyful to me!  Isaiah 55:12 says "you will go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song for you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

This morning my heart was joyful as I attended our youngest daughters Senior high school send off.  It is a time when the students all share something, a story, a thank you, whatever they want to share at the end of the year.  I was so proud of Angela as she got up and shared her testimony, with tears, about how thankful she was for Toledo Christian and the genuine friendships that she has made here.  After moving in the middle of her junior year she is able to see how God took care of her.  And she thanked her parents for listening to God and moving, even though she didn't want to.  I love that girl!!!!!!

So even though there are uncertain days ahead, I love that God is in control of all of them and  already knows what each of our next steps will be.  Some of you have had the same job most of your life, lived in the same house and in the same town.   That is awesome how God has settled you.  That is not my story though.  I have had many a day where I wish it had been like that but things in my life would not be as they are if they had.  Guess God's plans are always best - and when I wonder if God knows what he is doing - well, I just need to get out of the way and remember the amazing things that God has done and come back to the truth.

Thank you Jesus for all you have done and all you will do.  
You are always good.

It's been a while...

Yes, it has been a while since I blogged last. 

God is always changing up my life, all the time.  Ministry for my husband is going to look different - so different that I don't even know what it will be.  That's funny!  God is funny!  He tells us what step to take and makes us wait for the next one.  Seriously, come on God.  You always want me to "wait."  Why is that?  But the truth is always the same - God is God and his plans are always better than mine.  So I will wait - again!!!  I say that with a smile. :)

I was at my moms bible study at my daughters school this morning, which is always a blessing to me.  The ladies there are awesome, we just love each other, not judge, and it's so great  to be in this kind of envioronment.  But today they just blessed me, they blessed me so big.  They didn't just share encouragement and love they showed it. 

Then I was thinking about our prayer time together.  As everyone had different prayer requests and different people we were praying for, I started getting this picture in my mind.  Try to hang with me for a minute.  Picture you, praying for someone specific, or for a situation in their life.  Now picture you and 10 more people in different places also praying for the same person or situation.  I started imagining these multiple prayers rising.  Then I started imagining this over and over from many different people.  But the number of people praying can grow so huge too.  Now imagine yourself needing prayer - maybe you have cancer, or your husband lost his job, or your child is sick, or your marriage is crumbling - the power of so many prayers being said on your behalf is so cool.  Then I wondered what it must be like to be God and hearing all these prayers.  That just must be so cool.

2 Corinthians 1:10-11
"He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."

Keep praying people, keep praying.  And if you are being prayed for - those prayers are going straight to your Heavenly Father who hears them.  Can't get any better than that.

What do I know of holy?

Have you ever felt too sinful to come to Jesus?
Have you ever felt like God is too holy to draw near to?
Sometimes I am blown away by the power of God.
Sometimes it brings me to tears.

The other day I was driving home from a ladies bible study that I attend at my daughters school.  Our time together was awesome, we prayed together for all our prayer needs, and there were many.  A few ladies layed hands on me and they all prayed for me.  As I began to drive home I had my worship music playing and I began to worship and pray.  As I sought the Lord in prayer I could feel his presence in the car.  As I was praying it came to me - I just turned my head and said "you are right here" - Holiness, the Almighty God, who is holy, was next to me in my car.  I didn't have to try to get to him, he was right there.  As I worshipped tears filled my eyes and I felt overwhelmed to be in his presence.

He is here in my presence right now.  He is there, right by you now.  Are you struggling with a sin?  He is there right next to you, not judging you, but beckoning for you to release it to him.  Are you lonely?  He is right there next to you and wants you to know that.  Are you afraid?  He is right there next to you, with his arms wrapped around you telling you "do not be afraid."

I think so many of us have made God way too small.  We have packaged him just the way we want him.  To fit our life.  Lay it all down and open yourself up to him completely.  Lay aside all the man made teachings of God and look to the bible.  This Almighty God, creator of everything, creator of YOU is bigger than what your little mind can comprehend.  There is nothing too big for him, no circumstance that he cannot handle.    He loves you with a love that will never fail you.

Take a moment to worship.

REAL PROMISES

Do you believe that all the promises in the bible are true?
Do you believe that you can claim these promises personally in your life?
I do - well - sometimes - well - yes I believe them but I often don't act like I do.

I was reading toward the end of Joshua how the Lord gave to Israel all the land that he swore to give to their fathers.  The people took possession and settled.  And the Lord gave them rest on every side.  Take these words to heart today: Joshua 21:45 "Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass."

God's promises all came to pass - ALL OF THEM. 

His promises in the bible will all come to pass in your and my life too.  For example: "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." - "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - "The Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - "Fear not, for I have redeemed you." - "But whoever listens to me will live in safety and at ease, without fear or harm." - "God is our refuge and strength."

Reading the promises that God gives us and living them out are two different things.  We can see that in the lives of the Isrealites.  The verse above reminds me of this amazing, powerful and loving God that we have.  His promises still were true even though they failed time after time.  Such is the case with you and me.  We fail, time after time but God's promises will never fail us - ever!

Pray this prayer with me:  Father God, I love you.  I want your promises to be alive in my life.  I want to not just know them but to know and believe them deep within my soul.  You are a God of love and a God of peace.  Pour an extra measure of your Spirit within me to overflowing and I submit to you all of my life.  I desire your promises fill me to my core.  Thank you Jesus.

Lean on Me

Someone reminded me that my blog is out of date.  I have sat down a few times to write but words either didn't come clearly or I was too busy.  A week ago my grandson arrived into the world.  Matthew Timothy - his middle name is my husbands name.  He is a beautiful gift from God.

The other day my daughter Angela came home from school all excited and told me she had something to show me.  "Hold on", she said, and ran up to her room.  I had a feeling what it was.  Within minutes she walked down wearing her cap and gown.  Yup, it happened, tears filled my eyes.  She is my last one to graduate.  Her long blonde hair surrounding a light blue cap and gown was so beautiful.

Life does move on whether we like it or not.  Sure I wish that life was not so fragile right now.  I would love it if there wasn't so much unknown.  Having faith sounds awesome doesn't it?  We all want to live a life that in whatever circumstances we face we will have faith.  But if we are honest, having faith is just plane hard.  You see, for us to have a stronger faith we have to be in situations that will strengthen our faith.  I was reading this morning about Joshua's instructions to take over Jericho.  Those were some pretty crazy instructions but he knew that he heard from the Lord.  He had faith.  Sometimes in life we are faced with situations where we are forced to have faith, trusting in God when we do not see the answer.  We have days when we cry (I do), we have days when we are strong but knowing that God has our life in the palm of his hand should bring us more comfort than it does.  When suddenly we are in a situation where we don't see the outcome we so often try to take things into our own hands.  We do all the planning and forget to seek God.  What, like we can do a better job them him?  Sometimes we think we can.  That never works out very well.

Proverbs 3:5-6  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight."

Father God, may I/we trust you above what is around us.  I seek your face this day above anything else that is a distraction.  Your will be done in my life. 

What and who are you leaning on?  Lean on Jesus.

Choose Life!

Sometime in life we have to make choices.  Some are simple some are not.  I think about our attitudes in life, mine today as I read Deuteronomy 30:19-20.  "I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.  Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days."  These verses brought tears to my eyes. 

Sometimes life is just hard.  But God has before us choices - we can choose to live in the hard stuff of life or we can choose to live in the blessings.  I know sometimes we can't even find the blessings but they are there.  We cannot allow the hard stuff to be bigger than the blessings.  When we do that we begin to forget all the great things God has done in our life. 

So when you find yourself wallowing, we all do that sometimes, say to yourself "I choose life, for God is my life and the length of my days.  I will hold fast to him." 

Take a moment to worship.

Are you stubborn?

Are you ever stubborn?  I am sure you said yes.  We all are sometimes.  Some of us more than others.  I know I can be and it often makes things more difficult.  Life is just going along, we hit those nasty speed bumps and we get annoyed and downright stubborn because we don't like the direction we are going.  I was reading Psalm 32 this morning.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.  Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you."

All I could picture is myself being that stubbord horse or mule and God having to curb me with a bit and/or a bridle.  A very painful picture.  I believe that so often when things in my life have become hard it's because God is having to do this to me.  The next verse says "but steadfast love surrounds the one who trust in the Lord."  The dictionary definition of steadfast is "fixed in direction, firm in purpose, unwavering."  This is the kind of love that will surround us when we just trust in the Lord.  Is it not easy but the more we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus the stronger we become and the more we recognize that we have become that stubborn mule again.

It is such a beautiful picture when you read the first part.  God, instucting me and teaching me the way to go.  Even more, with his eye upon me.  How comforting to know that his eye is always upon me.  Even on those days when I don't "feel" close to him, when I feel far off from God.  His eye is still upon me, wanting me to just release the tension on the rope and walk with him.

What is it in your life that is keeping you from walking with God instead of fighting him like the mule?  Release it and let it go!

Tell your story

I love hearing God stories.  I love hearing stories about lives changed, miracles and God interacting in peoples lives.  The other day we received an email from a pastor in Illinois.  He has been sick for a long time and has a tumor in his lung.  Not anymore!  His email of God's miraculous healing brought tears to my eyes.  He even wrote "I would even think I was crazy if it didn't happen to me."  You see, he has had prayer intercessors praying for him for two years now.  God spoke to him and told him "I am answering their prayers."  And the tumor was instantly gone.  He felt it leave.  These stories inspire me, encourage me and fill my heart with joy.

This morning I read the story in Mark 14 about the woman who poured expensive ointment over Jesus head.  Jesus said "She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial.  And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her."  Now here I am blogging her story, we read it in the bible.  It is as Jesus said - told in memory of her.  What a beautiful story.  I would have loved to be her friend.  I bet she would have had some awesome God stories to share.  I bet we could have sat all day and talked about our faith together.  I bet she would have encouraged me as her story does today.  

Do you have a story to tell?  How God has stepped in your life?  Tell the story, it may be just what someone else needs to hear.

Open Hands

This morning I felt convicted.  A good thing.  As I read the following scripture I thought of being the person on the receiving end of this and on the giving end.

⁷"If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, ⁸but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. ⁹Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, 'The seventh year, the year of release is near,' and your eye look grudgingly on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the LORD against you, and you be guilty of sin. ¹⁰You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. ¹¹For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, 'You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.'  Deuteronomy 15:7-11

We live in a society that thinks of themselves.  People look out for their own needs, even looking down on those who are in need as if they are better than them.  Many churches are more concerned about themselves and keeping their church safe, than they are the body of Christ.  What the Lord commanded the people in the old testament is still a command for us today.  Take care of each other!  It's pretty simple but our society has complicated it.  I know I am guilty.  Our society also makes it hard for those who are in need to let those around them know.  Shame, embarassment and fear of being judged keep them quiet.  Isn't that sad?

I love the picture of an open hand.  I just thought of the scripture that says "freely you have received, freely give" so I looked it up online to find out where in the bible it's from.  Much to my surprise this is the whole verse.  "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."  Matthew 10:8  Think about that one!

On that note, I pray that you have a great day.  I pray that we all open up our hands to those in need - and pray about the Matthew verse.  God is bigger than what we could ever imagine.

Keep the Faith!

Don't we want to live in such a way that our life is content?  Things seem to be in place, everything is good?  I was reading in Deuteronomy this morning these words.

"And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart...And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna,...that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

Ever felt like you were in a testing season in your life?  A time when you have really been humbled?  I sure have - even now I am in a different kind of season.  Hard to even begin to explain it but God wants my heart to trust him so fully.  In a way like I never have before.  Not long after the above verses God spoke and said "Take care lest you forget the Lord your God...lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied, then your heart will be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God."

I don't want to forget what the Lord has done in my life.  I don't want things to become so good that I begin to forget him as God warned the people of Israel.  It sure is good to take a good look at ourselves - have we forgotten the Lord?  You know the trials that we face are no fun and we just want them to end.  Hear what God said to the people of Israel about all the trials they faced in the wilderness.  "...that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end."  The end result of a trial we would all love to get to quickly but when we remember that the time of testing, the time of being humbled is for our good, maybe that can help us get through.  Like a parent who disciplines their child and knows that in the end it is for their own good we have to remember that we have a Father who is always looking out for our best.  I am a grown adult and my earthly father has passed away but it is good for me to know that I still have a Father who is looking out for my best interests.  I don't always 'like' what is before me but my reading this morning was a reminder to keep the faith. 

He is God - I am not.  Oh, and the 'good in the end' part.  Awesome!

Your Children

I was picturing Jesus in the following verse and it is so beautiful to me.

"Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray.  ... Jesus said 'let the little children come to me'...And he laid his hands on them and went away."

Somehow all these years I missed the words "and pray".  I love the picture of Jesus laying his hands on the children and praying over them.  What an example for us parents today to do.  How often do we lay hands on our children and pray?  I know that I want to do this more than I do.

Last night I was driving to school with my youngest daughter, a senior, for a school event.  We got to talking about things in the car and I joked with her about how she 'talks to other cars' when she drives.  She quickly said 'I get that from you mom.' :)  Ouch.  This lead in to the discussion of parents and their teens.  I love what she said - "Mom, parents have a much greater influence on their teenagers than they think."  She meant this in both areas of negative behavior and positive behavior.  Your children/teens are watching you.  What a huge impact we have in the lives of our children.  Sometimes it can be an overwhelming responsibility but when we, as parents, are seeking the face of Jesus, when we are praying for them and that we make wise decisions, when we are in the word and in prayer, God will equip us to be the parents and Godly role models that our children need in this world.

How much more impact you can make on your child(ren) than laying your hands on them as Jesus did and praying for them.  Wow - pretty powerful.  For me, I plan on doing this today.

This is a picture of my daughter Emily before she walked down the aisle.  She knelt down here and moms, sisters and bridesmaids all laid hands on her and prayed.  Oh how I love this.

What or who is your stronghold?

"The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"  Psalm 27

When I picture a stronghold two things come to my mind.  First, my own strongholds, those things can have a hold on me.  Second, a strong fortified city, or a tight grip.  What has a hold on you?  Is there a stronghold in your life that is not the Lord?  Have you ever thought about the Lord being your stronghold?  You see, this world has so much that can take our eyes off of Jesus.  It offers things that look appealing, even more appealing than holding on to Jesus.  We get afraid when we are not holding on in the right place and out of desperation crawl back to Jesus.  Yes, best place to go, yes, he is always there, but I don't know about you but I spent way too much of my life doing this.  Crawling back when I let go of him and realized that I can't do it alone.  Always feeling like something was missing that I sought him mainly when I got desperate but never knowing what to do to change it.  Remember, when Jesus is our stronghold we don't have to be afraid.  This is a promise - believe it, his promises are true.

Later in Psalm 27 David writes "You have said, 'Seek my face'.  My heart says to you. 'Your face Lord, do I seek.'"  Seek his face - just keep seeking - surrender all of who you are to him - open up every part of you to him - but just keep seeking him.  Having trouble with this?  Are you desiring more?  Wow, Jesus loves this.  Just keep on coming.  Reach out your hand to him because you see, his hand is reaching to you.  His hand is strong and steady.  He loves you.  I still fail - I still come crawling back to him when I do, but my  relationship with him is much stronger and I desire to seek him in all life situations, not just when things get tough. 

Slow down today and seek his face.  Close your eyes and begin with this song.
You are not condemned but free and forgiven.

It Never Stopped!

We all have hurts in our life, some now, some from the past and there will be more in the future.  Some have come from within our own family, some from friends...etc.  They just come.  I am sure that we would all love to live a life without them.  You know, when Jesus went to the cross he took all of our hurts on the cross with him.  Here he was, dying the most tortorous death, while being riduculed by those watching.  Yet what does he say: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  He forgave, while hanging on the cross, while blood was pouring from him, while nails were spiked through him, while he was being mocked - HE FORGAVE!  I cannot comprehend this kind of love but I can learn from it.  I can learn to live this kind of love and I desire to be his vessel and offer forgiveness to others. 

Jesus says in Matthew 6:15 "For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."  This is not something to take lightly.  When we don't offer forgiveness we live in bondage don't we?  That's what the enemy wants us to do, to live in bondage.  I look at Jesus example of continually forgiving - over and over - it never stopped.  He forgives me - over and over - it never stops.  Lord, may my forgiveness daily flow - over and over - and never stop. 

I ran across this short clip this morniing.  Freedom in forgiveness.