PROJECT 2:10
Because every body deserves a second chance.
For we are God’s workmanship, His masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good works He prepared for us long ago. -Ephesians 2:10
More info coming soon. ;o)
Showing posts with label God's Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's Love. Show all posts
Friday, October 21, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Heal The Wound, But Leave The Scar...
Scars. Each one tells a story, usually not a happy one. The song "Heal The Wound" by Point of Grace is amazing. It talks about finding beauty in suffering, not being able to rewrite history, carrying our scars and being reminded that God is merciful...
Here are the lyrics:
"I used to wish that I could rewrite history
I used to dream that each mistake could be erased
Then I could just pretend
I never knew the me back then
I used to pray that You would take this shame away
Hide all the evidence of who I've been
But it's the memory of
The place You brought me from
That keeps me on my knees
And even though I'm free
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar
I have not lived a life that boasts of anything
I don't take pride in what I bring
But I'll build an altar with
The rubble that You've found me in
And every stone will sing
Of what You can redeem
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar
Don't let me forget
Everything You've done for me
Don't let me forget
The beauty in the suffering
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar"
The types of scars they talk about in the song are the ones we are ashamed of, that follow acts we are ashamed to admit. By leaving the scar, we are detailing God's mercy in the fact that He forgave us for this act, whatever it was, and He healed our wound, but left the scar as a reminder.
There are all types of scars, and many of them are emotionally painful reminders of God's mercy in one way or another.
We all have scars. Some are deeper than others. Some physical, some emotional. Some are self-inflicted. How we choose to carry them is important. We cannot hide from them because God knows every hair and freckle (and scar) on our bodies. By sharing our scars with others, and caring for each other we can help others to heal their wounds, and in turn most likely heal some of our own.
We are often "torn apart" by things in life that are suppose to be wonderful, but they end leaving us broken and scarred. When we are most vulnerable, it can be the hardest to open up and allow people into our heart, but that's when we need others the most. At the point that we are broken and in the rubble we can come together with others to share our scars and begin to heal those wounds.
What are some of your scars? What things in life have impacted you in such a way that left you feeling broken and scarred? Some of mine include poor decisions, a broken heart, loss of loved ones, prayers that weren't answered the way I hoped they would be, and actual physical scars from accidents or illness, and subsequent surgeries.They remind me how lucky I am to be here. There have been many points in my life, for various reasons, that I may not have survived to write this blog. It is by God's grace and mercy that I am alive, and for that I am eternally grateful!
So tend to your wounds, and try to embrace your scars. Hopefully you can get to a point that it all starts to make sense. I am still trying to figure out a few of mine, but I have faith that it will come in time.
Peace be with you...
Here are the lyrics:
"I used to wish that I could rewrite history
I used to dream that each mistake could be erased
Then I could just pretend
I never knew the me back then
I used to pray that You would take this shame away
Hide all the evidence of who I've been
But it's the memory of
The place You brought me from
That keeps me on my knees
And even though I'm free
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar
I have not lived a life that boasts of anything
I don't take pride in what I bring
But I'll build an altar with
The rubble that You've found me in
And every stone will sing
Of what You can redeem
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar
Don't let me forget
Everything You've done for me
Don't let me forget
The beauty in the suffering
Heal the wound but leave the scar
A reminder of how merciful You are
I am broken, torn apart
Take the pieces of this heart
And heal the wound but leave the scar"
The types of scars they talk about in the song are the ones we are ashamed of, that follow acts we are ashamed to admit. By leaving the scar, we are detailing God's mercy in the fact that He forgave us for this act, whatever it was, and He healed our wound, but left the scar as a reminder.
There are all types of scars, and many of them are emotionally painful reminders of God's mercy in one way or another.
We all have scars. Some are deeper than others. Some physical, some emotional. Some are self-inflicted. How we choose to carry them is important. We cannot hide from them because God knows every hair and freckle (and scar) on our bodies. By sharing our scars with others, and caring for each other we can help others to heal their wounds, and in turn most likely heal some of our own.
We are often "torn apart" by things in life that are suppose to be wonderful, but they end leaving us broken and scarred. When we are most vulnerable, it can be the hardest to open up and allow people into our heart, but that's when we need others the most. At the point that we are broken and in the rubble we can come together with others to share our scars and begin to heal those wounds.
What are some of your scars? What things in life have impacted you in such a way that left you feeling broken and scarred? Some of mine include poor decisions, a broken heart, loss of loved ones, prayers that weren't answered the way I hoped they would be, and actual physical scars from accidents or illness, and subsequent surgeries.They remind me how lucky I am to be here. There have been many points in my life, for various reasons, that I may not have survived to write this blog. It is by God's grace and mercy that I am alive, and for that I am eternally grateful!
So tend to your wounds, and try to embrace your scars. Hopefully you can get to a point that it all starts to make sense. I am still trying to figure out a few of mine, but I have faith that it will come in time.
Peace be with you...
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Refrigerator Privileges
Last Sunday's sermon was a masterpiece! It really got me thinking about my own life, my currant situation and where I want to be in this world. So, I took a few key points from the sermon, and here we go:
Focus On Family
I have two younger brothers who I love very much. They are lucky enough to live in the same city and state as my parents (who I also love very much). Being military, we are not afforded that same luxury. My husband is the youngest of his siblings. He has three older sisters, a step-brother and step-sister. His parents live in different states. His family is very spread out, so it would be impossible to live close to all of them, and mine. Our combined family is huge!!
Family is very important to me. I work very hard to keep my family strong, and I am proud to say that there have been relationships in my family that I had a hand in strengthening. I firmly believe that NOTHING is more important than family! I have family members who I am not close with, and it really hurts me to know that they are out there and we don't speak more often. I recently got back in touch with one of my cousins on Facebook. I had not seen her in probably 20 years. It's heartbreaking how life goes by and we don't see each other, we only keep in touch through our parents, or not at all. My grandparents have all passed away. I often wonder about my cousins, aunts and uncles who are not a part of my life. There are a few others who I call from time to time to catch up. Others I "talk" to through the Internet.
My family, my blood, my desire to make sure they know Christ...
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. -Ephesians 2:10
Why You Don't Want To Be An Outcast
Are you an outcast among your family, your circle of friends (or lack thereof) or from the family of the body of Christ? During the sermon I started to answer a maybe/yes. I have so much family I don't know. Does that make me an outcast? I have a lot of "friends" (er, acquaintances) but I have reduced my circle of friends for various reasons. Even though it was my own choice, does that make me an outcast? I am a believer in Christ. I have asked Him into my life, into my heart, into my soul. I pray. I ask for forgiveness. I confess my sins. I go to church. How could I be an outcast from the body of Christ? I don't want to be an outcast! I know what I would be missing!
And just like that, I realized that I don't want to be an outcast, and why no one should want to be an outcast. We should desire to stand in community with our brothers and sisters in Christ and to worship with them. Yes, I am a Christian, even if I didn't go to church on Sunday, but to have that community connection, that communion with other Christians who will love and care about you, nurture your relationship with God and help you grow in your Faith... you're not going to get that by praying at home on the couch. As Christians we have a duty to serve our God and our church. We need to minister to others, to further the mission and continue to plant the seeds so faith and the knowledge of God's eternal love for us can grow in the hearts and souls of others!
What It Means To Be In Community With Christ
When we are in community with Christ, when we are a part of His family, we are "in"! We have full access to all the promises in the Bible, and all the promises of Heaven! We get refrigerator privileges! You're family now, go help yourself, make yourself at home!! BUT, we also have the obligation to uphold our promises to God, to be faithful to Him and live our lives for Him. As I said before, we also have a responsibility to care for the others in his flock.
Do we fully realize the amazing PRICE that was paid for us? Jesus suffered and DIED for our sins.
But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ. -Ephesians 2:13
Once we were far, but now we are near. God wants us to be close to Him, just as He wants us to be close to one another. We need to get reconnected to those who have become "lost", and we need to share what we know with others.
And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that HE is the ONE appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. -Acts 10:42
Proclaiming aloud Your praise and telling of all Your wonderful deeds. -Psalm 26:7
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. -Romans 10:17 So go tell someone!!
Open your heart, open your arms, and lift your eyes to the sky for surely God's overabundant love will be raining down upon you. God Bless!
---
*The term "Refrigerator Privileges" came from our pastor, Brother Larry, in his sermon last Sunday. ;o) I wish I could take credit for that gem, but it's not mine! LOL
Focus On Family
I have two younger brothers who I love very much. They are lucky enough to live in the same city and state as my parents (who I also love very much). Being military, we are not afforded that same luxury. My husband is the youngest of his siblings. He has three older sisters, a step-brother and step-sister. His parents live in different states. His family is very spread out, so it would be impossible to live close to all of them, and mine. Our combined family is huge!!
Family is very important to me. I work very hard to keep my family strong, and I am proud to say that there have been relationships in my family that I had a hand in strengthening. I firmly believe that NOTHING is more important than family! I have family members who I am not close with, and it really hurts me to know that they are out there and we don't speak more often. I recently got back in touch with one of my cousins on Facebook. I had not seen her in probably 20 years. It's heartbreaking how life goes by and we don't see each other, we only keep in touch through our parents, or not at all. My grandparents have all passed away. I often wonder about my cousins, aunts and uncles who are not a part of my life. There are a few others who I call from time to time to catch up. Others I "talk" to through the Internet.
My family, my blood, my desire to make sure they know Christ...
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. -Ephesians 2:10
Why You Don't Want To Be An Outcast
Are you an outcast among your family, your circle of friends (or lack thereof) or from the family of the body of Christ? During the sermon I started to answer a maybe/yes. I have so much family I don't know. Does that make me an outcast? I have a lot of "friends" (er, acquaintances) but I have reduced my circle of friends for various reasons. Even though it was my own choice, does that make me an outcast? I am a believer in Christ. I have asked Him into my life, into my heart, into my soul. I pray. I ask for forgiveness. I confess my sins. I go to church. How could I be an outcast from the body of Christ? I don't want to be an outcast! I know what I would be missing!
And just like that, I realized that I don't want to be an outcast, and why no one should want to be an outcast. We should desire to stand in community with our brothers and sisters in Christ and to worship with them. Yes, I am a Christian, even if I didn't go to church on Sunday, but to have that community connection, that communion with other Christians who will love and care about you, nurture your relationship with God and help you grow in your Faith... you're not going to get that by praying at home on the couch. As Christians we have a duty to serve our God and our church. We need to minister to others, to further the mission and continue to plant the seeds so faith and the knowledge of God's eternal love for us can grow in the hearts and souls of others!
What It Means To Be In Community With Christ
When we are in community with Christ, when we are a part of His family, we are "in"! We have full access to all the promises in the Bible, and all the promises of Heaven! We get refrigerator privileges! You're family now, go help yourself, make yourself at home!! BUT, we also have the obligation to uphold our promises to God, to be faithful to Him and live our lives for Him. As I said before, we also have a responsibility to care for the others in his flock.
Do we fully realize the amazing PRICE that was paid for us? Jesus suffered and DIED for our sins.
But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ. -Ephesians 2:13
Once we were far, but now we are near. God wants us to be close to Him, just as He wants us to be close to one another. We need to get reconnected to those who have become "lost", and we need to share what we know with others.
And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that HE is the ONE appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. -Acts 10:42
Proclaiming aloud Your praise and telling of all Your wonderful deeds. -Psalm 26:7
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. -Romans 10:17 So go tell someone!!
Open your heart, open your arms, and lift your eyes to the sky for surely God's overabundant love will be raining down upon you. God Bless!
---
*The term "Refrigerator Privileges" came from our pastor, Brother Larry, in his sermon last Sunday. ;o) I wish I could take credit for that gem, but it's not mine! LOL
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Learning To Love
"Carry on!" Two words I heard a lot during my time in the Marine Corps. Those two small words have such great meaning. It's something we have to do, to "carry on", even when we feel weak, afraid, forlorn... we must carry on.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. -Psalm 46:1
We never carry on alone! Our Father is always with us in times of hurt, pain, trouble, and in joy, celebration and prosperity. My Aunt Nicki describes hard times as this; the devil sees how well our lives are going at any given time and he can't stand it, so he throws trouble and problems our way to mess things up. We have to lean on God, and trust in Him, asking for His help, wisdom, guidance and protection to weather the storms, and He WILL be there. We are HIS CHILDREN and he will never forsake us.
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us. -2 Corinthians 1:10
It's hard to love the hardest of times. How do you "carry on" when you feel the weight on the world crashing down on your shoulders? I have never been one to publicly ask for help, but occasionally ask for prayers. Generally we're a fairly private family. I am learning though, that asking for help, asking for prayers, sharing my burdens and allowing others to pray with me has been an amazing outlet. It has also given me a chance to bond with other people through the hard times... giving me a real reason to learn to love the difficulties I am encountering. The devil has been working overtime at our house.
This blog has also been a good outlet for me. For years I had talked about doing it, but the thought of opening my heart and soul to the Internet, and total strangers, was a bit daunting. I know I can pick and choose what to share, and when my best friend read it she said I was being "guarded". I knew that I was to an extent, but I wanted this to be real, a real expression of who I am. Some days I put more thought into my writing than others, some days it's just a quick "jot down a note". Hey, it's my blog... they won't all be editorials! ;o)
I was encouraged to start a blog by my Mom (who encourages me to do EVERYTHING!!) and several friends. It was very interesting because last March, one friend in particular emailed me following a Facebook post and said, "Your prayer was so touching. Even hard-hearted me is wiping away some tears. With your talent for writing, the ease of your relationship with God, and your willingness to put both out into the world, I really think you have a calling as a Christian writer or blogger. You're really inspiring, Rachelle, and I don't think I tell you that enough." After I started my blog, and our friendship soured, she sent me a long, quite nasty email calling it "self-righteous pontificating, childish, self-indulgent, mediocre writing". Wow. That's a pretty far leap from the first compliment. Either way, I make no excuse or apologies for WHO I am or WHAT I post. She also suggested that I make it private or take it down if I didn't like her comments or her constant presence. I will do neither. I will learn to love the difficult times, because they make me closer to what matters; my God, my family and those who truly love and care about me.
But all these things will they do unto you for My name's sake, because they know not Him who sent me. - John 15:21
Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. -John 16:22
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. -Psalm 46:1
We never carry on alone! Our Father is always with us in times of hurt, pain, trouble, and in joy, celebration and prosperity. My Aunt Nicki describes hard times as this; the devil sees how well our lives are going at any given time and he can't stand it, so he throws trouble and problems our way to mess things up. We have to lean on God, and trust in Him, asking for His help, wisdom, guidance and protection to weather the storms, and He WILL be there. We are HIS CHILDREN and he will never forsake us.
He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us. -2 Corinthians 1:10
It's hard to love the hardest of times. How do you "carry on" when you feel the weight on the world crashing down on your shoulders? I have never been one to publicly ask for help, but occasionally ask for prayers. Generally we're a fairly private family. I am learning though, that asking for help, asking for prayers, sharing my burdens and allowing others to pray with me has been an amazing outlet. It has also given me a chance to bond with other people through the hard times... giving me a real reason to learn to love the difficulties I am encountering. The devil has been working overtime at our house.
This blog has also been a good outlet for me. For years I had talked about doing it, but the thought of opening my heart and soul to the Internet, and total strangers, was a bit daunting. I know I can pick and choose what to share, and when my best friend read it she said I was being "guarded". I knew that I was to an extent, but I wanted this to be real, a real expression of who I am. Some days I put more thought into my writing than others, some days it's just a quick "jot down a note". Hey, it's my blog... they won't all be editorials! ;o)
I was encouraged to start a blog by my Mom (who encourages me to do EVERYTHING!!) and several friends. It was very interesting because last March, one friend in particular emailed me following a Facebook post and said, "Your prayer was so touching. Even hard-hearted me is wiping away some tears. With your talent for writing, the ease of your relationship with God, and your willingness to put both out into the world, I really think you have a calling as a Christian writer or blogger. You're really inspiring, Rachelle, and I don't think I tell you that enough." After I started my blog, and our friendship soured, she sent me a long, quite nasty email calling it "self-righteous pontificating, childish, self-indulgent, mediocre writing". Wow. That's a pretty far leap from the first compliment. Either way, I make no excuse or apologies for WHO I am or WHAT I post. She also suggested that I make it private or take it down if I didn't like her comments or her constant presence. I will do neither. I will learn to love the difficult times, because they make me closer to what matters; my God, my family and those who truly love and care about me.
But all these things will they do unto you for My name's sake, because they know not Him who sent me. - John 15:21
Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. -John 16:22
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