I am changing Joyful Friday up a little this week. I have finally gotten up the courage to share my testimony of how God drew me to Him. How he took the bad decisions I made and worked them for good. How he picked me up out of the deep black pit I was in, dusted me off, wrapped His arms around me and put me back on my feet, facing Him. On His path, surrounded by Light and Love.
My wonderful friend Nikki from SimplyStriving was kind enough to take some of her precious time to read it and give me some suggestions. I am eternally grateful for her insight and kindness! Because it is so long, I have decided to make a page dedicated to it. I will give you a snippet of it today, along with a song that sings along with my spirit. Then, should you want to read the whole story and have a few extra minutes you can click on over and check it out!
Taken from "God's Story through My Life" -
"So I woke up one day and decided to go with "Plan B." I began to relive the years I felt I had missed. I started drinking, doing drugs and then found less than desirable ways to make money. My goal was to make as much money as I could as fast as I could so that I could leave my first husband and my life as I knew it quickly and completely, never to look back. I was as far from God as I can ever imagine someone being."
Oh Happy Day by Jesus Culture truly sings along with my spirit!
I pray that you will read my testimony with an open mind and open heart. I also pray that you will find encouragement and hope in it. That you will be reminded that you can not stray too far from God. His love for you is perfect and unconditional.
I would love to hear from you! What is your testimony? How has God worked in your life to bring you to Him?
Blessings and Joy to all!
Showing posts with label journey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journey. Show all posts
Friday, February 10, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Daily Struggle
I have some days that I am just not on my game. So far, this week as been full of them. I tend to beat myself up for these days, telling myself that I am doing something wrong or not having enough faith. Most times, when I can pull my head out of the funk I realize that I am putting words in Gods' mouth. I have to continually remind myself that I have become the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. For someone that has been anything but righteous in life and is very aware of the bad choices made, this is a very hard concept to accept. It is easy to say, write on an index card, memorize and repeat; but truly believing it, acting accordingly, not condemning myself at every turn, is another thing completely.
In comparison to many I know, I am a fairly young Christian. It was only 4 years ago that I began to truly understand the truth, love, mercy and grace of our God. I knew of Him, knew the bible pretty well, but I never knew Him. I had prayed the "sinners prayer" in the past but was just going through the motions. I really had no idea what I was saying or what it truly meant. Being so young in my faith, I wonder, how long before I start to find stability in my standing with Christ? How long is it going to take me to get it through my head that He loves me and forgives me, sees me approved, acceptable, righteous? Not through my eyes or my works, but through the blood and Resurrection of Jesus.
See, I know these things, yet still I sit here feeling like a mess. Then I am reminded of Philippians.
2 Corinthians 5:21
Amplified Bible (AMP)
21For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [[a]endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].
In comparison to many I know, I am a fairly young Christian. It was only 4 years ago that I began to truly understand the truth, love, mercy and grace of our God. I knew of Him, knew the bible pretty well, but I never knew Him. I had prayed the "sinners prayer" in the past but was just going through the motions. I really had no idea what I was saying or what it truly meant. Being so young in my faith, I wonder, how long before I start to find stability in my standing with Christ? How long is it going to take me to get it through my head that He loves me and forgives me, sees me approved, acceptable, righteous? Not through my eyes or my works, but through the blood and Resurrection of Jesus.
See, I know these things, yet still I sit here feeling like a mess. Then I am reminded of Philippians.
Philippians 4:6-7
Amplified Bible (AMP)
6Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition ([a]definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7And God's peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall[c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
So now, I will run into His arms and remember that the riches of His love will always be enough. Today I will sing and dance to my Lord. Starting with Forever Reign that I posted about yesterday. Loud and often. The best time to sing and dance to God is the time that you feel the least like doing it.
Psalm 149:3-4
Amplified Bible (AMP)
3Let them praise His name in chorus and choir and with the [single or group] dance; let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre!
4For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation and adorn the wretched with victory.
Just typing this out and reading over these verses has already started to mend my soul. It is going to be a good day after all.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you struggle with these feelings? If so, how do you deal with them? Did this post and these scriptures help you?
Philippians 4:6-7
Amplified Bible (AMP)
7And God's peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall[c]garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
So now, I will run into His arms and remember that the riches of His love will always be enough. Today I will sing and dance to my Lord. Starting with Forever Reign that I posted about yesterday. Loud and often. The best time to sing and dance to God is the time that you feel the least like doing it.
Psalm 149:3-4
Amplified Bible (AMP)
3Let them praise His name in chorus and choir and with the [single or group] dance; let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre!
4For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation and adorn the wretched with victory.
Just typing this out and reading over these verses has already started to mend my soul. It is going to be a good day after all.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you struggle with these feelings? If so, how do you deal with them? Did this post and these scriptures help you?
4For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation and adorn the wretched with victory.
Just typing this out and reading over these verses has already started to mend my soul. It is going to be a good day after all.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you struggle with these feelings? If so, how do you deal with them? Did this post and these scriptures help you?
Monday, January 16, 2012
First Post - Abundant Mercies
Lamentations 3:22-23
Amplified Bible (AMP)
22It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassion's fail not.
23They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.
I don't know about you, but if the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness were not fresh everyday, I would be in a lot of trouble! I am grateful to know that when I fail, His compassion does not. He knows me and understands me and He loves me anyway! Once I wrapped my head around that, I was brought to my knees. Each day I have to be reminded and each day He is faithful to remind me that He is Love.
My intention with this blog is to give voice to my journey - My physical, spiritual, creative and mental journeys. At 35, I have already passed much of the journey and will add those flashbacks as I feel inspired. For now, I am going to start with the present - because it is a gift!
The reason for this intention is the hope that even one person may read this blog and feel encouraged. No matter where you are in life, there is always hope for today and tomorrow. If you are beat down, broken, jaded or just plain tired, then stick with me. I have faith you will see "light" closer than the end of the tunnel!
In sharing this Truth and Love I will also share myself. Not a "church face" but the real me, with real struggles, joys, lessons and tons of laughs and love. Being a homeschooling mom, stay at home wife, artist at heart if not in skill and a lover of all things beautiful, I venture to say that this should be a pretty interesting mix of information!
I am fumbling my way through "this blog thing" and hope to have more for you soon!
Peace and Love to all!
Jamie
23They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.
I don't know about you, but if the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness were not fresh everyday, I would be in a lot of trouble! I am grateful to know that when I fail, His compassion does not. He knows me and understands me and He loves me anyway! Once I wrapped my head around that, I was brought to my knees. Each day I have to be reminded and each day He is faithful to remind me that He is Love.
My intention with this blog is to give voice to my journey - My physical, spiritual, creative and mental journeys. At 35, I have already passed much of the journey and will add those flashbacks as I feel inspired. For now, I am going to start with the present - because it is a gift!
The reason for this intention is the hope that even one person may read this blog and feel encouraged. No matter where you are in life, there is always hope for today and tomorrow. If you are beat down, broken, jaded or just plain tired, then stick with me. I have faith you will see "light" closer than the end of the tunnel!
In sharing this Truth and Love I will also share myself. Not a "church face" but the real me, with real struggles, joys, lessons and tons of laughs and love. Being a homeschooling mom, stay at home wife, artist at heart if not in skill and a lover of all things beautiful, I venture to say that this should be a pretty interesting mix of information!
I am fumbling my way through "this blog thing" and hope to have more for you soon!
Peace and Love to all!
Jamie
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