Tag: patience

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #553

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was a little lighter than the last couple. The fall colors are really pretty, too. Just what I’ve needed!

Monday night was my monthly church book club. We had a good time discussing our book and then picked the next few months worth of books. I enjoy meeting with and learning from the ladies, as we represent several decades of life.

On Thursday, I skipped Alpha to attend a school orchestra concert for Lydia. She did great, and I always enjoy listening to her and the others play! I am looking forward to seeing her grow over the next four years!

Work was full as usual, but somehow I stayed on top of things. Yesterday, I left early for an appointment and then ran some errands. I ended up adding a new string of Christmas lights outside. It felt good to get them up early while the weather is warmer!

Today, we video called a friend in Europe. She’s a dear college friend, and we chatted for 2.5 hours! 🙂 We got to visit with her kids and husband, too. It was wonderful to catch up!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Apologetics, Books and Movies I Like, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

Book Review: Is God a Moral Monster?

On Monday night, my monthly church book club met to discuss the book, “Is God a Moral Monster?” by Paul Copan. Many of the ladies did not quite finish the book, but we had good discussion anyway. The book proved a little more difficult to get through, and that’s why I finished by listening to it on Audible! Nonetheless, it was a joy to meet together and talk about the book, God’s goodness, and how people perceive Him.

YHWH in the Old Testament seems harsh and some people cannot reconcile that to Jesus who was ‘meek and mild.’ But, YHWH and Jesus are both God. Jesus was gentle and lowly at heart, but He also showed His wrath at times. Sometimes we forget that he flipped the money changer tables in the Temple! Even more, Jesus constantly referred to the Old Testament, which was their only Bible, and He is called the Word itself. He referred to or quoted parts of Genesis, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Psalms, among others.

The book covers many hard topics in the Old Testament, that to our modern, Western mindset do not make much sense. The story of Abraham and Isaac seems abhorrent at first glance, but we miss that Abraham told his servants that both he and Isaac would be back. He trusted God, even when he didn’t understand.

Also, there is a common thought that Joshua killed all the Canaanites including innocent women and children. Yet, we see many of the Canaanites later still living in the land. We don’t know all the details of what happened, but there was likely some hyperbole involved, which was common to the era. Another reminder in the book is that God waited 400+ years to serve justice to the people of Canaan, and He did not reject anyone who wanted to come to Him (ex. Rahab in Jericho).

Reading about slavery in the Old Testament, we think of the horrors of American slavery, not a type of indentured servitude where every debt was canceled in the seventh year. Also, there’s a tendency to read about women and assume they are being mistreated because we do not understand how bad the other nations were to their slaves and women. Israel’s system was a significant upgrade for the time! Israelite men had to abide by rules of war, marriage, sanctity of life, etc. They were not allowed to rape and pillage like warriors in other nations. The system was not perfect, but it was sufficient for a certain time, place, and people.

Similarly, the kosher diet also was a specific way to set God’s people apart from the other nations. Of course, Israel was not “Chosen” because they were amazing, but because God keeps His promises (Deuteronomy 7). They were to show the nations what it means to follow YHWH and live for Him. They were to be an example for others to follow, and when they were not, God punished them. They were blessed to be a blessing and bring salvation (Jesus!) to the world.

The book reminds us that God’s original plan was laid out in the beginning of Genesis. And almost immediately, we ruined it. So, when He gives the law through Moses, it is a bridge, a stepping stone. The Israelites were so like the Egyptians that He had to retrain them to be His people. And still, they often failed miserably. (Israel is “all of us.”)

The Old Testament is descriptive, not always prescriptive or instructive. Not everything we read in the Old Testament is a recommendation or applies to us today (the Ten Commandments do!). Remember, the Law was a bridge to the New Covenant. That said, there is great value in reading about the ancient people and God’s faithfulness.

So, bottom line, God is not a moral monster. He is a Father who is slow to anger and rich in love (Psalm 103). His heart is righteous and pure, full of love and grace. The book content was very thorough and will continue to be a good resource. While it might be somewhat technical, I recommend it!

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God, You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thanks that Your heart for Your people is good! Help us reflect Your goodness to a world in need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you ever looked into the customs, culture, politics, worldview, or social structure of the Ancient Near East? How might that increase your understanding of the Old Testament?

Task: Next time you are reading a difficult passage of the Bible, take some time to figure out the culture. There are major differences between the Ancient Near East and our modern Western culture!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer

Kindness and Gratitude

I have a lot going on in my heart this week. Mostly gratitude, and a little exhaustion, but I am also in awe as I watch God move on my behalf.

Lydia was sick from Friday to Monday and I had to miss some work on those days. I was glad I could take time off and that my team could cover for me. She is feeling somewhat better now and has some medications which are helping her make it through the school day! Thanks, Lord, for taking good care of us both!

I haven’t been feeling the greatest over the last week either. Not one particular issue other than not sleeping well. I am mostly just feeling a little depleted. In part, I think it is related to subtle seasonal shifts. As the weather changes and the days get shorter, it takes a toll on our bodies! I have been trying to go to bed early and get up early do my normal routine. God has been faithful to infuse me with His strength and energy!

This is a busy time of year at work and school anyway. So, maybe I am just anticipating the craziness before it comes. Like I have said before, just adding one activity can throw off my routine… and this week there are several extras. They are all good things, but just add up. God, help me prioritize my time and show Your goodness to others.

On Saturday, when Lydia was sick and I was on-call, my coworker texted to check on Lydia and see if I needed help with work. I was able to take care of the patient, but that kindness meant a lot.

On Sunday, I took Lydia to the walk-in clinic and CVS for meds. I tried to get ahead for the week though I was tired, too. It is a challenge to relax when there is more that needs to be done. But, the Lord is good and faithful to help me!

Because I only worked half the day on Monday so I could be with Lydia, I was able to quickly mow the lawn knowing I wouldn’t be available the rest of the week. It was as if the Lord overrode my schedule and helped me make the best of the situation.

Yesterday, Lydia and I both had dentist appointments. Mine was a little surprising! With my MARPE, I have been extra diligent to Waterpik, brush, floss, etc. Still, the lady cleaning my teeth noticed some staining in back. She did not not let me feel embarrassed and assured me this was by no means the worse she’d ever seen. She did a very good job of removing the stains and recommend I avoid my colored mouthwash since one of the ingredients could be the culprit! She was kind, gracious, and professional. That stands out to me. I don’t love having people work in my mouth, but I hope I get her again next time!

Lately, I’ve been taking a few moments to assess how I am doing physically and emotionally. I am not sick, just not 100%, and I am trying to find little ways to rest and feel my best. This season is difficult, but I knew it would be. I’ve noticed that a little kindness and gratitude go a long way, and God is sustaining me. So, while my body is a little depleted, my heart is full.

Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Thank You, Jesus!

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God, thanks for taking such good care of me! When I am running low on energy, You are my strength and joy. When I need more time, You take care of my schedule. Help me do my best so You receive the glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: When you want to rest but still need to get things done, how do you handle the stress? Do you find it easy to rest in the Lord, or do you battle it out and struggle on your own?

Task: Review your to-do list and remove whatever is not needed today. Remember to pray and trust God, but also breathe, drink some water, stretch, and go to bed on time. Lean on the Lord, and He will sustain you!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Miscellaneous, Personality, Wisdom

Talking to Myself

Confession: I tend to run imaginary conversations between myself and people I know. Do you do that, sort of play both sides of a conversation?! I believe it is called self-talk and is part of emotional regulation. I may replay a funny scenario or practice a speech. If I am upset, I may think I am right and the other person is wrong… and tell them all the reasons why. LOL, that may be the only time I win the argument!

Lately, though, I have had more angry conversations (in my mind) with people who annoy me or who are far from Jesus. One person I know is making poor life decisions without considering the consequences; one has a hard heart towards Jesus; and another is basically a zealous conspiracy theorist. In real life, I try to separate myself from them when I can since they are difficult to be around. But, in my imagination, I can “give them a piece of my mind” and tell them “everything they are doing wrong.” Yikes!

Maybe I am just weird, but I think it is fairly healthy to ‘hash it out’ in my mind’s eye. This saves me from not ruining the actual relationship or saying something I can’t take back. And maybe, on some level, it helps me rehearse better things to say if I ever have the chance. Though, at this point, it is probably better if I stay silent!

Still, I have to constantly check my heart and hold it up against God’s holiness. In doing so, I see my negativity and sin is no better than the others’ around me. Thus, I have had to catch myself and turn all these emotions over to the Lord. I have asked Him to forgive me my critical spirit, poor attitude, judgmental thoughts, and overall pride. I greatly need God’s mercy and grace and want to extend them to others.

I have also had a lot of worship songs on repeat in my heart and mind. “Change my heart, O God” is one of them. When I open my heart to the Lord, I am fully aware of how I fall short of His glory. I could feel like a failure but there is no condemnation for those of us who know Jesus personally. He even died for all the ugly stuff evident when I “talk to myself.”

As I draw closer to the Lord, He refines me and changes me to be more like Him. He shows me when to be silent and when to speak. Jesus is the ultimate Judge and His timing is best. While He does the heavy work, I also have the responsibility to pray, fast, set a good example, and put forth His perfect agenda and Truth.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” I must prioritize Jesus ways, and not let myself get in the way.

Indeed, we must let the Lord work in our hearts and minds, if we are to honor Him in all we do and lead with love. While I’ll still probably keep talking to myself, I want to make sure to talk to the matchless God of the Universe about these things, too. He loves me and fully understands my concerns. But I need to stay in step with Him and trust Him!

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Heavenly Father, I’m sorry for my poor attitude. Thanks for your forgiveness and for changing me from the inside out. Don’t let me miss out on all the good things You have in store for me! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you handle ugly emotions toward others or about life in general? What is your next step after reading this today?

Task: Next time you notice you have a bad attitude, stop and check it. Bring it to Jesus and humbly submit it to Him. Let Him show you what to do about it! Also, don’t overlook the power of prayer and fasting for these difficult issues.

Posted on in Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom

Don’t Let the Fire Die

Last week, I talked about identifying apathy, which is the complete lack of emotion or desire. This week, I wanted to go a little further and review some ways to combat it or address it before it becomes an issue. Just like we might fan the flame on a campfire to prevent it from burning out, we can stoke ourselves to keep our love for God and others strong.

First, we must be honest with ourselves and God on how we are feeling. If we are creeping closer to apathy, we must acknowledge it. You can’t defeat what you can’t define. We can pray about our attitudes and take steps to deal with them in advance. Check your “why” and your motivation. Consider if there is sin or unforgiveness in your life. We are naturally selfish, so embrace the discomfort in order to figure it out.

Personally, I periodically have to remind myself that this is God’s Kingdom, not mine. Therefore, HIS will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven… Sooner or later, I accept that I am not in control and never will be. I remember that I can choose to get on board with what God wants me to do (and thrive), or I can choose to grumble, resist, drag my feet, and miss out on the blessing and joyful reward. Tough love!

Next, we can lean into self-care to shore up any area in which we are overextending ourselves. We cannot pour from an empty cup, and knowing about the seven types of rest can be a first step in feeling replenished. Sleep, gentle movement, proper nutrition, and taking a break from social media bring welcome renewal. Seeking professional support may be warranted here to process, plan, and reset boundaries. There is no shame in asking for help!

Learning to say “no” to the wrong things is a must! Once we do, we have the opportunity to say “yes” to the task(s) God has specifically for us. Sometimes, we just need to fill a gap or need, but if we never do anything that is personally fulfilling or part of our God-given call, then we will just circle back to burnout and be worse off than before.

We can also remember a grateful heart is a happy heart. Gratitude and serving others in practical ways can be a powerful combination to beat apathy. When we serve with the right priorities, God is glorified, we find our purpose and connect with others, and our problems come into perspective.

Finally, to prevent apathy and keep the fire going strong, try something new! This helps us get out of a rut when our routine feels boring. Maybe it is going on a trip or buying a nifty gadget, but don’t overlook all that we can do for free! Take a nature walk or find a different way home. Go to your local library to check out a book on an interesting topic or experiment in the kitchen for supper. Do an art project or listen to music. Find something that brings you joy!

Ultimately, our spiritual life is a vital part of who we are. We have value just as we are, and the Holy Spirit is the source of our spiritual fire. Thankfully, we don’t have to figure it all out or get our ducks in a row for God to love us or help us. He has everything we need, as we seek His Kingdom first. So, we can be kind to ourselves and come to Jesus!!

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Heavenly Father, all power and glory and dominion belong to You! Soften our hearts and  give us fresh fire. Help us see the bigger picture and all that is at stake if we remain blasé. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you keep your spiritual fire stoked? What other ideas do you implement when apathy creeps in?

Task: Read about the lukewarm and ineffective church in Laodicea. They received a direct warning from Jesus in Heaven. Confess your apathy and ambivalence to the Lord. Use any tears and frustration as fuel to bring you back to where He wants you to be.

 

Posted on in Apologetics, Fruit, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom

Don’t Let Your Love Grow Cold

A man once asked me, which is worse, ignorance or apathy? I told him, “I don’t know, and I don’t care.” (Get it?!) 😉

According to dictionary.com, apathy is defined as, the “absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement.” Or, the “lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting.”

Spiritual apathy is a risky place to be. I have found myself there from time to time. It’s good to be challenged, but prolonged unpredictability and discomfort can deplete us. And, with the state of the world, that is, crazy politics, controversial religious issues, and evil around every corner, it is easy to stop caring and focus instead on ourselves. But, we cannot let our love grow cold.

There are many things in our lives that can lead to spiritual apathy. Here are four.

First, apathy can be a byproduct of unconfessed sin or feelings of guilt. Sin and guilt can lead us to separate ourselves from God. We feel judged or condemned, and eventually may not care to draw near to God due to bitterness or resentment. He is holy, just and righteous, but also full of love, mercy and grace. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and selfishness, but He never shames us. Read Romans 5:1-11 and then ask for the forgiveness (available only through Jesus) and be reconciled to God!

Second, we grow apathetic when we compare ourselves with others. We notice our lack and see how it stacks up with someone else’s skills or abundance. Remember, we are all uniquely made and individually called. Ephesians 2:10 says that we are God’s masterpiece, and He created us for good works long before we ever came to be (my summary). He doesn’t make junk!

Third, we may be dealing with defeat, discouragement, or disappointment in God. Maybe He didn’t do what you thought He should and you feel let down. Well, I understand, but in my experience, the issue is that my faulty expectations of God do not match the actual reality of His sovereignty. He is in full control, even when we don’t like it or don’t understand.

As my dad says, “We don’t have to have all the answers to walk by faith.” So, rest assured, if the Father calls you His child, He will take care of you. Bring all your hurts, questions, and doubts to Jesus. He can handle them and give you peace, if you let Him!

And fourth, apathy can be related to exhaustion or burnout from doing too much. This may include saying yes to too many things, or saying yes to the wrong things. If you are “Still Trying To Run the Entire Solar System,” it’s no wonder you are dealing with STRESS. Indeed, exhaustion comes in several forms: spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, social, creative, and sensory. When your tank is empty, at least one of them needs to be addressed! Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith has some good resources on rest and restoration here. Let the Holy Spirit guide you to the giving your best yes.

Finally, we must guard against apathy and let the Lord replenish us. I will talk more about that next week, but for now, take some time to reflect on how well you are loving others. If you “just don’t care,” consider that a sign that you need to take a break and come to Jesus!

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Heavenly Father, thanks that we don’t have to be in control of our lives. Instead, we can rest in knowing You are sovereign and will lead us where we need to be. Help us wait on Your timing and stay in step with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you recognize apathy in your life? What has made you turn the corner toward caring again?

Task: Take this free quiz to help you identify where you need to rest.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #547

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

We had a good week easing into our next season!

Work was a little lighter this week. I was still fairly busy but had a few open spots, which let me catch up and work on some projects. It felt good!

The weather was perfect this week as we move closer to Autumn. I have enjoyed watching all the Monarch butterflies in the healing garden at work. Every day there seems to be a couple more, though I am sure they will soon start their great migration south.

Lydia had a great start to her Freshman year on Thursday. We went to the back-to-school night on Tuesday, which helped her feel more prepared. She likes her classes, and I think she will do well!

Today, Lydia worked on some homework, and I did my usual Saturday things. I’m trying to soak up the quiet, calmer pace before things really pick up in the next week or so!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

Cheers to Another Year!

Today, I am celebrating another trip around the sun!! I am really grateful for all the ways God blessed me over the last year! Last summer, I sensed that He had something special for me. Soon I recalled that I was about three years old when I decided to follow Jesus… So, essentially, this was my fortieth year of walking with Him!

Here’s a quick recap of some of the highlights:

Last Fall, I finally had some landscaping done! It took me years to get around to it (to have the money, set it up, and make the decisions). But the Lord helped me follow through. No, I have not added any plants yet, lol. But, truthfully, I just love how the rocks look, and so the plants are not my top priority right now!

From September to May, I completed two semesters of leadership training at my church. This was a comprehensive class where we met once a month for teaching and did some online coursework. It covered many important topics and gave me more confidence in sharing my faith. I am excited to see what God has in store for me next!

After years of avoiding it, I made the decision to widen my palate and start orthodontics in January! I will get the metal MARPE device out in the next couple of months and then finish with more aligners. I am still hoping to avoid double jaw surgery, but I am happy with my progress so far!

In March, I went full-time at the VA, after years of being classified as part-time! I am grateful for all the ways God has provided for us since Dave died in 2013. He continues to be a wonderful Provider. Somehow His math always works out!

In May, Lydia and I flew to Chicago to see family and attend a barefoot shoe expo. Spending time with my sister was just what I needed! We hadn’t had that much time together – just the two of us – in many years! It was a fun trip and helped us get through the thirteen-year mark of Dave’s death. The Lord has been so faithful!

I have continued my journey to relieve pain and tension in my neck, shoulders, back, and hips. I’ve changed my workouts, practiced mobility exercises, gone to the chiropractor, prioritized sleep and rest, and said ‘no’ to better manage stress.  I can’t take good care of others if I don’t take care of myself! One specific praise is that in June the Lord healed my neck on the spot at a prayer event. I was surprised but gladly received His personalized gift.

I joined a book club at church, and it has been such a joy. Books + deep conversations about faith + friends = a few of my favorite things! Pretty much any book or genre is fair game. So far, we’ve read Murder, Motherhood, and Miraculous Grace by Debra Moerke, and also Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi. Our current book, The Winning of Lady Wisdom, is by a North Dakota author, Sarah Dixon Young!

Over the last few months, Lydia and I have visited with several Caterpillar families. It’s really special when we meet up with friends who actually knew Dave when he was at his best. I appreciate how these dear ‘CAT guys’ still reach out to connect with us. Thank You, Jesus!

This year, I have greatly enjoyed watching Lydia grow in confidence and faith. She got her driver’s permit last fall, and it’s been fun watching her learn the rules of the road and put them into practice. I can’t believe she will start Freshman year in a couple of weeks! I’m extremely grateful for how God has gotten us to this point!

Finally, I’ve seen how God continues to use my story to help others. I have had the opportunity to share my book and, in some cases, to get together for coffee to encourage people: widows, moms, etc. After all, the highlights above don’t overlook the real struggles and sacrifices of the last year, but God’s goodness and grace triumph over them.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for Your faithfulness in my life. It is a privilege to walk with You every day and move Your heart. May I never take it for granted! Help me continue to be a blessing to others so they may know You, too. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: As you reflect on the past year of your life, where do you see God’s faithfulness? Have you thanked Him for all He has done for you, or are you focused only on the lack?

Task: If you’ve read this far, the yellow roses in the picture were sent to me at work yesterday!! It was a timely reminder that God sees me – and it felt like a capstone to finish off an amazing year. My kind, generous friend was simply obeying what God told him to do, and we had a good chat about all that He is doing in our lives. We don’t always know the outcome of our obedience, but as Dr. Charles Stanley always said, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”

Posted on in Apologetics, Books and Movies I Like, Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, MARPE/Orthodontics, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #544

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a great week, and I felt God’s grace all around me.

On Sunday, after church, we stayed to serve at OASIS. I’m glad we did, because some of the ‘regulars’ who serve were not able to attend. Later, we enjoyed family Zoom.

Monday was quite a full day! Work was busy, and then I left early for an orthodontic appointment. I am on track with my treatment plan, though I still have a long way to go to get my teeth in correct alignment. Hopefully, at my September appointment, I will find out more about when I will get the MARPE device removed!

Monday evening was fun because I went to my small group/book club at church. We shared our thoughts on Nabeel Qureshi’s Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus and other facets of salvation and our walk with the Lord. It tells the story of his conversion from Islam to Christianity before his death in 2017. I learned so much about the differences between various Muslim sects and how they think vastly differently than we do in the West. One important thing to remember is that the Bible stands on its own when compared to any other book or religion. We need to know what’s in it and how to live it out, but God is the one who changes hearts. It is on us to develop friendships with people and share His Truth mixed with grace and love.

Work was once again very busy, but good. I had a full schedule with patients and meetings, but also had almost no cancellations or no-shows. This is really good for my patients, though, and I enjoyed seeing them. Many of them were quite friendly and had fairly easy issues to work through. So, while I had a lot of charting, at least it all went fairly smoothly! We also celebrated one coworker’s birthday, and I had a good conversation with another about my story. They ended up buying my book, so that was really cool!

The weather was amazing this week! The mornings were much cooler (in the 50-60s on some days!), and it was great walking into work. The afternoons were warm but not hot, which is just about perfect. That said, it is an early indication of the changing of seasons! Fall will be here soon!

Today, I met a newly widowed single-mom friend for coffee. It was nice to finally get together in-person. I listened to her tell her story and encouraged her in her faith. We talked for nearly three hours, and we both were grateful for the time together!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

No Need to Earn Status

I came across an advertisement recently that said collecting points in their membership program was “a new way to earn status.” Of course, a purchase was required! The more money spent, the faster you earned rewards. Naturally…

As soon as I heard that, I was indignant. I told Lydia, “That is not right! There’s no need to earn ‘status!’ We already have it in Jesus!”

As I thought about it more, I grew more annoyed. The world wants us to obsess about earning and achieving. The implication is that there is always something else to work towards. But, praise God, Jesus already accomplished all that needs to be done!

Our part is to believe that Jesus is Lord, agree with Him that we need to be saved, and place our full trust in Him (that His sacrificial death and Resurrection are enough). That is all that He requires. Straightforward faith with nothing added to it.

Here are some Bible verses about our identity in Christ. That is all that matters!

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
  • Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
  • Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
  • Colossians 3:3 – “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God”
  • 1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
  • John 1:12 – “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” affirms adoption into God’s family and the privileges of being His child.
  • Romans 8:16-17 – “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children… Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

We are transformed in Christ, leaving behind the old self and embracing a renewed life in Him. We live by faith in Jesus and are intentionally designed for purpose and good works. The Holy Spirit empowers us, and we reflect His glory with our attitudes and actions. We are adopted into God’s family, and our full inheritance is found in Jesus. We are beloved, called, and redeemed. All we have and all we need is in Him!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for choosing us and caring for us. You do all things well. Help us remember the high calling You have on our lives. May we glorify You in all we do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: If we are constantly worrying about getting ahead, what does that say about our faith in God’s provision?! Which verse above speaks to you the most?

Task: Print the verses above and place them on your bathroom mirror or on your vehicle’s dashboard… or somewhere you will see them often. Let the Lord renew your mind and help you understand all He has for you!