Do you see the Blue Lines?

HaPpY NEW YeAr 2012!!!!

It's hard to believe we are already at the end of Month 1 in a new year!?! Where is that time flying off to?!?! I would love to blog about the new year and planning our hopes and dreams, but that's not why God put me on the keyboard today. 

As always, these blogs are just as much for me as you. You could be the 4 people I know are faithful readers and I pray there are moments of encouragement in your readings here, but I also pray this opens up on a computer screen of a discouraged person. For those of you who know me, you know I am not a counselor, teacher, minister therefore I don't feel equipped to offer "help." HOWEVER, what I DO have is a relationship with The Great Physician, A Healer, A Compassionate Counselor and Mighty King...and The Sweetest Friend I have ever known. We have been on a long journey together and I believe He is who He says He is and He has been faithful to minister in my life. 

This is why I blog...to remind me in these journalings the many lessons the Lord has showed me. It is my prayer that I am courageous enough to be transparent in the writing so that God may be seen through any of my words. I pray you are encouraged to draw closer to Him as I am through what He says or shows to me.

The past 24 hours have been soooo sweet to my soul. Last night, the Ladies Bible study was rich and "meaty." Our teacher/facilitator has such a contagious spirit towards the Lord, in her joy, passion for learning The Word, wisdom and mentorship quality. It's been such a blessing and sharpening in my personal walk with the Lord that I am eternally blessed sitting under her instruction. We studied the Great I Am of the New Testament, only to get in my car and turn on the radio and hear "I Am" by Mark Schultz. My hands could not go up towards the Heavens fast enough!!!! The already happy smile on my face grew even larger in awe of His humor and timings. Praise the God who's timing even in the smallest and sometimes silliest things is perfect!! I sat in my driveway for a few minutes just worshiping His spirit. I noticed once I got settled into my pj's that my face hurt from smiling for such a long period of time. A face cramp? Who knew-heehee!!!

So then this morning, after a rich study time in His Word, my 5 year old comes down the stairs and the first words out of His mouth were, "Mom, why is there blue lines on my legs and all over my body?" I replied, " Well, blood gives your body life. Your heart pumps it and it flows to every part. If blood doesn't get to a place, it will be dead and you can't use it." Then this Holy Hush fell over me. The blood gives life...THE Blood, My Blood, gives you life...without it, you are dead. Of course, this was God's moment/speaking to me and it may not mean anything to you, but we can all use this reminder...It is the blood of Christ that gives us life. His blood was poured out as a ransom for me and for you. Without His blood, we have nothing. This seems to be the area where God is working on correcting and encouraging me personally.

We have to be careful not to get so caught up learning, testing, planning, solving, doing...that we forget the main point...that HE LOVES US sacrificially, to the point of death. His blood was given so that we could have life eternal. Apart from Him, there is no true Peace or Strength, or Love. Fleshy love bears conditions and preferences but the Love of our Heavenly Father is unconditional, endless, forgiving and available to all..."there is no distinction." 

Here is something called The Roman Road I'd like to share with you at the end. I wish I could hand you the solution in 3 easy steps on How to Fix All your problems, I wish I had 3 Easy Steps to Fix all my problems, (haha) but what I do have is Peace and Hope in my circumstances that a faithful God is working through on my behalf for my good and His glory.

May we take time to step back from everything and reflect on the core meaning of it...

In your marriage and friendships - have you stepped out of the busy and demanding schedules, set aside conflicts and looked at your spouse/friend through the gracious and loving eyes of the Lord at him/her? You were purposed to be together for such a time as this and you have made the commitment to be partners in this lifetime. Are you being faithful in your commitment? Your marriage/friendship is a ministry, to each other and your family and friends and to the watching world...all for the Glory of God. Remember?!?

With your children- do you remember they were given to you as a Gift? When was the last time you put down the calendar and spent one on one time with your Gift? Wait, did you forget they were a gift, not an issue?!? (Same is true of our spouse, they are our friend, not competition.) I know how hard it can be as our hearts can receive only so many darts that love begins to drain out. Only God can fill those holes with His love and replenish your strength and bring comfort to painful areas. Do you remember that God chose you to be their parent above all others? He will use you to grow them in Christ as much as they will be used by God to bring you closer to Him. I forget the exact quote from Toy Story 3, but I love the sentiments from Ms Potato Head...taking off these Angry Eyes! Won't you trade your disappointing eyes to appreciating eyes. See them in True Love's name.

Most importantly, your relationship with God- have you gotten so busy studying and trying to figure things out that you have forgotten the simple and yet profound fact the He loves you. You are loved with a pure, unconditional love and will never be forsaken. Never forget His love. Never doubt His love. He is faithful when the rest of the world is not. He will be there to catch you if you fall. There is none like Him. 

I will exercise great restraint right now from going on and on about the Love of our Father, the love we share with others and the meaning of it all...I'd be here all week!!!!! I am praying that you too will just take some time to settle your spirit, mind, soul and body to reflect and notice your blue lines. Notice the Blood in your life. Is there anywhere in you that there are clots? Ask God to open you up and allow the Blood to flow freely. Remember His love for you. See His love for you. Then, be a donor and "give blood" to a dying world. Share this Good News. 


With Valentines just around the corner, I cannot think of a better time to reflect on LOVE!!!

For there is no distinction (a discrimination made between things as different; special regard or favoritism): for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified (to declare innocent or guiltless) by His grace as a gift, through the redemption (deliverance from sin; salvation; rescue) that is in Christ Jesus, 
Romans 3: 22b-24

For the wages (a pledge or security) of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal (without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing) life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
Romans 6:23

but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. 
Romans 5:8

because, if you confess (to own or admit as true; to declare or acknowledge) with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified (to declare innocent or guiltless), and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10

For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord 

will be saved (to keep from being lost)." 

Romans 10:13