True Inheritance

As many of you know, my grandmother passed exactly seven months ago. When those we love pass away its challenge to let go while still being mindful of the rich legacies they left behind. I recognize that God places people strategically in our lives. God is the master of aligning our needs with resources and opportunities. Granny is very much alive in spirit. She continues to be God's instrument as she taught me how to nurture and care for others. This is a reality I did not fully comprehend until last weekend during my niece's baptism celebration. Granny has left us all with a rich inheritance. If she taught me nothing during these last 25 years, it was how to nurture and care for the new generations sprouting up before my eyes. As I look at my younger cousins, and my niece I realize that I am to pass on that nurturing spirit Granny left behind. This is a rich inheritance one who's value is not measured in dollars and wordily wealth. This inheritance is priceless.I am thankful that God strategically places people in our lives to provide nurture and support. This life has many obstacles and challenges, but true love allows us to withstand the present difficulties. Love never fails. A love first shown through Christ gave us light in a dying world. What inheritance will you choose to leave behind? ~If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:2

On New Things and True Love

Another valentines day has come and gone. By now the chocolates are gone, and the flowers are starting to wilt. In the past valentines day has mostly been a dread because it forced me to recognize my single status. This is surely a season of change and transition. Old things pass away because these last two years I have really begun to embrace my time alone. This season of singleness has allowed me to recognize true love. A love so deep that he would leave his riches in heaven to come to earth to rescue me by taking my penalty on the cross. This is the perfect romance that we see on television and read about in novels. Jesus is that handsome knight that comes to save his princess from distress and destruction. We are so dearly loved that Christ would come to earth and suffer so much agony for our redemption. There is no greater love than this--that he he would lay down his life for us. With new seasons come change. As God takes me into new seasons, opportunities and relationships my hope is that I remember the lessons learned during this current season. The most important lesson is that Christ is my great love. While he places opportunities and people in my life he is the giver of all perfect gifts. " Love never gives up, never looses faith is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance"~ 1 Corinthians 7.

We Shall Overcome

Well this has definitely been a week to say the least. I am ecstatic the weekend is here and I am able to relax and close the book on this week's chapter. There were many challenges and my faith encountered numerous attacks. By the grace of God, and his perfect faithfulness I was able to endure. I can honestly say that God's spirit was personally present this week as he provided me the courage to confront those obstacles that were in my way. Fear is something I struggled with this week. Fear of the mistakes of my past, and fear of the events to come in the future. In the midst of hardship I found a renewed faith and spirit.  Through this test, God allowed me to really stand firm on his promises of forgiveness, reconciliation, and a personal relationship through Christ.  The storm clears and there is finally sunshine with the former dirt and grime washed clean. There is no need of rehashing past events or worrying about the future.  As the apostle Paul writes "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus ~ Phillipians 3:13-14. 

I guess an appropriate theme song for this week is the old negro spiritual "We shall Overcome".  We will overcome our fears only through our faith in a sovereign and omnipresent God. One who knows the issues of our hearts and intervenes on our behalf.  God certainly intervened this week as he guided me through treacherous waters.

Daily Bible Verse

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All the Glory and Fully Equipped

Many of you have seen this picture for quite a while now! I took this picture last year from the steps of my parent's back porch ( since then my little camera has quit on me :-( !) I remember thinking how exquisite the view was. How beautiful is God's creation? God's great works and power are evident; all we have to do is look to the sky. In my bible study class we are studying the book of Isaiah. He gives a similar instruction for a people suffering and beginning to wonder if God was far off and distant. He tells them " Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things"~Isaiah 40:26. God is here and this picture is just one conformation of his presence in our daily lives. Jesus also comforts his disciples by promising them "Yes  I am with you always, until the end of time"` Matthew 20:28.  Sometimes our life circumstances seem so big, but in reality God has handled much larger tasks. He brings the sun to rise and set so surely he can handle my minute concerns. I confess at times I become so consumed with the problem and the circumstance, failing to look at the evidence of his creation that is always present.  The glory of our God's works, and the incomprehensible details of his power and understanding are to give us all confidence and encouragement that he will work everything out. For those he calls, he has fully equipped! I don't know about you but I needed this word and encouragement in this present season.  Wishing everyone a wonderful week!