Not that Angels games and Bridal Showers aren't deep.....but my brain is going a hundred miles a minute and I haven't trapped any of it in word lately. Not that I am any good at it because it is usually going too fast. :) Just finished a great book....Crazy Love by Francis Chan. And I have been challenged...in many ways. So I will be tackling one at a time. As of lately one of my biggest challenges has been....Why? Why did he forgive me? Why did he die for my sins? I know he loves me and having children I say I would do anything for them....but I still don't get it. In society we put sins on different levels and think..."he forgave that one but oh, this one is so much bigger." And I can not comprehend why sometimes. Guilt is such a big problem for me.....and I know it is just Satan digging as far as he can. I have read a few things that have made me think....not answering the questions, but gave me something more to think about. I read a blog...that had a quote from a book..."From Eternity to Here" by Frank Viola. I know NOTHING about this book or the author, just the phrase I read in someone's blog. It said....
You have a Lord who wishes to cherish you. Neither your fallen nature nor your sins are an obstacle for Him. He has dealt with them thoroughly, completely, and willingly by His death and resurrection.
So I read that and thought...ok, yeah, heard that before, I get it. But do I act like I got it, no. But I read something else....the difference between what I should should be doing and what I am doing. He is talking about Mary Magdalene...
“Indeed, Mary of Magdala is a study in undying love. I ask you: What provoked such unending devotion? It was simply this: Mary believed the Lord’s opinion of her. She took His opinion of herself rather than her own. In doing so, love was awakened within her own heart for Christ…
Mary believed the Lord's opinion of her. Do I believe the Lord's opinion of me....or do I get wrapped up in what society says about me, do I compare myself, do I listen to people's pointless opinions. Yep, I do all of those.
And I love this one....(thank you Amanda)....I think this is the way to live.
What other people think of you is none of your business!
Running on E
2 hours ago
4 comments:
Makes me want to read it...
Sarah--First of all, as a baseball fan you would be interested to know Frank Viola was an all-star pitcher with the Twins and Mets.
As for believing you are forgiven (or forgiving yourself) I had a pastor once who said something that made it click for me: If God has forgiven you, and you haven't forgiven yourself, doesn't that mean that your standards are higher than God's. And that's not possible." Hope that helps.
excuse the punctuation mistakes--it's before 8 am.
Your post really got me thinking. You're light years ahead of where I need to be, but I'm trying. Rick really made it all make sense. Thanks!
BTW, thanks for stopping by my blog and for the prayers. I don't know all of the details, but they found a doc in St. Louis that put in a stint. I don't know how long it's supposed to work or what happens next, but I think this is good news. Prayer works. Thank-you.
Post a Comment