Thursday, May 16, 2013

Worthy, I am Not, but Grateful am I!

Hello dear friends!

My joy for writing is perhaps displayed best when I can expand the styles in which I present my various muses.  I decided to switch things up just a bit and present my thought for tonight through poetry.  I was listening to a message the other day about God's abounding Grace and Mercy-both which are undeserved and impossible to earn!  Sometimes, as Believers, we needlessly stress ourselves out trying to "earn" God's approval, love, and blessings.  In case we've forgotten, WE CAN'T.  Jesus would not have come to Earth, shared His ministry, suffered, and died on the cross.  But!  He did!  Yet, even though we know this "intellectually," our hearts struggle to connect with this absolute TRUTH!  Jesus' sacrifice is a GIFT.  You don't earn your Birthday or Christmas gifts, and you don't deny receiving them!  So why!  WHY!!!  Why then, can we not freely and readily accept the ultimate gift of ETERNAL LIFE!!   Think about it, pray, and meet God in His Holy Place.  Draw near to His Love and Tenderness.  You don't have to be perfect-frankly you can't despite how hard you try.  So give up trying to be something you're not.  Let God IN, let God LOVE, and let God HEAL!!!  Ephesians 2:8-9 says it best, " For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."




Worthy I am NOT! 


Worthy I am not of your love!
In my broken spirit I cry out,
Jesus take this cup from me!
My sin is what nailed you to that Tree,
Your love is what let you die for me!
Your loved poured out in tears and blood,
Washing my sin in a cleansing flood!

Worthy I am not of you love!
Ashamed I run far from you.
Knowing not else what to do!
Like a lover, you relentlessly pursue,
To bring me back to you!
Prone to wander and leave the one of love,
You knowingly watch from above!


Worthy I am not of your love!
Determined to win my heart through gentle grace,
You teach me how run life’s lengthy race!
When the day comes and my life is o’er,
You guide me safely to the Golden Shore!
My tears are dried, my pain is gone,
And I am filled with heaven’s song!

                                       <3 TKH



Take comfort in knowing the battle called life has already been fought and won for you!  "JESUS paid it ALL, ALL to HIM I owe.  SIN had left a crimson stain, HE washed it WHITE AS SNOW!"

God Bless! <3  

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Mama! You gave LOVE to Me!

This is going to be a short post, but I felt I had to write! 

I wanted to take a moment to praise God and thank Him for blessing me with my precious Mother!  Today Mom, I celebrate YOU!  I know I don't tell you nearly enough how much you mean to me, or simply speak the words "I love you!"  

What most of you don't know, I am adopted.  Nearly 21 years ago, I was brought to America when I was 4 1/2 years old and literally placed into the arms of the woman who would guide each of my steps.  At the time, I knew her not and wanted nothing to do with her.  But!  I cannot imagine my life without her, or a better friend with whom to share my joys and sorrows, triumphs and failures!  God knew what He was doing when He gave you to me and me to you!  You are one of my greatest gifts and miracles! 






I also want to thank the woman who gave me life.  I don't know you, and more than likely-I never will.  But, you too are in my heart today and always.  Your selfless love is what allowed you to give me up in order to provide me the best chance at a fulfilling future.  I read your letter of love often, and if I could thank you face-to-face, I would--with a hug!  Perhaps one day, I'll see you in Heaven, and I'll get to thank you in person.  Until then, I pray you are Blessed, that God is the center of your life, and that you have been blessed with more children-my brothers and sisters.  I didn't always understand why you made the choice to let me go, but I can only pray, if placed in the same situation, I would love as profoundly as you! 

To all of the mothers in the world here on earth and in Heaven, may you be celebrated, cherished, and remembered today.  For those of you reading this blog, take a extra moment today to let Mom know what she means to you!  

May the Lord Bless you and Keep You!  May His face shine upon you and give you Peace! And, be Gracious unto You!  Amen! 

<3  

 

God is GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!

Hello again!

I haven't much time to write, so I am going to get right down to business!



We live in a nation and era that seeks and desires to distance itself from any and all connection to God or Christianity!  

There I said it!  

It wasn't an instant change, but rather a long, gradual journey.  It started in 1962 and again in 1963 when the Supreme Court banned public prayer in schools in an attempt to keep church and state separated; while, viciously trampling and misinterpreting the 1st Amendment.  

The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution, prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights (Cornell University).


Instead of upholding our right to freedom of speech and religion, the Supreme Court sought to separate itself, in order to not appear favorable towards one certain religion.  In the process, however, we as a nation have become overly tolerant of literally everything, but completely intolerant of anything relating to God, Jesus, and Christianity.  

Hypocritical and a gross double-standard! 

   We told God "we don't need you anymore!  We can do it ourselves.  You're obsolete!"

In the past decade, at least, our nation has recently suffered heart-wrenching, mind-blowing tragedies that have left us all say "how? and why?"  Fear and doubt consume our every thought--our faith shaken!  Anger, at the injustice, flairs within our very core.  We shake our fists angrily, swearing revenge on those who performed these acts of violence.  


We ask "Where was God when all of this happened?  How could He let such terrible things happen to good people?"  

While I understand this is a natural reaction, I am often frustrated to the point of fury at these accusing questions.  Why is it when trials occur, we question God's presence?  As if, only when He's watching, are things peaceful and serene.  It's as if society/man-kind is suggesting God is only partially present and partially cognizant of what occurs here on Earth.  In case we've conveniently forgotten, Earth IS God's creation and EVERYTHING IN, ABOVE, AND BELOW IT is His as well!



Remember!  When God spoke EVERYTHING into existence, He saw that "It was GOOD." 


Romans 8:28 says "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.  Now, let's get something straight!  This verses does NOT suggest that God causes unfortunate events to happen to people who don't believe it Him.  If you're thinking it...Stop it Right Now!  

How is it we can go about our daily lives, successfully ignoring our need for God, but when something terrible happens, we ask why He wasn't there to stop it. We cannot have it both ways.  Matthew 6:24 says, "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (insert your own god here-sex, fame, etc).  Furthermore, Exodus 34:14 says, "You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you."  Although He is a Jealous God who wants ALL or NOTHING, He is also not going to force you to believe and trust in Him.  He will pursue you as a lover pursues his mate-gently and lovingly. The decision, however, is ultimately yours. That, my friends, is the gift(or sometimes a curse) of FREE WILL!  

When people ask, "why did God allow this to happen?"  I want to shake them and say, "THIS ISN'T THE WORK OF GOD!"  God is not bad-EVER, and He never causes tragedies to happen.  Satan, however, is VENGEFUL!  He is EVIL!  He seeks to destroy EVERY good and perfect blessing God bestows on His people.  1 Peter 5:8 says, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." Satan doesn't care what damage he causes-as long as it draws people away from their faith, causes them to doubt, and leads them down a path of self-destruction!  

When tragedy strikes-STOP BLAMING GOD!  It's not like you paid attention to Him before you "needed something from Him."  Like I've said before, He is not a vending machine where you can place a "Dollar worth of Faith and Obedience and receive a Five pound Chocolate Bar of Blessings!"  

You MUST choose! 

I want to end on this one verse.  Please, commit it to memory; for God's promises are NEVER broken. 

 Deuteronomy 31: 6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” 



May you be blessed this week, but more importantly~A blessing to others! 

Much Love <3