Ephesians 2- Part 2

-
Image
Study and learn. Be changed.  Ephesians 2 Made Alive in Christ 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not
Post a Comment

New Year's Resolution... Things to shoot for

-
Happy New Year!  2015 is here!   I have a few resolutions for the new year, things to shoot for to make an even better 2015.  I want to  practice  an attitude of gratitude and make a conscious effort to find things to thank God for.  None of us are going to have perfect lives this side of Heaven, but we can still be to be thankful.   I am going to focus on the good and let go of the bad.

I am not going to compare myself to others.  God made me ... He knit together my "in most being" ... my personality.  I have to be me. .. and not worry that I am not as neat and organized as other moms, that I am not as pretty as another, that I am not as smart as another, etc.     Comparison is a thief of joy because comparison tells us that we have been cheated.  However, we are not walking in their shoes.  We really do not have a clear picture of what their struggles are... even if we are facebook friends with them.   I have no idea what their lives actually look like, behind closed doors.

I eat relatively healthy meals, but since I broke my leg a couple of years ago, I haven't stayed as active as I was before.  I am going to  get more exercise. I am going to spend more time painting and for the first time ever, I am going to take painting lessons.   

I am going to continue to date my husband of 25 years.  I am going to assume the best of him and give him lots of grace, just like I hope he gives me.  My marriage is my most intimate earthly relationship, so when it’s not strong, my joy suffers.  When we are o.k, I am o.k. 
.
I can't  control the things that happen to me in 2015, but I can control how I react. Will I choose thanksgiving or anger,   joy or bitterness, kindness or cruelty, or happiness or discontentment. l whether we choose joy or bitterness, thanksgiving or anger, happiness or discontentment?  

I will continue to  study His word, seeking to be grounded in His word.  Only then, can I make sure that I am believing His truth and make sure that no lies take a foothold in my life.  God has shown me that joy can be had




even  when hurts happen.  

Here's to a wonderful 2015. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why does God call us sheep?

-
Image
Before you jump to the conclusion that I am saying Christian are "brainless" sheep, read this post completely.  If you still aren't sure, read this post:  Are Christians brainless? Why does He call us SHEEP? ( The Bible makes reference to sheep no less than 220 times).   A few of the more notable passages that come to mind are the 23 rd Psalm, Isa. 53:6 and John 10.  There are many references to His People being sheep. So why not something more powerful, like a ram or horse? Why not something more graceful and valued, like a prized bird? Well, God chose to use the word sheep to identify His followers, as we are "His sheep." Our shepherd, Jesus, is leading the way, so let's look at the facts about sheep-the  nature of  sheep.  Let's look at the facts about sheep- *Sheep aren’t intelligent . Sheep are not known to be smart or cunning animals when it comes to safety; rather, they are susceptible and tend to wander away from the prote
Read more

Lessons learned the first 50 years

-
Image
I hit a milestone. I turned 50 years old. I am thankful that I don't feel 50.   I am thankful for things God has taught me throughout those 50 years. .  I have learned that God loves mercy and when I feel a sense that justice needs to happen over mercy, all I need to do is remember that I am thankful for when God gives me mercy instead of a just punishment.   (Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.) ( Luke 6: 36  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. ) I have learned that hurt people end up hurting people.   When I am able to see that I didn't hurt them but I am bearing the results of that persons hurt inflicted by other people, it helps me forgive whatever hurt they pushed onto me and move on.  (Romans 12 : 18  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. )  I have learned that anyone who thinks they have God
Read more

Rayman Rabbids Cake- 1/2 Birthday celebration

-
Image
At a certain age... I suppose 18 or so... half-birthdays are no longer as important to you as when you are young.  Right now, the kids love having their 1/2 birthdays celebrated.  We don't do much. We tell them "Happy half-birthday!"... and they are allowed to choose what we have for dinner (within reason... no  super expensive choices .. like crab legs or sushi).  And, they do get to have a  cake.   John-Michael is 8 1/2 today. I haven't had any of my children ask for a character-cake in quite some time...until last night.  We were out very late watching the laser light show at Stone Mountain Park.  A few hours before... John-Michael springs on me that he wants a Rayman Rabbids cake for his half-birthday.  Now, I have church in the morning and knew I wouldn't get home before midnight last night... not much time to figure our how to make that kind of cake.  So, like most things...I just went for it.   I bought Twinkies ...pretty sure the first Twinkies ,,,. th
Read more