True Hope and a Future

Those of you who know me know I LOVE God and His Word. While the world thinks being a Christian and living according to the truths of the Bible means living a life of bondage, hemmed in with rules and regulations at every turn, the truth is exactly the opposite. Living God's way brings freedom, not bondage! 

Perhaps you already know that, but the question is, do you live it? We can believe all the right things and still get entangled in the lies of the enemy. So how do we get free from these entanglements and live the abundant life God has for us?

I'm excited to share with you a brand new study from my friend Cindy Bultema that will help us to answer this question! Cindy's study "Live Full, Walk Free" uses the apostle Paul's letter to the church he planted in the sinful city of Corinth to help us navigate our way through the sinful culture we live in today.

It's that time of year again, and as I gaze at the brilliant colors of fall I thought I'd reshare this post...

Every autumn we are blessed with a dazzling display of color as the leaves turn away from their summer hues.  It was always my understanding that the normally green leaves somehow changed to the brilliant reds, yellows and oranges that we enjoy every fall, but I had it backwards.  

Did you know that many of the dazzling colors we enjoy come autumn are actually there all along?  Amazing, isn't it?  As the days shorten, the trees begin to shut down their food-making process of photosynthesis. The green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves, revealing the colors that were there all along. 

I couldn't help but think of how this parallels our walk as Christians.  Of course, we're not green with chlorophyll but we are stained with sin.  For many of us, to some extent and for most of our lives, that's what we display - the stain of sin. But for those who walk closely with Christ, spending time speaking to Him in prayer, listening to Him through His Word, the Bible, and striving to obey His commands, something beautiful happens.  The stain of sin begins to wane and our true colors burst forth! 

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." ~ 2 Corinthians 3:18 

Suddenly, we start looking like Jesus!  As we mature, the beauty that was in us from the moment the Holy Spirit entered our lives - the beauty of Christ - begins to overpower the stain of sin.  We begin acting in ways contrary to our human nature; we begin acting more and more like Jesus.  

And people see it.

And wonder why we're so different from everyone else.

And want what we have.

Even more amazing than the fact that our "true colors" in Christ are eventually visible to others is the fact that they're visible to God all the time.  Wherever we are in our walk, thanks to the cleansing power of the blood of Christ, when God looks at us what He sees are our true colors - the stainless beauty of Christ! 

As I was typing this, the lyrics from the hymn "In Christ Alone" started playing in my mind:

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain 

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

Bursting forth.  That's exactly how it feels.  The balance is tipped and suddenly the goodness of Christ comes flowing out.  And that's exactly how God designed it to be.

Lord, it is humbling to think that you have chosen me to reflect your glory. I pray that more and more in my life, the stain of sin would wane and the glory of Christ would be displayed to draw the lost of this fallen world to the salvation you so freely give.

Am I the only one who still hasn't done anything with those Christmas cards I received? I didn't think so! If you don't consider yourself "crafty," skip down to numbers 4 and 5 for other options for recycling. Happy New Year!

Christmas is over and now comes the task of getting our homes back to normal.  Most people display the Christmas cards they receive in one way or another, but what do you do with them once the holiday has passed?  It seems like such a waste to throw them out, but saving them all takes up precious space and odds are we'll never look at them again (or remember where we put them!) 

I do save a few special cards, but for the remainder I've put together some ways to put those used Christmas cards to good use.  There's something for everyone, so even if you're not "crafty", please keep reading!

1. Convert them into Christmas postcards to use next year.

I have a friend that has been doing this for years.  Using a card front with a clean back (no writing on it), cut it to postcard dimensions.  According to usps.com,  postcards must be rectangular and measure between 3 1/2 and 4 1/4 inches high and 5 to 6 inches long.  Once it's cut to size, just draw a line down the middle of the card (while in landscape position).  Next year, put your message on the left (you could even use a rubber stamp if you're crafty) and the address and stamp on the right.  You can even save a little money by using postcard stamps rather than first class!

Cut the design from the card front and using double-sided tape, adhere to the folded card stock you've prepared. To add interest, you can layer with a mat cut from card stock 1/4" to 1/2" larger than the design.  

This card also had a recycled message inside, mounted on a layer of card stock.


3. Cut them into gift tags




4. Recycle them (and help a good cause!)

This is great for those family photo cards you get!  Last year I began the New Year by placing the stack of photo cards in my "quiet time" area.  Each week I would pray for the family at the top of the pile.  If I was really on the ball, I'd let the family know I was praying for them and ask for prayer requests.  Hanging it on the refrigerator helps to remind me to pray for them during the week. 

I've been known to link up with: Inspire Me Monday,  Living Proverbs 31, The Beauty in His Grip, Playdates With God, Unite, Soli Deo Gloria,  Titus 2sdays, Tell Me a Story, Growing Homemakers, Tutorials and Tips,Tell His Story, Winsome Wednesday, Doing You Well Wednesday, Hope in Every Season,  A Little R&R Wednesdays,  Inspire Me Please, Think Tank Thursdays, Thrive at Home, Thriving Thursday, The HomeAcre Hop, Friendship Friday, Make My Saturday Sweet, Spiritual Sundays,  Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday, The Girls Link Up, Women Helping Women,  Thursday Favorite Things,

This may just be my year to be on top of the yard work!  (My husband will tell you I say this every spring, but I really think this year might be the one!) As I was raking leaves and pulling weeds I couldn't help but remember my sweet companion of fifteen years, Daisy. Come with me to revisit one of my fond memories of my faithful sidekick... 

I was working behind our house the other day, while heavy equipment was doing major construction next door. At one point I thought, "Wow, it sounds like they're right in my front yard!" When I finished what I was doing, I went around to investigate the racket that continued in front of the house.

There was my "faithful sidekick," Daisy "the wonder-dog." She was doing her best to capture one of the pesky little chipmunks that burrow in our yard. Unfortunately, she was doing it in my flower bed. My plants were trampled as only an excited dog on a mission can do; they were even dug up in the spots where she'd become extra-zealous. Then the drainpipe caught my eye. . .

Evidently, the chipmunk thought this would be a good escape route and scampered up it to get to the roof. Daisy, however, was on a mission and would not be easily dissuaded. The "construction" noise was actually the sound of "destruction" as the drainpipe banged against the house. Daisy obviously put great effort into her work, because by the time I got there she was on her hind legs, reaching up as high as she could. The drainpipe was flatened, twisted, and full of holes where she'd tried to take a bite out of the little critter. I'm sure the chipmunk had a great show looking down from the safety of his rooftop vantage point.

Daisy had good intentions. She probably thought she was being helpful, attempting to relieve us of one of those pesky chipmunks. Unfortunately, the result wasn't so good: a torn up flower bed, a crumpled drain pipe and a dirty dog. This made me wonder, "How often do my efforts look like this to God?" I always serve Him with the best of intentions, but if I plow ahead with my plans rather than ask God what He would like me to do, how often do I leave a mess rather than anything of value?

Before I rush off to "do" something for God, I need to ask Him if it's something He would like me to do. Just because I know how God has gifted me doesn't mean I know how He wants me to use those gifts. How often have I expended much effort only to discover that's not what He had in mind for me at all? Think of all the work it would have saved me, if only Daisy could've asked about chasing the chipmunk...

"I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands." Psalm 119:10

Father, forgive me for the times I've rushed off to do things for you without consulting you first. Help me to always seek you before I act so that I can be productive for you.

I saw your picture today.

It made me sad.

And you know why. 

Whether you admit it or not; 

You.

Know.

Why.

You got what you wanted,

but I have to ask, 

"Was it worth it?"

I have to ask.

Because it cost me.

You may not think it was much.

But it cost me a lot.

Maybe too much.

And that's on me.

I have to ask,

"Was it worth it?"

Because, you see, 

It.

Cost.

You. 

Too.

Maybe you already know that.

Maybe you already know. 

Maybe you've felt the consequences.

Or maybe you haven't.

But it did cost you.

How much?

More than you think.

Much, 

Much, 

More.

You didn't say anything.

You just did it.

And still didn't say anything.

And haven't.

Which says a lot.

About you.

And your integrity.

Or.

Lack.

Thereof.

But I take comfort in this:

"A good name is better than fine perfume..."

and

"Frustration is better than laughter,

Because a sad face is good for the heart.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning

but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure."

Ecclesiastes 7:1, 3-4

Yes, these words give me comfort,

But they also cause me sorrow.

Great sorrow.

Because I wonder,

"How often is it me?"

How often is it my picture, 

That makes someone sad.

How often have I been the one,

to hurt another,

with my actions?

Or with my words?

And I didn't say anything.

Because I was ashamed.

Because I was afraid.

Because I was proud.

Because I just didn't know.

If that's the case.

If it was me.

I just want to say, 

I'm so sorry.

Because we don't always know.

But that doesn't make it hurt any less.

And that doesn't make it okay.

Maybe that's why God says, 

"Be completely humble and gentle;

Be patient, 

Bearing with one another in love."

Ephesians 4:2