It’s thrilling to get a love letter . . . to know that someone took the time to write down words of love just for you.
I was privileged to speak at a Women’s Retreat earlier this month where we focused on the gift of God’s love. We let His words of grace and mercy wash over us.
One of my favorite stories from the weekend was shared by Pastor Adrian Rogers on his radio broadcast, Love Worth Finding. This is my rendition since I wasn’t able to write it word for word while driving:
One day while her car was getting worked on at the dealership, Ann needed to borrow her husband’s new car to run some errands.
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Since childhood, I’ve been afraid. Afraid of death. Afraid of the stories describing a heavenly measuring rod. Afraid of the judgement. Afraid I wouldn’t ever be good enough to escape the consequences of sin and make it to the better place. Afraid of myself, my inadequacies, me — so quick-to-sin. A child afraid. A teenager afraid. Trying to get good graces and accolades. Wanting so badly to be told I was “good”. Seeking affirmation. Wishing so badly to escape the constant heaviness of realized imperfections.
Funerals made me catch my breath, hollowness in my soul, eyes dry and staring, unable to wrap my mind around the impossible forever of what-comes-next?
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One of my Facebook friends left the following post the other day:
My daughter’s school records have the wrong date for her birthday. Now my five year old thinks her school is right, and that I don’t really know when when she was born. – Hello! I was there!
Too funny! As a former Kindergarten teacher, I remember how quickly a five year old can get confused, how often a child believed me over their parents. I used to tell all moms and dads, “I will only believe half of what comes to school; will you will only believe half of what comes home.”
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I am writing this today for those of you whose Christmas season isn’t looking so festive. You’re struggling perhaps. Or your finances are a mess. Or a loved one is sick. Or a child is rebelling. Or, or, or, you know. Life isn’t always that perfect picture .
And Christmas time?
Well, sometimes Christmas time hurts and looks nothing like we think it should look.
Know that right now, as I write these words, that I am praying for you as you sit behind your screen and read my words. You are not alone.
I am writing to you because I’ve experienced those kinds of Christmases.
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These two dear friends were such good sports! At our Women’s Retreat several years ago, they were recruited to allow their makeup to be put on from behind. The girls applying their makeup could only use touch to decide where to place eye shadow, blush, and lipstick. A little crowd reaction may have guided them as well, but as you can see we weren’t much help!
I’ve been wondering, do we put on our “face” to cover up what’s going on inside? We think if we make the outside look perfect no one will notice the junk on the inside. We are afraid that others will judge us, criticize us, or reject us so we try our best to hide our hearts.
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Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
How do you feel when you read those verses? I usually feel a little guilty. It’s hard to be joyful and thankful in the midst of worry and anxiety. Unless you are living alone in a cave, there are usually plenty of things to be worried and anxious about.
Maybe that it why right between joy and thanksgiving, the Lord reminds us to never stop praying!
I moderate the prayer requests for Prayer Ministries Int.
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Written on
August 31, 2010 by
Gina in
Blog
“But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 9:14
When my daughter Grace was 4 1/2, I recorded a conversation we had about sin and heaven.
It’s amazing how God can work on the hearts of little ones, and how God’s teaching me even now to pause and rest, and catch Him working in these little moments… and in his little people!
This is the conversation that Grace had with me about sin.
Grace (4): “Sin is really bad.”
Me: “Yes, it is.”
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We are so very excited to have another grandson on the way. I have been teased many times for having been blessed with excessive amounts of the “mom” gene. I may be slightly little people addicted. Maybe it is a blessing that we struggled with secondary infertility or our home may have looked like the shoe in which that little old lady lived! LOL
This is a first baby for our firstborn. She is experiencing firsthand the miracle of Psalm 139:
You made my whole being; you formed me in my mother’s body.
I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way.
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