Letting Go

So I realize it's been MONTHS since I've written, and I do sincerely apologize, but life has been kinda crazy nutso!! You know what I mean?? However, in my LONG absence I've had quite a bit to think about and rely on God for. There have been so many things that I've wanted to hold on to and try to control and God has shown me over and over again that I'm not strong enough to do everything. I look around and I see pain everywhere. My family has so many secret hurts and burdens. Some members are going down a dangerous path and I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!! I worry incessantly and I just wish I could take some of the weight off their shoulders. I wish more than anything that there was some way I could separate them from their bodies so that they could look at themselves and see what they are doing. That is obviously impossible, but God cares about what I care about. He promises that my prayers do not fall on deaf ears. No problem is too small or too big for him. He keeps telling me that I'm not God, I can't change how my family lives or how they view him. God is telling me to LET GO and TRUST him! He knows what the big picture is, and I have to trust that he will cradle my loved ones in his arms and watch over them. As much as I love them, God loves them even more! I will hold on to that truth and take comfort in it!

"Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
      Psalm 32:8

Amazing Grace

We all know the words to this famous hymn: "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me...." but do we really, honestly think about the meaning behind these words? All who believe in Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior are SAVED!! Hallelujah!! This means that no matter what we were before; liars, cheaters, murderers, adulterers, etc. Christ has forgiven it ALL! Psalm 103:12 says that,"As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." The past has been forgiven no matter what you've done. Christ was beaten, mocked, and persecuted for us. He loved you so much that he went through so much suffering for you. And even then, when Jesus my Lord and Savior was on the cross, dying for me, he didn't curse the people who denied him and wronged him. He didn't ask his Father, God to strike them all down for what they did to him. "But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." He forgave me for what I was before I knew him. There is no sin too great for Jesus. He forgives everything! Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound, that saved a WRETCH like ME!!

 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

The Love of A Friend

Lately, I have been going through an interesting transition in my life. I graduated high school May 2010, and while I was there, I had quite a few "close," friends. One in particular I thought I would be friends with for the rest of my life. However, when I started college, she pretty much disappeared from my life along with the others. In hindsight, I understand these friendships were not godly and so by definition were not meant to last. However, God once again revealed his loving spirit to me with the presence of one precious person. She hasn't left me, or flaked out. Every day she is there for me no matter what. This beautiful girl shows me every day what it means to be a true friend. She lives out God's love and is one of the greatest blessings of my life. So, while everyone else seems to be deserting me, I know I can count on my friend, as well as my Savior and Redeemer who found me worthy enough of this person's friendship.I pray each of you have a godly friend like my Kim!
"A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Proverbs 18:24