FORGIVENESS = CONTENTMENT!

Father forgive my "whine" within. Even when I don't voice it, I know it's there. May it not be!

Today is "Thankful Thursday," a great time to "trash the whine" and give thanks.....in everything! (I Thessalonians 5:18)

May my life manifest the Spirit of God within. 

Contentment ..........Christ in me the hope of glory is seen as I live in the light of His forgiveness!

Thank God I'm Forgiven!.....................

                    not just on Thursday, but everyday!

PHYSICAL THERAPY +

Some PT facilities dispense more than physical therapy!

A little bottle on the wall says it all!

PREFIXES

Choose your prefixes carefully. 

For example, ""un" means "not."

Think. What happens when lawful is replaced by unlawful? 

A life-changing decision.  A prison sentence maybe. Followed by regret.

Just 2 simple letters added. Some by choice. Others not.

Healthy. Unhealthy.

Disciplined. Undisciplined. Apple or caramel? 

Hmmm....maybe a caramel apple. Is that a "worthy" compromise? Maybe occasionally.

Our choices matter this side of heaven. 

Forgiving is always the right choice!

An unforgiving spirit brings bondage. It can act like a poison to your soul.

Forgiveness gives life.

Cancel the debt; write a blank check of forgiveness.

Transform your unforgiving spirit to forgiving. Throw out the "un"--it's not needed. 

Turn that anger and hurt into healing and peace.

Jesus did. With Him, there is always forgiveness for His beloved----no prefix ever needed.

CHOOSE: CONFESSION

Sensitivity has a way of showing one her sins. That's when Wednesday becomes a day of confession for me, aka "Weeping Wednesday." I desire to "confess, renounce and find mercy" (Proverbs 28:13) and forgiveness (1 John 1:9) as He purifies my heart. (James 4:8)

It's not like going into a confessional booth or opening up to a friend. It's just me before the Lord asking Him to "Search my heart." and show me my heart. (Psalm 139:23) Did He ever!
That's why it's a scary thing to do. It's hard to truly "see" the wickedness of one's own heart. A heart that He needs to "clean and restore."(Psalm 51:10) Confession and repentance are heart issues. Restoration is from God.

Forgive me, Lord, for my self-protective and self-promoting ways.

Glad I chose "Confession." It took away the guilt (Psalm 32:5) and as Mama Davenport always said, "confession is good for the soul."

"Generosi-TEA"

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. (1 John 1:9, NASB)

God is certainly a bestower of gifts to His children. A loving and generous God. 

Over the past 5 months I have been a recipient of a full measure of that generosity. For a season I was served cup upon cup of generosi-TEA through a God-given friendship. Claudia and Terry's neighbor, Julie.

Julie who brought light and hope and fun into the lives of both Claudia and me, especially during Claudia's last few months. She added "sparkle" in  the dark spots of the struggle. She was part of my tag team in Claudia's care. We laughed. Talked. Shared. Cried. She understood.
Just as the Lord generously blessed both Claudia and me through Julie, Julie also generously gave of herself. In time, relationship and care, Julie gave a much needed energy to those difficult days.

The three of us realized that the placement of each of us in one another's lives added real understanding of rule #1 in Robert Morgan's, Red Sea Rules. "Realize that God means for you to be where you are." Right where you are. Right at this time.

Now that season of relational proximity is over. The moving van arrived today.

Julie's job has her relocating to a new time zone, almost 900 miles away. The friendship and sisterhood will last, but the ease of personal connection will be more difficult. 

My heart is sad. Yet, how grateful I am for the Lord's generosi-TEA in having our paths cross "for such a time as this."

T.G.I.F.

2/22/13 "T.G.I.F." blinked at me this morning as I drove to MS for physical therapy. It seemed  an odd acronym for Trinty Baptist Church's LED sign. Even though today is Friday that seemed really "out of character" for a church's electronic message board, especially from that denomination.

So glad I returned to Memphis via the same route. Mystery solved. There was more to the sign than the first few "blinks." 
Thank God I'm Forgiven!

That makes sense. How thankful all believers can be for forgiveness, not just on Fridays, but everyday!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)