GOD ORCHESTRATED PATHS CROSSING!

Have you ever met someone from Texas on your first week in a new state? (North Carolina) A new state for her as well! 

We sat right beside each other at the driver's license place making the long wait an adventure!

The next day, we ran into each other again at the Courthouse picking up our new tags. She unknowingly picked up the last "In God We Trust Plate." A choice that showed me our hearts were in the same place! 

One day Mr.Mike seated for a yummy lunch at Everett Street Diner---just the two of us-- not sure where our hubbies were. We both took home our left-overs--again, girl after my own heart! 

She visited our home for a "Molly" event. Larry and I visited her home overlooking Fontana Lake--blog readers have seen beautiful pictures she shared from there!

My first medical malady hit. Visitors were not to be part of my recovery!

She started praying and kept praying when more and more doctor appointments and hospital visits in far away places, became somewhat routine. She kept praying and texting----keeping up, even when I could not.

Recently, a "new to me", autographed devotional book, GOOD MORNING, God!, arrived; the author, Ginger Hurta, is a friend of hers! Daily entries "seem spot on."

Entering Thanksgiving week, today's entry certainly hit the spot for me!

Glory in His holy name, 

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!

(1 Chronicles 16:10)

Grateful for the Lord orchestrating our paths to cross! May we both continue to have hearts that rejoice in the Lord for His glory & the good of our friendship! Cathy G. and me!!

CHOOSE: TO SHARE

Choose to share the secret of joy. 

REJOICE THAT YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN. (LUKE 10:20)

AMEN. Choose Him and have a great weekend!

"res-TEA-tution"

My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant. His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. (Psalm 55:21-22, ESV)

Have you ever stolen someone's joy? Their encouragement in life? Has someone ever robbed you of your joy as his/her action took life, as you had known it and turned it upside down? Was a relationship damaged?

What does it look like to say you're sorry and try, in as much as you're able, to do right and make up for it?

Memories stolen  or stained them. Stolen hope. Stolen encouragement. Stolen joy.

What does restitution require? 

Zacchaeus’s story in Luke 19 gives us a godly pattern for restitution. He admitted his sin and guilt of defrauding people, having cheated them out of what was rightfully theirs. He was truly remorseful over those past actions. Not just in admittance.....but in willingness to change. Such repentance led to restitution.

Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.'

As a tax collector, he had been 1) guilty of defrauding people, 2) remorseful over his past actions, and 3) committed to making restitution. 
Restitution that demonstrates repentance. (when possible)

We should do the same.

Repentance and restitution are two more tenets of the Christian faith. Fundamentals. Basic Truths.

Repentance + Restitution = Rejoicing.

Repentance served with a cuppa res-TEA-tution brings rejoicing.