Praying God's Word: Overcoming Addiction

I am about half way done with the book by Beth Moore. I like what Beth says at the beginning of the addiction chapter - "Addiction is one of the cruelest of all yokes because it deceives us unmercifully and ruthlessly. It comes to us like a friend, promising to bring comfort. It kisses us on the cheek like Judas, stealing from our treasury, then rents us for a cheap fee to the opposition." I like that description and chances are you know what Beth is talking about. You, in fact, probably have an addiction. Consider it. Do you have something in your life that is promising comfort, but is stealing from your relationship with God? Do you have something that you can't stop doing, but is not God- honoring?

Oh Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely. You hem me in - behind and before; You have laid your hand upon me. I do not need to feel shame or fear in Your intimate knowledge of every detail of my life because Your Word says that Your knowledge of me is wonderful! Thank You, Father! (Ps. 139:1-6)

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Ps. 139:23-24)

God's Blessings to you!

My Handbag

I was tagged by no one, however, a friend posted this on her blog and I thought it would be funny to see what is in my handbag. I am not tagging anyone either, since I follow a lot of guys' blogs and they don't have handbags.

Here's the rules:
1. Post a picture of whatever bag you are wearing today - not last weekend when you and your hubby went out to that fabulous restaurant. No cheating!!!
2. Tell us how much it cost. This is a no-judgment zone -- there will be no ridiculing or eye rolling here. And, if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I'd love to hear it.
3. Now tag some fellow bloggers and link back to this post so people know why you are posting pictures of your bag.
I got this purse from my mother 5 years ago. I actually stole it from her, she may say that she gave it to me. We were in the process of moving and I noticed her purse and told her. I may have even said that I would like it and I don't remember all the details, but she gave it to me. (Mom, do you remember?) At the time, I was using my diaper bag as a purse, so I didn't even need a purse. In fact, until now, I have rarely used my purse. Everywhere I went, the kids went. In fact, I only have one other handbag and it was one that a friend made for me. It is not practical, so I rarely use it. So my purse cost me nothing. It is old and it is brown. What does that say about me?

Even though the rules don't mention anything about the contents of the purse, my friend Jen did, so I thought I should as well. I grouped them in 3 categories.
This is stuff that I actually put in there that should be in there. My wallet. Pens and Pencils. A pull-up. (Instead of having a diaper bag for a purse, now my purse is a diaper bag.) Toys. My daughter's hair-clips. Loose change. (I had no idea that all that change was in there.) A ring that I bent 4 years ago. I put it in there in hopes that I will remember to take it to the jewelry store - I haven't yet.

This is stuff that I need to take to the church. For one reason or another, we start collecting church property in our house. When I find it, I put it in my purse to take back. Sometimes it takes awhile before it actually makes it to the place it belongs. I thought the scissors might make a good weapon if I was attacked.

This is the trash. Old candy. A craft that fell apart in my purse. A business card. Receipts. Old grocery list. A paper clip. Used tissues. A bolt and a washer. (I am not for sure how those got in there.)

What a silly thing to blog about. What silly things to have in my purse. Needless to say, for today, my purse is now cleaned out and in good order.

Praying God's Word: Overcoming Feelings of Rejection

Everyone has been rejected somehow. From breaking up a relationship, losing a job, not getting chosen, or being rejected for what you believe might be some common ways of rejection. For the Christian, it is important to not get hung up on feelings of rejection. When we are scared to put ourselves out there, whether it is a new relationship or getting up on stage to present something, we might be losing out on a blessing or a way to share Jesus. Is there something that you are scared to do? I am not admitting to anything, but the next time I start to pull away from something because I am scared, I am going to think about this prayer....

You, Lord, are my shepherd; I shall not be in want. You make me lie down in green pastures; you lead me beside quiet waters; You restore my soul. You guide me in paths of righteousness for Your name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:1-6)

God bless you this week!

The Last Sin Eater

I love to read about history. It doesn't matter if it is a biography or historical fiction, as long as it is in story form, I love it!. I have read a historical fiction called, "The Last Sin Eater." It is written by Francine Rivers and it has been made into a movie. You may have heard of it. The idea of a sin eater is very intriguing to me.

The term "sin eater" refers to "a person, through ritual means, who would take on by the means of food or drink, the sins of a deceased person, thus absolving his or her soul and allowing that person to rest in peace," according to the Wikipedia Encyclopedia. This practice has been found in English and Scottish heritages.

These days, of course, this tradition seems to be non-existent, but I have to wonder how it ever came about in the first place? Only God knows how it ever got started because no one would talk about the sin eater unless someone had died and then it was all very secretive. That is how sin grows - in the hiding of it. There is some idea that sin eating came about through the twisting of the command of using a scapegoat found in Leviticus.

This is just another example of human weakness. Whether it was their need for control or their own ignorance, no one can eat a piece of bread and drink the wine place on the chest of the deceased and be able to take on their sins. I can't help but feel sorry for those poor souls who didn't have the hope of the Savior.

To be a sin eater would be worse. To be scorned by everyone and yet this sin eater had to symbolically take on the sins of the whole community. How burdened that person must have felt....How hopeless, full of sin.

I do know Someone who took on all my sins, all your sins, all of the sins of everyone in your city, your state, in the country, and in the world. Not just everyone who is living now, but whoever has lived and all those who will live in the future. I hope you know Him too, His name is Jesus! Again God has amazed me. I cannot fathom what Jesus did for us. I cannot fathom God's love for us - for me!

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, " God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."

Please remember what was done for you. Anyone can accept the gift of salvation. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and we can live forever with Him!

Praying God's Word: Overcoming Feeling Unloved

There are times in my life that I struggle with love. Sometimes I put the love from my husband so high on a pedestal that when he disappoints me, I feel so let down. I think that we humans do that to often. Replacing God's love for the love from others. They are going to fail. Only God's love is constant.

Humans, me included, sometimes feel unlovable. How can anyone love us, including God? A quote from Beth Moore in the book says, "What heartbreak we must bring to God when we continue to disbelieve His love. What more could He have said? What more could He have done? Believe even when you do not feel. Know even when you do not see. He gave the life of His Son to demonstrate His love. The time has come to believe."

The scripture prayer I chose from the chapter is this:
Lord God, help me to trust in Your unfailing love; cause my heart to rejoice in Your salvation. Help me to sing to You, Lord, for You have been good to me! (Psalm 13:5-6)

How fitting this chapter was since this weekend is Valentines weekend! This Saturday, bask in the glow of God's love. God loves you! God bless you this week!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Praying God's Word: Overcoming Deception

Doesn't it make sense that deception is the glue that holds all our sins together? Sometimes we knowingly sin, but we deceive our self by making excuses for our actions. Beth Moore lists some lies that we may tell ourselves when we are covering up a sin. A few of the ones that stuck out to me are: "I can't help the mess I am in. I am caught and there is nothing I can do about it." "This isn't doing me any harm. I can handle it." "Everyone thinks these thoughts most of the time. I'm only human."

Have you ever given an excuse for a behavior? I have. I can think of one right now. Is there something that you have ever kept secret? Is there something that you are ashamed of? Is there something that you have used deception to cover up? Is there something that you have distorted scripture to make okay?

"Father, this moment I am choosing the way of truth. I want to set my heart on Your laws. (Psalm 119:30) Help me choose the way of truth the rest of my days.

Have a blessed week!