IN CHRIST I AM - BOUGHT

Okay this may sound a little extreme and absurd to some of you.  The idea of being "bought" brings up very wrong ideas.  To say I have been "bought" may make some of you cringe.  Or maybe you will close this out and stop reading it because the idea of being "bought" is something you may never think about.  Back in the old days slaves were bought by masters, many things can be bought for a price.  So the word "bought" brings up many different feelings, emotions and realizations.  It makes us put a price in something or someone.  And quite frankly putting a price tag on a person just seems wrong.

Be patient with me as I try to get through this because quite frankly, we need to wake up to the reality that we are bought with a price.  That's right, we do not belong to ourselves.  No matter how determined we are to handle our own selves, our bodies, our plan, our mission, our purpose, we are not our own.  Don't like hearing that?   Disagree with me?  Go ahead!  Make my day!!

Listen I am sorry to offend anyone, but our bodies are not ours!  If you don't believe in God, you may have a hard time understanding this, but for me it is easy!  You see I grew up in a religion that told me that God's presence lived in the tabernacle of the church.  Church was a place to be quite and respectful.  It was not a place to carry on conversations or laugh or God forbid, clap your hands.  That church building was holy ground and not a place to mistreat.  

What I learned was so wrong!  The church building is not a holy place where God's presence dwells.  My body is a holy place where God's presence dwells.  

1 Corinthians 6:19-20  Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your bodies

My body, soul and spirit have been purchased through the blood of Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ was tortured and died a hideous, criminals death on a cross.  Not because He was guilty of anything, but because He was innocent.  He did that for you and I, so that our sins could be forgiven and we could become temples of the Holy Spirit, who is God.  God's presence lives inside of me!  His very nature, His very spirit, His very presence lives inside of me!  Do you get that?  I pray you do.

You see this body I have was hand crafted by God Himself.  He created this body and me for a purpose, His purpose, not mine.  He gave me this personality with all my little quirks and insecurities. He gave me His spirit to live in this body of mine and all He asks of me is to obey Him and to take care of this body.  I know you probably think I am strange, and I am!  I am Debra Barron, bought and paid for in full by the blood of Jesus Christ.    

I am not my own!  I am responsible to God and God alone.  I am tired of living a mediocre lifestyle.  I am tired of living on the fence.   My God allowed His One and Only Son to die a cruel death so that His Holy Spirit could dwell in this body.  If  He could do that for me, surely I could get up off my fence (and my lazy boy chair) and start living my life like I should.  It's time I treat my body the way God wants me to.  After all this body is His Holy Temple.

I have been bought with the blood Jesus Christ shed on the cross.  My sins have been washed away. My body is now His!  My mind is now His!  My soul belongs to Him!  I am the Temple of God!! My life is not my own!  My body is not my own!  

Lord, I realize that I was bought with a price, help me to honor you with my body.  Create in me a clean heart and purify my body with your blood.   I am yours!  My body, my soul and my spirit belong to you. I surrender all of me in Jesus name I pray, amen.

IN CHRIST I AM - BORN AGAIN

I was baptized as a baby.  I don't remember any of it except for what I have seen in pictures.  Different religions believe different things and have different rituals.  I do not want to dive into a debate here about rituals or sacraments or regulations.  That is not why I am writing this.  I am choosing to write about my personal experience.  That's it!  

For me personally, my life was not altered because of my baptism or even my confirmation.  These were rituals that was expected to be performed at a certain age.  Of course my baptism was chosen for me by my parents.  It was what was expected of them and they truly believed in what they were doing.  I am grateful for their guidance through my faith.  I went through Catholic schools and went to church every Sunday.  I watched my parents pray every night, I watched them recite the rosary at funerals and in times of trouble.  Their faith instilled a deep faith inside of me.  

For my confirmation I was given a list of prayers to have memorized along with certain questions I had to answer correctly.  I had a choice to wait but felt that if I did I would be ostracized and criticized.  After all it is what was to be expected.  I pictured a flame of fire appearing above my head, that didn't happen (never has).  I thought I would feel different, or special.  Nope!  I thought confirmation was being "born again".  I was wrong.

Now before any of you get in a tissy and  through a fit and hurl accusations at me, let me finish.  FOR ME, none of these ritual sacraments changed me.  Oh my faith in Jesus Christ was strong, I was one of those weird Catholics who actually listened to the prayers I repeated over and over.  I believed what those prayers said, that Jesus Christ was my Savior.  I took my time and actually concentrated on the words and soaked them into my heart.  In fact I would get angry and upset when I would see others say those prayer like some rogue routine.  The attitude of "let's get this over" upset me.    Let me be frank, there are many people who sit in churches of all denominations and act this way, not just Catholics.  Jesus was clear though when He said this fooling verse.

John 3:3  Jesus replied, "Very truly I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."

What is born again?  A born again Christian is someone who has repented of there sins and turned to Jesus Christ for their salvation and as a result has become a part of God's family forever.  All this takes place when God's Holy Spirit comes to work in our lives.  It doesn't depend on your age or what knowledge you have, it's a heart issue.  It's an acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Savior issue.  Buddha cannot help you be born again, only Jesus Christ can!  

Jesus Christ became my Savior in the Catholic church, but honestly I wasn't born again until I verbally, out loud, in front of 17,000 people, stood up and proclaimed that Jesus Christ was my personal Savior, that He died so that my sins could be forgiven, that He rose from the dead so that I could have a personal relationship with my Heavenly Father.  That was the one point I missed out on in the Catholic church.  I thought I had to go to a priest, who would go to God for me.  Or pray to a saint who would pray to Jesus on my behalf, who would go to God for me.   Wrong!  

I am sorry if that offends you, but I am not concerned about offending you (ouch) I am concerned about offending God.  Like I said I am not here to debate to argue, this is my personal truth and my personal experience with God.  When I was born again through the blood of Jesus Christ, I was forgiven of my sins.  Instead of going to a priest, I went directly to God (still do).  Instead of praying to a saint for help or guidance or healing from God, I go directly to the true source, the tone true God.

Baptism didn't make me born again, confirmation didn't make me born again, I was born again when I verbally declared that Jesus Christ is my Savior and allowed Him to change my heart.  That day I said that, my life, my world, my heart and my soul changed forever.  I felt different, I felt new, I felt clean.  Being born again is a heart issue.  It's about surrendering.  It's about falling to your knees and letting go of the steering wheel of your life.  

Lord Jesus Christ, you are my Savior!  Come into my heart today and create me anew through your blood that you shed on the cross.  Forgive me for my sins and create in me a new heart that longs for more of you.  I surrender to you and give up control of my life.  Fill me with your peace in Your Holy Name I pray, amen.

THE DAY THAT LOVE CAME DOWN

As I sit and stare at my Christmas tree, my thoughts drift back over 2,000 years ago.  The King of kings, Lord of lords, the Son of God, born in a stable filled with messy animals.  Jesus Christ left heaven with all it's glory to be born into the human mess.  With all the sin and daily struggle that ensued back then, and now, I wonder why He left His comfort zone.  Could it be He really loved us that much?  After all we rarely see any kings or princes leave the palace to live with the commoners.  Oh they may visit us common folk for a hour or two, but the thought of living amongst is unfathomable.  It just wouldn't happen.  

Let me be frank here.  Jesus lived in the lap of luxury.  He lived in a place surrounded by peace and joy.  No tension, no stress, no pointing fingers, no blame, no shame, no gossip, no hatred, no jealousy, no war, no worries, no strife, no illness, no disease, no death existed where He lived His entire life.  Can you imagine such a place?  A virtual Garden of Eden?  A place where life was great and the darkness didn't exist?  Why would anyone leave such a place voluntarily? Why?

LOVE!  Are you searching for love?  Are you looking for someone to love you?  Are you alone and desperate for love?  Is there an emptiness in your soul that longs to be filled with love?  Well let me tell you my friends, LOVE came down in the form of a baby over 2,000 years ago.  This LOVE is something so miraculous, so unbelievable that many deny it.  This LOVE is so rare that many become afraid of it and run away because they feel so unworthy.  This LOVE is so deep that the story has continued throughout all of history. 

No Christmas is not about Santa Claus, it's not about presents or cookies or even about Christmas trees.  Christmas is not just a celebration of the birth of Jesus, at least to me.  Christmas is about how love came down from heaven and rescued me.  Christmas is about a baby born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago who had a love so deep and pure that it scared people and still does today.  It's hard to understand a love like this because we are humans.  It's hard to accept a love like this because it is so unbelievable.   

Luke 2:11-14 "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you: He is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you; you will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests."

The Promised Messiah has been born.  The Lord of lord and King of kings.  I can honestly hear the sound of the angels crying at His birth.  The wonder of it all, the sheer majesty of heaven born as a baby.  Innocent and pure, without sin and filled with love for everyone, even those who would deny His existence. 

LOVE was born in a stable in Bethlehem, a LOVE that was very different and hard to comprehend.  LOVE sent down from heaven to rescue those who believe in the magic of Christmas.  LOVE came down to rescue me and you.

Listen I know that this story may seem unbelievable, but it's true.  This LOVE is available to you this Christmas.  As you gather together tonight and tomorrow, or maybe you're all alone this year.  There is someone who LOVES you, Jesus Christ.  He loves you right where you are, in all your mess, in all your sin and shame, He LOVES you!  He came down to rescue you!  He wants to fill your soul with an everlasting love like you have never known.  

Read the lyrics of this Chris Tomlin song and let it sink into your heart and soul this Christmas time of year.

I was lost
I was in chains
The world had a hold of me

 My heart was a stone
I was covered in shame
When He came for me
I couldn't run, couldn't run from His presence
I couldn't run, couldn't run from His arms

Jesus, He loves me, He loves me, He is for me
Jesus, how can it be, He loves me, He is for me

It was a fire
Deep in my soul
I'll never be the same
I stepped out of the dark
And into the light
When He called my name
I couldn't run, couldn't run from His presence
I couldn't run, couldn't run from His arms

Jesus, He loves me, He loves me, He is for me
Jesus, how can it be, He loves me, He is for me

He holds the stars and He holds my heart
With healing hands that bear the scars
The rugged cross where He died for me
My only hope, my everything

Jesus, He loves me, He loves me
Jesus, how can it be, He loves me, He is for me
He loves me, He loves me, He loves me
He loves me, He is for me
He loves me, my God it's amazing
Jesus loves me

Jesus I believe in you!  I place my trust in you!  I want the love you have for me.  Fill me to overflowing with your love and peace, in your name I pray, amen.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

IN CHRIST I AM - BOLD

Sometimes being bold is a bad thing.  Speaking your mind with no consideration for others because what you have to say is so important, cutting people off in traffic because because you have places to go and people to see, shoving your opinions down peoples throats because your right and everyone else is wrong - this bold is not the bold I want to discuss today.  Frankly that kind of bold is rude and if I may be honest, it's more about pride than being bold.  

The bold I want to discuss today is the bold that takes risks, the bold that is confident, not cocky, the bold that is courageous, not boisterous.  We all know people who fit into patterns of bold that is the opposite of what I want to discuss.  We all know people who speak bold words without the knowledge or people skills to back up what they are saying.  We all know people who speak bold words who should just keep their mouth shut.  Sorry am I being too bold?  

Take this bird for example.  In the middle of Disney World, surrounded by (what seemed like) millions of people, this bird had the boldness to stand by tables where people were eating.  Within a foot or less of this bird was tables filled with people eating.  Normally these birds fly away at the least little commotion or movement, but not this bird.  He was bold and stood right by that tree until he got some food.  He was courageous because anyone could have reached out to grab him.  He was confident that he would get the food he came for.  He took a risk.

Okay maybe the bird analogy seems a little goofy but being bold in a crowd is risky.  Being bold with confidence and courage can seem overwhelming.   To be frank, the bold I am talking about can be downright scary at times.  Think about it for a moment,  Being bold, standing up for what is morally right, having the courage to speak the truth, having confidence that whatever comes our way, we can deal with.  Bold is not just about a strong color choice, or being verbally abusive or physically abusive.  The bold I am discussing is the bold that stands up with love and peace in a heart and speaks truth.

Acts 4:31  After they prayed, the place they were meeting was shaken, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Can we do what this verse says?  Can we speak the word of God boldly?  Can we do it without shoving it down people's throats?  Can we do it with love and peace?  Can we do it with confidence and courage?  Can we step out and step up?  If we are given the gift of tongues can we speak this way with boldness?  I don't get it.  What has happened to our bold quality that the Holy Spirit gives us?  Why are we so afraid to let our light shine in the darkness?  Why do we hide?  Why do we run away?

Oh trust me, I do this way too often.  I run and hide, I bury my light under a bushel basket.  I am afraid to let people know how much deeply I am in love with Jesus Christ.  I fear the finger pointing and the laughter that comes with writing this blog. I am scared what people will say if they really know the gifts God has given me.   Bold?  Me?  No!  Unfortunately I don't want to seem bold.  Why?  Because there is a fine line between being bold and being cocky.  I never want to seem cocky or full of myself, so instead of being bold, I run and hide.  Am I the only one?

Then there are those who are way too bold and never know when to shut up.  Boldness is not just about speaking your mind with your mouth.  To me being bold for Christ means loving the unlovable, giving hope to the hopeless and showing the love of Jesus Christ to everyone I meet.  It's about stopping your car in traffic, even though you know some people may get angry, to give a few dollars to the homeless man on the street corner.  It's about saying a prayer for that person who just cut you off in traffic.  It's about picking up someone who has just fallen.  It's about giving the coat off your back to someone who has no coat.  

Being bold for Christ is not just about speaking His word to people, it's about showing His love to people.  Words are empty unless you put  action behind your words.  Being bold is pointless if you're not living the way Christ lived.  Jesus was bold.  He stopped when others told Him to keep moving.  He touched when others told Him not too.  He listened when others wanted Him to talk. He helped those that others wouldn't give the time of day to.  To be bold for Christ is to live as He lived.  Are your ready?  Listen bold is an action word, so step up and step out.  I plan to! 

Lord please instill in me the bold quality you desire for me to have.  Please let my actions and my words be bold for you and through you, in Jesus name I pray, amen.   

IN CHRIST I AM - BLESSED

Oh to live a blessed life!  How many of us feel that our lives are anything but blessed.  I mean after all there are some of us who have lost our jobs, our homes and our families.  Sickness and disease, divorce and death, financial disasters and the chaos in this world does not lead us to feel blessed.  Just watch the nightly news and you will discover how blessed we are, right?  I mean that sarcastically of course.  This world is in turmoil.  War and destruction are everywhere, to say we are blessed seems so far fetched and unbelievable.

Crime is on the rise everywhere, or so it seems.  Cancer is spreading like wild fire.  Depression and anxiety are common among people.  Stress is overwhelming and the rat race of life is just extreme.  What do we have to feel blessed about?  What does a blessed life look like anyway?  

Well if we look up blessed in the dictionary, we get a distorted view (at least I think so). When I look up the definition, the dictionary says that blessed means holy, consecrated. those who live in heaven with God.  Well I can honestly tell you that I do not feel holy or consecrated at all.  And I am not up in heaven with God so how can I be blessed?  It all seems a little confusing doesn't it?  

I mean just read the Sermon on the Mount.  The word "blessed" just doesn't seem like the logical word in describing all the feelings we should have when going through hard times and struggles.  I mean come on now, how can Jesus expect me to feel holy when I feel like I am being rung through the ringer of life?  How can Jesus expect me to feel holy when a storm of biblical proportion just swept through my family and destroyed my marriage?  How can Jesus expect me to feel holy when I just got diagnosed with cancer?   Read this verse and let me explain the truth as I see it.

Matthew 5:3 (AMP)  "Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now ans forever]

I love the Amplified Bible and how it defines things for us,  You see the Greek word Jesus used in the Sermon on the Mount, blessed, means to be happy or blissful.  I can be happy under all circumstances.  I can spiritually prosperous no matter what is going on in this world around me.  Why?  Well because I am been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.  In Him I am blessed.  It's not because of anything I have said or done, it's all because of Jesus.

Life is difficult.  It is complicated and it can be downright absurd, but no matter what this life looks like, my eternity is secure.  Because of my faith and belief in Jesus Christ, my eternity will be in heaven.  I have a peace and a comfort knowing that no matter what this life here on earth looks like for me, my forever home will be in heaven.  

Maybe you think I'm a little crazy, okay a lot crazy.  I am crazy!  I am crazy in love with Jesus Christ.  But I would rather live with hope in my heart and peace in my mind and with a smile on my face instead of living with no hope, no promise of eternity and living a life that less than blessed.  Jesus Christ is the reason my life has been blessed.  He is the reason I am here.  He is my hope for a better and brighter tomorrow.  

If your living a life that is less than it should be, I pray that somehow, somewhere someone steps into your life that will point you to Jesus Christ.  I pray that your heart is softened enough to receive Him into your heart.  I pray that I will meet you in eternity where we can discuss our blessed life.

Jesus Christ, you are my Lord and Savior.  Because of your sacrifice for me, I am blessed.  Thank you for allowing me to be your eternal friend forever, in your holy name I pray, amen.

IN CHRIST I AM - ALIVE

Today is one of those days.  I woke up later than usual and my schedule has been thrown off course.  I am dealing with frustration in myself and who I am or I should say who I'm not.   This picture make me feel better, but to say I feel out of sorts would be an understatement.  I feel out of balance and tired.  Why?  I'm not sure.  I'm on a new exercise program and I'm eating better and healthier yet I feel yuck!  Okay to be honest I feel like nothing!

Oh I know I have tried my best to talk myself into feelings better, I have even read some of my own blogs, but nothing seems to make me feel better.  I am struggling.   I know my husband will read this and ask me why I don't talk to him about this, but truthfully, I need to get through this struggle with God.  That is the only way I will ever get out of this pit I feel I am in.  

You know what's sort of comical?  I'm here writing about being alive in Christ and I feel anything but alive in Christ.  I think, no I know, I am under attack by the enemy.  I have been for a while, ever since writing on this topic of who I am in Christ.  It's something that is difficult to talk about let alone try to help someone understand how I feel.   Feelings are neither right nor wrong, but when I allow my feelings to change me, that is when I have to realize that this attack is real.

You see, sin has killed my relationship with God.  My selfishness, my pity parties, my sin has kept me at a distance.  My enemy knows this and has no problem reminding me of my past.  He points out everything I did wrong and he points out everything others said about me.  He brings up all those words that hurt me and all the times I have felt ignored and magnifies them.  He is trying to bring me down!  BUT I will not allow that!  I AM ALIVE IN CHRIST! 

Romans 6:11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.  

It doesn't matter what my past looked like.  It doesn't matter what anyone else says about me.  My past sins have been wiped away.  Where I was once dead because of my sins, I am now alive because of my faith and belief in Jesus Christ.   I am not who I used to be, and for that I am grateful.  

You want to hear something comical?  I searched my Bible for references to who I am in Christ.  I passed right by ALIVE!  I almost missed out on this point or I should say someone wanted me to miss out on this.  I am alive!  What should kill me, my sin and selfishness, will not destroy me because Jesus Christ already removed my sins.  Because of His death, because of His sacrifice, I am alive.  He took my sins to the cross with Him.  Because of Him I am alive.

Yes the thief has been trying to steal my joy, and kill my relationship with God and destroy me personally.  But the thief can't steal, kill or destroy anything about me because Jesus already fought the enemy and won the battle!  I AM ALIVE!!   Please don't miss out on this like I almost did.  Even though some day I will physically die, I WILL ALWAYS BE ALIVE IN CHRIST FOR ALL ETERNITY.

You have a choice.  You can live as a "dead man walking".  You can allow your joy to be stolen, your relationship to God killed and your life destroyed, or you can be alive in Christ.  The thief will be happy to steal, kill and destroy you, or you can be alive.  All you have to do is put your faith and belief in Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ, today I put my faith and belief in you.  I do not want to live a dead life, but a life that is alive in you.  Come into my heart today and show me how to live for you and how to live a life that is alive in you, in Jesus name I pray, amen.

IN CHRIST I AM - APPOINTED

Appointed - that is a word that stirs a lot of emotion and feelings in some people.  Many of us have jobs in which we have appointed tasks to do.  It's part of our job, part of the expectations from the boss.  When we apply for a job usually we are given a list of qualities we must have in order to complete the work we are appointed to do.  That appointed work is expected to be done.  If we don't complete our appointed tasks we risk getting fired.  Many of us would rather just be able to do our appointed tasks on our time table without a boss watching to make sure we do what we need to do.  

Working at an appointed task is not easy.   Sometimes there are deadlines to make, expectations to complete and forms to fill out.  Now days as I look at the work force in general, we have become lackadaisical and lazy.  Many employees try to take the easy and quick route to complete an appointed job.  After all as long as it's done does it really matter how it was done or if it was done the way we were expected to do it?  All that matters is that the appointed task is complete, right?

Wrong!  Okay I may ruffle some tail feathers here but when we have an appointed job to do and if our boss expects us to do it a certain way and in a certain time frame, it does matter that we do it the way he expects us to, at least if we want to keep our jobs.  When we are appointed to do a job, we must learn to complete it the way we are expected to, not our own way.  It does matter how we do it and when we do it.  

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in ourselves that we forget our boss may also be under pressure to get the appointed job done in a timely manner.  To be honest here, lives may be at risk if we do not do the appointed jobs we are expected to do.  If you have a job to do and you have been appointed to do that job, then do it!  Stop making excuses!  Stop whining!  Stop complaining!  Just do what you have been appointed to do.  You were chosen to complete a task.  You have been appointed to complete a mission.  If you don't do it, who will?

John 15:16  You did not chose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit - fruit that will last - and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 

God decided before you ever came into this world that He would appoint you and I to complete some tasks.   We have been equipped by God to complete the appointed mission at hand.  We have been designated to do what He needs us to do and if we do not do what we have been appointed to, who will?  Oh I totally get that it's much easier to just sit back in our lazy boy chairs than to risk getting out there in this evil world to do an appointed job that takes us out of our comfort zone.  

For 2 weeks before Christmas and until after New Years, our church volunteers at "Share The Warmth".   This is done through the Salvation Army in our area.   From 7:00 pm until 7:00 am members of our church body volunteer to be with those who are homeless and feed them along with making sure they are sleeping okay on those cold winter nights.  The first time I heard this I thought they were nuts.  Number one, it's the busiest time of the year, the holidays!  Secondly it does not thrill me to be awake until 1:30 am when the second shift comes in.  That's right there is actually people who volunteer between 1:30 am and 7:00 am.  

Yes this program has taken me out of my comfort zone and out of my comfy bed, but I realized that this is an appointed mission for not only our church, but for me.  I have met homeless people who are just like me, only they lost everything.  It made me realize that there but for the grace of God could go I.  Yes I have been appointed by God in many other ways, such as writing this blog.  So have you!  If you do not do the mission God has appointed to you, someone may miss out on eternity in Heaven.

You see I am not special or unique.  What God as appointed me to do, He has given me the ability to do.  I cannot and will not do anything that is not appointed to me by God.   I realize that peoples eternities hang in the balance.  Yes there are times when I lose focus and neglect the appointed tasks God gives me.  Yes there are times when my selfish, sinful nature rears it's ugly head and I lose sight of my appointed mission.  I am human and God forgives me, but I pray that God will continue to appoint me to do whatever He needs me to do.

Lord,  you have appointed me to do things that I cannot imagine doing without your anointing on my life.  Help me to fulfill my appointed missions with your grace and strength, in Jesus name I pray, amen.   

GIVING THANKS!!

Tomorrow families and friends will gather here in the USA to give thanks.  Ever since our country was founded over 200 years ago, it has been a tradition.  One of the busiest travel times of the year, people from all the the USA will travel hours and even days just to gather around the dinner table tomorrow to feast on turkey with all the trimmings.  Okay maybe your family doesn't cook a turkey. But no matter what you feast on, it is a day to stop ad give thanks.  

Maybe you don't feel you have much to be thankful for.  Maybe financially, physically or mentally you are struggling.  Maybe this year things didn't go the way you expected.  Maybe this year you lost a loved one and this is the first holiday without them.  Maybe this year you couldn't afford a turkey dinner or anything to cook.  Maybe you're at your wits end searching for someone to make you feel thankful.  Maybe this is the first holiday since the divorce or separation.  Maybe you just feel lost in a sea of "what about me".  Whatever circumstances you may be going through, please don't surrender to the feelings and emotions of "what if" and "if only"'  

I know it's hard to avoid those feelings and emotions but just for today I ask you to sit and quietly think about what you have to be thankful for.  There has to be something, even just one thing.  Think!  Do you have a roof over your head?  Okay maybe it's not fancy or even clean, but there are some today who don't even have a roof over their head.  Do you have electricity and running water?  There are some people here in the good ole USA who have no electricity and no running water.  Do you get where I am going with this?   Think!  There has to be something you are thankful for.

If you still feel like you have nothing to be thankful for, I challenge you to go to a third world country.  People live in shacks with dirt floors.  They drink water from a nearby river where animals use the river for a bathroom.  They eat (if they eat) the same rice every day, and they are thankful for that!  There are no soup kitchens around the block, there are no bathrooms, the water they drink we wouldn't even give to our dogs.  There is no hospital, no medical care, no local doctor or nurse.  

Listen I know that looking at your circumstances you may not have much to be thankful for but!  Look around the chaos in the world.  Look at the wars and the bombs and the destruction that seems to be everywhere.  Look at those who have less than you, but are happier and more grateful than you. 

1 Corinthians 15:57  But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks every day that I live in a country where I can worship God and praise Jesus Christ.  I thank God for my husband and my children and grandchildren.  I thank God for the food I have to eat and the water I have to drink.  I thank God for the cloths I have to wear and the shoes to protect my feet.  I thank God for my church and my pastors.  I thank God for allowing me to live in the USA.  

I could go on and on and on, but I won't bore you with my list to be thankful for.  Is my life perfect?  No!  Is the USA perfect?  No!  Could it be better?  Yes, but until I learn to be thankful for what I have now, as imperfect as it is, I will learn to be thankful if I get more.  

So these next few days as you gather to sit around a table and eat, please remember to thank God. It is because of Him that we are here.  It is because of Him we are alive.  It is because of Jesus Christ that we have eternity within our reach.

Lord, I thank you for who I am and who you created me to be.  Thank you for sacrificing your son for me.  Thank you for allowing me to live where I live.  Help me to always count my blessings in Jesus name I pray, amen.   

IN CHRIST I AM - ANOINTED

 I have sat for many years wondering what am I good at?  I would list the number of things I was not good at, the gifts and talents I didn't have seemed numerous.  I was not a gifted seamstress, I didn't knit or crochet, I wasn't a sketch artist or even close.  I wasn't this, I wasn't that.  I would watch people with talents and gifts that would make me in awe of them.  Okay, honestly I was jealous of them.  

I tried my hand at writing, but was told in high school by my least favorite catholic nun that I didn't have a lick of talent for writing.   I lived discouraged.  As I would watch others sew, knit, crochet, paint, put together flower arrangements and so I on I wondered what gifts or talents, if any, did I have.  Nothing seemed to work out.  Nothing pointed me in any direction.  

Of course my attitude could have had something to do with it also.  I remember one day my dad telling me I should learn to sew like my sister.  Well there was no way in heck I would ever even try to sew after that comment.  That was my attitude (and sadly still is to some extent.).  If someone tells me how to do something a certain way, I try to do the opposite.  My dad tried to teach me bowling, yea that didn't go well.   I was who I was!  I was just untalented and not very gifted.  I just had to learn to accept that fact and get on with my life. 

Anointed?  Yea right!  To do what?  Annoy people?  Yea, I was good at that.  That word anointed crept into my soul and made me feel like a real loser.   I would hear about being anointed at church, but never really understood the concept.  How could God anoint me to do anything?  Why would God anoint me to do anything?  I never went to school to learn to do anything except exist and get by.  I never went to college, had no desire to, so how could I be anointed?  I am not talented.   

1 John 2:20  But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.

Well God says otherwise!  In Christ I am anointed!  But to do what?  That was my dilemma.  I set out to discover what my anointing was.  I wasn't obvious to me.  I had been so "put in my place" by this nun and other teachers, that writing was far from my mind.  I despised English with all its sentence structures and correct grammar, it made me feel ill.  How could God expect me to write?  My anointing could not be writing, it had to be something else I hadn't discovered yet.  Then God brought me to this verse that changed my idea of what my anointing was.  

1 Corinthians 1:27  But God chose the foolish things to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.   

You see for a writer, I am weak.  Never studied writing, never cared about proper grammar, never ever took a class on writing.  In fact I barely passed English class.  I am foolish to think I can write on my own.  But I am in Christ and since I am in Christ, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, including write.  

When God told me that He wanted me to write a blog, I thought I was hearing things.  Surely a biblical scholar who went to school for writing would be better, than me?  Surely God can't use me like He could someone who is wiser and stronger.  Boy was I wrong.  He has used me and will continue using me as long as He sees fit.  It is not me who writes this, it is Him who works through me to do what I am doing.  I cannot or will not take credit for this.  

Are my words perfect?  No.  Is my grammar correct?  Heck no!!  But to God it doesn't matter.  He uses my weakness and my lack to proclaim His strength and glory.  He works in me and through me to anoint me to do whatever He needs me to do.  He has anointed me to write, even though others told me I couldn't (or shouldn't).  I have been anointed by God through the blood of Jesus Christ to accomplish His mission on earth.  He has anointed you also.  It won't be by your power or strength, it will be done through Christ.  Allow God to anoint you and sit back and watch the glory of God work in you and through you. 

Lord, I thank you for working through my weakness and my foolishness.  I know that in Christ I am anointed to do whatever work you need me to do.  Use my anointing to proclaim your glory, in Jesus name I pray, amen!

IN CHRIST I AM - ADOPTED

As I sit here in the comfort of my home surrounded by pictures of my children and grandchildren I am overcome with love and gratitude.  I am blessed with a family who loves me and accepts all my little (or big) quirks and goofiness.  Family is extremely important to me.  I will put off going to a warmer climate this winter because my youngest daughter is having a baby.  This will forever change my winter plans for warmth because I would rather be here celebrating the birthday of my grandchild over my own comfort.  Call me crazy!  

I would give my life for my children and grandchildren.  I will give up my comfort for their pleasure and joy (well sometimes).  My family mean the world to me.  They are my everything, right after my relationship with God and my husband.  They bring me so much joy and happiness.  Yes there have been times when they have brought me stress and chaos, but still, in those times I feel joy and peace when I see their eyes and feel their hugs. 

For many children out there, there is no family.  They sit in orphanages and foster homes waiting to feel a sense of what family really means.  I heard a young girl from Moldova a few years ago, who spoke about being a orphan.  When she was finally put into an Christian Group Home for young teens, she was amazed and filled with tars when she experienced her first hug and was told that she was loved.  She had never felt that before.  How sad!  There are so many children out there who just need a family to love them and accept them. That would be life changing. 

As I scroll through Facebook and Google + I see and hear so much hatred and anger that I am overwhelmed.    I am also sickened by it, but I understand it also.  We all need to feel safe and protected and loved.  We need security and support from people and if we do not truly know what a family looks like, how can we ever change our life or change the world.  The thing is that no matter how dysfunctional or delusional our earthly family is, we have an eternal family that is just what we need.  See, when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, my family grew enormously. 

Ephesians 1:3-6 (The Message)  How blessed is God!  And what a blessing He is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing Him.  Long before He laid down the earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love.  Long, long ago He decided to ADOPT us into His family through Jesus Christ.   (What a pleasure He took in planning this!)  He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son. 

You see, I have been adopted by God through the blood of Jesus Christ.  I have been eternally grafted into God's family.  That's right, the creator of the universe has taken me in His loving arms and cradles me with His love.  He has signed my adoption papers in blood!  I am His and He is mine!  

My eternal life is guaranteed and my family line is now filled with some of the most amazing people ever.  In fact my family tree is written in the Bible.  That's right!  I am God's daughter washed clean by the blood of Jesus Christ.  I am never alone!  He will never abandon me!  He will never forsake me.  I am His and He is mine.

Listen, the greatest day of my life was the day I became adopted into the family of God!  My life has never been the same.  The anger, the rejection, the loneliness, the sadness, and even the hatred I used to feel many, many, many, many years ago has been removed.  

When you are adopted into the family of God, you change (for the better.  Trust me!) Those who truly have been adopted by God, will not hate, will not dwell in fear, will not worry, and will not allow anger to rule their lives.  Why?  Well I can only speak for myself but as for me I know I have adopted by God and since my eternal parent is God, I know that all my needs, all my desires, all my dreams and my eternity is in Him.  I read the end of the book and guess what?  We win!  So why let this world drive you to anger and hatred, when God is love.  And now that I am His daughter, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I am loved and cared for.  You can be adopted by God also.  Your family can become my family by believing in Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ, I believe you died for me so that I could adopted into the family of God.  I receive you as my Lord and Savior.  Come into my heart and change me.  Take away everything that does not give you glory.  Thank you for adopting me.  I belong to God!  In Jesus name I pray, amen!

IN CHRIST I AM - ACCEPTED

ACCEPTANCE, it is something we all strive for.  It is something we search for.  It is something we all desire.  Something so simple yet so complicated and difficult.  Why is it so hard for us to feel accepted by others?  Why is it so hard for us to accept others?  Is it because we are different and we don't like it when people do not think or act like we do?  Is it because people's skin color is different than ours?  Is it because others do not believe what we believe?  Is that why we treat people differently?  Is that why we sit in judgement and point fingers?  Is that why we ignore some people? 

Think about it for a moment and answer these questions honestly, no matter how hard it is to admit.  Oh what would it be like if we felt accepted by everyone.  Oh what it would be like if we accepted everyone we meet.  Before we judge others for not accepting us, we need to look in the mirror and honestly look at our own actions.   WHY IS ACCEPTANCE SO DIFFICULT?  

Think about our circumstances, some of us deal with things we feel are unacceptable.  We throw temper tantrums and whine and complain about what we're going through.  We don't like to accept anything or anyone that doesn't give us happy feeling.  We don't want to accept the consequences for our actions.  We don't want to accept blame for what is our own fault.  ACCEPTANCE for many of us believers is conditional.  

Why do we have such a hard time with acceptance?  Seriously?   We judge before we accept. we condemn before we know the facts, we finger point without even thinking.  Trust me I have been guilty of this myself.  Accepting things I don't like, accepting people who are different, who believe differently and act differently is not always easy, BUT Jesus ACCEPTS me with all my faults.

Romans 15:7 ACCEPT one another, then, just as Christ ACCEPTED you, in order to bring praise to God.

I am ACCEPTED by God through the blood of Jesus Christ.  God knows my heart.  He knows all my sins and failings.  He knows my deepest, darkest thoughts that I try to hide.  He knows my secrets that no one else knows, yet He ACCEPTS me.  He has seen me at my worst and He has seen me at my best.  He knew all my days before I was born.  He knew me before I knew me, yet He accepts me.  I don't deserve His acceptance, yet He gives it to me freely.

The prostitute on the street corner, God ACCEPTS her.  The homeless man on the street corner looking for his next drink, God ACCEPTS him.  The man in jail for murder, God ACCEPTS him.  The drug addict on skid row, God ACCEPTS him.  The guy sitting in a strip joint, God ACCEPTS him.  You, God ACCEPTS you!   

ACCEPTANCE is not something God throws around non nonchalantly. ACCEPTANCE is found through believing in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.  No matter where you have come from, no matter what is in your past, no matter what sins you have committed, God accepts us, just as we are.  We are not a surprise to God.  He's not shocked by the things we've done or said in the past.  That is why Jesus came to earth, so we could be forgiven and ACCEPTED.  

So let me ask this, if God can accept me with all my sin and failings, why can't we accept others with their sins and failings?   Acceptance is not something I earned form God.  It is a free gift because of my belief in Jesus Christ. I am ACCEPTED !  You are ACCEPTED!!

Lord, I do not deserve your acceptance, but thank you for giving it to me.  Help me to learn to accept others as you accepted me, in Jesus name I pray, amen.      

IN CHRIST I AM - ABLE

You know I have been racking my brain for a few weeks on how to start this series I want to work on.  I tried to think of some catchy phrase to draw attention to what I am writing about, but I struggled for 2 weeks.  Then I prayed about it and God told me to just write and title it with the truth I am writing about and let Him do the rest, so here it goes.  

As believers in Jesus Christ we can sometimes be pitiful examples.  Our anger gets the best of us, our temper flares, words filled with hatred spew out of our mouth like a plague infecting everyone within ear shot.   Our worries overwhelm us into a state of depression so deep that we cannot see the light of day.  Our frustrations are evident on the roadways of our countries as we flip people off and curse at them when they cut us off in traffic.  Our political views are colored in "what's best for me" attitude.   Our constant whining and complaining send our friends running as fast as they can to escape another pity party.  Our selfishness is rampant in our "what about me" rants as we try to make sure everyone knows who we are.   

As I struggle to face reality of us believers, it saddens me.  I see so many angry, frustrated, selfish, worry filled, doubtful, hopeless and cocky believers.  Their example on this earth leaves non believers at a far distance, because quite frankly, they don't want what some of us profess to have.  "If that's what being a christian means, count me out."  As a catholic for many years I felt this way.  The examples of "christian" were not very Christ like in fact they were demeaning, finger pointing people who seemed angry and frustrated.  They had scripture verses memorized, but failed to put them into action.  Their words and actions left something to be desired.  

On the other hand I had met "Christians"  who lived pathetic, pitiful lives.  With a "woo is me" attitude and "I'm a loser" lifestyle that spoke volumes to me and not in a good way.  "God is punishing me for my sins",  "God hates me",  "I'm a worthless nobody", "God can't use me".  I am surprised some of them didn't walk around in sack cloth and ashes.  Their faces spoke volumes.  Never a smile, never a laugh, never a clap, especially in church.  God was serious business and He would bring fire and brimstone down on you if you were happy.   

Listen, I don't mean to offend anyone here.  For many years I struggled with myself, my words, my thoughts and my actions.  I didn't think I could control myself, this was just normal.  But slowly I began searching for more.  There had to be more to this believing in Christ stuff than being depressed or angry.  That is why I am writing this series.  Because for way too many years we have been missing out on who we are in Christ.  We have forgotten about what we can do with Christ on our side.  So follow me as I dive into who we are IN CHRIST.

Ephesians 6:12-13  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be ABLE to stand your ground, and after yo have done everything, to stand.

Without Jesus Christ on our side, without believing in Him, without worshiping Him, we are not able to do anything.  But with Jesus Christ, by believing in Him, by giving your life to Him, we are ABLE to stand before the enemy.  We are ABLE to do the unbelievable because He lives in us through the Holy Spirit.  We are ABLE to stand up to the enemy!  We are ABLE to accomplish more than we dare think or imagine.  We are ABLE to do things that normally in our own humanness we cannot do.

With Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are more than conquers, we are are more than our human flesh, we are more than what we think we are, we are more than what others say we are, we are more than what the lies of the enemy says we are.  We need to cling to the truth of God's Word that says we are ABLE.  Not through our own strength or our own power, but by the power of Christ in us.  None of us should go around boasting about what we can do, because alone we can do nothing.  But with Christ "I do all things through Him who gives me strength."  

So as we sit here trying to devour this word ABLE and all it means, we need to stop the pity parties, stop the road rage, stop the anger, stop the cursing, stop the finger pointing, stop the judging, stop the "loser" mentality and claim the truth of God's Word which says we are ABLE to stand our ground because of Christ inside of me.   Yes we are ABLE to control our emotions and our tempers and our words and our actions and our thoughts.  Don't believe me?  Okay, what if you and your spouse were in a heated argument and your pastor or priest knocked on the door, would you control your emotions or keep on yelling and screaming?    

Listen I know that this is not always easy to grasp, but truth is always hard to face.  Anything worth having takes time and hard work, but with Jesus Christ on our side, we won't fail.  Through Christ we are ABLE to stand up and be the Christians He calls us to be, ABLE!

Lord, I know that through you I am ABLE.  For too long I have denied this truth and I have allowed the enemy to invade my words, my thoughts and my actions.  Forgive me.  Please work with me so that I will be ABLE to stand up and be counted as one of your children.  May my example be one that draws people to you, in Jesus name I pray, amen.