When Your Mistake Costs Much

So I was watching football after church today because duh...isn't that what everyone does during the most amazing season of the year? Anyways, while waiting for my Packers game I had the Eagles vs. the Lions game on. The Eagles were undefeated and on their way to yet another win when all of a sudden the Eagles running back fumbled the ball and the Lions recovered it. The cameraman continued to flash over to the running back whose error cost the Eagles their first loss 23-24. 

The running back was sitting alone and visibly upset at the magnitude of his error. Again and again, the camera went back to focus on him. I felt so bad for the guy, he was so distraught over his fumble. Finally he put on his helmet with a dark visor attached to keep the camera off him. 

This visual reminded me how we often react to our life mistakes. We sit alone too long, mulling over again and again, mentally beating ourselves up. 

Today I'm thankful for the knowledge that while I'm not perfect and mess up often, I don't have to carry the weight on my shoulders, hiding behind a dark mask of shame and guilt. I'm thankful for a relationship with JESUS CHRIST that allows me to be forgiven, forgive myself, as well as others. 

Friends, if you've been carrying a burden for too long, it's time to let it go. Don't sit alone and hide. GOD's got big plans for you and it doesn't include moping around and looking behind. The past is past. Ask The LORD for forgiveness; lay it down and don't pick it back up. Keep your eyes on JESUS, ask HIM to take away your sins, forgive you, and come into your heart and life, making all things new. HE already paid the price, accept HIS forgiveness, the free gift HE gave to you upon the cross, rising on the 3rd day to newness of life. You've been called for more. Let the Light of CHRIST shine into the darkness. Let it go!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."~2 Corinthians 5:17

Jump on the Thankful Train...what are you thankful for?

What Do I Do When I Mess Up?

My hubby was recently released from a two and a half week emergency hospital stay for diverticulitis, perforated colon, a blockage and C Diff infection. I'm now being trained in his home care.

I've got most of it down. I changed the hubby, Anthony's IV/drainage tubes without a nurse yesterday and it went pretty smooth. Well, that was until I got to the machine settings. I jumped the gun, hitting yes, as it cycled through an area I should've hit no. The hubby said, "You need to slow down!" He wasn't too happy with my exuberance and "I've got this" attitude/actions. 

I told him, "No big deal, everything is fixable." 

You see, I'm not the nervous type and generally plunge into things thinking, "If I mess up...it can always be fixed". 

It got me thinking....what about when I sin, mess up, fall short of all I want to be? Do I have the same attitude or do I choose to sit in the mess feeling hopeless, lost, alone and unforgivable? 

So I ask myself...I ask you friends, what areas of guilt and shame am I/are you still holding onto?

I want to remind you today that it's *fixable*...in and through JESUS CHRIST. Ask HIM into your heart and life this very moment. Ask for HIS Forgiveness. Lay it down and let HIM wash you clean...the very reason HE came. 

Sin, shame, guilt and regret will keep you locked in the bondage of hopelessness; hindering all that The LORD is calling you for.

JESUS came so all our sins and *less than moments* are fixable!  Redeemable. Forgivable. HE died specifically for your *not enough*. 

I'm thankful for the reminders that every area I fall short in, The LORD is waiting to Pick me up, Dust me off, Hold me close, Redeem my hurt, Forgiving and Loving me beyond my shortcomings.

"He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay,

And set my feet upon a rock,

And established my step"~Psalm 40:2

JESUS said...

"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."~John 10:10

Jump on the "Thankful Train" friends, what are you thankful for?

BE BOLD!

I put off writing, staying busy in other things. I know the Lord wants me to write and yet, I hold back. I shrink back. I let the enemy fill my mind and days with busyness...emptiness; things not of the Lord. And yet He calls me. He gently encourages me...

"Speak My Words, Write My Words. I Am the Holy One. The Creator of this world and everything in it. Stand in awe. Proclaim my name to the world. Let Me always be on your mind, in your heart and on your tongue. A Beacon of Light to the lost and broken. I will give you increased strength for this journey I'm taking you on. My good and perfect will guiding your every step, your every word, your every action. Spend more quality time with Me. I have much to tell you. You are Mine and I am yours. 

Do not continue to shrink back in mindless activities. You will never get those precious minutes back again. Be edified in the renewing of your mind. Let My Words wash away doubt, worry and fear. Be bold. Stand. Go forth in My Name for I am your God and you are the children of my pasture, the sheep within my care. 

Therefore, be ye Holy in all thy endeavors, that it may go well for you. I have not called you to shrink back but to be bold in and through Jesus Christ. Allow Me to fill you up to overflowing, for out of My unending love, you will be restored. Focus on Me. Meditate on My words, morning, noon and night, that they will always be on your tongue and sweet to the taste. Be mindful of sound doctrine and do not be carried away by deceptive words. Test everything you read and hear against My written truth. For in this, "The truth will set you free." Do not waste time and do not shrink back. You are armed with the breastplate of righteousness in your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Be Bold! Pray! Seek Me often, for in this you will find the glorious treasures that is found in nothing else. I Am yours and you are mine. BE BOLD!"

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." 

1 Peter 1:13-16

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God," 

1 John 4:1-2

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 
John 8:32

"Stand therefore, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness,"

Ephesians 6:14

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Joshua 1:9