Emotions 🤨🤔😠😡😱

 Up until Wednesday I was headed in a different direction with CoffeeTime.  (for another time I guess).

Emotions...that is where I am headed now.

We all know about them, we all have them. 

Sometimes we are made to feel emotions (or intense ones) are negative, bad or wrong. 

We try to suppress, control or hide our emotions. 

But I believe scripture says that our emotions are normal, natural, inevitable. 

However;

😡We can be angry ...but can't let it cause us to sin

📖  “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27

😭We can be sad and grieve, but can't let it turn into a drowning despair.

📖 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.... 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:20+22

📖 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

😠We can feel hurt but not let it take root and cause bitterness.

📖 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

🤔We can feel betrayal, but not let it fester into retaliation 

📖  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:17-18

😟We can be concerned but not let it spread into an all consuming worry.

📖 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.   Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34

🫢We can support and even hold others accountable but we are not to judge.

📖 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:1-3

📖Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:11-12

😱We can be afraid, but don't let it over shadow trust

📖 So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

📖 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

♥️LOVE....THERE MUST BE LOVE!♥️

📖 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.1 Corinthians  13:4-7

We aren't asked to do anything that is impossible

Or to do anything that Christ hasn't done Himself. 

📖 We love because he first loved us. 1  John 4:19

📖 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  John 13:34

📖  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

☺️We can be pleased with our accomplishments and even in who we are, but we are not to become filled with pride.

📖 ...God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6b-7

And that is the key to all this...not letting our negative emotions grow into negative behavior....humility 

📖 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10

📖  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  Philippians 2:3-4

😔Out of a truly humble heart comes love.🤎

📖 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

🙏🏼 Our gracious Father, thank you so much for continuing to love us and forgive us even when our emotions get the better of us. We pray that you remain our focus everyday and we can humbly love others so that our emotions don't control.our behavior.  May all we do be pleasing to You. 

📖 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.♥️

Take Me Back

 A song by Cochren & Co., Take Me Back, has stirred the thoughts.  I had the blessing of hearing this performed live at Kingdom Bound this season!

I love the sentiment " I want to go to church!!! And what going to church means..or can mean... But I couldn't atop thinking.....

I used it in our worship service this past Sunday and the words just struck me and the more I listened and mused more thoughts and ideas poured in. 

So, there are two sides/perspectives we can look at with this song....side A💿 and side B📀 so to speak!

The chorus is what stood out the most.

And I truly don't know which side to start with.

💿Individually....or 📀corporately 

Take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that's in my bones
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they've seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church

💿As an individual believer we represent the church of Christ.  Are we someone that others can depend on? Are we Christ - like enough to not be judgmental? Are we a soothing balm to a hurting soul?

Tried to walk on my own but I wound up lost
Now I'm making my way to the foot of the cross
It's not a trophy for the winners
It's a shelter for the sinners
And it's right where I belong

Take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that's in my bones
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they've seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church
I want to go to church

📀Now, as a church body; are we a family that people can depend on? Are we loving and accepting no matter what sin we may have seen or see? When people walk in the doors do they feel the love of Christ and hear the word of God? Are we there to show and share and BE Christ or are we there for our own programs and agendas?  We can say "God loves everyone and so do we", BUT is it felt? What do our actions, our eyes speak? Christ loved ALL, He came for the sinners and the condemned "of which I am the worst". We love the people and let God take care of the sin!

 📖 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

Oh, more than an obligation
It's our foundation
The family of God
I know it's hard
But we need each other
We're sisters and brothers

I love this section; going to church HAS to be more than an obligation.  Loving individuals in the name of Christ HAS to be more than an obligation.  It needs to come from the Foundation built on a personal relationship with Jesus.   

📖 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,  out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  Psalm 40:2

📖 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:34

This line especially; "the family of God, I know it is hard"!!!  Amen to that!  "But we need each other" and should love one another. It is alright to disagree and to have different opinions,  but love should rule over all. 

📖  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:8-9

Oh, take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that's in my bones
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they've seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church

For people to WANT to seek you out because they see and feel Jesus when they are in your presence.  They feel love and peace.

For people to WANT, for ME .. YOU to WANT to be at church..to listen, sing, love, pray.

Sunday morning (or whenever your church service is) should see us saying; "It's Church today!!!😃😍😊"

Not "Ugh, It's church today 😒🥱🫤"

Yeah, I want to go to church (take me back)
Oh, I want to go, want to go, I want to go
Oh, I want to go to church (take me back)
Oh, I want to go to church

📖 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

We shouldn't be too discouraged if we aren't what God has in mind for us as His church; individually or corporately... "Take Me Back" because we ALL fall short, drift away, from that God centered place at times. But we should want to go back, get ourselves and our church family back to that Christ centered passion, to that first love.

📖 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5a

🙏🏼 Lord, I pray that we want to be the people and church that others can depend on, that are loving and forgiving, and encouraging.  That individually we love others in your name and corporately we are a family that is a safe, soothing place. And if we are not, that you convict our hearts and guide us to change. I want to be that place that people want to go back to. I I want my church to be that place. Amen♥️

🎵 Take Me Back. Cochren & Co.

Showing Up!

The invitation to adoration means greeting our heavenly Father by name, meeting his smile with a smile, receiving him as the loved one he truly is, and responding to his kindness with kindness, his presence with presence, and his love with our own. What joy we can bring to the Father’s heart! 

From the book  how to pray:  a simple guide for normal people by Pete Grieg pg 66

As I read that it just struck me as so profound. 

That is all we have to do, show up.

He is there.

 The Lord is my shepherd;  I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;  He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul;  He leads me in the paths of righteousness. For His name’s sake. Yea, 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 runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me  All the days of my life;  And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.  Psalm 23

We have to show up!  Individually, we matter to Him. Each day making time for Him...in our minds, hearts, lives.

We may think "eh if I don't get to church who is going to miss me." 

But you are missed.

📖 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 

26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.   1 Corinthians 12:12-14,26-27

HE misses YOU!

The body misses YOU!

The FAMILY misses you!

Trying to grasp the fact that God anticipates time with us, that He misses our presence is astounding to me!

📖 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;
    therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the Lord is a God of justice.
    Blessed are all who wait for him!  Isaiah 30:18

The term "carve out time" seems more accurate than "penciling it in". Carving gives the impression of difficulty; it isn't easy, it is work.  BUT it is a lasting, more permanent commitment. 

🙏🏼Lord, Creator of the universe, Maker of my soul, forgive me when I let busyness get in the way of my time with You. I commit to carving out time in each day to be in Your presence with my heart, mind, soul and body. ♥️

Lions 🦁

 A few thoughts on lions...

📖 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

The lion is the devil/evil. 

And what does God do with that?

📖 16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” Daniel 6:16+22

He closed their mouths so their was no devouring!

He shut the evil down.

And through out the old testament lions were slain in feats of bravery and heroic deeds.

📖 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock,  I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.  1 Samuel 17:34-35

📖 Samson went down to Timnah together with his father and mother. As they approached the vineyards of Timnah, suddenly a young lion came roaring toward him. The Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him so that he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as he might have torn a young goat. But he told neither his father nor his mother what he had done.

Judges 14:5-6

📖 Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 2 Samuel 23:20

Then.....

📖 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”  Revelation 5:5

📖 “Judah, our brothers will praise you;
    your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;
    your father’s sons will bow down to you.
9 You are a lion’s cub, Judah;
    you return from the prey, my son.
Like a lion he crouches and lies down,
    like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
    nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he to whom it belongs hall come
    and the obedience of the nations shall be his.

Genesis 49:8-10

Jesus gave us a different image of a Lion!

• Jesus is called the Lion of Judah because he fulfills the prophetic words mentioned in Genesis 49:9.
• Being called the Lion of Judah means that Jesus not only sacrificed himself for our sins but will also come to rule over the world.  [https://christianpure.com/learn/why-is-jesus-called-the-lion-of-judah/]

And my favorite imagery comes from CS Lewis' depiction of Aslan, who is described as the King of Beasts and the King above all High Kings in Narnia. He is regal and noble, who sacrifices himself for Edmund. 

He fights Evil, represented by the White Witch.

That is how I see a lion now.  The One who protects and sacrifices and devours all that tries to destroy good. 

God changes the evil to what is pure!

📖 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

🙏🏼 Oh God our Great Lion Of Judah, thank you for Your ever present protection and care. Thank you for defeating evil so that those of us who believe can have eternal life and gather around Your throne.❤️

Experience

 I wanted to wait for this week's blog until after we attended the Kingdom Bound festival on Tuesday!

I knew that there would be lots of inspiring songs etc.

What did I take away from Tuesday?

First of all...it is a public water/amusement park, but during the three days of the festival there is a high percentage of Kingdom Bound folks. Even the music over the park systems are mostly Christian artists. It is a different type of atmosphere through out the park.

The weather report was calling for thunderstorms and rain early afternoon. But the day was beautiful all during the park time. We headed into the amphitheater with our picnic and chairs and still had gorgeous, though HOT, weather. 

As we listened to multiple artists a full rainbow arched the sky!

As the third group was playing, rain did come. But we dond ponchos and continued to worship! And in a short time the rain ended.

It was such a blessing to sing at the top of my lungs with three grands "Let Me Tell You 'Bout My Jesus" along with Anne Wilson!

To sing "Oh My Soul" with Casting Crowns. 

It is such a soul filling joy to worship with so many, but especially with grandchildren and adult children!

Mark Hall, the lead singer from Casting Crowns, said. "God doesn't love me because I am good. He loves me because HE is good!'

Amen!!

In all God's perfect goodness He loves such an unperfect me!!

He planned on loving us before we were even born!  

📖 Your eyes saw my unformed body;

    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts God!
    How vast is the sum of them! Psalm 139:16-17

The speaker, Rob Roozeboom, said: "When we feel lost, forgotten, neglected and abandoned we are not. God never forgets us."

📖 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love;  I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

I have to remember, we have to remember, that whether worshipping with thousands or with our loved ones or even when we are all alone...God created us, God promises to love us no matter our circumstances, no matter if we choose to love Him, no matter what!

 📖 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy  31:6

🙏🏼 Our Loving Father, I pray that all may feel Your love and presence today and respond with the same. Amen♥️