Thoughts from My Journey

PT,

Our God is so compassionate to us.

I’ve known my whole life that Jesus loved me but it’s only in the past few months it’s come alive in my heart. I struggle with the next part…the why does he love me.

The song “Everything To Me” kind of sums it up for me…

I grew up in Sunday school, I memorized the Golden Rule

And how Jesus came to set the sinner free

I know the story inside out, and I can tell you all about the path that led Him up to Calvary

But ask me why He loves me, and I don't know what to say

But I'll never be the same because He changed my life when He became...

I’m not going to detail things in this note but for me this transformation Jesus is making in my life started with:

• A promise, then

• Me admitting there was nowhere else to go but to the Lord, then

• Forgiveness (first my decision to let the Lord help me forgive), then

• Forgiveness again (yes…the more I forgave the more I knew he has forgiven me), then

• I started loving everyone...the more I loved it seemed the more I was loved, then

• Wow…the revelation that his Word was growing inside my heart, then

OK…that’s all the list I get to share right now.

Continue loving, writing, sharing, teaching, growing...

Love ya man,

Rick

Bro. Rick,

 I love that song. My greatest desire is that people will realise that God is more than just a story more than words on a page of history. Thank you for your post. I am excited to see what Gos is doing in your and Sandie's lives.

 PT

Why do we love our kids? our children can be more then trying... some are even down right hateful and spiteful. My son is not any of that but still, I can hardly get next to him some times. He just seems so distant. YET...I love him SOoo much.

All i know for sure in this life is, that for a fact, He DOES love me! I may not love my self but He has let me know i must begin to see myself as He does, So just as i see my son, (He almost can do no wrong by the way :)) I am on this journey with God to ACCEPT the Grace he has offered me, It is tearing me up inside and out...this is NOT anything i have ever conceived in my mind, It makes no sense..I HAVE to be good enough....right? knowing and comprehending just how much He does love me... just the way that i am? its crazy! In THAT  i am COMPELLED to become more like Him, In that fact alone, i can face tomorrow and i have HOPE! It is vital to me that i grasp this great love, His grace in order that i be made whole, that i am fully restored to the place He wants me to flourish in with Him, a deeper, closer walk with Him. Until that time comes when i have surrendered completely in love and trust, when i am able to love myself as He does...well to me, until then i will be limiting myself in many area's of growth and maturity and that really bites, so i apply pressure on myself, ask myself..whats wrong with you? haha but God says, Now Karmen..you are exactly where i want you at this moment in time..  just hold on because you are almost to the place that you have the victory! No more laps around that mountain! The walls of Jericho ARE coming down! I WILL go in, I will obtain the promises, it is not a matter of IF, its a matter of how? but i will be anxious for nothing... He has gone before me

P T, Thanks for the vision you have, thank you for your endurance... The wisdom beyond your years that you show, i guess for your submission to Christ. I know it can not ever be easy to be in your position.. i pray for you and for Audrey, you will receive the harvest you seek for the Lord. I am indebted to you and Audrey for life! lol I just thank God for the Anointing and calling you have on your lives. The practical way you teach and preach has blessed my heart and my soul tremendously and i hope and pray that you two will never ever forget how invaluable you are.. even when at times, i know it may all seem to be in vain... God is busy at work behind the scenes sometimes. Sorry for the long post! i get like that sometimes

Love in Christ

Karmen

I am also moved by the song "Everything To Me".  I have heard it hundreds of times and yet it pulls at my heart strings anew. 

"I grew up in Sunday school. I memorized the golden rule

and how Jesus came to set the sinner free.  I know the story inside out.  I can tell you all about the path that led Him up to Calvary.  But ask me why, He loves me and I don't know what to say.  But I'll never be the same because He changed my life when He became...

Everything to me, He's more than a story.  More than words on a page of history.  He's the air that I breath, the water I thirst for and the ground beneath my feet.  He's everything, everything to me.

We're living in uncertain times and more and more I find that I'm aware of just how fragile life can be.  I want to tell the world I've found a love that turned my life around.  They need to know that they can taste and see.  Now everyday I'm praying just to give my heart away.  I want live for Jesus

so that someone else might see that He is..."

In light of GOD's great love - what am I?  Who am I?  How will I ever be worthy?  What could I ever obtain that compares to HIM?  At times I get discouraged because I put so much pressure on myself to attain.  But, then HIS SPIRIT convicts me and readjusts my perspective and moves the focus from myself to CHRIST. 

"GOD's definition of success is not what you have, but rather who you have!  It is the presence of the LORD in your life that makes you a success!  JESUS' unmerited favor will protect, deliver, prosper, restore and transform you into wholeness.  HIS unmerited favor will cause you to enjoy success beyond your natural intelligence, qualifications and ability!"  - Joseph Prince