If you've not met the God who refuses to meet all your expectations, you will. And how you react in that day will reveal whether or not you are worshipping Jesus Christ or Santa Claus. it will show whether or not you love God more than His promises (or your interpretation of those promises).- Frank Viola, God's Favorite Place on Earth

Luxury

You know what luxury is to this ol'country girl? 

Two good pair of running shoes!  At the same time!  

Thanks to my kids- esp Cody- for my new brooks!  I'm gonna use these for my long runs and my pink brooks for shorter runs. 

Yep, I'm one blessed Mom!

Kentucky

This Christmas trip home was very quick. I wasnt home even 48 hours. 

Every time I leave my dear Dad my heart just aches. I miss him so much. 

That's hardest part of living so far from my family is not "living" day to day with them.  

I just really miss my Dad. 

Father, I pray for my dear Dad's heart. I pray when he is lonely You will make him aware of Your presence in him. I pray when he is sad you will fill him with Your joy despite the circumstances. I pray he is filled with peace and contentment. Most of I pray His desire is to know You and live in intimacy with You.  Amen. 

Relief

Today, I am relieved.

My big weekend is over and thoroughly enjoyed it...but it was exhausting.

Friday the 20th, I ran 19.1 miles.  Took me 3 hours.  It was a rough run from the beginning because I was so tired to start out with.

Then I had to go clean a house.  Then off to Sam's for supplies for the boys detention center Christmas Party on Saturday.  Home to straighten up my house and prepare 3 LARGE macaroni and cheese.

Clean up.

Oh yeah, then a big fight with my boys.  Ug.

Saturday morning I was up early to bake the mac n cheese and 2 large pans of ham.

Left for White Pines at 10:30am.

Got home at 4.

Then did more clean up and fixing supper- then finally my poor dogs got a bath!

More clean up.

Finally got to bed!

Up early to be at the church by 8:15 to meet with Kenny, our missionary in England!  Yay, very excited about our trip!  Pray pray pray for England!!!!

Home around 12- lunch then Christmas Shopping.

Home by 4.

Then Nick and I spent the evening organizing and wrapping!!!!  I also finished some scarves I've been making for my nieces.

Clean up!

I slept much better last night.  Anticipation and then experiencing lack of rest, absolutely overwhelms me.  But knowing 90% is completely just simply relieves me.  I still need to pick up Nick and his dad a thing or two, but overall- I'm finished.

I could actually cry, I am so relieved.

Today, I am going to Mrs Garrett's to do some things.  Then another evening at home.  This evening may actually be LIGHT- I am so grateful and thankful!

Jesus- thank You for seeing me through these last weeks.  You know how exhausted and overwhelmed I get.  Thank You for just being with me and speaking tenderly to me.  I love you.

I am never prepared for December.  I hear people say, "Well, it comes every year."  Yes, it does.  But when your life is already so packed and at a financial limit, how do you really prepare for more?  I certainly will not go into debt just to buy a few gifts.  I don't want to have to work for months to pay for one month.  AND I don't want anyone to do that for me!  I did that for years when the kids were little because Nick and I were STUPID!  If I had it to do all over again- NO WAY would I do that.

Onward to 2014!

Exhausted

I am mentally, emotionally, physically and even spiritually exhausted.

Pray for me.

Swallowed UP!

Today, I got all swallowed up in myself.  My thoughts, my fears, my worries and even my hopes and dreams.  You know where that all led me?

Any time we go down the road of self...it leads to defeat, discouragement and despair.  Oh what a path that is!  It is certainly NOT by green pastures or quiet waters, that's for sure!

I was listening on my MP3 player Madame Guyon's Short Method of Prayer audiobook and this verse was quoted, "The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest."- Exodus 14:14, AMP.

All those thoughts, feelings and emotions that overwhelmed me came from my soul (mind, will and emotions).  Jesus came to set the captive free!  He redeemed my soul!  I don't have to GO there in my soul and I certainly don't have to STAY there in my soul.

Even while I was overwhelmed I prayed that whatever was holding me that Christ would release it.  And He did!  He fought again, for my soul!  So that I can hold the peace He has given me (Himself!) and I can remain at rest.

Something else, why does He allow me to get all swallowed up and wallowed in?  So that He can be Himself to me.  He doesn't want me to become to dependent on anything.  Nothing.  Not bad feelings, thoughts and emotions AND not even good feelings, thoughts and emotions.  In the bad, I often find I do not fully trust Him and in the good I find I do not need Him.

My thoughts, feelings and emotions need to be settled fully into Him and Him alone.

 "The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest."- Exodus 14:14, AMP.

Amen and amen!

True

God is more anxious to give us Himself than we are to possess Him. - Madame Jeanne Guyon

Knowing....

I know why God doesn't give me some of the things I want so badly.  Things that I want with others.  I deeply desire spiritual and emotional intimacy.  But He constantly reminds me- all those things you want from others, you can only get in Me.  I will never let someone else fill My place.

I am loved.  By Love.

"You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you FREE!"

    For the last 4 months I have been taking a monthly class- Thursday nights, Friday nights and all Saturday's- once a month. This is called Advanced Discipleship Training. This last weekend was about Spiritual Warfare, Suffering and Helping People Grow Free.

    Unfortunately, a lot of believers live in defeat- they don't WANT to live in defeat, some don't even realize they are living in defeat but they KNOW something is going on on the inside of them and they don't know what to do about it.

Here is some thoughts from ADT that we all need to hear:

Feelings are attached to our belief systems (and often what we SAY we believe is NOT often what comes out in our behavior, therefore, our belief system may be contrary to the Truth).

We cannot act (behavior) contrary to our belief system.

Negative emotions are always indicators of untruth, a place that is in need of being healed.

If you are feeling frustrated or angry you may be:

1) believing a lie (what lie am I believing about God, myself or others?) that produces pain

2) holding onto a right (what rights, in Christ, do you really have?)

3) unforgiveness

If you are a believer and you ARE feeling anxious, anger, frustration etc on the inside then there is a deeper issue.

If you really want to live in FREEDOM, despite the circumstances, trials and situations and maintain freedom then

A) Decide to:

1. Own responsibility for YOUR feelings and behaviors- don't put it on someone else
2. Ask God to reveal issues. Why? What lie is DRIVING the feelings and behaviors?
3. Reject the lie!!!!!
4. Believe (action word!) the truth and receive (action word!) it for yourself.
5. Yield in order to depend on Christ alone. Surrender to Him.
6. Risk new behavior. Grace abounds!

B) Forgiveness. Personal note, I would rather be known as one who walks in forgiveness and extends forgiveness than one who harbors unforgiveness toward others.

C) Identification with Christ in His earthly walk (as Jesus totally depended on His Father, we are to depend on Him.)

D) Relinquishment of rights. Let Go. "Think of others higher than YOURSELF." "Perfect love casts out fear."

E) Acceptance of ourselves. Do you really KNOW who you are in Christ? If you really KNOW, then your feelings and behaviors will begin to feel/act as Christ is.

If you are a believer that is living in this chaos and defeat- then Jesus wants you to know He died so that you can have and live in freedom. He rose again so that you can live from Him, and who He is. What does Jesus look like?

Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self Control.

"Abide in Me and I in you. Apart from Me you can do nothing."

"Love never fails. Love does not act unbecomingly. Surely Goodness and Mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing"

Contemplating....

So, I am contemplating training for a marathon.

I know, I know- I said I would not train for a marathon. 

Today I ran 17 miles. It was a good run, a better pace than I anticipated but miles 16 and 17- ROUGH!  My left knee, hamstring and heel began to bother me- a lot. I can run on tired legs but pain is another story. 

So I've taken ibuprofen, hot bath in Epsom salt, now icing the knee. Hamstring hurts a lot. 

I've scheduled a 19 mile run two weeks from today. I will know by January 4th ( 21 miles) whether or not I am going to ATTEMPT the Myrtle Beach Marathon on February 15th.

Lately....

Lately, and from time to time, a question or should I say- questions- come to my mind.

Why do I go to church?  Why am I member of a church?  Why do I get up each morning and spend some time reading and praying, writing my thoughts and heart to God?  Why do I go to the boys detention center each week?  Why do I give?  Whether it by my time, my money or just, myself to- anyone?  Why am I taking an 8 month course on discipleship, counseling and mentoring that costs $200 a month?  Why am I saving money to pay for Nick and my mission trip to England?

Why is Jesus so much in my thoughts?  Why when I think of Him- Who He is, His sacrifice and great love, my heart overwhelms within me?

Why?

Please hear me, I am not boasting.  I love Jesus so much.  He consumes me.  He is always in my thoughts, never far from my mind.  Just right there.  But I see other Christians that He just doesn't seem to be the Center of their life, their thoughts, their money, their work, their home, their marriage, their children, their time, their Sunday mornings- their nothing. On the other hand, I see a lot of people who DO serve, give and even read their Bible yet their heart attitude is self-centered or even church centered, ministry centered, people centered but not Christ-centered.  See, Christ flows out of the center of the person- Christ first and in all things- out of the one that lives in intimacy with Him.  I will post a poem a friend wrote on what He looks like flowing out of the one in intimacy with Him.

Why do I feel such awesomeness toward Him yet other believers seem to just LIVE their life without any thought to Him, knowing Him, loving Him, serving Him?

Their life actually seems pretty, easy.  They don't seem to wonder if they have have enough time or money or rest.

Why does He consume and overwhelm me when He doesn't others?  I know He created us differently.  Some people just don't like to read, so they don't like to read the Bible.  Some people work a lot of hours through out the week and just look forward to resting Sunday mornings.  Some people just don't have the extra time to- give.  I get all that, I do.  But God.  You know?

I am not critical, I just wonder why they don't feel about Jesus like I do?  He is God.  The Giver of Life.  The Possessor of Salvation.  Eternal King.  The Redeemer!  The One that sets the captive free and heals the broken.  My Healer.

Oh my Jesus.  I don't know why You have chosen to fill me so, with Yourself.  I can't even tell You WHY I love You so much, I just DO.  My hearts desire is to KNOW You more intimately- to live in intimacy with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To live in unity, oneness and fellowship with You.

Philippians 3:7-8

7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ

55 degrees!

It's 55 degrees this morning. And foggy!  But perfect weather for a run!  

Speaking my Love language, Jesus

I came to understand Christ as my life, 5 years ago. I learned that although my emotions are real they are not always truthful. 

I learned that through Christ I didn't have to be enslaved to my emotions and that Jesus could heal them and I could live from Him, who is Truth and Peace. 

Since I have taken this last ADT God has really been speaking to me about false messages I have believed about my self and the ways I have coped because of those false messages- aka FLESH!

This last weekend, I got swallowed up in my flesh. I don't know why or how it happened, exactly, but the result was me- withdrawing emotionally from Nick and the kids. Years ago when hurt or offended I would have reacted in anger (flesh). Now, I avoid such an emotional and violative outbursts and I withdraw. I just recently was revealed by God that that was how I reacted. I withdraw and just cut off all emotions. 

So I numbed myself from Friday night until Sunday afternoon. That morning I texted Patricia and asked if we could walk later- and she said yes. 

We met at Dorman, we walked and talked. My spirit lifted. 

A couple of weeks ago when I met with my ADT mentor, Pat, she told me that sometimes it's better to share with our girlfriends some things because there are some things our husbands just don't understand.  I am so glad for this advice. 

I am so glad Patricia was available to listen and understand. She is my best friend and so much more than my sister in Christ. We have a deep spiritual bond. We speak each others Love language, Jesus. 

And my spirit was lifted and light once again. 

Abide, trust and rest in Christ. God's words love to me, spoke through a dear friend that listens and understands. 

OK, I admit it- I'm just not a Christmassy person!

I admit it, I just don't LIKE the Christmas season.  And it has NOTHING to do with Jesus.  Just because I don't like Christmas doesn't mean I don't love Jesus.  To be honest, Resurrection Day, is my favorite holiday. I think if we truly celebrate any day about Christ, it should be Resurrection Day!  But we don't.  We kind of blow by Resurrection Day.  I guess we make so much out of Christmas, so much that has less and less to do with Jesus, that I just can't get into it.

But yet, I celebrate Christ daily.  I live in intimacy with Him.  I celebrate His birth, life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension every day.

I just totally- ugggg- the Christmas holidays.

Some people would say, "Well, you aren't making it about Christ".  Really?  I have to make one season about Him?  One month?  One day?  That's all?

Christ is my life.

Honestly, I'd rather watch the "idea" of Christmas on Hallmark than live the truth of it.  Because people, the real Christmas season is NOT like a Hallmark movie.  We build it up and build it up just for a letdown.

I love taking the tree down ON Christmas day and getting my house back in order!  Mainly, because I am ready for a new, exciting year!

All the things we do just to get a "feeling".  A feeling of something we have never really had but has been made up for us on TV.  The holidays shows make us feel good.  But that is not real life.

Here is real life for you.  The tree is crooked.  There aren't enough lights.  I swallow my idea of what the tree I want to look like, looks like- and just say, "It's up."  But we did it together.  We didn't pay anyone to come and put the perfect tree up with the perfect ornaments.

Here is real life.  In 25 days- it's OVER and life can resume!

That makes me happy!!!!!

I feel like my life is on hold for a month, for what?  For why?  To fulfill who's idea of what Christmas should looks like?  How I should feel?

Jesus, thank You for coming to this earth to be born as a man- so you can die as a man, yet sinless.  And rise again, so that I might have life.

This is "that" Christmas feeling to me.  Those words and their truth fill me with JOY and PEACE!

I will never have that Christmas feeling that Hallmark and the commercials try to sell us.

But I have real feelings of genuine love, and life, and joy unspeakable, and peace within.  That can never be replaced by any manmade feelings.  Never.

Broken....

I finally finished 'Jesus Lost in the Church' by Warren Litzman.  A WONDERFUL book!  God spoke to me through it.  It's one of those books, like Sidetracked in the Wilderness by Michael Wells, that I keep close by to reread and reference.  

Now...I am reading 'God's Favorite Place on Earth' by Frank Viola.  Chapter one is ALL about BROKENNESS.  

"The Lord is far more interested in your weaknesses than in your strengths. He is interested in breaking you. Why? Because when there is less of you in the way, there is more room for Him to work. "- Frank Viola, from God's Favorite Place on Earth 

"God's idea of ministry training is a broken vessel.  His idea of spiritual preparation is suffering, which includes rejection."

"God breaks us to build us."

"While brokenness is difficult, it's beautiful because it makes God look good.  Your natural gifts draw attention to yourself while brokenness draws attention to your Lord.  With this in mind, power is dangerous in the hands of an unbroken vessel."

"It's not hard to spot a Christian in ministry who isn't broken.  Unbroken people don't know how to lay their lives down and lose.  They only know how to try and win.  

If they are criticized, they retaliate. 
If they are attacked, they return fire.
If misunderstood, they defend in anger.

They are capable of doing all sorts of damage to others in order to save their own ministries and keep their reputations."

"On the contrary, people who have been broken by the hand of God know how to turn the other cheek.  

They know how to go the second mile.

They know how to give their coats when asked for their shirts.

They know how to speak well of those who misrepresent them.

They know how to return good for evil.

They know how to lose.

And in doing so, they exhibit the Spirit of the Lamb and allow God to win."

Oh Father, to live in brokenness.  To be the broken vessel from which You flow freely from the cracks.  

A quick video, finishing up Irecycle Half Marathon

Time 1:52:31

Too Busy To Blog : (

And I am not happy about it!

So much has happened since the last time I blogged!

This last weekend was my ADT, Advanced Discipleship Training, and for me it was the best so far.  Mainly because this was about HOW to mentor and counsel.

Last weekend, I ran a trails half marathon.  Cut 7 minutes off my time from last year.  I ran it in 2:14, but NOT a PR!  I am really looking forward to next weekends half, the Irecycle.  I do not think I will have a PR, Personal Record, but I hope to run it in under 1:54.

We shall see!

Blessings to all ....and I hope to blog more soon!

Sinner or saint? Or both? I think NOT!

So I saw this picture on a facebook page....and I want YOU to know...this is NOT truth.  It sounds good and makes sense to why we feel a struggle inside- but it's not truth.  Like my good friend, Will Gunter says, "Your emotions are real but not always truthful."

The Bible makes it CLEAR that a person can only be in two states.

A sinner- or a believer, a saint.

As a sinner you are in Adam, - in Satan.

As a believer you are in Christ.

You cannot be both.

"It is not that you have a little of the Lord at times and a little of the devil at times.  There is no such thing as Jesus coming in parts, pieces, bits or blessings.  The Spirit does not deal with the sinner to bring him SOME salvation.  He brings him to the Lamb, and salvation is total and complete, based on the finished work at Calvary.  Likewise, at the moment of belief, the Holy Spirit places Christ in the awakened sinner.  It is not a thing, it is not an idea, nor merely a blessing, but the total Christ and His total Person with all His personality (fruit) and all His ministries (gifts), making the believer ready and prepared- to live the life of Christ!" - from Jesus Lost in the Church by Warren Litzman

16 miles today : )

But this will be my limit.

The Camp Croft Trails Half Marathon is two weeks from tomorrow, November 9th.

The Irecycle Half Marathon is two weeks after that, November 23rd.

I am going to spend some time next week hitting the trail hills at Camp Croft and the track at Dorman High School.  Time for hill repeats and speed training.

: )

This picture is for my dear runner friend and sister in Christ, Amy B!

 

Lord, I CANNOT do this, unless You enable me- Brother Lawrence

I feel the same way as this monk who spent his life in a monastery kitchen- peeling potatoes and the like.

More and more- almost daily- I find myself repeating these words.

But God, I pray...I seek Him.  I settle into Him.  I CANNOT do this, unless You enable me.

Ease my heart, O Lord.  Through Christ, who IS my Strength, I can do ALL things.

Amen.

Rest

Sunday evening Nick and I came to Raleigh,NC. He has training for his work. He asked me if I would like to come.

"You are always talking about spending a few days alone in a hotel, here's the chance!"

So I worked out my schedule. And here I am!

I don't get enough rest. Down time. I am busy most days and evenings. Just like most women I know. We just don't get enough quiet rest.

I am a physically active person. I usually don't sit down until I go to bed at night. I clean houses- and some days that is just hard. Especially if its a house with 2 floors and multiple bathrooms AND I have an office to do that evening.

I feel like I am always on GO. I really don't know how to relax. There is always something to do. On the other hand- I am never ever bored.

But theses last two days, I have rested more than I have in- a very very long time. Monday I ran 4 miles on the treadmill, took a shower and then laid in bed until the next day! Even when Nick brought supper in!

One thing my beloved did was to watch a YouTube video on piriformis/SI joint massage. He has been massaging my leg/back/backside to ease the sciatic nerve pain! It's really helped! I've slept without pain the last two nights!

Tuesday I spent ALL DAY at the desk reading my Bible. Studying and making notes. What a great day! I've not been able to do that in years.

It's been a wonderful two days. I'm kind of sad to leave. I wish I had more days like this. But I truly am thankful for these days.

My ALL TIME FAVORITE Song/Hymn

http://www.gettymusic.com/hymns-inchristalone.aspx

Love these two quotes from ADT this last weekend...

Every time you see Jesus in the New Testatment, He was loving on somebody!

Your union with Christ illuminates your personality as you become all God created you to be.

Salvation is a Person!

14 miles today....

Despite the sciatic nerve problem I did a long run today. It didn't hurt too much. It really in hurts bad while sitting or laying down anyway : )

My new shoes blistered the insoles of both my feet : (

But I had a decent pace.

New Shoes!

I decided to go with Brooks Pureflow again. Why? These shoes (purple) have lasted 6 months- 600 miles! That's a great shoe!

The hot pink shoes are brand new! Dicks Sporting Goods. $80. Getting their maiden voyage today!

While at Academy I found these Adidas trail shoes for $35. I don't really like Adidas but these felt good on and was a decent price. So, we will see!

Video- How to Fix Piriformis Syndrome

Here's a video that is simple- and it just may help!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFtUgS69rPk

UGGGG!

I have participated in the Camp Croft Half Marathon since the very first Camp Croft Half Marathon in 2010.  This will be the 4th CCHM.  I haven't really ran many trails this year.  I normally run the trails at least once a week.  But not this year.

This year, Nick has been so poorly that he didn't feel like biking behind me.  He didn't even feeling like trying to run/walk some of it.  We would start out together then I would run my pace to a mile.  Then I would wait for him to catch up with me.  We would do this the whole way.  But, like I said, he has felt too bad to do so.

I have really felt good this year running.  I started the year out hoping to run injury free.  So I started taking yoga classes.  Stretching, working on core, balance.  I would say I deal with my sciatic nerve to where it has a great deal of pain when sitting, laying down or running only about 10% of the time.  My pace is good.  My time is good.  I feel good running.

But a few weeks ago I asked Cody to run trails with me so that I could get adjusted more since CCHM is Nov. 9th.  It was a rough run.  It poured down the rain and it was MUDDY down in those hollars!  : )  A couple of days later my sciatic started bothering me again while driving.

Yesterday, Sebastian (my dog) and I went to Camp Croft and ran 4.3 miles.  My leg hurt so bad last night I could hardly sleep.  When I woke this morning I was thinking, "What have I done differently?  I've ran a LOT of miles this year.  What is going on?"  Then it dawned on me.  I am running trails again.

As I think back, my sciatic pain started back in 2010 after I started running trails.  My heart is so sad.  I love the trails.  But I just don't want to deal with this pain every day and night.  Am I going to have to give up trails?

I've done some research.  It seems it's not lower back pain or a pinched nerve that causes my sciatic to flare up.  It's a muscle called the piriformis.

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/piriformis-syndrome-causes-symptoms-treatments

As I sit here, my right arm and pinky finger is numb.  My lower back on my right side hurts, radiating up my spine.  The left side of my right foot is numb.  UGGGG.

I am going to research this.  I am going to look for stretches to do.  I am going to pray.

But, I may have some decisions to make.  I may have to give up something I love (trail running) so that I can continue something I love (road running pain free).  Yet as I look at this, in the grand scheme of all things- this is just a little thing.  : )

Stunted Growth

We live in a world, where only a portion of the gospel is preached.  It goes like this:

You are a sinner.
Jesus died for your sins.
Confess you are a sinner.
Repent.
Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
NOW,
Be good, Go to Church, Read your Bible, Go to Bible Studies, Worship, Pray, Serve
Oh, let's not forget:
Tithe.

Doesn't that about sum it up?

But the gospel is so so much more than Jesus died for our sins.

There are two aspects to the work Jesus accomplished through His death, burial and resurrection.
1) His blood was shed for us, to bring us redemption- the forgiveness of sins.  He is our Substitution.
2) He gave His body so that we might be united with Him in His death, burial and resurrection.  We are united with Him.

Jesus!  Came to:
release the capitve
heal the broken
open the eyes of the blind
set free the oppressed
give us abundant life (His life!)
put to death our sin nature
gave us a new nature, His nature- we are partakers of the divine nature
Sin is no longer our master
freedom
made our spirit alive
we have a COMPLETELY brand new INNER man
born again
we are sons of God

And so so so much more!  God's grace is greater than we could ever imagine.  Now remember this, Peter says in 2 Peter 3:18 to grow in the GRACE and KNOWLEDGE of our Lord Jesus Christ-  the only way we can truly grow into full stature is to take hold of these facts- Who Jesus is, what He has accomplished for us- fully- and who we are because of what He has accomplished and overcame.  We'll never grow up fully until we do.  We will never fully grow in GRACE and KNOWLEDGE until we do.

Seek to know, this Truth.  Ask God to reveal these truths to your spirit (the most real part of YOU).  Because you don't want to live your life as stunted believer.  Knowing there is something more but not knowing He is that something more.

The New Covenant

Through the Cross

Christ

                 Shed His                                                        Gave His

                 BLOOD                                              BODY                         

SUBSTITUTON DIED FOR US Romans 8:5 1Thess 5:10 1 Cor 15:3 2 Cor 15:14-15 1 Peter 2:24 CRUCIFIED FOR US 1 Cor 1:23; 2:8 1 Cor 2:2 Galatians 3:1 BURIED 1 Cor 15:4 RESURRECTED FOR US Romans 4:24,25 1 Cor 15:4 1 Cor 15:20,22 THROUGH CHRIST’ BLOOD Forgiveness of sins Matt 26:28, Heb 9:22 Redemption Ephesians 1:7 Peace and reconciliation with God Col 1:20 Cleanse conscience Heb 9:14 Cleanses from all sin 1 John 1:7 Released us from our sins Rev 1:5 New Covenant Luke 22:20, 1 Cor 11:25, Heb 12:24

UNION DEAD WITH CHRIST Romans 6:3-5,8 Colossians 2:20 2 Timothy 2:11 1 Peter 2:24 Philippians 3:10 CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST “I have been”- Galatians 2:20 old man- Romans 6:6 flesh- Galatians 5:24 world – Galatians 6:14 BURIED WITH HIM Romans 6:4 Colossians 2:12 RESURRECTED WITH HIM Romans 6:4-5,8 Romans 8:11 2 Cor 4:14 Philippians 3:10 Colossians 2:12 THROUGH CHRIST’ BODY I participate in His death, burial and resurrection. I am dead to the Law Romans 7:4 I am Christ’s body and an individual member of it- I Cor 12:27 I have been sanctified- Heb 10:10 I am dead to sin- Romans 6:10-11 I am seated with Him- Eph 2:6, I am set free from the law of sin and death- Romans 8 Christ lives in me- Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:10

He deals with our “sins”- verb                         He deals with THE “sin”-noun

What a GREAT interview with Tullian Tchividjian! YEP, Billy Graham's Grandson!

http://jonathanmerritt.religionnews.com/2013/10/02/tullian-tchividjian/

Not To Be Outdone!

Oh Cody!

Happy Happy Happy!

Message in a bottle? I don't think so! Message on a pair capri's? YES!

I moved a little table and two chairs to the back of our property last week.

Mainly to get it off the front property!  : )  I will be moving some herbs and trees back there so I thought I might need a table and chairs back there.

One day, I found this pair of capri's on the table.  A LITTLE pair of capris.   I assumed it was my little neighbor girls.  I wondered why she left them there...it was kind of funny.  So I took the capris, left them on another chair near the road, near their house.

But as I went out to run this morning, the capri's were back on the table, with a note:

 So, I wrote her back : )

How fun is that?

5 years of VICTORY from Jesus, the Victor!

5 years, it's hard to believe.

At this very moment 5 years ago today I was preparing for work.  When I came home from work, Nick and the kids were going to a Dorman game, so I decided to clean the house.  I was working on a bible study in Colossians every spare moment I had so my house had gotten messy.   It was the perfect time to clean with everyone gone.

Then my friend and  momtor, (mentor+mom=momtor), Connie called and told me I had something wrong with the study I was writing.  I won't go into that- but I got VERY upset.  Not with Connie, but with God!  I was so upset with Him.  I was doing all this for Him and He allowed me to be led the wrong way!

Everything inside me just- crashed.  I can't explain it.  I still can't after 5 years of trying to explain it!

Something inside of me, clicked.  Shut off.  While on the phone with her, I put away all my "Christian" stuff.  I was SO tired of all the stuff.  You can read about it here:

http://vinejohn15branch.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-monthmoment-by-moment.html

These last 5 years have been glorious.  I can say that I do have intimacy with Christ.  I can say, He is my life.  I adore Him.  He has set this captive free.  He has healed this broken broken broken person.

Once I was defeated, now Victory lives in me.

Once I was an unbelieving believer, now- my hearts desire is His hearts desire for me- to trust Him.  To live my life, trusting Him, Who He is, His finished work- for me and in me from Him.  I knew no other way but to trust in my self and outer resources but that wasn't my hearts desire to do so. And He knew that.

Once, I lived in chaos in my inner man, now Peace lives in me.

My LORD God, Elohim- Father, Son and Holy Spirit, had to strip away all the false teaching and concepts I had learned.  So that I could KNOW, intimately, the Truth.

I had to become weak, so that He could be my Strength.  His Grace is Sufficient.

I had to sink deep deep deep into Him- immersed.  Baptized and anointed in Truth through revelation.

Mere Christianity is NOT enough for me.  Changing the behaviors of the outer man is NOT enough for me.

I wanted to know who I am at the very core of my being.  I wanted to know WHAT my very core being IS!  I wanted to know what IS the BIG DEAL about Jesus.  Truly, know.  I wanted FREEDOM.  I wanted the ABUNDANT LIFE.  I wanted JOY.  I wanted PEACE.  I wanted to experience LOVE in every part of every part of my whole self.

I wanted to know WHY I did the things I did.  I wanted to know HOW I learned to do the things I did.

If God IS REALLY REAL, then He was a big enough God to be REAL and GOD to me.  I asked Him to- prove- Himself to me.  Strip away the untruth.

And He did.  Cleansing and real.  The most real thing in my life.

There is no other life I want to live but the abiding Life.  The trusting Life. The abundant Life.  The resting Life.  The joy-filled Life.  The peace-filled Life.

Immerse yourself in these words from the great Apostle Paul- allow the Holy Spirit to anoint you and teach you Truth:

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Want to know how God created you?

Are You Ready?

Are you ready to experience the deeper truths and riches of Christ?  Have you ever thought, "Really, this is it?  That's all there is?  This is the abundant life of peace and joy?"  Does Christianity seem more a chore to you than life-flowing?  Are you the fragrance of Christ wherever you go?  Do you struggle to trust, believe  and abide?

Do you really really know Who Jesus is?  Do you really really know ALL that He completed, finished on the cross- and through His resurrection for YOU?

Yep, there IS more.  More, many, abundant!

You can get this book on Amazon.  With an open heart and mind, let God speak into you these truths.  You will never be the same.

Heal

Did you ever notice the word HEAL is also in the word HEALTHY?

Oh Jesus, our Healer- He heals us through His blood, shed on the Cross! Through His death, burial, resurrection AND ascension we ARE healed!  Oh, in so many more ways that we even KNOW!

Isaiah 53:5
But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening of our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

I am healed and healthy because of Jesus, my Healer!

Programs

In many churches we have many programs...

" Is the purpose of the program to touch the inner man’s needs, or is it calculated to touch the needs of the outer man and move the flesh? Could the program operate without Christ? "- Mike Wells

Well, amen.  

Training for Two Half Marathons in November

With my whole being, Lord

Lord,

Lead me into the depths of Your Life, save me from a shallow existence.  For apart from the deeper inner life of You- it's all shallow.

Amen

Christ, my Life, Every Moment

Until we truly truly believe that Christ is our life- and that apart from Him we can do nothing- we will struggle. We SAY He loves us, He cares for us and He works all things to our good because we love Him BUT we don't truly BELIEVE He does any of these things. If we did we would find Him as our Strength and our Peace and our Provider- in all aspects of our life. Work, family, health, finances, church.

But so often, we really are unbelieving believers. We've believed Him from saving us from hell but not our daily hell. We think of Him as Savior of our sins- for the future- but we don't KNOW Him as Healer and Overcomer, IN US, NOW!

We have not allowed Him to be our Power for life and godliness. Because we don't KNOW Him as Life, our Life.

Without Him we are truly weak, defeated, frazzled, anxious, depressed. We strive according to our works in ALL areas of our life. Oh how I pray, we come to the end of our self! Self-effort that we live in in every moment. As we raise our kids, be a spouse, do our jobs, serve in the church- whatever it may be in our life that we strive so hard at, apart from Him!

I pray for the revelation of God! The victory! Freedom! To know that at every moment HE IS MY LIFE.  And because He is- I can live in peace, joy, be gentle and kind, goodness, faithful, controlled, sharing love with others- no matter the situation.  No matter the circumstance.  No matter the moment.

EVERY
MOMENT
EVERY
MOMENT

HE IS MY LIFE!

Galatians 2:20!

Whoa!

Loving loving loving this book!!!!

A New Day

I entitle today's blog as "A New Day" but in actuality it is a new TIME in my life.  I have so been looking forward to this time!  I FINALLY started Advanced Discipleship Training (ADT)!  It is an 8 month course, and for me $200 a month.  That's a lot of money for me, especially since Nick and I are saving for our trip to Ireland and England next June.

So, I've made some changes I am hoping to stick with : )  This last week at ADT was Concept of God and Intimacy with God.  I want a deliberate time of quiet intimacy with Jesus each time before I head out of my day.  It is possible that I do this.  I have just found especially since the beginning of summer that I am so busy.  I desire a less busy life.  I feel scattered, very often.  Now, know this, I have intimacy with God- even if I don't do this.  I know this.  But- I think this is something God is asking me to do right now, just be quiet with Him.  

God is going to rearrange my schedule.  I don't know how, but He is.  We had a half an hour at ADT to sit quietly before the Lord.  He told me a lot things.  In the end, I surrendered my time, my work, my finances, my ministries, my family, my Nick, my attitude, judgments and criticisms, to Him.  He is not only going to rearrange my life- but ME.  I thank You, my Lord!

So, it has begun....

Philippians 1:6

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Rewards!

Rewards of a 10 mile run this morning!

A Gentle, Breathtaking Reminder

Galatians 6:14

But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

I took this picture on August 28, 2013 near Lexington, Kentucky during a morning sunrise overlooking a horse farm.  My Dad and I were going to Leesburg Road to have his eyes checked : )  It wasn't until a couple of days ago that I realized there was a cross in the picture.  I believe Galatians 6:14 sums up what this picture means to me. 

Overwhelmed

Sometimes I wonder why believers believe so differently.  Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the differences in what we believe.  Sometimes I want to NOT be around believers because we all hang on so hard to what we believe and we are not willing to let our beliefs go.

I guess that is why when I am with other believers that speak the same language as I do....my heart just sings.  And it is rare this happens.  There is a group that I love being with that speak the same language.  The revelation language.  The love language.  The abiding language.  They just speak Jesus...and Jesus speaks to me through them.

This is what I found to be true, and includes me- most of what we are willing to believe and hang onto is knowledge.  It's "stuff" we learned from the Bible.  It has nothing to do with our moment by moment intimacy with Christ.

Not emotionalism.  Not tongues.  Not predestination.  Not knowing who the Nephilim are.  Not rocking music.  Not traditional music. Not dynamic preaching.  Not wearing jeans to church.  Not wearing a suit to church.  Not when the rapture will happen. None of these things have to do with our intimacy with Christ.  Who God is- who we are because of Him.  None of it.

So from now on, that is my motto- where is Jesus in this?

1 Corinthians 1

18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God.30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Pray for me!

I think I may be surrounded by crazy people.

Madame Jeanne Guyon

Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ

Chapter: To Christian Workers