Finished! Ran out of room for “salvation” (obviously) but I’m not too mad.
Don’t Get it Twisted
I’m sitting here tonight, and I’m just thinking how I’ve gotten things so twisted. I’m thinking about all the times I’ve felt so proud because I’ve “given up” or “sacrificed” something for the Lord. I’ve gotten rid of movies, music, tv shows, books, language, even friends all because I felt a conviction. After it was all said and done I would pat myself on the back and think to myself, “good job Charity that was pretty hard but I bet God is really proud of ya for laying that down.”
I am disgusted and embarrassed at the thought of myself acting this way. I won’t even get into the prideful side of things thinking I sacrificed something by myself instead of God’s grace, but rather let’s focus on the fact that there is no real sacrifice when we give something up or hand it over to the Lord. Let’s focus on the fact that everything you could possibly give up or sacrifice is rubbish! What you hand over/sacrifice to the Lord is usually selfish, prideful, indulgent junk (sin) and it’s absolute garbage in comparison to the amazing gift he hands back to us.
Don’t kid yourself and pat yourself on the back for laying something down at his feet because it’s not all that great when you think about it in comparison to His gift to us. I just have to say, there is no true sacrifice on our part when we hand over trash to the one who created us, and he hands back eternal life.
He is a good God and being called to a higher standard, living holy, set apart, and not of this world isn’t a sacrifice….it’s a privilege….so don’t get it twisted. :]
The trailer for the documentary I filmed while we were in Haiti.
I’m so proud of my best friend.
Psalm 62:1-2
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
1 Corinthians 7:23
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
A Letter From God
My dear sweet child,
How I love you. I see your struggles and I feel your pain. I hear your worries and I hold your broken heart (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Don’t give up on me because I am here holding your hand. Don’t forget that I chose you (John 15:16) and loved you before you ever loved me (1John 4:19).
I want you to know that this road you have chosen to follow me isn’t easy, but it is worth it. I know I am not the popular choice among your peers but what I offer is much more satisfying than what they can offer you (John 16:33). This walk will not be easy and you will be mocked and judged for following me (Isaiah 54:17), but remember that I bought you with a price…my blood and now you belong to me, you are my child (Revelation 5:9). Because you are my child you are in the world but no longer part of it (John 15:19). The world will hate you because of me, but I will honor you in the end (Matthew 10:22).
I will be your refuge and your strength when this world becomes too much (Psalm 46:1). Let me take care of your hurt for you (1 Peter 5:7). Even though you are persecuted because of me my grace is sufficient and my strength is made perfect in weakness(2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Remember above all else that YOU BELONG TO ME and nothing else matters in this world (1 Corinthians 3:23).
Love,
Your Heavenly Father
2 Corinthians 1:3-5: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
John 15:16: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
1John 4:19: We love because he first loved us.
John 16:33: I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Isaiah 54:17:no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.
Revelation 5:9: And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
John 15:19: If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Matthew 10:22: All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
1 Corinthians 3:23: and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.
Two Funerals in Two Days
Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Both the death of my sinful nature and the death of my body is both a gain of a wonderful eternity with you in heaven. .
I pray Lord that you shine through me. Give me the words to say and the wisdom I need in this time. Death isn’t scary when you are a follower of Christ but all haven’t come to know you. There is no greater comfort and no greater peace than in you my heavenly Father. I ask that you show up in great ways spreading your love and free gift of salvation. I love you, and I know you hold great plans and the future in your hands though I may not understand at times. Please be patient with me and those around me who struggle to understand your ways. I love you. You are great to me.
