settingatthepoolofgrace

We have been given many wonderful gifts from our Father God,of all the great things he has done for us the greatest gift other than the sacrifice of his son is the gift of choice. We often forget just how powerful choice really is.  We fail to realize with choice comes responsibility and we will be held accountable for the choices we make.

It is so easy to give that responsibility to someone other then ourselves. The devil made me do it, it was his/her fault, if they had not done this I would not have done that, or we just don’t care who gets hurt by our decisions; anyone is to blame but us.

As parents we must choose to do what is right for our children, we will be accountable for every wrong road we allow them to walk without reproof. Sometimes this will not be easy but all things are possible with God. We cannot put friendship with our children above what we know is right.

Guard against the adversary; he will try to use our past against us guilty can be a mighty weapon. We must pray for and with our children constantly. It is so hard for parents to allow their children to suffer the consequences of their choices  but if we shelter them how will they learn what is right in the eyes of God.

We are All his children, we must choose to be lead by his Holy Spirit,yield him our will, ask his guidance in all our decisions, and follow his leading. Our nature is sinful; our hearts will deceive us and allow our emotions to lead us away from what is right before God, our eyes will deceive us and we will not see what God is revealing and our mouths will deceive us saying things that are offensive to the ears of God.

We will account for all that we think,say, or do before a Holy and Just God. The Holy Spirit will not leave us without TRUTH but we must be willing to accept the truth that is revealed to us. The choice is still ours; we must make the ultimate decision.  Make no mistake the adversary,father of all lies will not stop trying to mislead us. He comes to kill,steal and destroy ALL that God loves.

Don’t give him the victory, realize our gift of choice is special. What we do with it has consequences not just for us but for all who love and desire our good. Be watchful for all the pitfalls that will be placed in our path. The bling of the rich,the quest for fame,violence and moral decay. They are intended to destroy “so lean not unto your own understanding but allow God to direct your path”. When we are obedient we show WISDOM.

We all have heard the saying “life has it’s ups and downs”, as Christians life seems to have more downs than ups. Yet; our faith keeps us rising to the top, sometimes we are faced with a block in the road. It may be a few pebbles or it could be a mountain.

Usually a block in the road will require a detour, Detours can be tricky and the traveler must decide what is the best thing to do. Some detours will lead you straight to your destination. Some will take you far off the path into unforeseen dangers.

How do you choose? we need to remember as Christians the choice is not ours to make, we are to be lead by the Holy Spirit in ALL our decisions. When we fail to pray for direction and make our decision without the Holy Spirit, the door to the enemy’s detour opens wide.

His detour leads us in the wrong direction. We get caught up in hatred,envy,confusion,guilt,anger and sometimes self righteousness. We are fascinated with the riches and glamour of the world and become blind to the TRUTH of Gods word.

Only through the leading of the Holy Spirit can we navigate the uncertain waters of life. There may be mountains on our path but nothing is insurmountable for our God to carry us through. We must pray for strength to jump over the pebbles and to climb the mountains that block our journey.

Only take the detour if being lead by the Holy Spirit, if he brings us to it he will bring us through it.

Through your eyes I see the struggle of a people,uprooted from their native soil and transplanted in gravel and sand. By their sweat,tears and blood they transformed the land.  In your face I see the wisdom of time, strength and compassion, your smile illuminates the dark corners of ignorance and intolerance and captivates even the coldest heart.

Your voice trumpets the sound of hope to the hopeless, restores the dreams to those who have forgotten how to dream and renews the spirit giving the will to rise higher and higher. The light of love emanating from your being exemplify s your faith and oneness with the creator and the universe,love that knows no color; that transcends all barriers and penetrates despair.

It is through your vision of the world reborn made new in understanding,respect and togetherness that I spread my wings to fly, to soar beyond my own expectations to reach a greater plateau. Motivated by your determination…I fly. Accepting the foundation you have laid….I fly. Yearning for a greater knowledge of life..I fly. Always remembering my roots…….I FLY

We live in a society that is geared toward ownership, the more we possess the more we are perceived as successful.  Everything we purchase comes with instructions on how to operate and maintain for maximum efficiency from household appliances to vehicles.

The instructions are very important to the life of the object, yet; many toss them aside and proceed to use their own ideas of how they should use their item. Unfortunately,this decreases the life expectancy of the product.  It has been said that being a parent dose not come with an instruction book.

While this is considered to be true, mankind was given instructions on how to have a happy, healthy and long existence. These instructions came in the form of TEN rules for peaceful co-existence with creation and each other, rules for maintaining optimum health and longevity, and how to obtain and use resources.

Old habits are hard to brake so we toss the instructions aside and do whatever we think is best for ourselves.We fail to realize how easily we deceive ourselves by thinking we know what is best. The creator of the object knows the best plan for us to maintain the object and receive the best possible results.

Likewise,our creator through his instructions has given us the answer to every dilemma we will encounter during our life time. He has given us specific examples in the lives of others who have used his instructions and prospered and examples of those who did not resulting in destruction.

The creator always knows what is best for his creation but he will not take away the gift of choice he gave.  We must remember whatever the choice there will be consequences, so when in doubt read the instructions……..READ THE BIBLE to know truth for yourself.

Short,tall,thin or stout; people are imperfect. Rich or poor,black or white, red,yellow or brown; people are imperfect. However; we all have common traits. Eyes to see,ears to hear,mouth to speak, feet to walk and hands to feel.  In the beginning our fore parents were perfect, the environment was perfect, and choice was given as a perfect gift.

The wrong choice was made and perfection was marred by darkness. One choice changed the world. Hate was born,love diminished and sin infected our lives. Each one must reach one to start the journey back to a state of perfection. We must learn to forgive, think of other as we do ourselves, treat everyone with respect and acknowledge our differences.

Plant the seed of love with a smile, a act of kindness, or a jester of friendship. Reach out a hand to one in need, comfort a broken heart and wipe away someones tears. Each selfless action will lead to a glimmer of light that will penetrate the darkness of hate. It seems so hard to do those things we know are right to do . We can have faith that all the help we need is at our disposal.

The illuminating love of Jesus the Christ is ever ready to dispel the darkness of sin and restore us to his character which is perfect.  When we submit to his leading a cleansing process takes place which removes the stony places in the heart and creates a new beginning in the life that is willing to change. We have the opportunity to choose. What will your choice be?? Will you choose to seek perfection or will you repeat  the mistakes of the past??

Like the dew from heaven falls upon the earth,lay gently on my heart. Restore me to the beauty of your love. Elevate my mind, strengthen my hands and guide my feet.  Stay ever before my eyes that I may see the  pit falls in the road I travel. Teach me wisdom and give me understanding to know we are all flawed and only you are perfection.

My days are filled with task to be completed; some for myself, some for my family, and some for those in need of help. There are days when my body is weak and pain is my companion, yet; you sustain me that I can continue my journey. Whisper peace in my ears in time of confusion. Clarity can be found in the sweet sound of your voice.

Allow me to rest in your sweet embrace, cover me with joy as the raindrops fall and the lightening flashes. Keep my mind and heart looking toward your throne of grace and mercy that your love will penetrate any darkness or doubt hiding in the shadows of my life. You alone are my resting place and I REST in peace.

The last glimmer of sun light reflected off the lake, a cool breeze gently lifted my hair as I sit at the waters edge feet dangling just barely touching the lake. The boat swayed slowly at the dock inviting me to come aboard. Stars appeared in the heavens sparkling like little diamonds. A top the water a big bright moon making the experience a moment to be captured.

Caught up in the magic of the moment I slipped into the boat and headed out to the middle of the lake. Engulfed by night fall I lost site of the shore. As I sit there amazed by the beauty unfolding before me water began to cover my feet,there was a hole in the boat. For the first time I realized I had not checked the boat,didn’t know how far I was from shore nor did I know how deep the lake.

No life jacket, unsure if I could swim to shore and little hope that help was anywhere to be found. The consequences of my choice stared me in the face, I had no safety net. Our lives are bombarded with experiences that seem to be magical moments that need to be captured. The beauty that our eyes become enticed by will draw us too it.

Once we fall prey to the .glamorous traps that gratify our senses we loose site of the connection to our  provider. Self is exalted and light is lost as we become more self absorbed. We are engulfed in darkness, the consequence of our choice stares us in the face and we have discarded our safety net. Yet, we are not hopeless, help stands at the door of our hearts waiting for us to answer the knock and allow light to shine in.

“There is no greater gift , that a man give his life for a friend.” The flag waves as the battle rages, hero’s fall and victories are won. There is no right or wrong when a commitment  is made to serve. The warrior is the keeper of peace, he stands upon the wall.  His sacrifice goes unnoticed sometimes but his blood flows for all.

Faces he will never see and voices never heard to say thank you. He fights for the right of all to be wrong if they choose to be wrong. He fights for the rights of all to be right if they choose to be right. He leaves behind those he loves to protect others he may never know.

We sleep peacefully in our beds because the warrior has vowed to serve. When we leave our homes from day to day we feel safe because our warriors are serving on shores far away. He may be faceless and nameless too but when a warrior falls as so many do, his blood is shed for me and you.

While we celebrate the country of the free, celebrate how that freedom came to be. The price was paid by the flow of RED from Calvary’s Hill to the battlefield.

Pray for those who are willing to give all they have in the service of peace for  all man kind.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

They looked at the trees as their majesty reached toward the sky, the lush green pasture stretched before them as far as the eye could see and the sun glowed brightly as if a great jewel. Yet, something was missing. Creatures large and small roamed freely, birds of all types filled the air with song and the waters teaming with life  flowed quietly reflecting the brilliance of the sunlight. Yet, something was missing.

Everything their eyes feasted on was good, yet; something was still missing. They longed in their heart for completion but there was still work to be done. They knelled in the dust, as their hands begin to move a form took shape resembling who they were. From the first one came one and from the two came many sons and daughters in the likeness of their Creator.

One golden thread of life intertwined through out every generation of all that was created leading back to the one source, it’s CREATOR. What was perfection was hidden by shadows, confusion, and differences. Separations that caused turmoil & pain, injustice & power struggles and greed. Some wanted more while others had none. Some were content with what they had and inclined to share.

Everyone had free choice but not everyone used it wisely. The most important ingredient; love had been replaced by selfishness. Love stands at the ready arms open wide to reclaim any who is willing to come inside. Love will renew the spark given at the beginning and remind us we are all ONE strand woven together in the tapestry of our CREATOR who is LOVE

Glory to the name of the Lord,Only you are worthy of Glory and Honor. Your hands hold the worlds in the universe,you speak and life unfolds, and by your power all nature is feed. How great thou art,there is none like you. You are just and holy all the people of the earth benefit from your great love.

It was disobedience that caused the separation from your presence and sin to enter into our world. Thank you for such great love that you did not leave this world without hope. Because you loved us so much you gave the greatest gift in the blood sacrifice of your only son.

Father thank you for this day please send your Holy spirit to lead and guide us,keep our spoken words that we say nothing that dishonors you, speak to our hearts word that uplift and encourage, and remove any unclean thoughts from our minds and fill them with your presence.

Engulf us in the light of your love. We are so grateful that you cared enough to grant us your grace and mercy. You have changed our direction and opened our eyes to  a new life of joy. We are assured of your help in time of turmoil and challenge. You have provide for our weakness and failures, forgiveness is ever present to lift us when we fall and stray away from your safety.

When we are on the mountain top you are there, when we are in the valley you are there; you never leave us alone.You know our wants, needs and desires. You are the first and last answer to all of life’s dilemma. Your Love is all encompassing, it shines through to everyone we encounter when we allow you to lead us through the Holy spirit. We are limited but you are limitless, we are powerless but you are all power and we are all your people connected by your love and grace.

We are your “Special Possessions” you paid a price for our deliverance from the bondage of sin when we were so unworthy of the sacrifice you gave. yet, you still gave. In our humanness how do we express gratitude for such a Great gift? What can we do to show you how thankful we are? and  What do we have we can bring to you as our gift worthy enough to lay at your feet?

Unconditional Love and Total surrender is all we need to give////