Heart Choices: 2012-03-11 -->

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I'm Over at Laced with Grace


Today I am over at Laced with Grace writing about living a life of love.

I have to admit that in the midst of moving, I almost forgot to write my post.  But I'm thankful for my reminder list on my computer and I posted it.  I encourage you to link over and read it on Laced with Grace.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

How to Live Without Fear


I am fearless!

My husband says I'm scary sometimes.  He brings up my Viking heritage but he's only kidding (I think).

But if you know me or you've read Heart Choices for any length of time, you know that I struggle at times with fear.  I tend to prefer my comfort zone.

But life isn't always predictable.

As I've gone through a long season of changes, the Lord has been teaching me important lessons.

Isaiah 41:10 is laminated and sitting right in front of me at my computer screen:
"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."
God knows the beginning from the end.  He knows all the details of my life.  Nothing takes Him by surprise.

On my own, I may become fearful.

So how do I live without fear?


  • I remember what God's Word says.  
  • I choose to believe God's Word.
  • I don't allow my emotions to control me. 
  • When I stumble, I run back to His open arms of love and forgiveness.
  • I remind myself that He is always with me.


I'm jamming today with Bonnie of Faith Barista on the topic of fearless.  Bonnie is in the midst of writing a book.  I look forward to reading it after it's published.  If you've come to know Bonnie through her blog, I encourage you to pray for her as the date for her manuscript submission is fast approaching.




Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Be Who God Created You To Be


Be the person God created you to be.  It can be all too easy to compare yourself with others.

Even Evan and Max were measuring themselves against one another. Who is taller?  It was quite cute as they each thought they were the same height.  It's all a matter of perspective.

But God created each one of us with gifts and abilities to be used for His Kingdom purposes.  I for one, don't want to waste time worrying about how I stack up against another.

How about you?

I'm linking up with the Internet Cafe Devotions for Word-filled Wednesday.


Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

God's Grace


It's In Other Words Tuesday and Urailak of Living for God has chosen our quote this week:


"Any concept of grace that makes us feel more comfortable sinning is not Biblical grace. God's grace never encourages us to live in sin; on the contrary, it empowers us to say no to sin and yes to truth." ~Randy Alcorn

God's grace makes some people uncomfortable.

I remember a conversation I had with a friend of mine.  Kevin is from Ireland but is now a US citizen.  However, he travels back and forth often to visit family.  He was discussing grace with the priest of his local Irish parish one day.  Kevin asked him why he didn't spend time preaching about God's grace.  He brought up specific Scripture passages and the priest laughed.  He said if he taught that the people would simply do whatever they wanted.

Now, I'm not here to single out this priest but to make an important point.

If I truly understand:

  • There is nothing I can do to earn my salvation
  • There aren't enough good deeds to tip the scales in my favor
  • Comparing myself to people who commit the 'big sins' isn't Biblical
  • Going to church doesn't buy my salvation
  • Being baptized doesn't grant me a ticket to heaven
Ephesians 2:8-9 says:
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith --and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast."
Sometimes it can be hard to receive a gift.  But when we examine the Truth of God's Word, we see that we are all sinners by nature.

Romans 3:23: "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Our sin separates us from God.

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

But God is love.

Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

That's what grace is all about.  When I accept and truly realize what this gift means, I don't want to sin more.  

As long as I live on this side of eternity, I will sin.  

But the closer I grow in my relationship with the Lord, the more I want to please Him.  It's amazing but over time, He begins to change the desires within me.  

And it's all based on LOVE not rules and regulations.

I encourage you to share your thoughts on this quote or link up your own blog post to Living for God.


Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

The Blessing of Perspective



Counting every day blessings has been fun for me.  It has caused me to focus on all that is good in my life and to thank God.

But I recently hit a snag!

This week is all about moving.  I have to admit that I allowed myself to wallow in self-pity for a time.  Instead of being grateful, I spent too much time thinking about what I've lost over the past few years.

I remembered that it was two years ago to the day, that I had to leave my dream home.  This was how our house looked on March 13, 2010.


It was such a sad day for me to leave this place behind.  I went from almost 4,000 square feet to a 1,000 square foot home much further out of town.

We sold our furnishings.

We replaced them with a few items to use during this transition.

What we didn't count on was new visitors each day.
Wild bunnies, jack rabbits, quail and even coyotes ran in the backyard.  Greg and I fed the rabbits and loved watching them nibble away at the carrots we scattered.

And now, it's time to move ...again!  But this time it will be to an 860 square foot place closer in to town and work and family.

Have I mentioned I don't enjoy change?

In the midst of this change, I was able to buy back some of our original furniture!  How thankful I am to sleep in my own bed with the linens I carefully chose.

I am so grateful for friends who reminded me of things I needed to hear.

My friend Terri reminded me that she grew up in a one bedroom apartment in Queens with her parents and those were some of the happiest times in her life.

My friend Ruth lives in New York City.  She wrote: " That's bigger than the average Manhattan one-bedroom (750 sq ft).  And my friend lives in a 450 sq ft studio in The Village."


As I link up with Ann of A Holy Experience  for Multitudes on Monday, I want to count my every day blessings.

#374 A place to call home once again
#375 A quicker commute to work
#376 Friends who tell the truth in love
#377 Realizing that wherever I go ...God is with me
#378 Recognizing that material goods are just stuff and none of it is lasting
#379 Greg's family who are going to help with painting and moving
#380 The surprise of being able to have some of my original furnishings back
#381 A smaller place to clean
#382 Saving gas money as the commute to work is much quicker
#383 I will be able to ride my bike to a few of my favorite places like Bertha's Cafe and Le Grande Orange
#384 I will have my office furniture back
#385 We will be close to Greg's mom



Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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