WHO AM I? A WOMAN MOST BLESSED...

Oh, how BLESSED I am in so many ways! I'm praising you, Jesus, today for my FAMILY!

What a BLESSING to have a supportive, encouraging, praying husband. Today, I received this email from him:

PATTI,

I AM SO PROUD OF YOU AND WHAT GOD IS DOING THROUGH YOU IN EVERY WAY!!

"I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up;

Do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert

and streams in the wasteland."

Isaiah 43:19

LOVE AND RESPECT YOU MUCH!

Steve

Thank you, hubby, for always pointing me towards our Heavenly Father. I am a woman most BLESSED!

I will treasure this note sent to me today on the 29th birthday of one of our daughter-in-loves. Oh, how BLESSED we are to have Jacqueline as a gift from God: a gift to our son, a gift to us, and now such a precious gift to two children. As we have been looking at who we are in Christ this week, I have considered the beauty of Christ that I see in Jacqueline. Here's just a sampling:

• Advocate
• Blessing
• Counselor
• Deliverer
• Encourager
• Friend
• Guide
• Healer

Happy Birthday, sweet lady!

~BLESSED~

WHO AM I? FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE!!!!

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

This video was sent to me this morning by a "Transformed Mom" of a son who has autism. God's perspective of each of us is often different from our own or others.

~BLESSED~

WHO AM I? BLESSED! LIGHT! SALT!

MATTHEW 5:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

WHO AM I...GRATEFULLY IN CHRIST...

You often read on this blog about who Jesus is.

Sunday and yesterday, after meditating on Who I am in Christ, I invite you to celebrate with me what a great blessing and privilege it is to be IN CHRIST.

Our Sunday morning ladies class is doing 2 things this week:

1. Fixing our eyes on Jesus and WHO HE IS!

2. Considering Jesus and WHO HE IS IN US!

We are so grateful!

I'm praising You, Jesus, today for the life You have provided for us when we are IN CHRIST!

WHO I AM IN CHRIST:
A live with Christ - Ephesians 2:5
B eloved of God - Colossians 3:12; Rom. 1:7; 1 Thess. 1:4
B lessed - Matthew 5:1-12; Galatians 3:9
B orn of God -the evil one does not touch me - 1 John 5:18
C hosen - 1 Thess. 1:4; Eph. 1:4; 1 Peter 2:9
C omplete in Him - Colossians 2:10
C rucified with Christ - Galatians 2:20
D ead to sin - Romans 6:2, 11; 1 Peter 2:24
D elivered from the power of darkness - Col. 1:13
E stablished, anointed, and sealed - 2 Cor. 1:21; Col. 1:8
F ree from Condemnation–Romans 8:1
F irmly rooted, built up, established in the faith - Col. 2:7
F orgiven of all my sins–Eph. 1:7, Heb. 9:14; Col. 1:14; 1 John 1:9, 2:12
F riend of Jesus Christ-John 15:5
G od’s workmanship - Ephesians 2:10
H ealed by the wounds of Jesus - 1 Pet. 2:24; Is. 53:6
H oly and without blame before Him - 1 Peter 1:1; Eph. 1:4
I mage of His glory – 2 Corinthians 3:18
J ustified – Romans 5:1
J oint heir with Christ - Romans 8:17
K ingdom seeker – Matthew 6:33
L ight of the world and salt of the earth – Matthew 5:14
L oved – 1 John 3:3
M ore than a conqueror - Romans 8:37
M ember of Christ's body - 1 Corinthians 12:27
N ew Creature - 2 Corinthians 5:17
O ne in Christ - John 17:21-23
P rotected from the evil one - John 17:15
Q ualified to share in His inheritance - Colossians 1:12
R edeemed - 1 Peter 1:18,19; Gal. 3:13; Col. 1:14
R econciled to God - 2 Corinthians 5:18
R aised up with Christ - Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:6
R ighteousness of God - 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24
S aint - Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Philippians 1

S alt of the earth - Matthew 5:13
S eated in heavenly places – Colossians 2:12; Eph. 2:6
S et Free - John 8:31-33
S trong in the Lord - Ephesians 6:10
T emple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 6:19
U nited with God and one spirit with Him – 1 Cor. 6:17
V ictorious - Revelation 21:7
W ise – 1 Corinthians 3:30
eX alting Christ in my body – Philippians 1:20
Y ahweh’s Child – John 1:12
Z ion Dweller – Hebrews 12:21-23

~GRATEFUL

AND

BLESSED~

WHO AM I? IT'S WORTH MEDITATING ON...

MEDITATION MONDAY

You often read on this blog about who Jesus is. Today, we continue our study of Matthew 5 and emphasize that when Jesus lives in us, we are LIGHT and SALT to the world. Our Sunday morning ladies class is doing 2 things this week:

1. Fixing our eyes on Jesus and WHO HE IS!

2. Considering Jesus and WHO HE IS IN US!

Let's take a closer look at this partial list of who we are in Christ:

WHO I AM IN CHRIST:
A live with Christ - Ephesians 2:5
B eloved of God - Colossians 3:12; Rom. 1:7; 1 Thess. 1:4
B lessed - Matthew 5:1-12; Galatians 3:9
B orn of God -the evil one does not touch me - 1 John 5:18
C hosen - 1 Thess. 1:4; Eph. 1:4; 1 Peter 2:9
C omplete in Him - Colossians 2:10
C rucified with Christ - Galatians 2:20
D ead to sin - Romans 6:2, 11; 1 Peter 2:24
D elivered from the power of darkness - Col. 1:13
E stablished, anointed, and sealed - 2 Cor. 1:21; Col. 1:8
F ree from Condemnation–Romans 8:1
F irmly rooted, built up, established in the faith - Col. 2:7
F orgiven of all my sins–Eph. 1:7, Heb. 9:14; Col. 1:14; 1 John 1:9, 2:12
F riend of Jesus Christ-John 15:5
G od’s workmanship - Ephesians 2:10
H ealed by the wounds of Jesus - 1 Pet. 2:24; Is. 53:6
H oly and without blame before Him - 1 Peter 1:1; Eph. 1:4
I mage of His glory – 2 Corinthians 3:18
J ustified – Romans 5:1
J oint heir with Christ - Romans 8:17
K ingdom seeker – Matthew 6:33
L ight of the world and salt of the earth – Matthew 5:14
L oved – 1 John 3:3
M ore than a conqueror - Romans 8:37
M ember of Christ's body - 1 Corinthians 12:27
N ew Creature - 2 Corinthians 5:17
O ne in Christ - John 17:21-23
P rotected from the evil one - John 17:15
Q ualified to share in His inheritance - Colossians 1:12
R edeemed - 1 Peter 1:18,19; Gal. 3:13; Col. 1:14
R econciled to God - 2 Corinthians 5:18
R aised up with Christ - Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 2:6
R ighteousness of God - 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24
S aint - Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Philippians 1

S alt of the earth - Matthew 5:13
S eated in heavenly places – Colossians 2:12; Eph. 2:6
S et Free - John 8:31-33
S trong in the Lord - Ephesians 6:10
T emple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 6:19
U nited with God and one spirit with Him – 1 Cor. 6:17
V ictorious - Revelation 21:7
W ise – 1 Corinthians 3:30
eX alting Christ in my body – Philippians 1:20
Y ahweh’s Child – John 1:12
Z ion Dweller – Hebrews 12:21-23

~BLESSED~

WHO AM I?

SUNDAY IN THE SON

WHO AM I?

as sung by Casting Crowns

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wandering heart.

Bridge:
Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again.
Who am I?
That the voice that calmed the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.

Not because of who I am,
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done,
But because of who you are.


I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow,
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord, you catch me when I'm falling,
And you've told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
Cause I am yours..
I am yours..

MY REDEEMER... AND HER REDEEMER...

To know this Transformed Mom is to love her! Thank you, Brenda, for the way you love and serve me and so many. I see Jesus in you!
.

~BLESSED~

MY REDEEMER... JESUS CHRIST... I CHOOSE TO FIX MY EYES ON HIM....

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

The people of Rio de Janeiro have a constant visual reminder above them. With arms spread wide, the Cristo Redentor statue can be seen from all over the city. People come across oceans to be able to see this man made wonder with their own eyes.

The statue stands on the 2,310-foot Corcovado mountain. This man made image of Jesus Christ rises another 100 feet, its arms extending nearly 92 feet from fingertip to fingertip. It weighs in at some 700 tons.

Although magnificent and thought provoking, there is nothing this statue can do for anyone who lives in the city or, for that matter, any of us. What humanity needs from Christ the Redeemer is the transformational power of His forgiveness... His grace... His faith... His redemption. This only comes from the living Christ the Redeemer who resides in heaven and inside every christian who has taken on His name. Those of us who are His people know that it is not in fixing our eyes on a statue, but FIXING OUR EYES ON JESUS... His life... His forgiveness... His grace... His faith... His redemption... His eternal love.... That gives us what we need.

This week, our Sunday morning ladies class is carrying around a scripture card to memorize and be encouraged by. It reads like this:

FAITH Fixes my eyes on JESUS – Heb 12:2-3

2 “Let us fix our eyes
on JESUS, the AUTHOR
and PERFECTOR of our F.A.I.T.H.,

who for the joy set before Him

endured the cross,

scorning its shame…

sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD.

3 Consider Him who endured

such opposition from sinful men,

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

~BLESSED~

MY REDEEMER...BLESSED SALT AND LIGHT...

2011 SEPTEMBER SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Matthew 5:1-16

1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 2 and He began to teach them.

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

MY REDEEMER... TRANSFORMING US BY FAITH...

I am so grateful for this family and how their FAITH in God is so evident. They are light to many in a dark world and salt of the earth people. Shawn and Kristy know that their Redeemer lives! Thank you both for your FAITHFUL examples!
.


Sixteen months ago, Kristy came about as close as anyone could come to losing her life. After giving birth, she bled so much that she had to have more blood replaced in her body than she usually had in her body. It was that week that her husband, Shawn, who had a really good job - lost it!

It's been a long 16 months at the Bates house and God has been so very FAITHFUL ! As Kristy recovered, they reached out in FAITH and began their own business! Then, one of their little guys was diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Again, they reached out in FAITH and trusted God for the possible - from what seemed to be an impossible situation.

Over the last 16 months, money and energy have been little and FAITH has been stretched...

Yesterday, after many months of working through a very challenging system, their little guy had his first day at a preschool for children with special needs. God provided many miracles along the way to make this happen.

And, yesterday, while on their way to their little guys new adventure, Daddy Shawn got the call he's been waiting for - for 16 months: "Your hired!"

Thank You, Jesus! Thank You, Jesus! I have seen greatness in the FAITH journey of my friends Shawn and Kristy... because I see them transforming more and more into Your likeness.

~BLESSED~

REDEEMER... FIXING EYES ON HIM...

MEDITATION MONDAY

Yesterday morning in our ladies class, we took the first step in looking at being FAITHful Friends by looking at the "F" in "Faith". We choose to :

F i x our eyes on Jesus, our Redeemer!

HEBREWS 12:2-3

"Let us FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame... sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

ISAIAH 48:17
"This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go."

Afterwards, Steve sermon gave us more to think about in terms of God's Holy Spirit directing each of us:

1. He indwells us! Romans 8:9 "However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him."

2. He gives life! Ezekiel 37:14 "I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,” declares the LORD.’” John 6:63-64 "It is the Spirit who gives life..."

3. He empowers! Romans 8:13 "...but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

4. He leads! Romans 8:14 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the children of God."

~BLESSED~

REDEEMER...

SUNDAY IN THE SUN

REDEEMER

as sung by Nicole C. Mullen

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
Who told the ocean you can only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?

Well, I know my Redeemer lives!
I know my Redeemer lives!
All of creation testifies!
This life within me cries!
I know my Redeemer lives!

The very same God who spins things in orbit,
He runs to the weary, the worn, and the weak.
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken
They conquered death to bring me victory.

Now, I know my Redeemer lives!
I know my Redemer lives!
Let all creation testify!
Let this life wihtin me cry!
I know my Redeemer! He lives!

...To take away my shame
And He lives, forever I'll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He's alive
And there's an empty grave !

And I know my Redeemer, He lives!
I know my Redeemer lives!
Let all creation testify!
This life within me cries !
I know my Redeemer lives!

~BLESSED~

YOUR GREAT NAME... WALKING BY YOUR SPIRIT...

Encouraged and Empowered

• through THE WORD...



• by His great NAME



• by His SPIRIT...

...so thankful when I pay attention and listen!!!

What could have been a rough week, was made victorious because of the SPIRIT of the NAME above all names!

Zechariah 4:6 -

"'Not by might nor by power,

but by my Spirit,’

says the LORD Almighty."

~BLESSED~

YOUR GREAT NAME... HEALING...

MEDITATION MONDAY

Sometimes life can be overwhelming! This past week it was for me; you might have been able to tell by the fewer number of posts that I have written recently.

There are different reasons why people become paralyzed. For me, it is often having too many responsibilities. I want to do a good job at everything I do. I desire to be light and salt by living out the attitudes of Christ. I might be capable of juggling 4-5 things, but 10-12 can be a bit much. If you have children still at home, you can certainly relate to this. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak!

In preparation for teaching our new Sunday morning ladies class, that began yesterday morning, I have been meditating. I have specifically focused on the word "paralysis" this past week. In a week's time, God allowed me to see various perspectives of what paralyzes people:

• 
  
  at the end of one of my first classes of the semester, this past week, a student came up to me and explained that she had a disability and had just begun walking again after being confined to a wheelchair for two years; a very inspiring conversation followed



• 
  
  I've watched our own daughter be "paralyzed" from chronic pain by going into one of her "pain coma's"



• 
  
  I heard story after story shared on TV of "paralysis" people experienced as a result of 9/11.



• 
  
  I felt "paralysis" myself during multiple times of feeling totally overwhelmed
  

God gave me encouragement in multiple ways in the last few days. Jesus, it is through YOUR GREAT NAME that I am still hanging on!

1. 
   
   He gave me a verse, Zechariah 4:6 - "...not by might or power, but by My SPIRIT," declares the LORD.


2. 
   
   He gave me family with listening ears and words of encouragement; thank you, Steve and Jess.


3. 
   
   He gave me fellowship with my sisters in Christ as 51 of us were together in Philly... I had some great visits with Melody, Kristi, and Linda.


4. 
   
   He gave me humor! Thank you Tim Hawkins for helping me to laugh harder than I have in a very long time.


5. 
   
   He gave me song! I got to hear Natalie Grant sing in concert for the very first time... thus, the first two songs on this playlist, this week.


6. 
   
   He gave me children who hug me before and after Bible classes, often saying, "I love you, Ms. Patti!"


7. 
   
   He gave me cell phone connections with my grandkids as I hear their sweet voices speak to me... and download their pics that their dads send via phone...


8. 
   
   He gave me His name and His hand...

"HE LEADS ME IN PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE!"

~BLESSED~

Your Great Name...

SUNDAY IN THE SON

YOLR GREAT NAME

as sung by Natalie Grant

[Verse 1:]
Lost are saved; find their way;

at the sound of Your great name

All condemned; feel no shame,

at the sound of Your great name

Every fear; has no place;

at the sound of Your great name

The enemy - he has to leave;

at the sound of Your great name

[Chorus:]
Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb

that was slain for us,

Son of God and Man

You are high and lifted up;

and all the world will praise Your great name

[Verse 2:]
All the weak; find their strength;

at the sound of Your great name

Hungry souls; receive grace;

at the sound of Your great name

The fatherless; they find their rest;

at the sound of Your great name

Sick are healed; and the dead are raised;

at the sound of Your great name

[Chorus:]
Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb

that was slain for us,

Son of God and Man

You are high and lifted up;

and all the world will praise Your great name

[Bridge:]
Redeemer, My Healer, Lord Almighty

My savior, Defender, You are My King

[Chorus:]
Jesus, Worthy is the Lamb

that was slain for us,

Son of God and Man

You are high and lifted up;

and all the world will praise Your great name

~BLESSED~

HE TOUCHED ME... I AM BLESSED...

One of the amazing things about Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is that it is a lifetime challenge. On any given day, on this life journey, one could go to His sermon in Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7 and find something that needed to be worked on in her life.

This year, we have focused on memorizing the first 16 verses of that sermon. The beatitudes tell us how we are SALT and LIGHT to a tasteless and dark world. You will find these verses on this post today and then they will remain over on the right sidebar for the rest of this month. BLESSINGS!~

2011 SEPTEMBER SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Matthew 5:1-16

"1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 2 and He began to teach them.

He said:

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

~BLESSED~

HE TOUCHED ME... GRATEFUL FOR FORGIVENESS...

I was raised in a Christian home where I knew, at an early age, that it is by Jesus only that I have eternal life. An only child, for several years, I developed some perfectionistic ways early. Then, I became an oldest child with two younger siblings. I began to take on more of the characteristics of an oldest child. Yes, "bossy" was one of those characteristics. I never completely lost the instilled perfectionism of those early years, it has stayed with me as both friend and foe.

Oh, how thankful I am for the gift of forgiveness and eternal life provided by Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches me that sin separates me from God. Yes, I am in that catagory without Jesus as my friend! Yet, it is occasionally that my self-imposed guilt gets in my way of walking in the freedom of His forgiveness. So I have as a priority to move from Guilt to Grace! I get up every morning and give my guilt to the the ONE who is GRACE! Again, this morning, HE TOUCHED ME!

He is the...

Author of Life
Bread of Life
Counselor
Deliverer
Eternal Life
Faithful and true
Guide
Hope of Glory
Image of God
Judge of the living and the dead
King of the Jews
Life
Mediator
Name above all names
Our Righteousness
Power of God
Quieter of the winds and the waves
Resurrection and the life
Savior of the world
Truth
Unfailing love
Victory
Way
eXact representation of God
Yahweh
Zion's Glory

~BLESSED~

HE TOUCHED ME...

MEDITATION MONDAY

There are very few songs that have as deep of meaning, for me, as our theme song for this week. Today, I ask that you meditate on the words of the song, as you listen to the playlist. Scroll down to yesterday's post for the lyrics.

~BLESSED~

HE TOUCHED ME...

SUNDAY IN THE SON

HE TOUCHED ME

Lyrics by the Gaithers

Shackled by a heavy burden,
'Neath a load of guilt and shame.
Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.

He touched me, Oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.

Since I met this BLESSED Savior,
Since He cleansed and made me whole,
I will never cease to praise Him,
I'll shout it while eternity rolls.

He touched me, Oh He touched me,
And oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know
He touched me and made me whole.

~BLESSED~

THE LIGHTHOUSE...

In Matthew 5, the verses following the Beattitudes are the verses about being SALT and LIGHT to the world. Then, Jesus speaks the following verses:

The Fulfillment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

When I think of the Kingdom of heaven, I think of:

LIGHT!

SALT!

ALL THINGS NEW!

FORGIVENESS!

Other than Jesus Christ, there are no better examples than

CHILDREN!

~BLESSED~

THE LIGHTHOUSE... TRANSFORMATIONAL THINKING...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

GUEST POST BY: LORI HERNANDEZ:

Isaiah 55:8

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.

The world will say that to FORGIVE those who harm you is a sign of weakness, yet God demands that we FORGIVE those who sin against us. Why? What does FORGIVENESS accomplish?

Anger and hate are very powerful emotions, but their power is destructive. They tear apart and tear down relationships and peoples. Yet, FORGIVENESS is also powerful, and has the ability to transform lives for the better.

While studying this subject for my class, I came across a web site http://www.theforgivenessproject.com/. It has story after story about the victims and perpetrators of violent acts. They were brought together by a restorative justice program whereby the victims are able to confront those who hurt them. Many offered up FORGIVENESS to those who had done them harm. What happened to them was amazing and I was struck by the incredible power that FORGIVENESS had to transform both the victims and some cases the offenders.

The following are excerpts from some of the stories. You can see how FORGIVENESS can have a profound effect on people. The offenders did not always choose to turn their lives around. We are always free to choose which path we take but most felt remorse for the first time. The first two excerpts are from the stories of two men who did choose to turn from their destructive ways. The last two are from victims.

John Carter

(a career criminal who was FORGIVEN by a young woman who was permanently disfigured by him)

John Before FORGIVENESS : ”I was proud of my crimes – they were me, and showed people that I was a nasty, evil b******* who was not to be messed with.”

John after forgiveness -”I hadn’t asked for this and I certainly didn’t expect it, but by God those words (I FORGIVE you) had a profound effect. They stopped me in my tracks and concentrated my resolve never to repeat anything like this.”

Sammy Rangel

(the son of an extremely abusive mother who forgave his mother and her brother who raped him as a child)

Sammy Before FORGIVENESS- (After being sent to prison for an extended period and joining a prison gang) “I went into prison as a street punk and came out as a brutal leader with a killer mentality.”

Sammy After FORGIVENESS- ”And so, in the end, FORGIVENESS released me from the hate that was consuming me. “

*He now works for a Safe Streets Outreach Program.

Rebecca DeMauro-

(the Mother of a 12 year old girl who FORGAVE her daughter’s murderer)

Before FORGIVENESS-“Hate and unforgiveness consumed me. My thoughts were focused only on ways that I could kill Karl Roberts myself.”

After FORGIVENESS-”At that precise moment, (of FORGIVING her daughter’s killer) I realized that the only way I would be able to go on living was to stop hating.
..
Jo Nodding-

(a rape victim who forgave her rapist)

*”I wanted myself to be free of that burden of grievance.”

*”This had a massive impact on Darren.” (the rapist)

*”As I left that room I felt on top of the world.”

FORGIVENESS is not a sign of weakness, but of great power. Power to transform even the most hardened heart. Consider what God has done for you and work towards being one who is able to FORGIVE. Tap into it’s power and transform your heart, mind, and life.

Asking FORGIVENESS will put you on the road to give FORGIVENESS. – Craig Young

~BLESSED~