Is how you look what defines you?

                                               

One of the things that I remember from high school and even as early as second grade is that sometimes how you look depends on what group that you are in.  I remember in the second grade sometimes feeling like I was on the outside looking in but it got even worse in high school.  I have to say that by high school I didn't really care if I was in the "in" group and was even friends with some of them but I was not in their group.

Looking back most of those in that group were the beautiful, the best dressed, most athletic, the top grades though I must admit that some of them were very nice and very sweet when one on one.  In second grade I didn't understand why some might not talk to me but by high school I didn't care.

I didn't care because at an early age I discovered that there was someone that didn't care what I looked like.  He didn't care how many times I messed up.  He loved me just like I was and am.  I knew that He didn't care what group I was in, what I dressed like, or where I lived.

He cared about what was on the inside of me.  His name is Jesus and He changed my life.  He gave me peace and a different attitude (most of the time). I can talk to Him about anything and everything and He is never condemning.  He did not come to condemn but to save!

Do you know the One who came not to condemn but to save and change your life?  If not you can know Him and you can know Him right now!!  Don't let your looks define you!  Let God's grace define you!!

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

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

John 14:6 (NIV)

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

A Bittersweet Week

This week is one that I have looked forward to for quite some time.  I have been paying off the house and other loans this week. The fact though is that this week is one that Richard and I talked about and looked forward to together.  We had plans together for travel, remodeling and various other things.

The fact that I am using life insurance money to pay things off brings back memories of all those plans.  That is why it seems so bittersweet.  I am able to do this and earlier than planned because of my husband's death.  He used to tell me though that is why he had that insurance and that if something happened to him to pay things off and keep vacationing.  He wanted to make sure that in the event of his death that his family would be secure.  Though this week has been bittersweet I am thankful for my husband and that he had this plan in place.

There is another that had a plan in place for me.   It is Jesus.  His plan lead Him to a cross where He died and then rose again for me.  That also seems bittersweet when I think about that it was my sin that took Him to the cross.  His plan also included a way for me to be with Him in heaven when I die. Once I get to heaven there will be nothing bittersweet!

I have accepted that plan.  What about you?

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

John 10:28-30 NIV

John 3:1 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

I'm Okay

I have had so many people checking on me to make sure that I am okay!  I just want everybody to know that I am truly okay!  There are days that I think of Richard all day long and even let a tear or two escape but that doesn't mean I am not okay.  I will always, always miss my husband but I am okay!

Do you know why I am okay?  I know that my husband had asked Jesus into his heart and I know that my husband is okay.  He has no more pain, no more sorrow because his soul left his body and soared to meet his Savior!  He is more than okay, he is in paradise!

What my husband would want me to ask you is, are you okay?  Do you know where you would go if you died today?  Would you be okay?  If not you can be!  Accept Jesus as your Savior, Believe that he died and rose again, Confess Him as Lord of your life!

Romans 10:9(NKJV)

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.