The Freedom of Self-Forgiveness

Dear friend,

Do you need to forgive yourself for a mistake but you cannot seem to find the freedom to do so despite your aching desire? If God has forgiven you and me, and He should be the only person that matters, why is it so hard for us to do?
I think sometimes it is easier for me to feel shame or flagrant self-pity, which are both convincing imposters of comfort. Other times I am prone to unconsciously acquiesce to the faulty theology that God does not freely forgive me when I repent and ask for forgiveness.

My unbelief leads me to trust it comes when I earn it when I have worked hard enough when I have paid what I deem to be a reasonable penalty when I have beat myself up enough and more self-imposed modes of retribution, none of which ever are enough. Notice the word; I was used five times in the preceding sentence. Therein lies my problem. I maximize my faulty resourcefulness and minimize my Savior’s free reward. God’s love and forgiveness never change, my remembrance to rest in that truth does.

I love today’s wisdom from Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest: “The message of the prophets is that although they have forsaken God, it has not altered God. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the same truth that God remains God even when we are unfaithful (see 2 Timothy 2:13). Never interpret God as changing with our changes. He never does; there is no variableness in Him.”

Isaiah 30:15 is critical for me to turn towards and commit to daily, repeating it to myself, sometimes out loud, to “train my brain” to default there instead of destructing elsewhere. It says: For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.”
One parallel verse is Isaiah 45:22 ~ Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. Those two verses, along with multitudes of others are like the cover of a shady tree on a sweltering day. So often the help I need is readily available to me, I am just slow to remember it as my first line of defense instead of my last lane of desperation.  

God’s light is always on.

You are loved.

The Light

It appears there are two, but there are four.

Darkness skews our vision.

Deceives us.

Lies.

It masks reality.

When it feels like there is only darkness around you and before you, remember the light is always behind you.

Shining.

Guiding.

Supporting.

Lighting the way.

Leading to paths of rest, redemption and righteousness.

Don’t give up.

The darkness, no matter how deceptive it is, will never extinguish the hope that is exclusive to the Light.

Shine More

 When the sadness of the world is shutting the doors of your heart, open them up more.

When persecution is preying on your joy, look for reasons to praise more.

When grief says the world will never be like before, gratify Jesus more.

When you want to give up, instead give more.

When there seems to be no love left, love more.

Evil only wins if we lose our light to the lust, lies, and lawlessness of the world. When you want to surrender shine more.

Show Them Jesus

bdabfd017d2f8a8ef9afe1cf73331e5bThe news is full of so much junk! I am determined to share light when I can because there are a lot of good people in this world.

Today wasn’t my best day.  After a series of events, I drove into the Summit parking lot and pulled into a parking stall only to hit and side swipe a beautiful Land Rover right next to me.  I have a newer car- so what.  It is a car; an earthly thing, not an eternal treasure.  I was an emotional mess, however, as I sat and waited for the owner of the other car to return.  She finally came and hopped in her car ready to drive away as I was tearfully knocking on her window.

 I was met with mercy!  I was met with kindness, a smile, a hug and I was met with a person manifesting the character of Jesus.  The relief I felt when I was excused from the guilt and shame of my offense was the essence of freedom.  

We have all been released should we chose to be.  We have all been acquitted if we only accept it.  

It is only when we feel the weight of our offense that the ransom is so sweet!  

Not knowing you will be received with love, not knowing you will be forgiven is a substantial weight to sustain as I did for a short time today.  Don’t live with that burden for a life time.  Let yourselves be freed, friends.

Lastly, it is where our treasures lie that determine our reactions when they are compromised.  I am thankful that today I stared into eyes that are not set on the things of this world!  

Be Jesus to someone today and tomorrow should it come. It is so much more about our walk than our talk!
Matthew 5:7 ~“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Be A Brave, Beautiful Story

9a2c5ccf7a1459d57e23e6a0c54db231The most impactful stories are not the ones People tell, but the ones they live.  We are all storytellers every day.  Today I pray our stories tell of unity, humility, peace, trust, faith, hope, light, and love.  Someone needs you to be an agent of calm, not chaos, kindness, not criticism and tolerance not taunting.  Turn your lights on today and narrate a brave, beautiful story!  You are loved!

He is Here


In the morning, I rise from the womb of the night ready another day to carry my cross. My spirit not yet refreshed until with a single opening of the window I gaze to the heavens, and my eyes immediately find you there. You beckon, it is I. I am here. Get under my yoke today and walk with me. Two are better than one and I am much stronger. You were not created to bear your load alone. A hush settles over my heart, and my soul is soothed by your presence. Now I am ready to shine for You today!  Let you light be seen today, friends.  He is in the midst of every mess.

I Am With You Always…

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When I was a child, I was afraid of the dark. I would go to bed paralyzed with fear. Only two things comforted me, a light so I could see through the darkness and the presence of someone I trusted to take care of me. Without those two securities, my situation was hopeless. I did not rest, and my mind became a battlefield generating fear faceted thoughts that terrified me relentlessly.

I am not that child that is afraid of the dark anymore, but I am still that child who is prone to fear and needs light, and the presence of someone else who I trust and know will take care of me. I have both in One, and so do you.

The situation you are facing today; the one that is terrifying you; it does not have to control you. The One you keep company with controls all things. He conquers, commands and contains all things. At times when you feel abandoned by Him, perhaps you forgot to turn the light on. Psalm 119:105 tells us God’s word is light. ~Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Once you have light, it is easier to mind your mind so that you may take captive every fraudulent thought and rest in what is promised you.

You are not doomed to your darkness today unless you choose to be. Pay attention to what and Who you are paying attention to. Ask for the grace to focus on your Savior, not your situation. It can be a challenge. I know, friends.

Father give peace to your children who are surrounded by darkness today. Carve a cleft of protection for them to seek shelter in as you did for Moses. Give them full assurance of your presence and protection. Gratify them with your glory today, Father. Amen.