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February 2023
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Faith

 

My faith is the beginning and end of all the mountaintops and my life's deep dark valleys. I ask God why a lot. I don't understand the world and the things that affect my heart and life so profoundly.

In 1 Peter 1:22-25, Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, "All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever." And this is the word that was preached to you; he reminds me that I am not of this world but secure in his eternal grace. I don't need to be enveloped by the darkness of life only to soak in the Light that guides me from sunrise to sunset.

 

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Smile

 

I love this photo of my brother and me. He is seven years older, residing in heaven now. Some things I notice in this photo that make me smile are:

  • I'm pretty sure I helped decorate this sparse tree. See how all the lower strands are nearly touching the floor!
  • I'm nearly as tall as my brother.
  • Why am I holding a red candle?
  • I loved this corduroy set. They were so comfy, and my mother made them. Do you notice that the stripes match perfectly all the way around and up and down? This is how quality garments are set apart from the mass productions we get today.
  • Those bangs! Cowlicks unite!
  • This is the only photo I have of me where I love my smile!

 

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Touch

 

Matthew 9:21, For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

This verse teaches me why she felt the need to push through the crowd to touch Jesus' garment. She was taking a risk. Her life mandated keeping a distance from others. She has heard the talk about this one named Jesus; his healing and His power.  She believes and is convinced of her healing by simply touching His cloak.

 

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I trust that one day I will be free to gently touch his cloak. Until then, he [Jesus] has touched me and made me whole!

 

He touched me...

Shackled by a heavy burden'Neath a load of guilt and shameThen the hand of Jesus touched meAnd now I am no longer the same
He touched me, oh, He touched meAnd oh, the joy that floods my soulSomething happened, and now I knowHe touched me, and made me whole
Since I've met this blessed SaviorSince He's cleansed and made me wholeOh, I will never cease to praise Him (to praise Him)I'll shout it while eternity rolls
Oh, He touched me, oh He touched me, He touched meAnd oh, the joy that floods my soulSomething happened and now I knowHe touched me and made me whole  ...  Gaithers
 
 

Key

 

Absolutely this photo represents the worship fellowship within the House of God without us there! Like the piano, we each carry a "key" to God's ministry. We have our own "sound" that, when absent, can't bless. We create a sweet, sweet harmonious gift that God orchestrates! Be in worship!

 

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Enough

 

Every day I feel like I do not do enough to even put a dent into what Christ has done for me; the Easter story. Faith is not about works, but it is about sharing the testimony of Christ's impact on my life with those he places in my path each day.

I have found that understanding that everything is of God because this is who I choose to serve, and he has a plan because he is the God of organization. Satan tries to create battles and great storms, so I must continue to be armored up. I trust that God is with me and will guide me in everything, and it will be good.

So, here's the deal. I'm great at stressing over not being good enough, not doing enough, or not being a beneficial follower of Christ. You get it, I'm sure! But, what I have discovered that works well for me is that I wake up every day with the desire to follow, to enjoy the connections, relationships, and servanthood opportunities that may seem very small to me but that God uses in big ways. God affirms me, and I love that he shows me the good he does with my little and simple and that it is enough.

Matthew 13:31-32, He presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds, but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."

My parents once gave me a mustard seed necklace. I have since lost it, but I have never lost the story it taught me!

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

 

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Parade Day

 

It's another parade day. That's my mother sitting atop the Hugh R. Etter float passing the Granada Theater heading north. My grandfather Etter built racing boats, among other things, like his electrical business, Evinrude motors business, and Frigidaire business. He also was involved with the AA beginnings here in town and helped many people overcome their addictions. He was over 50 years sober after losing his legs below the knees and most of his fingers from an alcohol-related accident. He was my mentor in so many ways!

 

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Forgiveness

 

Matthew 18: 21-22, Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times (or seventy times seven or whatever you understand this number translation to be). Ultimately, He signifies that forgiveness should be endless and ever-enduring.

We are taught to love one another and forgive just as freely, not when we'd like to and not when we're ready. We must forgive as a 'commandment' of God. Forgiveness rates right up with the love found in the word of God, after all, he forgives us.

Forgiveness is essential to our development as Christians. Jesus wants us to love one another as he has loved us. Others will know that we are his disciples by our love for one another. 

Don't assume that if you forgive someone who offends you, you must continue that relationship as though the offense never happened. God never commanded us to keep trusting those who violated our trust, but He does command that we forgive every time, more so when it is not asked of us.

So seventy-seven times? Some have genuinely forgiven one offender this many times, maybe more. There is a peace that we can't understand but find the power in when we forgive. God works like that.

I enjoy understanding the importance of numbers used in the Bible. I know just enough to help me understand the majesty of God and how everything created is held together through him. The number seven is identified as something "finished" or "complete." The number seven is used in the Bible many hundreds of times. God completes things he starts. He wants to see the good end to a tumultuous beginning of forgiveness complete so that our soul lines are open for communication without obligation to the sin of bitterness or defeat.

It is always a process from start to completion. Asking God to help us forgive allows us teachable moments. We all have been hurt, and we must continue to forgive every single time. How do we do this? We don't! God is the number 'seven' of completeness, and we are not, so through his tender care, we can!

And whenever you stand prayingif you have anything against anyoneforgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:25-26

 

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