Jan's Blog
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1- 12- 10 Spring Follows Winter |
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1-4-10 A Message to my fellow sojourners who feel stuck in pain |
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1-2-10 Lessons From Tim |
1-4-10 A message to my fellow sojourners who feel stuck in pain
This morning while reading a passage in Psalm 55, I couldn’t help but remember my escape from the abuse I experienced. I hear the same hopelessness from many of you as you struggle to make your escape.
The following quote from the scripture is describing what I call a “panic attack.” I have been there and this passage describes it to a “T.”
“My heart is in anguish. The terror of death overpowers me. Fear and trembling overwhelm me. I can’t stop shaking. Oh, how I wish I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest! I would fly, far away to the quiet of the wilderness.” (verses 4-7).
If you are feeling the same today, please be encouraged to know that you are going to get through this; you can get to the other side. I am a living example! If you are experiencing the panic, please hold on. This is a chapter in your story, but your story is not over. God is going to “restore the years the locusts have stripped from your life.” (Joel 2:25)
“But I will call on God, and the LORD will rescue me. Morning, noon, and night I plead aloud in my distress, and the LORD hears my voice. He rescues me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me. God, who is king forever, will hear me and will humble them (my enemies).” (verses 16-19)
“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. But you, O God, will send the wicked down to the pit of destruction. Murderers and liars will die young, but I am trusting you to save me.” (verse 22)
If you are feeling that panic, don’t give up. Seek someone to listen: email me, talk with a therapist, talk with your spouse and/or best friend. Most important, please know it is ok to tell God about your panic.
Lessons from Tim
Wow! This is the first time I have written “2010.” Not only has this past year flown by but I remember vividly leaving 1999 and entering 2000 with all the hype of “Y2K!” I remember too, the predictions that surely the Lord would return in 2000. Now, we are in 2010; He may come this year and then again, He may not. The only thing we need to worry about is that we be ready when He does come.
I have to admit that I have indulged myself in watching football this season. I never paid that much attention to the Florida Gators until the night that Florida lost to Alabama. I was sad to watch Tim Tebow face that defeat. His tears gripped my heart that evening. I thought, “Here is a strong Christian leader who has emotions.” His tears did not diminish his character of being a good sportsman. To me, they showed his strength. I hope he never loses that quality!
Last night was a different scenario as Tim Tebow played his last college game. The Gators dominated the Cincinnati Bearcats and won with a strong victory. I couldn’t help but notice the scripture address he had written on the patches under his eyes—“Eph. 2:8-10.” I went to my Bible this morning and looked up the strategic message from Tim.
“God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
What good news!!!
Our inheritance in God's Kingdom is a gift to believers.
It is a gift from God so we cannot take credit for it.
Salvation is not a reward for good things we do; it is a free gift, so we cannot boast about it or do anything to earn our salvation.
We are God's masterpiece. Wow!
He created us anew in Christ Jesus so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago
I want to thank Tim, for that inspiration today! I pray God will keep him strong throughout his life.
I pray that prayer for all my friends today and throughout this coming year!