Titus 3:1-7

"For I dare not stand on my righteousness", is a quote a friend of mine used as her status update on Facebook recently, and it has intrigued me ever since.

Lately, I've been scrutinized a bit about my walk with Jesus. How my decisions, convictions, and actions have made me appear to be better than everyone. Obviously this person doesn't know me well. It still pains me though, because thats not the kind of impression I want to make.

But after searching my heart and alot of time with the Lord, I've settled that no matter how it may appear, I choose to do what I believe is good... I have subjected myself to my God, those who have authority over me. I have chosen to be obedient, and not to slander anyone, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward everyone.

Who knows how this may convey to others. Especially the people who have known me before I've grown to know the Lord. Because after all, I have been known to live out of the flesh.

At one time I too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. I lived in evil and envy, being hated and hating others.

But I have to proclaim that when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared in me, He saved me, not because of righteous things I've done, but because of His mercy.

He saved me through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on me generously through Jesus, so that, having been justified by His grace, I might become an heir-- having the hope of eternal life.

Have you ever heard of the song by Brandon Heath called "I'm Not Who I Was"? Some of my favorite lyrics are copied below.

Well the thing I find most amazing
In amazing grace
Is the chance to give it out
Maybe that's what love is all about

I wish you could see me now
I wish I could show you how
I'm not who I was

These words string a cord in me because so badly I want to tell people of my past and those who think they know who I am-- that Im not who I was. I have been made anew!

Despite what others may determine....I know in my heart that Im truly free from any condemning charges against me. I have been redeemed and forgiven. Doesn't mean Im perfect..but any righteousness anyone may see in me is a reflection of Him.

Bottom line- I have resolved to stand firm in my faith and put all my confidence in Him.

Just sayin'

Just wanted to share a new motto Im trying to live by.

"Say what you mean,
mean what you say,
and don't be mean when you say it!"

You would think this wouldn't be such a hard thing for me, but it IS!

And by the grace of God I will master how I use my words!!

Dont leave out thankfulness!

"Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude."

~E.P. Powell

Worth a read.

We read this from a book called Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey. I will blog more about our journey in Financial Peace University in later posts. Great things must be shared!

I am your constant companion,
I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden.
I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.
I am at your command.
Half of the tasks that you do you might just as well
turn over to me and I will do them quickly and correctly.

I am easily managed,
you must merely be firm with me.
Show me exactly how you want something done;
after a few lessons I will do it automatically.
I am the servant of all great people and
alas of all failures as well.
Those who are great I have made great,
those who are failures I have made failures.

I am not a machine, but I work with all the precision
of a machine, plus the intelligence of a person.
Now you may run me for profit or
you may run me for ruin.
It makes no difference to me.
Take me, train me, be firm with me,
and I will lay the world at your feet.
Be easy with me and I will destroy you.

Who am I? Im called Habit.

HEALED!

Something BIG happened to me recently, and I thought Id testify to all of Gods power and goodness!

Its been about three weeks I have been suffering severe pain. Bottom line is I have bad teeth. Terrible teeth! Like- I have some places where only my roots are taking up space in my gums. This has resulted in some nerve problems in my face. Im not a dentist, but this is what I conluded: Your teeth roots are basically branches off of a larger branch of nerves in your face. Each side of your face has its own nerves. For some reason, due to certain circumstances, my facial nerves would get set off. And I would have intense pain in my left eye, left ear, left jaw, and even in my left nostril. It was a sharp pain that almost felt like warm electricity. Talk about horrific! I would end up with massive headaches due to all the madness in my face.

With heat compressions, and lots of drugs, I was able to cope with the pain. I knew what types of foods would make it hurt worse..and avoided them. At night, it was worse when I laid down, so I took some heavy medication to be able to sleep.

Why dont I just go to a dentist you ask? Well, I cant afford it. My teeth are very very very very bad. I have been and have started on a restoration plan with a great dentist, but Im at a standstill until I can bring in more finances. There is really nothing they can do for my mouth, except the big overhaul.

Anyway, I have just dealt with the pain. And seriously went weeks eating medicine like candy. In the midst of pain, I have been able to worship, and seek God on a new level. I embedded a song I have litsened to alot. The words are included. It just gave me great peace knowing God is in control. He knows my needs and circumstances.






Yesterday at a gathering at ACC for Lifegroup leaders and ACC staff, there was a session on healing. The teacher talked about God's healing power. Then he had the congregation wait on the Lord and see if God might want to heal anyone. Everyone was quiet for a little bit, and then the teacher asked if anyone had heard anything. A few people heard a few things, and one lady stood up and said " I felt like somebody has had sharp shooting pain in their jaw and face associated with a tooth ache." I was not there, but Joel stood up and mentioned my situation. They all took sometime to pray for me.

At that time, I was at home. I had just made the kids some ice cream- a huge set off for the nerves in my face! But I made me a bowl anyway. After we all enjoyed a bowl and I cleaned up, I realized- MY FACE DOESNT HURT?? So, I just thanked the Lord and went on. Later Joel came home and explained what had happened.

I was SO SO SO overhwhelmed by Gods goodness and by His power, and by His willingness to heal me..and rid me of this pain.

Psalm 16:11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Our God is an amazing God. He cares for His people, and His healing power is available to all by faith!

I LOVE MY CHURCH!!

We just celebrated our TEN year anniversary. Boy it was alot of work for my hubby and others to get set up, but sure was worth it! So thankful we have such an amazing church family!!

Pride and Humility

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

A study this morning on humility was just what I needed. Believe me, I have my moments of pride, but I try to stay in a humble attitude and think of others above myself. So this is not a Tressa is perfect and judging others post. This is a Tressa had a revelation on this subject post.

Lately, I have become so disgusted by the pride and arrogance of others. I just wanted to gag yesterday as I sat and litsened to someone build themselves up the entire time we were together. Note: I had to pray hard beforehand, because I knew I would be around this person. I didnt want to join in with all the elavating, but I want to celebrate this person in their accomplishments, but where do you draw the line?

Then this morning I came across James 4.

¹What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? ²You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. ³When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

⁴You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. ⁵Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? ⁶But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Let me highlight a few things here:
~Pride makes its own agenda without any consideration of God and others.
~What is gained through pride is always lost.
~God opposes those filled with the pride of life for they are the friends of the devil.
~It is pride that makes us lust and covet and envy and murder and fight and war. Pride is to the life of the flesh what humility is to the life of the Spirit. It is at the very foundation of the lifestyle, which displeases God.
~Pride brings destruction.

Humility starts with the decision about who is in charge of our lives. GOD! God's enabling power is available to those who truly submit themselves to him. He gives GRACE and covering to those who call on Him and give Him glory.

My revelation is that God's power will be discovered in the lives of the proud, but it will only lead to their destruction. I can rest in knowing that God sees the heart of man, and He is the Judge. I can also have pity on the proud. Because after all big egos are like big shields for lots of empty space. The proud are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves for one reason or another.

I must remain humble, even when I want to join in (in times like yesterday) and point out all of my successes and accomplishments. I submitted myself and prayed before my time with this person, He gave me the ability to stay low. I saw pride for what it was and I even left our time together feeling renewed. God's power for living life well is given to those who humble themselves in His sight.

LOVE- the most important ingredient

Today, I was called a "Betty Crocker" by a friend, she mentioned I was maybe even better than Betty. TO be honest, I love to cook- and what I cook might taste good, but it doesnt always look magazine perfect. Im not good at drawing lines, or making perfect cuts and such.

I shared the story with my friend about the two little girls staying with us. Today I decided we would make homemade pizzas. One girl gapsed, "you can make a pizza?" So we got out the premade crusts, the sauce, grated the cheese, and cooked the grease out of the pepperonis. We then sat and everyone had a job to putting the pizza together. (spreading the sauce, sprinkling the cheese, putting on the pepperonis) Once the pizza was put together, I infromed them that we saved the most important ingredient to put on for last----love. I made everyone sprinkle their love over the two pizzas.

We cooked the pizzas, let them cool, cut them up and served them on everyones plates. At the table while we were eating, one of the sweet girls said "This pizza is the best, its because of all the love we put in it!" At that moment, I realized, we are better cooks than Betty Crocker- because we cook with love.

INDIA

The Lord is breaking our hearts for India again. And man, it hurts, oh how our hearts ache!

We have been to India once. We have seen, touched, tasted, smelt, heard, slept, cried, and fully experienced that country. One of my favorite quotes from a song is "Now that I have seen, I am responsible". We really feel like we have experienced these things for a reason! And feel somewhat responsible. We just want to stand up and say "No MORE!", "Not on our watch will these people continue to suffer".

James 2:26 says "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." We have alot of faith, and we do alot of deeds, here in Waco. But we are asking ourselves, what about in India? Who is loving those "neighbors" there?

We are in the process of processing all these feelings. We have had these heartfelt feelings for India for quite some time, but just recently couldnt hold it in any longer. We are asking the Lord- where? when? how? what?

Lord, we are litsening!!!

Lately...

...one of my favorite quotes have been
"I've got nothing to prove".

And when I say that, I truly mean it.

Because, no one or no thing owns me. No one's words, actions, attitudes, or approval can adhere to who I am. No cirsumstances or situations can define me.

I am who I am because of my Father. I will let Him call on who I am. I will let Him define what I am. And because I am so solid in my identity in Him, I have nothing to prove to anyone or to anything.

Not saying Im perfect...or justifying any of my actions. Im just saying I will not let the enemy use anyone or any thing to doubt who I am in God.

One of my favorite childrens books is called "You Are Special" by Max Lucado. Click here to see it on Amazon.com.

This book about small wooden people called the Wemmicks who put golden star stickers and gray dot stickers on each other all day long. The golden star stickers go to the talented, well liked, smart, and beautiful Wemmicks. The gray dot stickers go to the chipped, scratched, and uncoordinated Wemmicks, and to those who cannot speak eloquently.

A Wemmick, named Punchinello, is one who receives gray dots all day long and is very sad about it. It is affecting his self esteem and he is believing that something is really wrong with him. He meets Lucia, a Wemmick who is beautiful and talented, but has no stars or dots. Every time someone gives her a mark, whether a star or dot, it just falls off.

When Punchinello asks Lucia about this phenomenon, she refers him to speak to Eli, the woodcarver. Eli creates all of the Wemmicks and lives on the other side of the hill. Skeptically, Punchinello goes to meet Eli, where he learns that he is loved and accepted, no matter what other's may say his faults are.

Punchinello realizes that when he spends some time with Eli, who loves him unconditionally, the dots will not stick to him, because he is special too.

My most favorite part of the book, is at the very end, when the Punchinello meets Eli (God). Read below:

"Punchinello?" The voice was deep and strong. Punchinello stopped. "Punchinello! How good to see you. Come and let me have a look at you." Punchinello turned slowly and looked at the large bearded craftsman. "You know my name?" the little Wemmick asked.

"Of course I do. I made you." Eli stooped down and picked him up and set him on the bench. "Hmm," the maker spoke thoughtfully as he inspected the gray circles. "Looks like you've been given some bad marks." "I didn't mean to, Eli. I really tried hard." "Oh, you don't have to defend yourself to me, child. I don't care what the other Wemmicks think." "You don't?"

No, and you shouldn't either. Who are they to give stars or dots?
They're Wemmicks just like you. What they think doesn't matter, Punchinello. All that matters is what I think. And I think you are pretty special."
Punchinello laughed. "Me, special? Why? I can't walk fast. I can't jump. My paint is peeling. Why do I matter to you?"

Eli looked at Punchinello, put his hands on those small wooden shoulders, and spoke very slowly. "Because you're mine. That's why you matter to me."
Punchinello had never had anyone look at him like this--much less his maker. He didn't know what to say.
"Every day I've been hoping you'd come," Eli explained.
"I came because I met someone who had no marks."
"I know. She told me about you."
"Why don't the stickers stay on her?"
"Because she has decided that what I think is more important than what they think. The stickers only stick if you let them."

"What?"
"The stickers only stick if they matter to you. The more you trust my love, the less you care about the stickers."
"I'm not sure I understand."
"You will, but it will take time. You've got a lot of marks. For now, just come to see me every day and let me remind you how much I care." Eli lifted Punchinello off the bench and set him on the ground. "Remember," Eli said as the Wemmick walked out the door. "You are special because I made you. And I don't make mistakes."

Punchinello didn't stop, but in his heart he thought, "I think he really means it."
And when he did, a dot fell to the ground.

Its hard for me to read this book without crying! What a great implication as to who we should let define us.

I've been wanting to write a post about this for a while now.

For the next few weeks, we are doing a series at our church called "Identity Theft". This series is about finding our identity in Christ!

You can hear the weekly sermons online by clicking here. Also, ACC is offering a free electronic devotional via email. Click here to sign up. Its REALLY good stuff!!!

Abiding

(This is a picture of one of my journal entries. Below is typed out what was written in that entry.)

I've been reading this book called “Becoming A Woman Who Walks With God”. The first four chapters talk about abiding: The Security of Abiding; Choosing to Abide; Abiding in the Word; and Bearing Fruit.

I've been contemplative about the value of abiding or staying close to the Lord. Jesus uses the illustration in John 15 of the living vine and its branches, and that He alone is the source of abundance and growth. We are the branches, and must stay firmly connected to the Vine in order to grow and bear fruit. He invites us to stay connected to Him.

Abiding is deciding to let Christ be our Source- surrendering our lives to Him, seeking His kingdom, trusting His provision. Its the CHOICE to adhere ourselves to the Lord.

The story of Martha and Mary in Luke is brought up in chapter two. Martha was buzzing around-getting dinner ready while Jesus was in the living room with Mary at His feet. Martha got fed up with having to do all the work, and vents to Jesus for not caring about her and all her work. He lovingly responds to her by encouraging her to realize that she can lay aside all her work, and be concerned with whats best and whats eternal.

Jesus wants us to focus our lives on being with Him, rather than on busying ourselves doing for Him. He has called us to abide- to sit at His feet and listen to His words. When our first priority is abiding, we cannot help but serve the Lord and do the works of His will.

In John 8:31 Jesus tell us “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.” A daily intake of the Scriptures is one of the surest ways of abiding in His Word. Just as eating is essential for strength and energy, so do our spirits need daily nourishment. Feeding our spirits is essential to our growth, strength, and ability to bear fruit.

Sometimes I feel like the fruit I bear is small, or too dry. Those are the times Im confusing myself for the vine and live in my own strength instead of depending on Him. “Your responsibility is to abide in Me and let Me abide in you.” The key to fruit bearing is to stay connected to the Vine. Apart from the Vine I can do nothing.

“Lord, I surrender myself to Your power to transform me according to Your likeness. I yield my life to bear the priceless fruit that is the product of abiding.” Amen

Consequences of Sin

(This is a picture of one of my journal entries. Below is typed out what was written in that entry.)

Recently, in my sin (anger) I threw a bottle of glass cleaner and broke it. Is anyone out there surprised that I'm a sinner? :)

I really don't throw things often, but that day I was so mad- I just threw the closest thing to me which happened to be the poor bottle of glass cleaner. I put it away on the shelf after piecing it together and forgot all about it. A few days later, I got it off the shelf to use it and remembered its broken. To use it now, you have to hold the body of the bottle and the head of the bottle at the same time and somehow manage to squeeze the trigger. It will only give a trickle of spray- when it use to spray a nice V shape.

In my flesh, I decided to put “Glass Cleaner” on my grocery list, even though I still had a little less than half a bottle of it- I just wanted a NON broken bottle. At the store, I felt convicted. I felt I must continue to use my cleaner until its all gone. Regardless of the brokenness- I must suffer the consequences of my sin.

For a few days now, I have been mindful on how we must own up to our sin- confess our sin, and deal with the outcome of our sin. (1 John 1:8-10)

One of my favorite stories is “Once there was a man who had decided to jump off the top of a 25 story building to end his life. After he jumped, and was falling to the ground, he realized he made a mistake. He repented and pleaded with God for forgiveness. The Lord immediately replied with “Yes, you are forgiven..now- I will see you here in a minute.” What a perfect representation of how sin works.

When I sin, I must see the error of my ways- seek forgiveness, and be washed new, and live with whatever the aftermath. In my case- it was a broken glass cleaner bottle.

I love what the Word says in Proverbs 13:15 in the Contemporary English version. “Sound judgment is praised, but people without good sense are on the way to disaster.”

Can you think of a time in your life that sin caused some kind of outcome? What was the outcome? How did you deal with it?