Today I want to take the time to go back over yesterdays blog. I want to share with you how amazing, humurous, & right on time God is. He has lessons for us to learn & messages for us to hear & consider, if we will keep our eyes, ears & hearts open to him. When I blog I don't plan ahead. I share with you whatever the Holy Spirit impresses upon me. I don't choose scripture ahead of time. Sometimes I really like one & think "hey I should share that cuz it's really good" but it doesn't usually work that way. I share with you what God tells me to share. Now, as I write, scripture may come to mind so I write it down & when I'm done writing I go back & search through the scripture asking God if this is what he wants me to say for today. Sometimes he leads me down a totally different path than what I was thinking. I will say though that when God is doing the leading & showing me things I get really excited even when it is a scripture that steps on my toes. That just tells me that he loves me! So, on that note lets take a look back at the scripture that was used in Bloomin Onions. I did not write them out this time as an effort to keep it short & to the point. Knowing that some of you may not go & read the full text, I want to do that now because their is so much more than my words to consider. The first vs. was 2 Corinthians 2:14-17-But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ & through us spreds everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved & those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do no peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God. NIV
I also like The Message version; In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation-an aroma redolent with life. But those on the way to destruction treat us more like the stench from a rotting corpse. This is a terrific responsibility. Is anyone competent to take it on? No-but at least we don't take God's word, water it down, & then take it to the streets to sell it cheap. We stand in Christ's presence when we speak; God looks us in the face. We get what we say straight from God & say it as honestly as we can. This is so true! When we are led by the Holy Spirit & we see to it that we pray & ask God to show us what it is that he would have us to say, we cannot go wrong because it will be his words not ours. The Bible does not lie so as long as we are coming directly from his word the only thing that can happen is that someone might not like the fragrance of your onion-God's truth! 1 Corinthians 1:25-31 Christ is God's ultimate miracle & wisdom is so tinny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity(foolishness) of God. Human strength can't begin to compete with God's "weakness". Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of "the brightest & the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high society families. Isn't it ovbvious that God deliberately chose men & women that the culture overlooks & exploits & abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have-right thinking & right living, a clean slate & a fresh start-comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God." (Let him who boasts boast in the Lord) The MSG Can you see first of all that God is our strength? The foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom & the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. NIV. God's foolishness & weakness vs. man's wisdom & strength. There is no comparison, no question that he can get us through our winter. Next is proof that he loves onions! He has always chosen the least likely, the one with mistakes, the poor, the abused etc. Even the 12 apostles! None of us are chosen because we are so great but because God is Greatest through Jesus who has given us his gift of the Holy Spirit ( A sweet perfume). 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. NIV. When we put away our "onionness", our strong odors, we can then experience God's strength so that our fragrance becomes pleasing to God & those around us. John 14 tells us in vs. 6 that "Jesus is the way, the truth, & the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." & in vs 10-14 Jesus says, "Don't you believe that I am in the Father & the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work...12-I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, & I will do it." I love the fact that if we have faith in Jesus that our story aligns with his. We will do the same work that he is doing & greater!!! Wow, He must really trust us onions! So as he tells Asa in 2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong & do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. Don't give up! Winter will pass! Spring is just ahead! A time of renewal! Bear with me as we look at Ephesians 6:10-18 where Paul tells encourages us & tells us how to survive. "Finally, be strong in the Lord & in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand agaist the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh & blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world & against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, & after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, & with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation & the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers & requests. With this in mind, be alert & always keep on praying for all the saints." I am here to testify that if I don't keep my armor on, evil will slay me. Yesterday Satan tried to steal my joy. It worked for awhile but not without me knowing it. Sadly he used my husband to do this. I'm not sure he even realizes this. I had already planned to come back & go over these scriptures because what God showed me through my own blog excited me. I had just started this blog yesterday but didn't finish because I ran out of time. Procrastinated & then had to leave for a ball game. Satan jumped right on that knowing that lately my joy has been short fused. But God clearly said to me, "don't let anything steal the gift of joy I have given you today. Work it out. Forgive, even if you don't want to." Today I am claiming God's word & kicking Satan's sorry attempt to derail me back where it belongs. This is hard cuz he knows that pride is one of my thorns. So...in response to Paul's charge in 2 Timothy 4:2-5 "Preach the Word; be prepared in season & out of season; correct, rebuke & encourage-with great patience & careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth & turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." I PRESS ON! The Bible clearly tells us that as onions our work may be hard, may offend those on the path of destruction, soothe those on the path of salvation, but if we have faith in Him & put on his armor; through Him we will have our own magnificent onion story doing what He has done!
I give all glory, honor, & praise to God for the alignment of these scriptures cuz truly I did not come up with these. Some popped into mind but when I went to look things up this is the garden of truth that he put me in!
His Bloomin' Onion
Stephanie Goode
Friday, February 24, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Bloomin' Onions! God loves em!
What the heck? I know you're probably thinking I've fallen out of my rocker again! Well...my neck does hurt! Today I was sitting outside basking in the bea-u-tiful sun, soaking up some vitamin D, working on my tan ( you'll thank me later) when I started thinking. That was that loud sound you heard today! Anyway...my thoughts, What is my life about? What has it amounted to? What is my story? What will be said of my story? PITIFUL!! That was my first thought! Kinda made me sad. In a good way! "What?' you say. I know just hold on! As I looked out into the yard, observing the PITIFUL state its in; weeds, dried up vegetation, dead limbs, bushes bare, & out of all that...ONIONS! Onions that made it through the winter if you can call it that. I started thinking about those onions & God's love & I must say the love of my husband. Ya know onions are strong, pungent, good, good for you(that's a whole other lesson), can be used in many ways & many of us love them while others are repulsed. My first thought was how my husband loves me even though I stink! To him I am good! God loves the same way. He loves us even when we stink! In fact he says "Yes, I see that you are strong, have a pungent odor, sometimes burn others eyes, but I also see how good you are & how I can use your good & your bad for my sake. I don't love it when you hurt others with your strong odors but I love YOU & I can use you! I can turn your pungent odor into a pleasant fragrance that draws others to me. 2 Corinthians 2: 14-17 Our lives are a sweet fragrance presented by Christ to God. I will make you weak so that in me you will be strong! So that you will make it through the winters of your life. 1 Corinthians 1:25-31...the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength. & 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." You will amaze others with your story as long as I am the bulb of your existence! John 14:12 You will be doing what I am doing but even greater! I love you my precious little onion flower!
My message to you today is Don't give up! 2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong, & do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. Put on your heavy coat & your winter attire during your cold season. Ephesians 6:10-18-Put on the full armor of God & let his word keep you warm so that in due time you will blossom! Your spring is just around the corner! You will look back & realize that the winter that seemed to freeze your bones, smother you with its mud, cover you in its leaves & drowned you with its rain, was really only protecting you & preparing you to live again! You'll then see that it wasn't that bad of a winter after all! 2 Timothy 4:2...be prepared in season & out of season.
Tis the season to plant onions! May God make you a fragrance pleasing to him!
Lord you know I have made many mistakes, some big & some small but either way it seems I have made a mess of it all. I hate winter in every way, you know that. Thank you for loving onions like me even when I stink! Your grace is sufficient, enough, for me!
Ephesians 6:19-20 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.
Stinkin' onion
Stephanie Goode
My message to you today is Don't give up! 2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong, & do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. Put on your heavy coat & your winter attire during your cold season. Ephesians 6:10-18-Put on the full armor of God & let his word keep you warm so that in due time you will blossom! Your spring is just around the corner! You will look back & realize that the winter that seemed to freeze your bones, smother you with its mud, cover you in its leaves & drowned you with its rain, was really only protecting you & preparing you to live again! You'll then see that it wasn't that bad of a winter after all! 2 Timothy 4:2...be prepared in season & out of season.
Tis the season to plant onions! May God make you a fragrance pleasing to him!
Lord you know I have made many mistakes, some big & some small but either way it seems I have made a mess of it all. I hate winter in every way, you know that. Thank you for loving onions like me even when I stink! Your grace is sufficient, enough, for me!
Ephesians 6:19-20 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.
Stinkin' onion
Stephanie Goode
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Drowning In Darkness
God has called me for a greater purpose! I feel it, I see it, I want it!
But I can't break free from this pain that entangles me!
This confusion! I'm drowning! Please throw out the life float!
Will I take it? Will I hold on? Do I have the strength?
I DON'T!
I've taken it & God has revealed his never failing love, how he can use broken
things, in fact he prefers it!
But I don't last long, my light quickly dims.
The Darkness ravishes me, rapes me with its evil caress!
It forces itself upon me until I relent!
I GIVE! U WIN!
Darkness takes my mind & my heart along too!
It drags me through the mud, leaves me in the sinking sand.
The light pulls me out just long enough to see, God's love &
mercy, it's waiting there for me!
I can't feel it! The Darkness is too strong!
I'm desperate, I'm in despair!
Someone please hear my cry!
Please see me! I'm down here!
I feel so lost, alone!
Despair!
I'm drowning in Darkness! Is anyone there?
Have you ever felt this way? Know someone who has? These words were written during a dark time! As I was reading in Psalms today I came across Psalm 142 & Psalm 13. David cryed out to God in his despair too! Please go read it now! Share it with someone who might be struggling. Let them know that they are not alone! Ya know our problem today is that when we see someone struggling, when we say "how are you?" & know they are smiling through their pain, we say "good" & walk away or slink back because we don't know what to say or maybe we judge out of ignorance or fear that if we get caught associating we might get dirty too. Ever wonder why so many people feel alone in their struggles, depressed, suicidal, etc? We as Christians aren't doing our job! We don't have the words but God does. We do have hugs, cards, phones, a knowing touch or an encouraging word. We have prayer & I don't mean when we're alone I mean right then & there. The Bible says for us to bear one anothers burdens & when we see & know the things we ought to do & don't...I'm sure this saddens God! I am just as guilty of this myself. I read Psalm 14 & 15 & wondered...where do I stand? Galatians 6:9-10 encourages us-Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Watch this video & allow your heart to be touched. Let the compassion within you burst forth! Put away your judgement & discomfort. God didn't come to save those who are healthy & have it "together" he came to seek & save those who are lost. John 19:10 Lost in the Greek means Broken. He came to save the broken! Isaiah 63:1...Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save."
Stephanie Goode
But I can't break free from this pain that entangles me!
This confusion! I'm drowning! Please throw out the life float!
Will I take it? Will I hold on? Do I have the strength?
I DON'T!
I've taken it & God has revealed his never failing love, how he can use broken
things, in fact he prefers it!
But I don't last long, my light quickly dims.
The Darkness ravishes me, rapes me with its evil caress!
It forces itself upon me until I relent!
I GIVE! U WIN!
Darkness takes my mind & my heart along too!
It drags me through the mud, leaves me in the sinking sand.
The light pulls me out just long enough to see, God's love &
mercy, it's waiting there for me!
I can't feel it! The Darkness is too strong!
I'm desperate, I'm in despair!
Someone please hear my cry!
Please see me! I'm down here!
I feel so lost, alone!
Despair!
I'm drowning in Darkness! Is anyone there?
Have you ever felt this way? Know someone who has? These words were written during a dark time! As I was reading in Psalms today I came across Psalm 142 & Psalm 13. David cryed out to God in his despair too! Please go read it now! Share it with someone who might be struggling. Let them know that they are not alone! Ya know our problem today is that when we see someone struggling, when we say "how are you?" & know they are smiling through their pain, we say "good" & walk away or slink back because we don't know what to say or maybe we judge out of ignorance or fear that if we get caught associating we might get dirty too. Ever wonder why so many people feel alone in their struggles, depressed, suicidal, etc? We as Christians aren't doing our job! We don't have the words but God does. We do have hugs, cards, phones, a knowing touch or an encouraging word. We have prayer & I don't mean when we're alone I mean right then & there. The Bible says for us to bear one anothers burdens & when we see & know the things we ought to do & don't...I'm sure this saddens God! I am just as guilty of this myself. I read Psalm 14 & 15 & wondered...where do I stand? Galatians 6:9-10 encourages us-Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Watch this video & allow your heart to be touched. Let the compassion within you burst forth! Put away your judgement & discomfort. God didn't come to save those who are healthy & have it "together" he came to seek & save those who are lost. John 19:10 Lost in the Greek means Broken. He came to save the broken! Isaiah 63:1...Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? "It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save."
Monday, February 13, 2012
My Jealous Lover, My Valentine!
You are my love, I love you, my Valentine!
My love is sweeter than chocolate,
more intoxicating than wine.
My eyes deep, like magic they draw you in.
My lips whisper sweet nothings into your ear;
come to me my love, let me comfort you, swoon you,
take away your troubles.
Let my love surround you like a whirlwind of snow.
Let my breath wrap its warmth around you like the summer breeze,
let the scent of my love tattoo you so others will no your mine.
I promise to love you, never leave you nor forsake you.
You are special, you're mine!
I prepared a mansion for you when I took you to be my bride.
When I said I will be here for you in sickness & in health, for richer for poorer, for better or for worse, in death we will not part, I meant it; I still do!
I love you completely, with all that I am!
Happy Valentines day my Beloved!
I am yours, The Great I Am!
Your Jealous Lover,
Jesus!
Stephanie Goode
My love is sweeter than chocolate,
more intoxicating than wine.
My eyes deep, like magic they draw you in.
My lips whisper sweet nothings into your ear;
come to me my love, let me comfort you, swoon you,
take away your troubles.
Let my love surround you like a whirlwind of snow.
Let my breath wrap its warmth around you like the summer breeze,
let the scent of my love tattoo you so others will no your mine.
I promise to love you, never leave you nor forsake you.
You are special, you're mine!
I prepared a mansion for you when I took you to be my bride.
When I said I will be here for you in sickness & in health, for richer for poorer, for better or for worse, in death we will not part, I meant it; I still do!
I love you completely, with all that I am!
Happy Valentines day my Beloved!
I am yours, The Great I Am!
Your Jealous Lover,
Jesus!
Stephanie Goode
MOST POSITIVELY IN NEGATIVE EXILE
Angry, bitter, resentful. Stubborn, harsh, hardened. Sad, lonely, alone. Unhappy, miserable. Resistant, hurt, fearful. Tempted, sinful. Depressed, suicidal, dark.-NEGATIVE
Forgiveness, forgiveness, forgiveness. Humble, kind, soft. Cheerful, friendly. Happy, content. Pliable, healed, trusting. Tempted, faithful. Joyful, full of life, light.-POSITIVE
Do any of these words fit you? All of them fit me! Depending on the day, time of the month, but most importantly my relationship with God. I would say I'm in the negative list right now & my relationship with God has gone off track again! This happens so easily for me right now. Miss a few days in his word & I began to fall. I can tell you that I am a strong person, but I am in a season in my life where I am weaker than I have ever been. I don't like this much as I am not very patient. I have identified greatly with the words in a song that go, "I get knock down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down." Yea not so much this time. You know its hard to blog when I'm not in the right place in my heart, mind & soul but I wouldn't be real if I didn't tell you how imperfect I am. That negative list is all me, the positive list is where I should be, where I have been. Here's what I've read today, what God is saying about that negative list. First is James 4:1-10 Where do you think all these appalling wars & quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, & fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have & are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours & will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn't think of asking God for it, would you? & why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way. You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God & his way. & do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." & what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble." So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud NO to the devil & watch him scamper. Say a quiet Yes to God & he'll be there in no time.(Draw near to God & he'll draw near to you. NIV) Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, & cry your eyes out. The fun & games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. MSG. Nuf said. Rite? No, again in Hebrews 12:15-17 we are warned to "keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent." One or two seeds that take root can ruin the whole garden. Don't be like Esau "trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite." (sexually immoral or Godless) Later Esau regretted his actions &wanted his inheritance but was rejected-tears or no tears. Needless to say, I know better! Ew but I am so stubborn! Matthew 15:17-20 "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes in the stomach & then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, & these things make a man 'unclean'. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean'. I think God has established that its the condition of the heart that brings about the waste of the mouth. If the heart has been poisoned then everything inside of us & around us will be too. Everything will die! It is like an aggressive cancer! It can be beat tho! Although I have never experienced chemo or radiation, based upon what I know I would venture to guess its never very fun nor is it easy! Sometimes our own foolish pride & stubbornness can make it feel like chemo. Sometimes maybe its fear & hurt that hold us back. For me its all those things! God will not give up on us, we give up on him! This isn't the first time he's brought these verses to my attention, unfortunately I have to be reminded more often than others.
Here's my prayer Psalms 51:10-11 NIV-Create in me a pure heart, O God, & renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. I like how The Message says it in vs 7-11 Soak me in your laundry & I'll come out clean, scrub me & I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don't look to close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! I am asking you to pray this for me too! If I can pray this for you feel free to leave a comment or email me!
FILED-NEGATIVE
Stephanie Goode
Forgiveness, forgiveness, forgiveness. Humble, kind, soft. Cheerful, friendly. Happy, content. Pliable, healed, trusting. Tempted, faithful. Joyful, full of life, light.-POSITIVE
Do any of these words fit you? All of them fit me! Depending on the day, time of the month, but most importantly my relationship with God. I would say I'm in the negative list right now & my relationship with God has gone off track again! This happens so easily for me right now. Miss a few days in his word & I began to fall. I can tell you that I am a strong person, but I am in a season in my life where I am weaker than I have ever been. I don't like this much as I am not very patient. I have identified greatly with the words in a song that go, "I get knock down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down." Yea not so much this time. You know its hard to blog when I'm not in the right place in my heart, mind & soul but I wouldn't be real if I didn't tell you how imperfect I am. That negative list is all me, the positive list is where I should be, where I have been. Here's what I've read today, what God is saying about that negative list. First is James 4:1-10 Where do you think all these appalling wars & quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, & fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have & are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours & will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn't think of asking God for it, would you? & why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way. You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God & his way. & do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that "he's a fiercely jealous lover." & what he gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that "God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble." So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud NO to the devil & watch him scamper. Say a quiet Yes to God & he'll be there in no time.(Draw near to God & he'll draw near to you. NIV) Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, & cry your eyes out. The fun & games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. MSG. Nuf said. Rite? No, again in Hebrews 12:15-17 we are warned to "keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent." One or two seeds that take root can ruin the whole garden. Don't be like Esau "trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite." (sexually immoral or Godless) Later Esau regretted his actions &wanted his inheritance but was rejected-tears or no tears. Needless to say, I know better! Ew but I am so stubborn! Matthew 15:17-20 "Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes in the stomach & then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, & these things make a man 'unclean'. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean'; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean'. I think God has established that its the condition of the heart that brings about the waste of the mouth. If the heart has been poisoned then everything inside of us & around us will be too. Everything will die! It is like an aggressive cancer! It can be beat tho! Although I have never experienced chemo or radiation, based upon what I know I would venture to guess its never very fun nor is it easy! Sometimes our own foolish pride & stubbornness can make it feel like chemo. Sometimes maybe its fear & hurt that hold us back. For me its all those things! God will not give up on us, we give up on him! This isn't the first time he's brought these verses to my attention, unfortunately I have to be reminded more often than others.
Here's my prayer Psalms 51:10-11 NIV-Create in me a pure heart, O God, & renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. I like how The Message says it in vs 7-11 Soak me in your laundry & I'll come out clean, scrub me & I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don't look to close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! I am asking you to pray this for me too! If I can pray this for you feel free to leave a comment or email me!
Stephanie Goode
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