Scars

"Do you have any scars, Marilyn?" my husband asked me as we were lying in bed.

We had just driven home from our church's Good Friday Service, focused on the Cross of Christ. We caught the end of a message on the radio by a wise old minister, Adrian Rodgers. He reminded us that Jesus had scars and that we are not going to get out of this world without scars; and that our scars can be our greatest ministry. We can say to others "here are my wounds, red and raw and bloody, but Jesus has healed them." We can tell others to bring their wounds, their scars to Jesus.

"Yes," I answered and turned on my side, pretending to go to sleep. "And Jesus has healed them," I thought.

~~~ When I was 9 years old, my sister died. I had a huge scar, missing her and remembering I had not always been a kind sister.

~~~ The scars of being teased by peers and rejected because I wasn't good enough - and always chosen last ran deep in my school years.

~~~Selfish scars formed from my own decisions in college, living lies that controlling my own life was the better choice.

~~~Scars formed from my ignorance of what it meant to be a godly wife to my husband.

~~~Mothers are going to get scars, and I have many. But these scars are different. For even before they were ripped and raw, salve was being applied, holding them together as I watched, waited and cryed out in prayer for the lives of my children.

~~~Losing my mom, then my dad -- these scars were also different - mixed with sorrow and joy.

Yes, I've had scars. And because of His scars, mine are healed. I praise Him for my scars and for the privledge of using them to help bring healing to others.

"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, leaving us an example that you should follow in His steps, "who committed no sin, nor deceit found in His mouth", who when He was reviled, did not revile in returned; who when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously, who Himself bore our sins on His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sin, might live for righteousness - by His stripes we are healed! [I Peter 2:21-24]

Jesus was born. He suffered for me and you . He died and was buried and is alive again. Shout it out - Jesus is Alive! Christ the Lord has risen! Give Him your scars and rise up!

What are you wearing?

What are you wearing today?

Did you put on the clothes that the Lord picked out for you?
I’m sure they were lying neatly on the bed waiting for you to put them on?
I’m sure He was there to help in case you thought some of them seems a little tight.
They ALL fit perfectly – even thought sometimes you don’t think so.

He wants to clothe you…
With Joy
With Patience
With Peace
With Kindness
With Goodness
With Gentleness
With Self-control
With LOVE.

They are beautiful and fit perfectly
The more you wear them
They will be your favorite things to put on
You’ll never leave your bedroom without them
They are fresh and new every morning
You don’t get them at a 2nd hand store
And you can’t buy them with money
They are worth more than your whole wardrobe
So the ? is – are you going to keep picking out your clothes?
Are you going to keep putting on what you want?
Or will you let Jesus?
Will you wear what He has picked out for you?

He Calls Me Beautiful

Yes - He calls me beautiful.

I never thought I was.
I didn't like the way I looked.
I dreamed of being a gorgeous model.
I stared at other girls and wished I was like them.
I thought "if I grow my hair long" then I'll be beautiful.
I did - I wasn't.

Then I met Him.
And He called me beautiful.
Not once, but twice, 3 X's, 4X's and on and on.
"You're beautiful."

It took awhile, but I heard and I listened.
I looked in his eyes and saw that he meant it.
His voice was gentle and genuine.
I felt it in his embrace and in his touch.

He loves me.
He even loves me though he knows all about me.
More than anyone else - all the secrets.
And yet he loves me and
He calls me beautiful.

His name starts with "J'.
His name is Jesus.
His name is Jerry.

Grace blows on me

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That save a wretch like me.......

wretch = a vile, destestable person reflecting the sorry state of an outcast or exile

vile = replusive, disgusting
detestable = hateful

I woke up with this song on my lips this morning.

Knowing that I am that wretched one and only His Amazing Grace saves me.

Jesus calls,
Will I answer?
Jesus sends,
Will I accept?
Jesus comes,
Will I let Him in?
Jesus reveals,
Will I listen?
Jesus heals,
Will I belief?
Jesus rescues,
Will I allow Him?
Jesus knocks,

Will I hear?
Jesus reaches,
Will I extend my hand?
Jesus washes,
Will I surrender?
Jesus loves,
Will I love?
Jesus died,
Will I weep?
Jesus rose,
Will I follow?

A stuffed nose and echoing ears

Yes - I have a cold. I feel like I'm sitting outside listening to the crickets (the noise in my ears) and I can't smell the fresh air or hardly breathe! (my stuffed nose) . My husband's has it bad too - his is wheezing and coughing and his cough can be heard a couple miles away and then there alot of spitting going on. Of yes, laugh if you must, we can't even sleep together. No it's a cough here, a cough there, a kleenix here, a kleenix there. And we're kinda .... dull....

Even though my senses have been dulled by Mr. Virus who came home with us from Minneapolis after an amazing weekend, God remains. His voice comes though, His aroma is still strong.

Where?

~~When I met a young single mom who needed to talk, God brought His word to my mind to share with her.
~~God prompted me to pray for a friend, write her an email and encourage her in a difficult marriage.
~~When my hubby prays with me - seems like this cold slowed him down and praying together again has been a Joy!
~~In His word - I'm reading through the Bible this year. Today I started in Leviticus - the book of worship. How appropriate and wonderful with my word being Praise this year!
~~He continues to teach me about His presence through devotionals and books. Right now I'm reading "Living the Lord's Prayer". I'll share some quotes later.
~~In the lives of the the 7 women in our community Bible study. They are a gift.
~~Through a young couple who we've sort of adopted, praying with them and listening, encouraging.

Everywhere we go and every experience we have we can hear His promptings and leave His aroma. How's your hearing? Is your nose stuffed up? What are you smelling lately?

2 Corinthians 2:15 - For we are the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Exquisite fragrance, a sweet scent rising up to the Lord. Now that's the kind of thing I want to smell.