Once Again I'm Reminded How True This Is:

True and False beliefs about forgiveness.

False Belief #1:
If I forgive them, they will go free. There will be no justice.
True Belief #1:
Only God knows what is just. Punishment is in God's hands.

False Belief #2:
Forgiveness means I must pretend that nothing ever happened.
True Belief #2
Forgiveness is not denial. Tell the truth; don't minimize it in order to forgive.

False Belief #3:
If I forgive, I will become vulnerable to them again.
True Belief #3:
Forgiving someone doesn't mean that they are safe and you must trust them again.

False Belief #4:
My unforgiveness is justified because I'm right, and they will never see their wrong and repent if I let go.
True Belief #4:
My unforgiveness only hurts me and allows what they did to control my life.

Quote taken from "The Genesis Process" by Michael Dye & Patricia Fancher

How are we doing?

I'm so thankful to the many people that have blessed us with this question.

It is comforting to know people care. Being busy and trying to adjust to many changes in our lives has hampered our communication with new and old friends. I'm sorry for this reality and I'm praying this fog we are operating in will lift by mid May or so.

Thank you to those who have been praying for us. We know it, feel it and have been seeing answers to those prayers. We have and are still seeing the way through some of the darker times in our lives but there have been so many blessings along the way. It is really neat to think of the contrasts there have been down this road. So many highs and so many lows.

I have been amazed at the support and understanding we've received so thank you. I do not want to get into any details but I did want to convey our gratitude for the prayers, phone calls and efforts you've all made. They haven't gone unnoticed and we've thanked God for putting us on your hearts. May God bless you for the ministry you've had to our family.

Proverbs 27:9 Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel.

Always Remember to Forget

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But don't forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that have passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

- Author Unknown

How should we pray?

"The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!"2 Samuel 22:47
First we should learn how to praise the Lord. Then our petitions will flow from knowing to Whom we are praying. Suddenly, the petty little things consuming us fade away because we realize..."The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets." Psalm 50:1
"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah" Psalm 68:19
He and He alone is worthy to be praised!

Living Free

The Israelites broke free from the bondage of slavery in Egypt to live free in the Promised Land that God told them they would get to one day. We are told by God that we are able to live free from the bondage that holds us back from living free as well. In order to live free there must be a death. A letting go of something, a dying off of another behavior or relationship in order to live this new way that God wants us to live.

Up With The Sun

I absolutely love that the sun is rising earlier and earlier every day. I don't know what it is about it but it harmonizes my devo times and settles my heart while I am anticipating the new day ahead.

As I write this the sun is peeking over the rooftops in my neighborhood and brings warmth to this place. I find January and February so long and dark. So much goes on in the darkness here. I love morning and the newness the rising sun brings to my soul. Thank you Lord.
Hosea 6:3
"Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."
Malachi 4:2
"But for you who revere My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall."

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Apostle Paul