America - Home of Who?

“It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship.” ~ Patrick Henry

As much as we want to only wave the banner of the first part of this statement, the love compassion and freedom demonstrated in the second half IS the tangible way we can reach others with that gospel. I think we miss the mark in our enthusiasm, so we miss making the most of the opportunities for sharing His love the way He intends us to. The same Divine Love that saved me is for anyone, the same freedoms afforded me by living here in America is for everyone as well, as it was meant to be.

1 Peter 3:8 "To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;"

Ephesians 5:15-17  "So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

and 

Acts 17:26-27 "From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us."

Amen

Joyful on the Journey

Marisa

Echoes of "Unglued"

"Why is it the one thing I'm trying so hard to work on is the one thing I fail so miserably at as soon as I'm tested in it - as I'm literally reading the book?"
A friend asked me this question as we met over coffee the other day - we're both reading the book "Unglued" by Lysa TerKeurst  :)
She shared she felt really bad about her response to a situation. Then I recounted an almost word for word story of my own failure in less than 24 hours from hers.

"I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate." Romans 7:15

We both felt we had failed miserably. The voice of our enemy clearly baiting our insecurities and minds.
That is until God reminded us of the fact that at least this time we had been convicted much more quickly about our reactions to our loved one. Thank you God, for some of what Lysa TerKeurst calls 'imperfect progress covered with perfect grace.

Tonight at our women's ministry leadership team meeting more talk of coming unglued arose - some different women, but similar stories. More echoes of God lessons in my life - His voice getting more urgent and more frequent.

"What a wretched person I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Romans 7:24-25

I'll take the grace, the imperfect progress, and I'll take my rescuer - Jesus keep pursing me! 

If you haven't picked up the Chick Chat Book Club selection "Unglued" by Lysa TerKeurst from Lifeway Stores then join the club now and message me there for your 22% off certificate today 

Joyful on the Journey
Marisa