Dreams

Living in the past, will always be what was.. Living in the future, creates a dream that never comes…Living in the present, gives opportunity where dreams are won..

What happens when we hold unforgiveness in our heart?

We have all experienced times when a person has been rude or lost their temper over something. Some situations are just misunderstandings and different personalities all trying to get along. But what about those times when we or a loved one has been deeply wounded. A wound that has damaging and lasting effects on our life. In Matthew 19:21 Peter said: “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me?” Seven times? You kind of get this picture of Peter thinking…if he does that again I am going to take that guy out. But then he turns to Jesus and ask about forgiveness to see if his grace of seven times lines up with Jesus’. In vs. 22 Jesus replied to Peter He said: no you should forgive seventy times seven.

 Maybe because Jesus knew carrying unforgiveness goes much deeper than how we feel about the person who sinned against us. It becomes a matter of our own heart within.Unforgiveness never affects the person who did the wrong as much as it affects us! It can block, stall, and even destroy our possibility to heal. It can grow resentment that eats away at the core of who we are. I think the point Jesus was making to Peter was… It’s not about numbers or how many times you can convince your heart to forgive. It’s about having a merciful heart forgiveness flows from. It’s the same kind of forgiveness that was extended to us through Christ on the cross. We didn’t deserve it, it wasn’t just. It was a free gift. The Bible is clear that we are to forgive. Luke 6:37 says “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

 But let’s face it when we have been deeply hurt forgiveness is a struggle. This is because we are working through our emotions and desire for justice. But in order to forgive we need to understand forgiveness is not an emotion it’s a choice. Forgiveness does not settle all the questions of blame, justice, or fairness… but it does enable us to move on with life and start the healing process.

 When we hold on to unforgiveness it is like a tug-a-war. As long as there are people on each end of the rope tugging, we are at war. When we make a choice to forgive we let go of the rope. They may tug on their end but the war is over. It’s finished! But until you release your end you become a prisoner of war. Sometimes we hold on so tightly we remain a prisoner of war long after the war is gone. The other person has moved on, let go, even passed on and we are still holding onto our end of the rope.

 Forgiving someone in no way excuses them from the harm they have caused us. But it releases us to heal, and it puts them in the hands of a just and righteous God.

 Psalm 37:5-8 says “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn. And the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and patiently wait for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop your anger turn from your rage! Do not envy others- it only leads to harm.”

 God deeply desires for us to forgive, so we can live in freedom. In our willingness to make the choice to forgive, we are merely opening the door for God to help us through the process. He never expected us to work through the emotions and pain alone, only to make the choice that glorifies his sacrifice on the cross and protects our hearts in Him. It’s honestly coming to the place that says Lord I don’t know how to forgive but I choose to forgive with your help, as you forgave me.

 Jesus said I am leaving you with a gift- Peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid” John 14:27

 ”And he said, the things which are impossible with men are possible with God”  Luke18:27

Life getting you down?

Life getting you down? Does success seem far away? To often the world only see’s success as fame, a big bank account, or reputation. How many times do we look at people who look successful and think that it’s impossible for me? But truth be told many well known people have walked through their own failure and hurdled many obstacles.

Monet’s work sells for millions of dollars and hangs in some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Yet during his own time, his art was mocked and rejected by the artistic elite. Monet kept at his impressionist style, which caught on and in many ways became a starting point for some major changes to the art world.

Thomas Edison was told by his teachers he was “too stupid to learn anything.” Edison was fired from his first two jobs for not being productive enough. Even as an inventor, Edison made 1,000 failed attempts at inventing the light bulb before he finally found the design that worked.

Winston Churchill struggled in school and failed the sixth grade. After school he faced many years of political failures, as he was defeated in every election for public office until he finally became the Prime Minister at the age of 62.

Sidney Poitier went to his first audition and was told by the casting director, “Why don’t you stop wasting people’s time and go out and become a dishwasher or something?” Poitier vowed to show him that he could make it, he went on to win an Oscar.

Charles Schultz’s comic strip “Peanuts” had every cartoon he submitted rejected by his high school yearbook staff. Even after high school, Schultz applied for a position working with Walt Disney and was denied.

Michael Jordan was actually cut from his high school basketball team. But Jordan never let it stop him from his love to play the game. Michael has stated, “I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot, and I missed. I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Reality is failure happens in life. The victory is won, by fighting through the battle. It’s when we stand face to face with our failures that we find new beginnings. And we should never be discouraged by small beginnings because God delights in them. Zechariah 4:10 says “Do not despise small beginnings; the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.”… So if you’re feeling a little down don’t be discouraged be encouraged. Much has risen out of small beginnings!

“Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:11-12

 

 

 

Failure

Failure is an event, never a person. ~William D. Brown

Living Water

“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

Revelation 7:17

Being Full

“I firmly believe that the moment our hearts are emptied of selfishness and ambition and self-seeking and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will come and fill every corner of our hearts; but if we are full of pride and conceit, ambition and self-seeking, pleasure and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God.  I also believe that many a man is praying to God to fill him, when he is full already with something else.  Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought to pray that He would empty us.  There must be a n emptying before there can be a filling; and when the heart is turned upside down, and everything that is contrary to God is turned out, then the Spirit will come…”  ―    D.L. Moody

The Journey

THE EASY ROADS ARE CROWDED

The easy roads are crowded, And the level roads are jammed; The pleasant little rivers With the drifting folks are crammed.

But off yonder where it’s rocky, Where you get a better view, You will find the ranks are thinning And the travelers are few.

Where the going’s smooth and pleasant You will always find the throng, For the many, mores the pity, Seem to like to drift along.

But the steps that call for courage And the task that’s hard to do, In the end results in glory For the never-wavering few.

Messick

Acrylic by Julie Armendariz