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Forgiveness

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  Forgiveness isn’t meant to be easy. No, it dwells in the recess of the heart. Forgiveness implies that the dept is paid and there is no need for the sin to continue to show “on the books.” Our memories and our minds have locked in the sin and to have that erased is difficult. Yet true forgiveness allows for a harden heart to see the sin in new light. The lessons learn, the strength drawn from…and the debt paid. Matthew gives an example: “His master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to. Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?” Matthew 18:32-33 God has forgiven our entire debts and expects us to forgive as God has modeled. True love allows for the recess of the heart to overshadow the unforgiving memory of the mind. What in your life needs for forgiveness? Unfold your heart, exposing the recess to allow for total forgiveness in areas of need. This allows for freedom from what h...
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Pruning

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 “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thornbushes, nor do they gather grapes from brambles. A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.” Luke 6:43-45 I picked these verses because as you know, I have my “urban” orchard. A cross my backyard line I have 5 apple trees, 5 pear trees, 2 peach trees and a plum tree. My apple trees are producing, but I am waiting for the others which can take up to five years. Each year I prune these trees to get rid of any “suckers,” dead growth or unwanted branches so that I can maximize the growth and fruit. The heart of my trees is the fruit for which they will bear. I look forward to when the orchard is in full swing. These trees remind me to look at the fruit I have bear and will bear. What ha...
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Survivors

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 In life, we can either have a victim mentality or a survivor mentality. Bad things happen. It seems to be a part of everyone’s life. Here is an article that defines the difference between victim and survivor. https://ahmdshin.substack.com/p/survivor-mindset-the-opposite-of?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web My goal is to help in processing through and have tools to move forward. Today we remember a national tragedy, but I pray we remember as survivors. Never forget the lives lost, but never forget the lessons we learn, the strength that pulled a nation through. Scripture tells us in several places to love our enemies. Matthew 5:44-48 states: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing tha...
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Judging

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 “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you. ” Matthew 6: 37-38 Last night NFL football started. Ahh the “Monday morning quarterback” syndrome begins. This syndrome is indicative to how we judge others. You should of…You could of…boy that wasn’t your best decision…the quotes go on. Yet we don’t know what’s going on for the person or why they decided what they did. Perhaps the person is “kicking” themselves for the decision and being judged only adds salt to their wound. Instead of judging, perhaps we can just walk with someone. If needed using love and gentle guiding help a person to get on the right path. I try to have the last line in my head so that when I begin to judge I am reminded we are...
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Burdens

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 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 What is a burden to you? The term burden has a negative connotation to it, doesn’t it? Yet a burden can be an obligation that you need a break from. A burden can be just figuring out lunches every day for work or school. Burdens. Maybe today you just need a break from…Galatians reminds us that we need to help each other out. Shoulder a burden today. Lord grand us clear vision to help someone out. If we are in need of relief grant us courage to ask for help. May our burdens be shouldered today, and may they become moments of your grace on the path…
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As Long as the Earth Endures

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  As I look at my garden, tomatoes that need to be picked, I am reminded of this passage from Genesis “As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Genesis 8:22 I think about now, the time of harvest and time of preparing for next years planting. Yet, my discernment is what is it that I need to plant in my life? What weeds or unwanted things have grown in my life that need to weed out? I do not want to lose focus and know that there are seasons of life. Today in prayer think about what seeds you need to plant, what you have harvest and what your garden needs. Lord, thank you for the day. Help us to weed our garden of life. Show us the seeds that need to be planted, what needs harvesting and what needs to be pulled. Grant us your presence as we continue on the path…
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Dreams

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 In the stillness of my house, I study chapter one of the gospel of Matthew. Matthew starts with a geology of Jesus. He tells the birth of Jesus through the lens of Joseph. What struck me is this: “ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21God speaks to Joseph in a dream. Joseph listens and believes the dream. History is written. I close my eyes and try to listen to God… “Beth, daughter of mine….” Is there a decision of mine that God needs to speak to me about? The biggest decision I made was to retire early. I do have two goals in retiring early. First, my health. I joined a gym and have been conscientious of what I eat and drink. Second, writing. I wanted...
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