Psalm of the Week - 19:14 - January 24, 2016

Acceptable in Jesus' sight.

Four words that sum up how I try to live my life as a follower of Jesus Christ. 

He is my strength. 

He is my redeemer. 

Do I always succeed in letting my mouth speak acceptable words? Of course not. I am an imperfect human who is attempting to be like Jesus, one day at a time.

However, I do have to keep the meditation of my heart, or focus on him. The more I focus on Jesus, the less likely I am to speak unacceptably to anyone else. 

Grains of Truth Number 11

There is little hope for us until we become tough minded enough to break loose from the shackles of prejudice, half-truths, and downright ignorance. The shape of the world today does not permit us the luxury of soft mindedness. A nation or a civilization that continues to produce soft minded men purchases its own spiritual death on an installment plan.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., A Testament of Hope

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

Running to Jesus Like a Child!

What an irresistible smile!

Early last week, I stopped in to see my daughter and grandson. Ashley knew I was stopping in, but Ashton didn't know Grammy was going to be visiting. 

My little grandson sat straight up and a HUGE joyful smile appeared on his little face when he saw me step through the door. He exclaimed, "GAM!" and lifted both of his arms straight up so I could pick him up for a big Grammy hug.

What an irresistible invitation! 
I scooped him up and held him close to me. Two, little arms wrapped around my neck and hugged me back. At the end of the hug, I looked at Ashton and he leaned his head toward me and said," Wuv u Gam." My heart swelled and overflowed with unconditional love.

I smile and my heart fills with love and joy every time I think about Ashton's greeting.
My three year old grandson's greeting will remain imprinted on my heart forever! What a treasure I was given; the gift of unconditional love from my three year old grandson.  

This morning, I applied my interaction with my grandson to my relationship with Jesus. 
I know I am Jesus' daughter. My love for Him fills me with love and joy. When Jesus shows up, I am going to sit up straight, smile a HUGE, joy-filled smile and exclaim,"Jesus!" Then, I am going to run to him with my arms uplifted for a big, loving Jesus hug.  

I know his heart will swell and overflow with unconditional love for me.
Every day, I am going to greet Jesus with a big, joy-filled smile as I run to him in prayer and tell him what is in my heart. 

• Matthew 18:3  And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
• Matthew 22:37   And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
• Luke 18:16   But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
• Luke 18:17  "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."
• 1 John 5:1    Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.

Psalm of the Week - 36:9 - January 18, 2016

From Psalm 36:9, Dr. John Gill wrote six points in his Exposition of the Entire Bible:

1. ...in thy light shall we see light; God is light itself, the Father of lights, and the former of it in every sense; in the light of his countenance, and the discoveries of his love, 
2. they that trust in him see light, or enjoy comfort; and in the light of his Son Jesus Christ, the sun of righteousness and light of the world, they see the face of God, and enjoy his favour, and behold the glory and excellency of Christ himself; 
3. and in the light of the divine Spirit, who is a spirit of wisdom and revelation, they see their sins exceeding sinful, their righteousness as nothing, and a preciousness in the blood, righteousness, and sacrifice of Christ; 
4. and in the light of the divine word they see the truths of the Gospel in their native simplicity and excellency...
5. ...and in the light of faith, which is the gift of God, they have at least a glimpse of the unseen glories of the other world; 
6. and when the beatific vision shall take place, they shall see no more darkly through a glass, but face to face, even God himself, as he is in Christ. 

Verse of the Week - Hebrews 12:2 - January 18, 2016

As a faith-filled woman of God, Jesus leads me each and every day. I willingly and obediently walk down his path for me.

Before my husband Jack died of inherited emphysema, 

he asked me what I would do after he went home to Jesus. Jack knew I had owned and ridden a motorcycle before I had children. Additionally, he knew about the motorcycle fund I started the year my oldest daughter was in eighth grade. He wasn't surprised with my answer - I was going to buy another motorcycle and start riding again. 

About 4 weeks after Jack died 

I found the exact motorcycle I was looking for a bright read, 1999 Harley Davidson Sportster with some added on bling.  At 46, with 13 years of sobriety I began riding a motorcycle again. I have a reason for mentioning I had 13 years of sobriety. 

You see, when I rode a motorcycle before

I was a party girl who had an empty hole inside herself. The hole was where faith and Jesus are supposed to be. Speeding down Virginia highways on my bright red, 1981 Harley Davidson Sportster, drinking Jack Daniels whiskey, and attending all night parties was how I spent most of my off duty hours. 

Fast forward to 2005 

Here I was standing beside another bright red,1999 Harley Davidson Sportster. The moment I started that motorcycle and pulled out onto the highway, a short period of mid-life insanity began. I had no idea how to be a sober, Jesus loving, motorcycle gal. However, I continued to do two things:

1. I kept reading my bible, praying to Jesus, and keeping a prayer journal.

2. No matter where I traveled, I found and attended a 12 Step meeting.

Jesus continued to lead me each day.

I started seeing a woman about my age filling up her trike at the local gas station. I knew Jesus was leading me because this woman was wearing a patch on the back of her jacket and vest that showed a hand holding a bible. This is how I learned about Christian Motorcyclists Association. I attended a few Bible studies, went on a few rides, and learned more about Jesus lovin' motorcycle riders. 

Now I had a living example to show me how to ride a motorcycle, love Jesus, and be sober. Through her, I met a half-dozen other ladies who all rode their own motorcycles, didn't drink, and loved Jesus. Even though I was off the narrow path for a time, Jesus continued to love His bewildered daughter who continued to pour out her pain and anguish to Him. Yep, this is when Jesus called me into motorcycle ministry.

I finally learned how much Jesus loves me. 

He loves me so much that he died for me. We are not insignificant to Him. He died for me and he died for you.  

"Jesus came into this world instead of being in the form of God, he appeared in the form of a servant; instead of the glory which he had with his Father from eternity, he suffered shame and disgrace; instead of living a joyful and comfortable life on earth, he suffered a shameful and an accursed death; and instead of the temporal joy and glory the Jews proposed to him, he endured the shame and pain of the cross:.. Christ underwent so much disgrace, and such sufferings; namely, for the sake of having a spiritual seed, a numerous offspring with him in heaven, who are his joy...set down at the right hand of the throne of God; Which is in heaven...here Christ sits as God's fellow, as equal to him, as God, and as having done his work as man, and Mediator"      Excerpt from John Gill's Commentary