A CLEAN HEART AND A RIGHT SPIRIT

I have been backsliding a lately, I have been slipping back into old ways and thought patterns. I was ashamed, not before man - but before God. This weekend again I slipped back without even a thought of what I was doing. And the whole time afterwards I felt marked, dirty and unclean. I felt embarrassed at losing myself to worldly things as I did - especially as a Christian who wants to live life according to God's ways. Now I know that to most people having a few drinks and getting a little drunk now and then is not that serious, maybe even something that is acceptable. The thing is though, I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit (quite a long time ago) regarding alcohol and I know that the Bible says one should not get drunk on wine (alcohol) but on the Spirit of God (I am not exactly sure of the wording there). And I am not writing this post to get sympathy or to get an "it's ok" from anyone. I am writing this because it has been on my heart and because I feel led by the Spirit to share this with you. Maybe there is someone who needs to hear this - I don't know what God's reasons are for asking me to write this testimony.
All I know is last night I could not sleep until I had gone on my knees before my God and asked Him to forgive me for slipping back, to create in me a clean heart (the prayer David prayed) and to strengthen me against temptation. And I know that He has heard my prayer and forgiven me and cleansed me. And I know that I need not justify or explaine myself to anyone but God - I just feel that as a person who holds her faith and her God so high in her life, and to whom other people often look for an example, I have not been a very good one lately. I know we all fall short and make mistakes, and I am so thankful that I have a God who loves me no matter what and who has forgiven me and cleansed me.

I guess what I am trying to say is, everyone has a moment where they slip back into old ways or thoughts, and for everyone it is something different. What is so amazing is the forgiveness we already have in Jesus, He loves and forgives us no matter what. And for that I am grateful. Eternally grateful.

I feel like I am just babbling senselessly here so I will stop now, but I urge you if you are feeling convicted in your heart because of something you did which you know is not right before the Lord (remembering there is no in between, no grey area in God's eyes) then call on Him right now for forgiveness and ask him to create a clean heart in you too. He will forgive you - I can promise you that!

IMAGINE HAVING TEA WITH JESUS

The last few days one of the radio stations have been having this competition on, where you could win an afternoon of “Tea with the President” or some or other politician.
And they start by saying “imagine having tea with so and so”, or “sitting down to dinner with such and such”. And the I know that one of the people you could have tea with is Mandela, in fact he is there biggest “promotion” point in this competition. And the one DJ was saying how it would be so wonderful to just sit with Mandela – even if they didn’t speak to each other, just to sit with him and be with him would be just so amazing. And my first thought was, “Imagine having tea with Jesus!” for me to be able to just sit with Jesus and bask in His love and just be with Him – even if we didn’t speak, that to me would be like becoming all I ever dreamed of becoming, going everyplace I ever dreamed of going and knowing everything I have only dreamed of knowing.
I can just see Him and I sitting in a garden at a pretty with a beautiful porcelain tea set and the yummiest nibbly things you can imagine, but none of that would matter - because He would be there.
I would be sitting right beside Him – at His feet even or maybe on His lap, like alittle girl with her daddy. And He wouldn’t mind because He loves me so much. And we wouldn’t discuss politics, in fact conversation as we know it wouldn’t be necessary because He would speak straight to my heart. Imagine having tea with Jesus, just for a minute – wherever you are right now, imagine it. Wouldn’t that just be awesome?

You see people place their hope and faith in people and they are bound to be disappointed because people mess up, no exceptions. And when I heard this DJ dreaming about having tea with Mandela – which, yes, probably would be great, I mean I admire Mandela a lot too, I was saddened that so many people would rather spend time with earthly things than with the Lord. Be it in prayer, or worship or even just in sitting with Him quietly while you read your Bible or meditate on a verse or admire His glorious creation. It made me sad that most people get excited about other people instead of getting excited about Jesus – the only one who will never disappoint you or let you down.

So I challenge you again, imagine just for a moment having tea on a warm sunny afternoon with Jesus, your Saviour.

AN AWARD - FOR ME!!!

I have been so very honored these past few days. Dawn nominated me for the Thinking Blogger Award, which I saw over the long weekend. And this morning I saw that Karen nominated me too!! I have been so humbled by these nominations and I feel so happy and proud at the same time. Both these ladies brought tears to my eyes with their wonderful nominations. This is my first ever blog award of any kind - and I am SO thrilled that it is the Thinking Blogger award!
Thank you Dawn and Karen, I truly am moved by this award from you. It means alot to me. I will now attempt to follow the instructions for this and nominate some bloggers myself.

Now, here's the rules:

ONE:
If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that you would consider worthy of this award.

TWO:

Link to This post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.

THREE:
Optional - Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award' with a link to the post that you wrote. Here is an alternative Silver version if Gold doesn't fit your blog.

And I nominate the following bloggers:

Gail - from Blessed Be Thy Name.

Like me she is a worshipper at heart - and it comes through in her writing. Her worshippers heart comes through in the way she lives. One day she and I will go and see Matt Redman together!!

Lily - from Lily's Love Story.

She is a very strong young woman. Stronger than she realises, and I am very happy that the Lord led me to her precious blog. Her honesty in her writing is sometimes heart wrenching, but as she grows she grows stronger in her faith and closer to the Lord

Lynn - from Spiritually Unequal Marriage

This lady has been such an encouragement and consolation to me. Her constant prayers and love and encouragement has given me a renewed strength in Christ. I know as she does that God has a dream for each marriage and because of her I ma seeking out God's dream for my marriage.

Debra - from Soul Reflections

This is a lady with a deep rooted faith and a love for the Lord. Her posts often bring me a sense of peace. And her comments also encourage and bring peace. She brings both laughter and tears to my day with her posts.

Diane - from Praying For Your Prodigal

This is a woman of prayer. I don't know what else to say about her. She prays constantly for her prodigals as well as for those of others. I am always encouraged when I know she is praying with me knowing what it is like to pray for a prodigal.

Then, to change the subject just a little....

Today is my 9th anniversary!!!

Happy and I are married 9 years today. I must say when we got married, 10 years seemed like a lifetime away - and yet here we are at 9 years and it doesn't feel like 9 years. I am happy and he still makes me laugh and gives me butterflies in my tummy.

9 years is the Pottery anniversary. So I am taking this opportunity to take the clay that is my marriage and place in the Potters Hands.

Lord Jesus, take my marriage and begin to form it and mold it into the dream you have for us. Mold me Lord to be the wife who would be a crown to her husband and a loving gentle mother. Thank you Father for my husband. He loves me passionately and with all he has and I know it and see it in his eyes. Continue to bless our marriage Lord and keep the cords of love that bind us together strong and tight.

In Jesus name

Amen.

SUNDAY'S ON THE WAY...

I wanted to post this on Saturday – but I had this saved on my office computer so I couldn’t. But anyway, it still follows on from what I posted last week.

Also written by Carmen – this paints a pretty vivid picture….

SUNDAY’S ON THE WAY
The demons were planning on
having a party one night
Yea they were.
They got beer, Jack Daniels, some pretzels
a little red wine and some white.
They were celebrating how they crucified
Christ on that tree.

But Satan – the snake himself
wasn’t so at ease.
Well he took his crooked finger and
he dialed the phone by his bed
Yea he did.
To call an old faithful friend who’d know
for sure if is He was dead.
He said “Grave, Grave tell me,
did my plan fail?”
Old Grave just laughed and said
“Oh man. The dude is dead as nails.”

On Friday night they crucified the Lord on Calvary
But He said “Don’t dread, in 3 days
I’m gonna live again, you’ll see.”
When problems try to bury you
and make it hard to pray
it may seem like Friday night….
But Sunday’s on the way!

A tranquiliser and a horror flick
could not calm Satan’s fear.
So Saturday night he calls up the Grave
scared of what he’d hear.
“Hey Grave, what’s goin on?”
Grave said “Man look, you’ve called me twice.
And I’ll tell you one more again boss,
the Jew’s on ice.”

The devil said “Hey Grave, do you remember
when old Lazarus was in his grave?
You see, everything was cool, but then four days later
boom – old Lazarus he was raised.
Now this Jesus He is much more trouble than
anyone has ever been to me – and look Grave
He’s got ol’ devil shook, cause this man said He
only gonna be dead for three.”

On Friday night they crucified the Lord on Calvary
But He said “Don’t dread, in 3 days
I’m gonna live again, you’ll see.”
When problems try to bury you
and make it hard to pray
it may seem like Friday night….
But Sunday’s on the way!

Sunday morning Satan woke with a jump
ready to blow a fuse.
He was shaking from the tips of his pointed ears
to the toes of his pointy shoes.
He said “Grave tell me is He alive? I don’t
wanna lose my neck.”
And Grave said “Your evilness, maintain your cool
Devil – you are a wreck!”
Grave said “Cool your jets Big D, my sting is still
in tact. You see Jesus is dead forever, take it from
the Grave brother – He ain’t never coming back. So just
ummm, mellow out man, just go drink up or shoot up
but look devil, just leave old grave alone.
Right homey, I’ll catch you la…
La….
Oh no…
OH NO!
OH NOOOOOOO!!!!!!
OH NO!!!
SOMEBODY’S MESSING WITH THE STONE!!!!!

Then the stone was rolled away
and it bounced a time or two.
And an angel stepped inside and said
“Yo, I’m Gabriel, who are you?
If you’re wondering where the Lord is at this very hour,
I tell you He’s alive and well with RESURRECTION POWER!!!!”

On Friday night they crucified the Lord on Calvary
But He said “Don’t dread” He said “In 3 days
you can even count them boys,
I’m gonna be King again, you’ll see!”
When problems try to bury you
and make it hard to pray.
It may seem like Friday night….
but I said Sunday…
I’m here to tell you Sunday..
The devil hates Sunday -
Cause Jesus rose from the grave
on a Sunday Morning

And Sunday is here to stay!!

I trust you all had a very blessed and special Easter. Remembering not only that Jesus died for us – but more importantly that He ROSE from the grave. He conquered sin and death, and that is why we will have life everlasting with Him!!

Praise the Lord!!

THIS BLOOD...

Violently they grabbed his arms
As they tightly strapped each wrist
With a hellish look, stood a strong armed soldier
Whip clenched in his fist

Laced with chips of bone they beat him hard
From his shoulders to his feet
And it sliced right through his olive skin
Just like razors through a sheet
Countless times the blood splattered
As each inhuman lash was given
Several times his knees gave way
As his flesh just hung in ribbons

And surprisingly he turned his head
Though the words he used were few.
A soldier’s face turned pale when he said
“This blood is for you.”

Uncaringly they tossed a garment
Across his weakened form
And his blood pressure fell deathly low
As the crowds began to swarm
They forced him to carry his cross uphill
As his face they punched and smacked
While the splinters from the criss-cross beam
Dug deep into his back

Through lack of sleep and dehydration
His tongue began to swell
And weakened by his loss of blood
This prophet teacher fell
When he did some blood splattered
On a man named Simon’s shoe
And as he bent to wipe if off
The prophet looked and said
“Simon, this blood is for you.”

Then they pounded a spike through
The bones in his wrists
Bursting arteries and veins
And as they dropped the cross
Into the hole they’d dug
His body convulsed with pain
Through anguish and torment
That never a soul shall find
He tilts his face towards heaven
With full control of his mind

With more love than any human heard
Before that time or since
He made a statement that to this day
Makes the strongest skeptic wince

He cried “Father God Forgive them,
For they know not what they do!”
And as he gave his life for those
Lost in sin, he was saying:
“This blood is for you.”
This blood can save the soul
Heal the sick, mend the heart
This blood can give you access
To the very throne of God
And it still can go the distance
Through the pain to where you are
This blood is for you….

The atoning, cleansing blood of the lamb

I cannot think of the day Jesus died for me without getting tears in my eyes, not because he died (because I know he lives!!), but because he suffered, was humiliated, spat on, mocked and nailed to a cross for me I am so not worthy of such a sacrifice. My heart is wicked, as any human beings is - yet Jesus, who's heart was without spot or blemish went meekly as a lamb to the cross for me. It just humbles me every time I think about it. This song by Carmen is the song that led to my salvation many, many years ago - I pray that these words will stir in your heart the amazing revelation of the sacrifice made for you too.

To everyblogger reading this today - may you have a blessed Easter and may you truly feel the love of Jesus in your life today because of what he did that day on the cross for you too.

Thank you Jesus for the blood you shed for my sins. That I may have everlasting life with you.