June 2009 newsletter
Happy Summer Singles
Today I have a word from God
2 Corinthians 1 (The Message)
3-5All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.
I want to tell you something…no I don’t want to tell you but I will because God commands it. For many years I led a double life. I was a Christian and sinner, big time sinner. I stopped because while I was sinning I was separated from God and it really hurt my heart. Sinning was like a slap in the face to God the one who has loved me with his whole unyielding heart. I trampled on that sacrificial love every time I sinned. The greatest joy I have ever found was when I was closest to God. I couldn’t take being separated from him any longer.
And do you know that when I finally reached out, asked forgiveness and truly turned from sinning, I found that he had never left me. He was right behind me every day, I had turned away from God but God had never left me. Turning and finding him there, my goodness, showed me just how great his love really is.
It wasn’t easy to turn away from sin. Sin had become a habit and Satan did not want me to forget. I’ll share one thing that I did and continue to have to do. I discovered that I had sinful memories all around me. Those memories either tempted me to go back to sinning or they made me feel guilty about a sin I had already asked forgiveness for. Neither is good. Neither is how God wants you to live. So, one by one I am getting rid of the memories. How do I do it? By praying over an object, a place, a word or phrase and sometimes a person that reminds me of the sinning nature, and that’s real praying not flippant, fast and insincere. Sometimes I’d ask others to pray. Sometimes I prayed. When I prayed I was very specific. I have a dress which I love to wear but it held too many memories. Did I get rid of it? No, I didn’t have to. I prayed that God would remove the memories of the sins committed while wearing that dress. And he did.
God is gracious and loving and wants to forgive you. Just turn.
You can get out of your sinning habits too but not without the strength of God’s love holding you up, some powerful prayer warrior friends whom you can be truly honest with and a lot of real prayer. Of course a quiet time where you read God’s word every single day is a must. Remember it’s not God who walks away from us but us who walk away from God. Your quiet time brings you closer. If I get too far away I can’t feel his arms holding me up and I could fall again.
Psalm 32 (New International Version)
1 Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the man
whose sin the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Selah
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD “—
and you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
Selah
More updated 7-19-09
The most difficult thing for me had to do with forgiveness. I managed to forgive others but I couldn’t forgive myself. I have so much pride that I thought I should have known better. I thought I was guiltier than others because I did know better. I thought that it was too much guilt to be forgiven. I couldn’t even accept God’s forgiveness. After having so much pride I went in the complete opposite direction. I thought I was unworthy of forgiveness or love. I didn’t think it was possible for anyone to love someone like me.
But God loved me! And I praise His Holy name for it! He loved me so much that he had patience for my foolishness and gentleness when guiding me toward forgiveness. Man oh man, it felt so good to be forgiven, to know God loved me no matter what.
If you’re holding on to old guilt, let it go! Nothing brings peace like letting go of guilt.
I tell my students all the time, “It’s OK, no one’s perfect, we all make mistakes, just fix it and go on.” They always look so relieved to hear me say that. I guess I needed to tell myself that too.
If you’re still holding onto guilt read about Peter in Mathew 26:69-75 and then John 21:7-18a or read about the life of Paul in Acts or the life of David in I and II Samuel. God not only loved these men he was able to use them in mighty ways but first they accepted forgiveness.
Even More
One trick I recently learned from God and it’s helped me a lot comes from Philippians 4:8.
8”Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Actually if you look at verse 9 first, it says, “whatever you have learned…from me…put into practice and the God of peace will be with you” In verse 8 it lists things to dwell on, to think about. So I actually sat down and wrote out a list of things that are pure or lovely or honorable, etc. So now whenever Satan tries to tempt me I pull out my mental list and think about those things which are from God instead. It works!
While I was making my lists I realized that the things that are most “right and praiseworthy” and so on are found in the Bible. So when Satan wants to play hardball I step up to the plate with my Bible and read.
Spiritual Gifts:
What are they and what are mine?
What they are.
A test to disvover what mine are.
Prayer Requests
Randy Parker is still rehabilitating from a severe stroke
Bill Dodd and many others as they manage Christian single activities
Donna’s son Elijah who continues to be very sick
Children and teachers on summer break
Our nation’s financial crises
Our nation’s spiritual crises
Our nation’s safety
Each other, as we face our own spiritual battles
Conservative News Sites
I recommend these over your local networks any and every day of the week.
· http://pajamasmedia.com/ ***personal fav
Books
Calendar
Middle GA Christian Singles Hangout
Facebook, people, just go to Facebook.com ,
not everything is there but a lot is
Weekly Habits
· Monday nights- Sonny’s Bar B Q in Warner Robins at 6 pm then tennis behind the sheriff’s office
· Monday nights- Eagles Springs clubhouse line dance lessons at 7 pm (novice level)
· Wednesday nights- attend a local church service
· Thursday nights- Line dance lessons (slightly more advanced) American Legion in Warner Robins, Watson Blvd at 7:30 pm, heads up they sell alcoholic beverages
· Thursday nights- skating at skating rink on hwy 247
· Sunday morning and evening- attend a local church service
Local Events
Advertisements
Ocmulgeeexpeditions
http://www.ocmulgeeexpeditions.com/
This is a new business which I’m totally excited over.
The Joshua Cup Coffee aside from a great cup of coffee in any flavor you can imagine also has sandwiches, wifi, downtown in walking distance Macon (next to the library) and laid back atmosphere. Hours are 6:30 am to 10:30 pm and closed on Sunday. I just love it there.
Gregory West Dance Studio
http://www.gregorywest.com/
Close to my Heart Scrapbooking with Lisa Mosely
https://lmosely.myctmh.com/
Georgia Wilderness Society, Hiking/kayaking
http://www.georgiawildernesssociety.org/events.html
Macon/Warner Robins Middle Aged Singles Hangout
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=62958757131
Boycott Continued
Pepsi products
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=379832
This one hurts, I love Mountain Dew, but I will do what is right
Fun Link
· Canoeing and kayaking newsletter
· Ocmulgee Archaeological Society
· Truett-McConnell College newsletter
· Facebook.com
