What if it was YOUR sin?

My church did an amazing Easter service today. The band is beyond outstanding, so the music is fabulous. Our pastor finished his ‘Dangerous’ series and I think this is probably the best Easter service I’ve been to in years!

The passage today struck a chord with me. I’ve read it a million times and I know what it means, but one part that was brought up was looked at in a different light. For me, anyway.

John 8:6-11 (NASB)

⁶ They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. ⁷ But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. ¹⁰ Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” ¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”

To understand what is going on here, you need to know that Pharisees and teachers of the law had brought a woman who had been accused of adultery before Jesus. They wanted to trap Him.

Do you see what Jesus did in verses 6 and 8? He stooped down and was writing in the dirt with His finger.

What if He was writing the sins of the Pharisees and teachers of the law on the ground for everyone to see? Eventually those who had brought the woman before Jesus were gone, leaving the two of them. Jesus did not condemn the woman, but told her “Go and sin no more.” He wanted her to change her life in a drastic way. He did not condemn her for the things she had done prior to meeting Him and believing in Him. She was to change her life.

Throwing the first stone at someone for their sin.. shameful. It is like saying a person (who throws the stone) is ‘holier than thou.’ Why, because they wear a suit and a tie every Sunday? Because they sing the right songs? Or serve in the right places?

What about the things those 'holier than thou' types do Monday through Saturday? Jesus sees those things too.

He is the Christ. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords. Jesus is the Great I Am.

Jesus loves you. He died for you. We celebrate Easter because He rose from the dead and is seated in Heaven.

Jesus can see into us.. through us.. and yet… He died for us. All of those things you think are too terrible for anyone to know? Jesus knows. He loves you anyway. He wants to erase the sins you have in your life and help move you forward. 

If you are in Colorado Springs on Sundays, come worship at Discovery Church Colorado, 4304 Austin Bluffs Pkwy. Services are at 9 AM and 11 AM. Come and see… see what this is all about.

Exile.. Seriously, it's a good thing!

On the way to church on Sunday morning, I was listening to the radio and the person was talking about how so many people just “wait” to start living. I’ve noticed this as well – in myself some and in others too. Some people think their life will start when they get married, or have kids, or when their kids leave the house. New job, new car, new house.. whatever they feel is lacking is what some people think is needed to feel whole.

The sermon on Sunday fit perfectly with what I heard on the radio. Weird how God handles that stuff, huh?

In Jeremiah 29, God has sent the Israelites into exile, and He tells them to plant gardens, to marry and have children. They are in EXILE – in Babylon!!! WHY oh why would God ask the Israelites, His chosen people, to settle down and make a home in Babylon and not wait for Jerusalem?

Because. He needed them to learn something. He needed them to trust Him. God needed the Israelites to know He would fulfill the promises he made

¹⁰ “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place.

God does the same thing for us today. He has made many promises in the Bible, and He loves us. Through that love, He will bring us through the challenges He will place or allow to be placed in our lives.

Did you know God also did NOT promise that our lives would be easy and filled with prosperity? Lots of us like to use Jeremiah 29:11 as a focal verse, but many forget the following two verses -

            Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NASB)

¹¹ For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Call upon ME…Seek ME.. Come and pray to ME…

He says we will seek Him and find Him when we search with all of our heart. ALL.. not 1/4, not 2/3, not 9/10.. but ALL of our heart.

I promise, I have just as much of a hard time with this as anyone. Cause I know best.. I promise. For my life, for my child. I. Know. Best.

Don’t you??

We all think we know what is best for us, but if we were to truly let go and allow God to work in our lives, it wouldn’t be as scary as so many people think it would be.

I personally am terrified of what He wants me to do. Can I handle it? How will I manage? Will my child be accepting of the changes in our lives? Will I accept those changes?

13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart

2015... The Beginnings of an Amazing Year

2015 has started off with a bang! By bang, I mean just good stuff has been happening – and this is awesome. I have been able to reconnect with a friend I have not seen or talked to for the last 10 years, and that is such a huge blessing! I have also started looking for a new church and have been invited to go with friends this coming Sunday, which is pretty exciting. My minion is also looking forward to it, so that puts this momma’s heart at ease.

I put myself out there and wrote a seriously dorky poem and ended up winning some free marketing swag for my business, which is way cool! Side note: I love this marketing company! They do so much and go above and beyond! They also did two day shipping when I ordered some items from them for Valentine’s Day!

Speaking of Valentine’s Day… this will be my one millionth supposed celebration without someone to celebrate with. You know what? I’ve become completely okay with that and surprisingly, it does not feel like such a stigma anymore. I used to worry and fret over being single on every single holiday, but it really doesn’t matter. Sometimes I would just rather be home with a book or a movie. And popcorn. Must have popcorn.

I feel like I am in a much better place than last year, and have so much more potential for good things to happen in 2015. I see some things starting to percolate in various places in my life, and know – I really just know – it will be a good year.

1 John 5:4 (NASB)

⁴ For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

We must rely on God for all things – good, bad, ugly, and our faith. Yes, even faith. Faith in God helps us from becoming defeated when facing the greatest odds that could come against us. There are things I fear, but I choose not to live in fear because I know that no matter what happens, God will bring me through it.

Start your year off right – have faith in God, and Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself for you.