On hardened hearts...

Has your heart ever been hardened? Maybe it was towards someone or something. My heart has become hardened many times. Sometimes without my realizing it. But... a hardened heart is deadly. You can usually tell if your heart is hardened if you have disdain for God, his people, or a situation. Or if you find yourself being cynical, thats a sure sign.

It amazes me though that God cares so deeply about me that he pursues me with such a compassionate love to bring me back to repentence. A hardened heart towards God is a sin... but just as Corinthians says it...

"His kindness leads us to repentence..."

It is always the love of God that melts my heart of stone. I have personally discovered the truth in the statement, that "it is God alone who draws people to Himself. Only through the Father..." God has been so faithful to draw me out each time my heart is hardened by sin. Oh, and by the way, in case I didn't mention it... it is sin that hardens our hearts and separates us from God.

I remember a time when I visited a small church in another town one Sunday evening... The pastor preached about religiosity and its adverse effects in our lives. He asked for those who had been burned by legalism in the "church" to come to the altar. I didn't really feel like I fit in that category, but I knew one thing... I wanted to go to the altar. There is something significant about walking to the altar. I had a pastor who always used to say, "The altar is where your life is altered." I have never forgotten that statement.

Eventually the pastor in that small church made an open altar call and asked that if anyone else wanted to come up front for any reason they could come. There were maybe five of us in all. As I stood in the very front of the church facing the pastor I closed my eyes. I didn't feel anything special and I wasn't even sure why I came up, I just knew that there was no other place I would rather be than at the altar before God. I simply whispered, "Lord, I would rather be here than anywhere else." Just then that pastor asked me my name. I opened my eyes and told him. He continued to prophesy over my life and tell me exactly where I had been in my walk with the Lord. He also told me about the events that happened in my family which spiritually devastated me. I had been thinking about those events and had questions about GOd, but I had yet to vocalize them. I didn't think I could, no one would understand... people just didn't know my background and I thought that even if I explained it to them they would judge me and I wouldn't receive unbiased advice... all I wanted were answers. The pastor spoke for a while over me and told me how these events had affected me and he was right. He voiced everything that I couldn't. I was so relieved and shocked. God sent me to the altar to receive that word so that he could show me that he had known all along what I had been thinking. I stood there totally undone. I realized at that moment how much God cared for me. It melted my heart and my unanswered questions didn't seem so important anymore, instead I desired simply to know God's heart.

I know that God cares for you in the same way he cares for me, because he says so... It is his desire that none should perish, but have everlasting life. He desires to be reconciled with you as much as He desires that with me. I praise God for his display of faithfulness to me that night, because I know that God could have chosen to be silent...

There is one thing that I should mention that I believe is key to this story though and it also lines up with scripture... I did not want to go to church that evening. I was with one of my best friends just prior to the service and I didn't really want to leave, but I decided to come because I had given my sister my word that I would be there. And I also believed that I needed to be there that night. I couldn't have been any more accurate!

There is a verse that says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8) I know that because I chose to come to church, to walk to the altar, and to be vulnerable before God, he chose to speak his love over me that He knew would arrest my heart.

I tell you this story and mention hardened hearts because it is so dangerous to have a hardened heart. You die inside and you shut out the holy spirit in the process. One way to combat hardened hearts is to encourage one another. The word says in Hebrews 3:12-15 to "encourage one another daily as long as it is called today so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

So, never underestimate a kind word, warm welcome, hospitality, a smile, a hug or a good ol fashioned sit down talk even when you don't want to hear it or give it. God will use you my friend to minister that ministry of reconcilliation in someone else's life, just like God used that Pastor in my life. I am SO grateful for obedient people.

Family and Tradition

There is simply nothing like family. : ) I absolutely love tradition... why? Well, I am sure it has to do with the fact that I can count on it every year, I look forward to it, it brings up fond memories and most of all tradition brings people together.

My family and I have a fun tradition of tearing up the bread for our Thanksgiving stuffing together and throwing it in a bowl... but the simple part is... everyone does it.

Now, growing up we had certain traditions that I looked forward to like none other! Decorating the Christmas tree was one of those traditions. The whole family was involved and I simply delighted in the merry company of my family. I am sure the fact that decorating was a part of the chore made it that much more appealing to me, since I LOVE to decorate. I think most women do, we just want to make things beautiful... its a calling.

Unfortunately as I grew up I had to embrace a new idea and tradition which was that traditions change, therefore if your mindset is stayed on one thing, you will be constantly disappointed. My mother used to warn me to not get my hopes up so much concerning certain things. She just knew how much value I would place on a person, activity, etc. only to be crushed later because my expectations weren't fulfilled. She is so wise and realized early on how fragile I was in my hoping. The reality of it all is that she was correct and I am glad she mentally prepared me for life. When I look back on my life thus far I can see how God has constantly placed me in situations and scenarios that have taken me out of my comfort zone.

Bottom line: things change and thats okay. Tradition is a wonderful thing, but I must always be open to new traditions and saying goodbye to old ones.

God's presence

I sat down yesterday and asked God what was happening in a certain hospital room... I was praying for a pastor and his family. As I prayed with many friends, I quietly asked the Lord what was happening in that room. I felt in my spirit that God showed me. And not only did he show me, but as I have the Holy Spirit within me, I could sense the atmosphere. The entire family had gathered around the hospital bed and sang praises to God. They were thankful to God, their hope and strength.

As I imagined that room, I felt the presence of God so strongly, it was overwhelming. I just wanted to go home. I was immediately aware that this earth is not my home... no my home is in Heaven. I am the daughter of the most High God, and that is where I belong... at home in Heaven. I can't wait to meet my Savior face to face. Oh just to be in His presence. There is so much joy, freedom, love, hope and peace in His presence.

My perspective on life was so clear when I was in God's presence... I am on this earth to glorify God. He desires so much to be made known, because He wants you dear reader to know how much He loves you. He gave his son for you, he paid the ultimate price so that you can be free....

God is so great, worthy of our entire life. He made the earth and the Heavens... just take a moment today and look around at what God made... He makes everything so perfect. Sure, there are things that are full of corruption, but friend, that is not of God.

God is holy. He has made everything perfect, it is us who have tainted God's beautiful creation. Oh, but thankfully, He is a redeeming God... in every way.

Praise you Lord!

Thank you for creating me, for calling me beautiful, for dying for me... a sinner who did not deserve grace. Thank you for drawing me to yourself. I am delighted to be in the truth.

The Authority of the Bible

"If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper; but if we and our posterity neglect its instructions and authority, no man can tell how sudden a catastrophe may overwhelm us and bury all our glory in profound obscurity."
— Daniel Webster

In my search for truth, I have found that truth cannot be relative. There is absolute truth... and I have found it to be the Word of God. I realize that even if I deny that fact, it doesn't change that it still remains.

God's words written to us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit through many men is the infallible Word of God.

And to take it all a step further, this country was founded on the principles written in the Word of God. And as the above quote states, without recognizing God's authority and his precepts we are dupping ourselves for catastrophe...

What should religion look like?

Many people tout the phrase, "I don't have religion... I have a realtionship." It's usually found on some form of paraphanelia such as a key chain, bumpersticker or T-shirt. I understand the phrase because disciples of Jesus Christ are not just going through the motions of a religion, but they have a real, living, breathing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Sometimes religion is made up of rules and regualtions, even though that may not be its intent.

I really like that in James 1:29 it states: "Religion that God our fahter accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

I love that God makes it so clear that his heart is for people and for righteousness. #1 We are to care for those in need. #2 Continually allow God to sanctify us.

I love that God is pure. He has many attributes, but this is one that I love more than anything.

Welcome

Hello!

Welcome to my journey of life. I plan to share my thoughts and experiences on this blog. My hope is that you can learn from me and I from you. I do not claim to have it all together or know all things. Instead, I intend to display my thoughts, revelations and questions.

I am simply another life on this earth seeking the truth.

Thanks for joining me!

---Mellifera---