I FEAR a GRACIOUS GOD!

Lately I've been thinking about the Grace of God and how awesome it is, how I cannot fully comprehend the depth of what it means but also trust what I know God's word says about Him. Psalm 86:15 says "But You, Oh Lord are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth." I've heard so many awesome messages on His grace and rightly so because HE IS A GRACIOUS GOD.

I have been convicted lately about the FEAR of the Lord, and what that even means. I know many have taught it as being an awe/reverence toward God (which I believe He deserves) but I tend to believe the Fear of the Lord means THE FEAR OF THE LORD. I like the analogy that pastor James MacDonald used regarding the FEAR of the LORD... He said that he had some very painful kidney stones and once they were passed out of his system, he started drinking cranberry juice EVERY day. He said that he didn't particularly like drinking Cranberry juice but he drank it everyday because he FEARED kidney stones.

I think this is also a very loving view because although God is gracious, He is also loving enough to bring in consequences(sometimes painful ones) into the lives of those who don't FEAR Him in order to keep us from continuing to make choices that are hurtful to us and those around us. Psalm 111:10 says "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments;His praise endures forever."

I've been brokenhearted lately at hearing stories of those who have fell into sin and have suffered greatly because they lacked the FEAR of the LORD. Malachi 3:16-18 says " Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who FEAR the Lord and who ESTEEM His NAME. And they will be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, on the day I prepare My own possesion, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him. So you will again distinguish between righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and one who does NOT serve Him."

I started out this post talking about God's grace because I did not in ANY way want to minimize it BUT I also wanted to point out the IMPORTANCE of the FEAR of the Lord. I believe they go hand in hand. Romans 6:12-15 says "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace. WHAT THEN?? Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? MAY IT NEVER BE!

My prayer for myself and others is that we would be a people that FEAR a GRACIOUS GOD.

Awesome Quote

I ran across this quote recently and really liked the truth behind it... "People pleasing is as idolatry, a two-sided coin: one side involves neglecting God and the other side involves replacing Him with a cheap substitute, in this case people"

Expectations on Pastors....

I found this on the resurgence website www.theresurgence.com and thought it was too good not to share... This is a list of unhealthy and healthy expectations to have on a pastor...

Unhealthy Expectations
They are not substitute parents
They are not shrinks
They are not janitors, plumbers, or construction workers
They are not crisis managers
They are not perfect problem-solvers
They are not corporate executives
They do not have wireless access to the Holy Spirit concerning your problems
They are not responsible for your sin
They are not constructed for long-term bashing
They are not required to shoulder repeated harsh criticisms
They are not celebrities
They have families with real problems too
They are not always available and tireless
They are not God in human form
They can burn out

Healthy Expectations
They serve
They teach
They lead
They inspire
They pray
They cry
They get tired
They are human
They need family time
They must be renewed

Unconditional Love...

My little Matthew has been such an example to me of unconditional love. Recently, he has been telling EVERYBODY that he loves them. He'll tell strangers at McDonalds, or cashiers at stores or even random people walking by. At first I thought about stopping him from telling random strangers that he loved them but then I thought why? Of course I don't want him going up to just anybody but then I thought if Victor or I are with him, it wouldn't be a problem for him to tell a stranger that he loved them.

He's been such an example to me because some of the people that he says I love you to showed me my real heart.. Sometimes my first instinct would be don't say that to them...BUT i realized that the Holy Spirit was getting my attention and waking me up to the fact that we are indeed supposed to love everybody w/o reservation just like my little boy was doing. Matthew has such a loving spirit and I love that about him and pray that the Lord would continue to mold and grow that within him. I also pray that I would be able to apply the things I have learned from him.

6 years ago (and a couple weeks)

6 years ago (and a couple weeks) I married the perfect man.. Perfect for me that is :) I am so thankful for Victor and that God in His perfect timing united us as one.. Everyday I am reminded that i am blessed to have him and am ever so thankful for his friendship, love, sense of humor, and genuine love for Jesus... Thank you Lord for your goodness and for this marriage!!

Emmy Turned 1!!!!

Our beautiful lil Emmy turned one on June 22!! Emmy is such a wonderful little girl. She is cheerful almost all the time and loves her brother and sister. Emmy loves people and loves to be apart of whatever mischief her siblings get into. We are so proud and thankful for this little lady and feel blessed by her daily!

Random Pics of the Fam