I sure hope that your May has kicked off to a good start. The heat is settling in quick around our parts. We've kicked off May with watching our softball girls win the District. Next week we start another round of ball. It's so much fun to watch these girls and especially our girl, Mallory. She plays centerfield. We were so proud of both teams that played against each other. They all, hand in hand gathered together as one of our girls prayed for the game and also for one of our young men that was in a horrific car accident and fighting. His name is Kaden if you can think to lift him up to our Lord. I had the opportunity recently to speak to a group of women at a ladies luncheon event at a local church. Oh we had so much fun. I wished I had gotten pictures of the beautiful decorations. We had a TEA PARTY and we each kept the cup that we drank out of it. Isn't she just lovely? Easter has come and gone but we sure have a great time with family. We gather each...
Have
you ever thought after reading your daily devotional, "WOW"
God must have wrote that just for me to read that day? Recently my devotional
was on "Mercy". Which was something that I was finding
really hard on that particular day to extend? Just like God to allow me to READ
just what I needed that day huh?
Story
goes like this.....John had served on the seas since the age of 11. His father
had trained him well for a life in the Royal Navy. Although his training would
have qualified him to serve as an officer, his behavior caused him to be
flogged and demoted. He mocked authority, ran with the wrong crowd and indulged
in the sinful ways of the world.
At
the age of 21 John made his living on the Greyhound, a slave ship crossing the
Atlantic Ocean. He ridiculed and poked fun at the religious. He even made jokes
about a book that would reshape his life: The Imitation of Christ.
One
night, just mere hours after John had degraded the book mentioned, the seas
became the enemy. As the waters gushed and the boat was tossed and turned, John
slept.
He
awoke to the find his cabin filled with water and the side of the boat had
collapsed. For nine hours John worked on the pumps along with the other sailors
trying to keep the boat from sinking. John realized it was to no avail.
He
threw himself on the saltwater-soaked deck and pleaded, "If this will not
do, then LORD have mercy on us all."
John
didn't deserve mercy but he received it!
He
never forgot God's mercy. He returned to England where he became a powerful
Pulpiteer and a prolific composer.
You
may have sung his songs, like this one....
Amazing
Grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me......
In
the last years of John Newton's life someone asked him about his health. He
confessed that his powers were failing and memory was almost gone. But he said,
"but I remember two things: I am a great sinner and Jesus is a great
Savior."
What
about you? Do you struggle with showing mercy to those whom you feel does not
deserve it? One thing I do know....I can't do anything on my own. Only through
the power of the Holy Spirit can I be what He desires. I am grateful that Christ did not give me what I deserved! How about you? May we all just take a
moment and reflect on....MERCY!
Eph 2:3-5 (NIV) ...Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
Eph 2:3-5 (NIV) ...Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
Linking up with Miss Kathy
I am enjoying her http://www.thewritersreverie.com/2014/03/all-things-bright-beautiful-link-up-1.html
Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Hello Cindy, I am always amazed by grace. I do feel a number of hymns written long ago were inspired - the do minister beautifully to the soul. The longer I've known the LORD the sweeter he is and the more I realize that if He can show mercy, love, patience and kindness - how can I do less or otherwise - beautiful post. I hope you have a blessed day,
ReplyDeleteKathy
Awesome words of wisdom. I don't want to think of where I'd be without His mercy...and grace. HOPE you have a great day, my friend!
ReplyDeleteYes we are so not worthy of anything but I am so glad that HE found me worthy enough to die for me! Thanks for this Cindy.
ReplyDeleteConnie Royals
I am so thankful that His mercy endures forever! ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteMercy and grace - sometimes a challenge to extend, you are so right. But - when we choose to obey the example of Christ and do this very thing, the healing of God in our lives makes it to flow. I'm seeking wisdom in this very area just now - balance, I suppose. My preference is to meditate on All Things Bright and Beautiful and hence my link-up - so glad you joined the party! Hope you tag the 4th Monday in April to link-in again! Joy!
ReplyDeleteKathy
Mercy and grace - sometimes a challenge to extend, you are so right. But - when we choose to obey the example of Christ and do this very thing, the healing of God in our lives makes it to flow. I'm seeking wisdom in this very area just now - balance, I suppose. My preference is to meditate on All Things Bright and Beautiful and hence my link-up - so glad you joined the party! Hope you tag the 4th Monday in April to link-in again! Joy!
ReplyDeleteKathy
Thanks for dropping by my post and leaving a comment.
ReplyDeleteI love your header Cindy, so spring like and perfect for Easter.
An interesting story of John Newton and how he found his faith. Sometimes it takes a catastrophic event before people believe.
So thankful that there is no benchmark we have to reach or a race we have to win to be accepted by God to receive his grace and mercy.
ReplyDeleteFor those who have come to know God through his son Jesus Christ, his mercy, grace, love and faithfulness are never ending...Never. Ever. Ever.
I'm sticking with God.
Be blessed Miss Cindy.
Johnna D.
I am so thankful for his mercy, and it's fresh every morning Lam 3:22-23
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you today
This was so interesting to read and a good post to link to the party. It's so nice to find your blog and learn more about you, too. I love your family photos on your sidebar.
ReplyDeleteSweet hugs, Diane
Hello Cindy - Where would we be without His grace? Not where we are today, I am sure....and I am so thankful.
ReplyDeleteI'm dropping by from Kathryn's new link up. I'm so glad to meet another kindred spirit, and I love your beautiful blog. Blessings on all you do here,
GG