no condemnation

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  
- Romans 8:1

What does this mean?  No Condemnation?  I think sometimes we hurry through simply verses that have a lot of meaning.  That really if we thought about the words, the message of what those words mean, if we lived them out, we wouldn't feel the things we feel.

Me included.

If you are IN Christ Jesus, you have no condemnation.  How can you be "in" Christ Jesus?  
When He is in You...You are In Him.

No condemnation = 

• It means there is no blame.  
• It means there can be no adverse judgement on you.  
• There can be no disapproval of you.
• It means you are liberated.  
• You are exonerated.  
• You are released.  
• You are discharged. 
• You are free.
• It means you are made clear.
• There is no guilt.
• There is no sentence for you.
• No punishment.
• You are fit.

If you have feelings that you are blamed, judged, disapproved, imprisoned, bound, discolored, defective, blemished, obscured, guilty, sentenced, penalized, punished, unfit...these are not in or of Christ Jesus.

So therefore who are they in?  These are the characteristics of those who are NOT in Christ Jesus.  God did not come to condemn the world.  The world isn't Christians.  It is everyone.  So if God didn't condemn the world, why do you condemn others, or even yourself?  Since I am in Him and cannot be condemned, why is there condemnation for me?  There isn't.  Not by God.  There especially shouldn't be any condemnation by God's people who are in Him.  Those who are not in God do not know or understand the concept of no condemnation so I would expect they would have condemnation because they don't understand it.  But those who are in God should understand no condemnation, because they KNOW they are not condemned.  It is really simple, if you are IN Him, you have no condemnation.  None.  If you have no condemnation how can you put condemnation on someone else?

God came for you to be...

• Blameless.
• Without judgement.
• Approved.
• Liberated.
• Exonerated.
• Released.
• Discharged.
• Free.
• Clear.
• Guiltless.
• Without sentence.
• Without punishment.
• Fit.

I challenge you to make your own list, as I did.  In Jesus Christ...you have NO CONDEMNATION!  You are approved and completely free.

God makes things possible...

Nick & his Bride!

nuggets from this video:

be unique...have a head over heels approach to life..have a generous spirit - like Nick Vujicic! 

You are special! 

In my eyes, we all have a couple pieces missing as a Prince or Princess, even if they aren't obvious. 

Turn disadvantage into advantage.

"It doesn't mean I won't cry...it doesn't mean I won't understand everything...but I know He is with Me!"

Quotes

song ~ NY2LA

Press Play - NY2LA (New York To LA) 

New York to LA

Everybody get together
Let's work it out
Got the answer for this world
Let's make it count

Uh oh, uh oh
It's time to live it out
This crazy world we're livin' in
Is lookin' to us now


CHORUS
Oh, we all need love
A different kind of love
One that only comes from above
(X2)

Everybody dance
Everybody move
We can make a change
From New York to LA
(X2)


It's made up to you and me
So what's it gonna be
We can make a stand today
For love and unity

Uh oh, uh oh
I think the time has come
For us to make a difference
And live as one

Chorus

We are here on planet earth
To make a change
To stand for those who cannot

To never back down
But stand proud for God
The one and only true love

A different kind of love
A love that gives and forgives
Doesn't judge but extends a helping hand
A love that finds a need and fills it

A different kind of love
A love that shares hope, vision and dreams
A love that's not relevant, but revolutionary

Everybody dance
Everybody move
We can make a change
From New York to LA
(X4)

verse from a friend

The Lord put this verse on my heart for you.  Isaiah 66:9.  Remember this as you go through this difficult process, and know it will get easier...love you.

prayer from a friend

Lord, I know you know ALL our needs and you care for us much more than we can imagine.  Be with Misty during this time...her faith is strong, but so are the emotions that are surging. Help her and give her the wisdom to deal with them to bring inner healing that only comes from you.  Comfort her as she travels in her heart and mind to places forgotten.  Give her the strength to endure this difficult time and guide her in burying lies as they surface.  Your love is so amazing and I know your car for Misty is beyond my own.  Show her that...make it real to her.  In your precious name, Amen!

Counseling Session #2

I started my story.  It contained three short paragraphs.  I couldn't write more.  I got stuck.  What was there to write?  I couldn't write just about facts because the facts have memories.  These memories are not happy ones.  These memories bring back a flood of feelings as if I am standing right there, all over again.

I cried.

I shook with sobs.

Three paragraphs do this to me?  Really???

I feel sick to the pit of my stomach.  

This is really hard.  Very tough.  I am not sure I can do it.  I have never been a quitter.  Never.  I don't know how I am going to make it through this.  I haven't even begun to tell "the rest of the story".  I don't know why anyone in their right mind would choose counseling.  Seriously don't.

Assessment from today:

• You have experienced a lot of change in a short amount of time.  
• We become so driven to survive we don't feel.  
• God wants to open the window of fear and bondage.

Quotes

Don't wait for other people to be loving, giving, compassionate, grateful, forgiving, generous, or friendly...
                                                  lead the way!
- Steve Maraboli

Ashley's Graduation

I'ld rather be effective then accepted. 
- Sara Ahmed, Valedictorian for Texas Virtual Academy


Embrace change...not with anxiety but eagerly. 

Take a few risks - You will regret what you haven't done not what you have: Just Go For it! The dishonor is failure to try. 

Extraordinary things take extraordinary effort. Don't underestimate extraordinary effort, most people do.

Figure out what is important to you and go do it.

- Ron Packard, Guest Speaker at Texas Virtual Academy Class of 2013

song ~ nothing is wasted

Nothing Is Wasted 

by Jason Gray

The hurt that broke your heart

And left you trembling in the dark
Feeling lost and alone
Will tell you hope's a lie
But what if every tear you cry
Will seed the ground where joy will grow

And nothing is wasted
Nothing is wasted
In the hands of our Redeemer
Nothing is wasted

It's from the deepest wounds
That beauty finds a place to bloom 
And you will see before the end
That every broken piece is
Gathered in the heart of Jesus
And what's lost will be found again

Nothing is wasted
Nothing is wasted
In the hands of our Redeemer
Nothing is wasted

From the ruins 
From the ashes
Beauty will rise
From the wreckage
From the darkness
Glory will shine
Glory will shine

Nothing is wasted
Nothing is wasted
In the hands of our Redeemer
Nothing is wasted
[x2]

From the ruins 
From the ashes
Beauty will rise
From the wreckage
From the darkness
Glory will shine
Glory will shine

ephesians 4:2

Counseling Session #1

I resumed counseling today.  

I have been asked to write my story, with facts, not to focus on feelings.  

The goal is to work through how these types of things make me feel...to rewrite my story with how God has redeemed me.

I am to recognize my limits if it gets difficult.  Have a plan if I get overwhelmed.

Quotes

my blogging

I started blogging because I wanted to have a way to reflect on the monumental trips I made in my journey.  I wanted to document the fun things in memories.   Weddings.  Trips.  Company.  Etc.

Blogging grew from my original vision.  It became way for me to have an online journal for me to write and share the experiences I have in life, to reflect on verses that meant something to me that day, a thought that was a great concept, a quote that had depth of meaning, a way to share thoughts and things I think about, a visual board of things that inspire me, a way to interact with my friends in the rest of the world virtually, a way to express the courage I have to press on in this journey.

I love Blogging.  I get behind in it at times and don't get to do it as much as I want to.  I am trying to schedule weekly blogging time as it is something I benefit from and is a good source of "me time".

However, if you have followed my blog, you will probably start to see a change as I open up more on some things.  Things I have not shared before, things I am working through, new believes and truth I have uncovered.  If it becomes too difficult for you to read, feel free to not.  I don't write for a following.  You are welcome to follow or subscribe, you are not obligated to as my friend.  Please know, you will not hurt my feelings if you do or don't.  It's your choice.  I still love you whatever you decide to do.

My blog was not created for you.  It was created for me.  

Having said that, I like the interaction when people comment, but I don't expect it.  Everyone has a different viewpoint of the public forum online.  My perspective is really simple: every bit of that was logged by God so why do you feel leaving it off the internet makes it okay?  Just a thought to think about today.

song ~ made alive

Made Alive

by Citizens

I once was dead in sin
Alone and hopeless.
A child of wrath I walked
Condemned in darkness.

But Your mercy brought new life
And in Your love and kindness,
Raised me up with Christ
And made me righteous.

You have bought me back
With the riches of,
Your amazing grace
And relentless love.
I'm made alive forever,
With You, life forever
By Your grace I'm saved
(By Your grace I'm saved)

Lord, You are the light,
That broke the darkness.
You satisfy my soul,
When I am heartless.

If ever I forget
My true identity,
Show me who I am,
And help me to believe.

You have brought me back
With the riches of,
Your amazing grace
And relentless love.
I'm made alive forever,
With You, life forever
By Your grace I'm saved
(By Your grace I'm saved)

My sin has been erased,
I'll never be the same.
My sin has been erased,
I'll never be the same.

You have bought me back
With the riches of,
Your amazing grace
And relentless love.
I'm made alive forever,
With You, life forever
By Your grace I'm saved

You have bought me back
With the riches of,
Your amazing grace
And relentless love.
I'm made alive forever,
With You, life forever
By Your grace I'm saved
(By your grace I'm saved)

Memorial Day Weekend 2013

I got the priviledge of being asked to join some friends on their Memorial Day Weekend Road Trip.  The week was a very stressful one and at one point I thought I seriously was going to be making a mistake if I went even though I desperately wanted to because an employee quit, I had a speaking engagement, the house was a disaster (still is), I was going on a 3 day business trip and when was I going to do laundry and pack???  Yah, impossible even for superwoman!

Sometimes I don't take deep breaths very well.  Or at all.  I find myself not breathing.

Awwwhhh...but I needed a break.

We had some really great conversations on the drive up to Joplin MO. Friday Night we went out to dinner at UnderCliff.  It was a gorgeous evening with yummy food and drinks!  We sat out on the patio until a table was ready for us chatting and enjoying a drink in the lovely weather...



I stayed with Andy & Kimmie and really enjoyed getting to know them more.  We did a lot of laughing...and bunch of nothing!  

Saturday I got to go with Jenn to get a few groceries at the store.  We had a talk, one of those quiet girl talks when one person is crying, I reached over and grabbed her hands and said let's pray.  We did.  Awwwhhhhh, I love friendships like this where you can be real!  True real friends.  Where you can share and know the other person understands.  There is nothing like them.

Saturday Night we did a cook out at Bill & Polly Roy's. The following are pictures from that evening...

guys enjoying guy talk out on the patio...

gals having great conversation inside...

some of the kitchen cleanup crew...

me...RELAXING.  

That was my #1 Goal all Weekend  =  NOTHING else

more patio time in great weather and lots of great conversations!

On the way out of town on Monday, we stopped by to see some of Jennifer's family at their Family Reunion at the park.  Her dad took us out for a ride in this fun car!  Even with my hair pulled back in a bun, it got whipped around.  Such a classic!!!

going for a ride!

You aren't gonna believe this...but I didn't take my laptop and I didn't work after we got out of Fort Worth.  No checking business email or taking phone calls.  None.  

Maybe I am learning how to take breaks...every now and then?

Quotes

If you want something said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman. 
- Margaret Thatche

NO. {I am not gonna work today...}

song ~ I am Not the Same

I Am Not the Same

by Seventh Day Slumber

You restore the wasted years
You build the broken walls
Your love replaces fear
Ohh, Your mercy makes us whole
Adopted, healed and lifted

I am not the same
I'm a new creation
I am not the same anymore
I am not ashamed
I will not be shaken
I am not the same anymore


I bow before Your cross
This broken life made new
Amazed at all You are
And who I am in You
Adopted, healed and lifted
Forgiven, found and rescued

I am not the same
I'm a new creation
I am not the same anymore
I am not ashamed
I will not be shaken
I am not the same anymore


You have overcome
It is finished, it is done
Now my heart is finally free
Every chain undone
By the power of the Son
Risen Savior, reigning King
Forevermore, You reign
Forevermore, You reign

I am not the same
I'm a new creation
I am not the same anymore
I am not ashamed
I will not be shaken
I am not the same anymore


You have overcome
It is finished, it is done
Now my heart is finally free
Every chain undone
By the power of the Son
Risen Savior, reigning King
Reign in me

{giveaway} The Virginia House & Shabby Apple

The Virginia House is hosting a giveaway with Shabby Apple! Check out this link and comment on the blog to enter your chance of winning $50 with them.

bank experience

Because of my love for accuracy and working with numbers and in accounting, whenever I do a garage sale, my friends always make me in charge of the money box. We always balance...or we are over because someone forgot to write a purchase down when we all handle the mad rush of people.  I haven't ever been short, but I know there are people that have had that experience.  Such was the case this past weekend.  We were $3 over.  I distributed the money to those who did the sale with me and then took out mine.  It all balanced, completely!  

Tonight, I went to the drive through bank and asked for a deposit slip. As is always my practice before I deposit funds, I count it again.  What I put on the form was exactly what I balanced to and what I had calculated this weekend and I filled out the slip. I sent my hard earned $134.93 [technically $84.93 as $50.00 of that was what I had drawn out to make change] thru the drive up teller lane. When the teller received my funds and counted them, she then told me that I didn't have what I wrote on the deposit slip, it was $11.00 short. At this point, I got mad.  I told her that I had balanced it at home as I had a garage sale this past weekend and had counted it twice before filling out the form and I had the same number.  I asked her to send it back to me to recount. Sure enough, it now was $11.00 short. I was floored!!!  How do you think you can get away with this? You can't. God saw you!  I called her out on it. I told her that it didn't match what I had and her response was "What do you want me to do? The only thing I can do is recount my drawer."  The problem with this is the money does not go into your drawer until you have balanced my transaction.  She then asked if I knew how much I had of each number.  I said yes I do, that is all at home on my paperwork.  I know she didn't believe me.  

I was angry.  Very angry.  It made me feel very sick.  To have worked this hard and loose $11.00 all because someone thought it was funny, was mean, downright mean.  I should have gone inside [though the Lobby was now closed]. I should not have trusted people are honest. God knows she evidently needed the $11.00 more than I did, but this stings and yes, I am angry at people who do fraud! I know I normally do not vent like this, but now you can see that I truly do have times that I do get angry.

I then texted my friend Debbie about the situation.  She had done the garage sale with me and I couldn't believe it and just wanted to share what happened.  Debbie wanted to give me $11.00.  That isn't why I texted her...I wouldn't think that just because she did the garage sale with me that means we need to split this loss.  Really?  I can make another $11.00...God will provide.  The $11.00 is not what hurts.  Don't get me wrong, I am not into making my hard earned money just to throw it away, Why was I angry?  Why can't I just feel compassion about someone taking their struggles out on me?  Someone out to create pain and hurt in my life?  I simply am angry at how cruel people can be.  Careless.  Without feeling.  Making you the "bad guy", the one trying to cheat the bank out on their funds when in reality that was not the case.  This is what makes me angry!

Once I got home, I prayed that God help me to know how to handle this because I believe the branch manager needs to know the details.  I will find my garage sale paper with our sales and total made along with the breakdown of how many $20's, $10's, $5's, $1's, $0.25's, $0.10's, and $0.01's.  Doesn't mean that it will end in my favor, but I think they need to know that I don't accept fraud and will do business with banks and people that expect excellence.  As a customer of their's, this should mean something to them.  I don't expect it to mean something to them, as I have had other issues previously.  I also want to learn what I need to from this.  I know I keenly struggle with feeling fought against all the time.  I don't want things like this to make me angry.  I want to be that loving person in spite of the way I am treated...Always.