History

You've probably heard Matthew West's song "History." I had heard it but never listened until yesterday. Wow. From Matthew West's website:

Philippians 3:13-14, 1 Timothy 1:12-17
"Everyone’s past is filled with imperfections. The scriptures say, '…All have sinned…' But the second we recognize how much we need forgiveness and ask God for His grace to save us, it’s done. Now if you’re anything like me, that seems to be only half the battle. For me, the hardest part is forgiving myself. The mistakes I’ve made try to haunt me, follow me and remind me that I’m no good.

"The failures of yesterday become the regrets of today; the regrets of today become the discouragement of tomorrow, and before you know it, the future starts looking more and more like the past. The Bible speaks clearly to all of us sinners, 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—and I was the worst of them all (1 Timothy 1:15).' It’s that simple, we’re saved. All that stuff that we used to wear around our hearts like a two-ton weight, that’s all history now.

"But the story doesn’t end there. God’s love can make history of your past. He forgives and forgets. Now it’s time to move forward into a life of grace. Because, the truth is, God isn’t done with you yet. Your life from here on out, starting with the next breath you breathe, is history in the making! What if we lived every single second ready and willing for God to do something great with our lives?

"...for anyone who has ever made a mistake. God’s grace can forgive you. It’s up to you to forgive yourself. The crazy thing is, even as I write this, and even as you read this, history is in the making!"

Lyrics for the song:

"It's been a bad day
You've been looking back
And all you can see is everything you wish you could take back
All your mistakes A world of regrets
All of those moments you would rather forget
I know it's hard to believe
Let me refresh your memory
Yesterday is history And history is miles away
So, leave it all behind you
But let it always remind you of the day
The day that love made history

You know you can't stay right where you fell
The hardest part is forgiving yourself
But let's take a walk into today
And don't let your past get in the way
Would you believe that you are history in the making?

Every choice that you are making
Every step that you are taking
Every chain that you are breaking
History is in the making
Every word that you are saying
Every prayer that you are praying
Every chain that you are breaking
History is in the making"

It's Not About Me

I love these thoughts in It's Not About Me:

"Your pain has a purpose. Your problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end--the glory of God. 'Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory' (Ps 51;15)...

"Why was the blind man on the side of the road blind? So 'the works of God might be displayed in him' Jn 9.

"'This sickness is not to end in death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of Man may be glorified by it' (Jn 11:4).

"Is there any chance, any possibility, that you have been selected to struggle for God's glory? Have you 'been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for his sake' (Philippians 1:29)?

"Are people strengthened by your struggles? It's not about you. Your hospital room is a showcase for your Maker. Your faith in the face of suffering cranks up the volume of God's song.

"God will use whatever he wants to display his glory."

Our faith in the face of suffering may lead one person to seek a like faith. "Did God orchestrate...illness for that very reason? Knowing the value he places on one soul, I wouldn't be surprised. And imagining the splendor of heaven, I know [the sufferer will not be] complaining.

"A season of suffering is a small assignment when compared to the reward.

"Rather than begrudge your problem, explore it. Ponder it. And most of all, use it. Use it to the glory of God."

Easy for me to say, I know.

You've probably read it but it's worth repeating. I need to paste this everywhere in my house.

The Point

A new verse for me. Well, maybe not a new verse but new insight.

John 5: 39-40. Jesus says, "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that they can give you eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life."

The Jewish leaders worshipped Scripture itself. But Scripture tells about HIM... and there HE was, standing right before them. Even today, it's true. How many times do we find ourselves holding up Scripture itself and then missing the POINT?!

Pray for Christal

Well, parts of this week have been hard. Mostly just my attitude (and a little hormone stuff) but several yuck times during the week. Then, I get an email that puts it all into perspective.

Four years ago a daughter of a friend of several friends, Christal Reynolds, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I don't know the exact details but she had several surgeries then a clean scan in November 2004. Three months later, it was back. More surgeries, etc. Back and forth until a stable scan in March of this year. Then, a blood infection. And in July, scans showed four tumors. At this point, she is/should be in the second grade. She has had at least 20 surgeries.

The email I got tonight said that Christal's not doing well so I checked the website. http://www.christalinfo.com/default.htm Look how many people have signed her guestbook JUST TODAY!

"Christal is lovingly being held by her family, praying together, making sure that she knows that it is ok for her to go. She is not in pain. Her breathing is difficult, but does not seem to be troubling her at all. We have prayed, we have hugged, we have loved, and we have cherished this time we have had with her, but her journey is ending."

We all have "stuff" to deal with but this...there are no words. I only have tears.

Please pray for the Reynolds family tonight but also, count your blessings...and go kiss your little ones.

(And for anyone reading this who HAS lost a child, please forgive me. I do not mean to be insensitive. I just truly needed the slap in the face this week.)