He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree.
We are his portion and he is our prize, drawn to redemption by the grace in his eyes
If grace is an ocean we're all sinking . . .
I remember the first time I heard the song "How He Loves" by John Mark McMillan. I was in Church at 12Stone, the lights were dimmed, every seat was taken, Hands all over the room were lifted up and the Words "If Grace is an ocean we're all sinking" was shared. . . . Voices all over the room were cheering over this statement.
This was very early in my recommitment to the Lord and I remember thinking, "Why is everyone happy that we're sinking?" It was quite a quandary for me at the time.
It's an amazing thing how the Brain works. Our Understanding of the things which we hear, study and even speak. These simple words 7 years ago meant one thing to me, today they mean so much more.
I'm going through a songwriting course now and I'm learning about rhythm and spotlighting words. How important it is to place words and their relatives so that the audience feels the emotion you are trying to relate. So when I first heard this song, I heard "sinking", today I hear "Grace", "Ocean", "All".
So, what changed? How could (8) words change in their meaning over the course of 7 years?
My understanding of Grace.
Let's start with the definition of Grace -
Grace is defined as: Mercy, Unmerited Favor, Clemency, Pardon
Ephesians 2:1 shares that "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins." What does this mean? "DEAD" when we feel alive? When our Father created us, He did so in that we could have a relationship with Him. When we chose to turn away from Him in the Garden, we opened the door for sin in our lives which separated us from Him and from the relationship He wanted with us. God cannot look on sin, so in our sin we did not have a chance for Eternity with Him, therefore when we delve in sin, we are dead.
In walks Grace!
Ephesians 2:4-10 goes on to share that In God's 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 we have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the Heavenly Realms in Christ Jesus in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His GRACE, expressed in His Kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through Faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
This weekend, we will celebrate the Death of our Great Savior, Jesus. I know, sounds a little weird to celebrate someone's death, but in this case, HIS DEATH brings US LIFE. His Death and resurrection became the turning point for our opportunity to have a relationship with our Father. His Kindness to us in sending His Son to die for our sins was a GIFT. The greatest gift we could ever receive, ETERNITY with our CREATOR, our FATHER, our GOD!
So, now when I sing the lyric "If Grace is an ocean we're all sinking", I, too can cheer. Instead of flailing at the top trying to swim my way to shore, I can sink in the great ocean of My Father's Grace with the Understanding that He Loves me more than anyone ever could and there is nothing that I have to do to earn it. My name was on His Heart at The Cross.
Father, thank you so very much for Your Great Love for Your people! Your continued pursuit of our hearts and Your continued Love for us is humbling and amazing. I am so thankful that You choose to walk with us and that all we have to do is turn our eyes to You, accept Your gift of Grace and have Faith of Your Great Love. I pray Father that as we all turn to You and to Your Son this Easter weekend, that we all will remember the Great Sacrifice at The Cross and give You the thanks and the Glory.
Your Loving Daughter,
Eve
Friday, March 29, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Letter from a Cancer Survivor
In some estimates, around 150 people are diagnosed with cancer every hour in the United States. Death sentence? Not always. Frightening truth? Yes. But we are all dying . . . right?
1994, 2003, 2007 - Years which will forever be etched in my mind . . .
In '94, I was the mother of a 3 and an almost 1 year old. How could this happen? Only 22 years old, I had my whole life ahead of me, I am diagnosed with a rare disease in my Pituitary. My husband overseas, my family 3000 miles away, fear was blindingly alive.
In '03, I was the mother of a 12 and a 9 year old. Only 31 years old, I am diagnosed with a yet 2nd very rare disease called Paraganglioma. I could not imagine my boys growing up without their mother, so I made a deal with God, if He would save me until the boys had graduated High School I would promise to devote my life to Him and He could do with me what He wanted after their graduation. My husband was furious with me. And once again, I was allowing fear to choose my emotion.
In '07, I was the mother of a 16 and a 14 year old. Only 36 years old, a 2nd and 3rd Paraganglioma would be found. Days before my surgery a small group visited us to pray with us. Had never seen them before, and never again, but God knew. . . The night before surgery, I wrote letters to everyone close to me, I still have them. Fearfully, I knew this could possibly be my final act.
Cancer is real and thankfully while my story is still being written, there are many others who's stories are complete.
So today, I write a letter to those whose stories are still being written. A letter of life, a letter of death, a letter of Faith.
Life- So what is life to you? Is it waking up in the morning and watching the sun rise? Is it watching children run around the park laughing and playing? Is it riding The Mind Bender at increasing speed? Is it jumping out of an airplane at amazing heights? Is it watching the tide gently roll in after a long day? Is it witnessing the beauty of a newborn babe as it is placed in the arms of his mother?
Life can be so many things to so many people, but the beauty of it is that it is YOURS. A blessing given to you, every breath, every movement, every heartbeat, every laugh, every cry.
Death- So what about death? Is it scary? Is it final? Is it worrisome? Is it a crossover to an eternal life of peace and joy with The Heavenly Father who created you?
Death is such a dark word, but is it really dark or is it a testament to the life that came before and a journey to the Heavenly Beauty yet to come?
Faith- So what about Faith? Is it real? Is it alive? Is it a myth? Is it Hope?
The dictionary describes Faith with several definitions:
1- confidence or trust in a person or thing;
2- belief not based on proof;
3- belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion.
The Bible describes Faith as this:
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
In today's world, it's so easy to get inundated by distractions which can create a fearful reaction and forget the Promises we have been given:
Matthew 17:20 - If you have Faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through Faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast.
Galatians 2:16 - Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by Faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever BELIEVES in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Does this mean I will never feel pain? No. Does it mean that I will never again suffer? No Does it mean that my cancer is cured? Well Yes and No.
Cancer is partially defined as any disease characterized by growths tending to be malignant, invasive, recurring. It is also defined as an evil influence that spreads dangerously. So while my physical disease is multiplying tumors, my spiritual disease was Fear. The opposite of Faith.
I was afraid of everything from the time I was a tyke. My mom told stories of how I was afraid the smoke detector would "create" the fire. I know, pretty funny, but this was my life. Looking back, I was so afraid of death, but unfortunately I was also afraid of life. I could dream up the problem before it ever occurred. I could see the train coming.
And that is how Fear works, it is a cancer which spreads quickly, influencing every thought, every movement, every decision; keeping me from the life He designed for me. (Jeremiah 29:11)
However, Faith, on the other hand, allows you to:
1- Give the Fear up to The Father. - PEACE
2- Live a life of freedom. Freedom from worry, uncertainty, freedom to enjoy the beauty blessed me in my life. - BREATHE
3- Develop a relationship with The One who breathed life into me. He knit me in my mothers womb (Psalm 139:13) - BEAUTIFUL
4- Allow me to FEEL LOVE and ACCEPTANCE for who I am, who I was created as,
(Psalm 139:14) and not worry about what others think about me or serve to mold me into their idea of who I should be. - LOVE
5- Live the life He designed for me, with purpose, with love, with strength, with peace. COURAGE
And while cancer may win and take my body one day, my Heavenly Father has blessed me with a Gift, a Promise, An Inheritance which guarantees that I will be seated with Christ in the heavenly realms in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His Grace; expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6-7)
I have nothing to be afraid of, the arms of my Father will comfort me all the day long, the wisdom of The Holy Spirit will guide me all my life long and the Love of Jesus has delivered the promise which allows me to be with Him in Heaven when this earthly body is spent.
Father, I am so thankful that You CHOOSE to grant us Freedom from Fear, Share with us Your Bountiful Grace, bring us Comfort and teach us Love. I pray that Your Precious Word will be knitted on the hearts of many others and that they too will know that Fear has no place in the hearts of those You call to be Children of God.
Your Loving Daughter,
Eve
1994, 2003, 2007 - Years which will forever be etched in my mind . . .
In '94, I was the mother of a 3 and an almost 1 year old. How could this happen? Only 22 years old, I had my whole life ahead of me, I am diagnosed with a rare disease in my Pituitary. My husband overseas, my family 3000 miles away, fear was blindingly alive.
In '03, I was the mother of a 12 and a 9 year old. Only 31 years old, I am diagnosed with a yet 2nd very rare disease called Paraganglioma. I could not imagine my boys growing up without their mother, so I made a deal with God, if He would save me until the boys had graduated High School I would promise to devote my life to Him and He could do with me what He wanted after their graduation. My husband was furious with me. And once again, I was allowing fear to choose my emotion.
In '07, I was the mother of a 16 and a 14 year old. Only 36 years old, a 2nd and 3rd Paraganglioma would be found. Days before my surgery a small group visited us to pray with us. Had never seen them before, and never again, but God knew. . . The night before surgery, I wrote letters to everyone close to me, I still have them. Fearfully, I knew this could possibly be my final act.
Cancer is real and thankfully while my story is still being written, there are many others who's stories are complete.
So today, I write a letter to those whose stories are still being written. A letter of life, a letter of death, a letter of Faith.
Life- So what is life to you? Is it waking up in the morning and watching the sun rise? Is it watching children run around the park laughing and playing? Is it riding The Mind Bender at increasing speed? Is it jumping out of an airplane at amazing heights? Is it watching the tide gently roll in after a long day? Is it witnessing the beauty of a newborn babe as it is placed in the arms of his mother?
Life can be so many things to so many people, but the beauty of it is that it is YOURS. A blessing given to you, every breath, every movement, every heartbeat, every laugh, every cry.
Death- So what about death? Is it scary? Is it final? Is it worrisome? Is it a crossover to an eternal life of peace and joy with The Heavenly Father who created you?
Death is such a dark word, but is it really dark or is it a testament to the life that came before and a journey to the Heavenly Beauty yet to come?
Faith- So what about Faith? Is it real? Is it alive? Is it a myth? Is it Hope?
The dictionary describes Faith with several definitions:
1- confidence or trust in a person or thing;
2- belief not based on proof;
3- belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion.
The Bible describes Faith as this:
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
In today's world, it's so easy to get inundated by distractions which can create a fearful reaction and forget the Promises we have been given:
Matthew 17:20 - If you have Faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, "Move from here to there" and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you have been saved through Faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works so that no one may boast.
Galatians 2:16 - Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by Faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever BELIEVES in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Does this mean I will never feel pain? No. Does it mean that I will never again suffer? No Does it mean that my cancer is cured? Well Yes and No.
Cancer is partially defined as any disease characterized by growths tending to be malignant, invasive, recurring. It is also defined as an evil influence that spreads dangerously. So while my physical disease is multiplying tumors, my spiritual disease was Fear. The opposite of Faith.
I was afraid of everything from the time I was a tyke. My mom told stories of how I was afraid the smoke detector would "create" the fire. I know, pretty funny, but this was my life. Looking back, I was so afraid of death, but unfortunately I was also afraid of life. I could dream up the problem before it ever occurred. I could see the train coming.
And that is how Fear works, it is a cancer which spreads quickly, influencing every thought, every movement, every decision; keeping me from the life He designed for me. (Jeremiah 29:11)
However, Faith, on the other hand, allows you to:
1- Give the Fear up to The Father. - PEACE
2- Live a life of freedom. Freedom from worry, uncertainty, freedom to enjoy the beauty blessed me in my life. - BREATHE
3- Develop a relationship with The One who breathed life into me. He knit me in my mothers womb (Psalm 139:13) - BEAUTIFUL
4- Allow me to FEEL LOVE and ACCEPTANCE for who I am, who I was created as,
(Psalm 139:14) and not worry about what others think about me or serve to mold me into their idea of who I should be. - LOVE
5- Live the life He designed for me, with purpose, with love, with strength, with peace. COURAGE
And while cancer may win and take my body one day, my Heavenly Father has blessed me with a Gift, a Promise, An Inheritance which guarantees that I will be seated with Christ in the heavenly realms in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His Grace; expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6-7)
I have nothing to be afraid of, the arms of my Father will comfort me all the day long, the wisdom of The Holy Spirit will guide me all my life long and the Love of Jesus has delivered the promise which allows me to be with Him in Heaven when this earthly body is spent.
Father, I am so thankful that You CHOOSE to grant us Freedom from Fear, Share with us Your Bountiful Grace, bring us Comfort and teach us Love. I pray that Your Precious Word will be knitted on the hearts of many others and that they too will know that Fear has no place in the hearts of those You call to be Children of God.
Your Loving Daughter,
Eve
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