New Creation

Carolyn

II Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

This has shown up 5 times since Thursday, in random places from our school’s newsletter, to a friend’s blog (thanks, Fran!), to 2 different daily Bible readings this week, and I can’t even remember the 5th place!

It always seems like when I start to see something over and over, it’s something I’m supposed to pay attention to, but I’m not sure why right now. It could be I simply need this reminder that I should be living as the new creation I am, not in my flesh or in my sinful ways.

Or maybe it’s a verse that I’m supposed to share with someone. I’ll pray and ponder some more over this and update if I learn anything new about this!

It is a good way to praise Him today: Through Christ, I have become a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come. Praise You, Lord, that Christ, who knew no sin, became sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God! What a glorious, merciful, and undeserved exchange! Thank you, Jesus.

Leaving a Legacy

Carolyn

This morning I was showing the children my Bible with my name engraved on it from when I was 7 years old. My grandfather gave it to me at Christmas 1976. I showed them the three verses he wrote in the front of the Bible that he wanted me to know: Proverbs 22:1, Jeremiah 33:3, and II Timothy 2:15. That Bible was and still is an absolute treasure to me, and I’ve carried those verses in my heart throughout my lifetime.

What we didn’t know when my grandfather gave me the Bible was that he would be dead only 3 months later, found dead in his home after having a cardiac arrest at age 64.

My grandfather was one of the most kind, gentle, tenderhearted men I have ever known. I remember him vividly and so many experiences with him. I remember the jokes we would tell, the food we would eat (hominy and peanut butter/bacon sandwiches were among our favorites), his garage full of children’s classic books (he was a distributor), his yard and the sandbox, his car, his neck with the creases in the back, his candy box, the dolls he gave me, him letting me fry bacon by myself, and him treating the bubbling blister from the boiling grease that slapped my hand!

Since my own father had died in a car wreck when I was a baby, my grandfather was such a gift from the Lord to stand in the gap. Rarely in life do you have someone who you can know loved you with complete and unconditional love. He was the sweetest man… I don’t have one single memory of him every being mad or unhappy. He never yelled at us. He was compassionate and loving to his core. He loved God, and he loved people, and people loved him.

I’m thankful the Lord gave me 7 years with him, and I’m thankful he gave me that Bible when he did before it was too late. I’m thankful for letters I have from him so I can know what he thought and prayed for me. As I see those prayers come to fruition, I see the power of prayer, even though it may not be realized for many years.

I was married on his birth date, and my son is named after him. I would think that he has likely had the biggest impact on my life as he was present during such critical young years, providing acceptance and love, a picture to me of God’s unconditional love.

Surely he had his weaknesses, but they were unknown to me. In my eyes, he was perfect, and I have not even one single memory to conclude otherwise.

So I praise the Lord for this godly man and his legacy. I know that things that have happened in my life may be the very result of his prayers for me during those early years. What a blessing and encouragement to pray for these things in the lives of my children as well.

Happy New Year 2009!

Carolyn

Each new year, I love to pick a theme verse for the year. The topic I have been studying of late is “the fear of the LORD.” It’s been amazing to study Scripture and look up verses on this subject and see what exactly it means.

The best way I would describe it is standing in awe of God — His might, His power, who He is! It’s not fear in the sense of being afraid (though there may be aspects of that); rather, when we rightly consider Him, though we can’t comprehend Him fully, this will be our reaction to the God that He is.

The fear of the LORD involves walking in His ways, trusting Him, hoping in His mercy, serving Him, departing from evil, loving and obeying Him — just to name a few things I’ve seen in Scripture.

However, the thing that has blessed me the most in my study of this so far is that when I see the fear of the LORD, I see timelessness, promises that extend beyond my lifetime and into eternity. Unlike some of the other promises given in Scripture, these promises to those who fear God go beyond today to future generations:

Luke 1:50 “His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.”

Psalm 103:17 “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children“

Psalm 19:9 “The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.”

How amazing to think that the result of fearing Him might not only be my complete joy and His great mercy upon me, but also extended to my children and their children! This year, I want to learn and grow in the fear of the LORD.

Happy New Year to my many blog readers! 🙂 May you grow more deeply in the knowledge of Jesus this year!

Happy Anniversary!

Carolyn

My mom and step-dad celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last week. As I was driving home today, I thought it worth a blog post to wish them a Happy Anniversary! Why is 25 years so significant? When they married in 1983, my mom was the age I am right now, and my step-dad was 64. Given that most everyone I had known and loved had died prior to getting to age 64 (I have more memories of funerals as a child than birthday parties!), I have to admit I did not have high expectations of a long marriage.

My step-dad was hospitalized a couple of years after they were married. He had one problem, and while that was going on, his appendix ruptured, and during that surgery, they discovered the early stages of colon cancer. I was convinced he was going to die. I remember sitting in the hospital room for hours during his recovery. I would beg God to let him live and let them have a good long marriage. It just didn’t seem right for my mom to be widowed twice.

As I reflected on this today, I see how kind God has been to them. Nearing 90, my step-dad is in great health, has a great mind, and is still strong and active. He has survived two bouts of colon cancer and a broken neck that put him in a neck halo for 8 weeks a few years ago after a car wreck. No one expected him to come through that the same, but why should we limit God?

During his second colon cancer a few years ago, my mom and I committed to pray nightly at 9 p.m. from our separate homes each night leading up to the surgery, instead of choosing to worry. We gave it to the Lord each night, and I was amazed at the things God showed us each day during that time. When the surgery day came, my mom said she had a peace unlike she had ever known, which was quite extraordinary given her propensity to fear things like that.

After surgery, I had to go back to my home 550 miles away while they were still staying at the hospital. One morning, I was with the kids going to Target. As we drove out there, a song by Steven Curtis Chapman was on called “This Day.” “This day, all your mercies are new, this day every promise is true, Father help me to believe, give me faith I need to know You, and trust You, this day.”

After it was over, I told my kids that this was taken from Lamentations 3:23, and I prayed it for my mom and step-dad. When I got home, I called mom and she shared how they had had a terrible morning, felt oppressed in the room, and it had been very upsetting. She said, “we quoted Scripture, and the one that meant so much to us was from Lamentations 3:23.” I know this was not an accident!

I was amazed at how God constantly wove our thoughts and prayers and minds as we were deliberate in seeking Him together for this, how He gave us the same prayers and verses and reassurances. And my step-dad survived and has done well since!

So as I considered some of these things today, I thought God has been really good to them, to us! And 25 years is a big milestone and something to celebrate! We don’t know how long their marriage will be, but the years they have been given together have been good and sweet! Praise You, Lord!

My Daughter’s Christmas List

Carolyn

I found this one day when I came to the computer. My 8 year old daughter had put together her Christmas list.

My Wish List:
The 1st one is the one I want the most

1. A Cross-Stitching Kit
2. Water Color Paints
3. Kaya/Kiristen/Look-Like-Me-Doll the American Girl Dolls
(4. I don’t think this will happen, but for Jesus to come back.)

I think it’s sweet she’s thinking about Jesus’ return, but love her honesty that #1 is what she really wants most!