Getting Carried Away
-Terri Fornear Surely He took up my weaknesses and carried my sorrows… Isaiah 53:4 Can you imagine this God, Who created zillions of stars and knows about and counts every grain of sand on this earth? He sees you; Sees me. my…
-Terri Fornear Surely He took up my weaknesses and carried my sorrows… Isaiah 53:4 Can you imagine this God, Who created zillions of stars and knows about and counts every grain of sand on this earth? He sees you; Sees me. my…
-by Terri Fornear This is the 3rd in a series of excerpts from Terri Fornear’s new book, Abiding Through the Shadows, A Caretaker’s Struggle with God’s Goodness. Joe’s diagnosis changed three times, ending with metastatic melanoma. I mention metastatic, because people would…
– Terri Fornear This is the 2nd in a series of excerpts from Terri Fornear’s new book, Abiding Through the Shadows, A Caretaker’s Struggle with God’s Goodness. On the Costa Rica trip, Joe seemed tired and did not want to go…
– Terri Fornear This is the first in a series of excerpts from Terri Fornear’s new book, Abiding Through the Shadows, A Caretaker’s Struggle with God’s Goodness. I was a pastor’s wife—a person who should believe in God’s love—no matter what. I…
I can draw near NOW! No manipulation, no formula, no rituals, no devotion can make me any closer than I already am. His work did it!
Step 10 wakes me up each day to being aware of my source of Life, whether flesh or Spirit. The Spirit actually leads me to love myself first - by receiving Christ’s view of me. Then loving others comes easier as I’m living out of completeness and fullness, not out of need or duty. Then I can go to anyone I’ve hurt and apologize without losing the truth about myself.
Making a sincere direct amends is my part in experiencing freedom and building bridges with those I hurt.
Step 8 gives me a chance to list those I have hurt and become willing or courageous to “love” them - whether they receive it or not. This step opens the door for me to see the pain I’ve caused others and set me free from making my pain master over my feelings and thoughts about myself.
My true self is already as it should be. It is not something that I whip into shape - as it is the seed of Christ in Me!!!! That seed takes over where my powerlessness ends. His work becomes bigger as my eyes are open to God’s will - which WAS done on the cross!
It is tempting to think we must change on our own so that God will be pleased with us. It is also tempting to think that we can change on our own. Yet we know Paul had become so frustrated that he gave up trying to change. Can you relate to Paul?