Soul Sister Time

            Memorial Day is a day we set aside to remember those we have lost, especially those brave warriors who have defended our freedom.   Though it is painful to acknowledge that those who we long to be here with us on earth are gone, it is important to remember them.   This holiday is essential to our health and happiness.             Paul explained the importance of grieving by remembering this way in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. 13  Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14  For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15  According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16  For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, wi

                I have a new puppy, and it has become important that I am mindful of my commands.   Though I do hold his face and look him in the eye and give instruction like the counselor I am (pointed out to me by my daughter) what he needs most from me are consistent commands for him to figure out how to live in this world.                   Ever so slowly, he is making improvements as he learns through trial and error what it is that I want from him and molds his natural instincts into pleasing me and obeying my commands.   Over time he is trusting that I mean well for him.   I do not want to harm him.   I want to provide for him.   I want the best for him.   Still there is a disconnect between his nature that wants his own way and his desire to please me, which is something he wants too.                   Our relationship reminds me so much of my relationship with God.   I don’t always want to follow His commands.   Many commands are easy to understand like attending ch

            Grace that is greater than all our sin is some pretty outstanding grace!   That one-syllable word flows off our tongues like the first taste of our favorite ice cream on a hot summer day.   It’s a pleasant thought.   We all want grace.   We will accept it when it’s offered, but do we really even begin to comprehend the immensity of the grace we are offered by God?             Mercy is not getting what you deserve, and grace is getting far more than you deserve.   When we really enter into grace most fully we come to see more of the beauty of God.   Receiving grace won’t leave you boasting about getting what you don’t deserve; it will leave true grace can only result in turning the focus from what we get that we don’t deserve to what a gracious God is who gives so abundantly and fully in ways we could never have imagined!   There is no boasting in grace.   When we are proud of what we have in God, we are not expressing the fullness of what it means to receive grace b

            The most horrific events of life harmonize the juxtaposition of what it means to trust in God.   Without challenges that threaten our natural desires to trust God, we would not truly know what trust in God really means.               Men who thought they fully trusted in God cried out against Jesus as He hung on the cross: He trusts in God.   Let God rescue him now if he wants him (Matthew 27:43).   Indeed everything about how and why and where He was on the cross was demonstrating His complete trust in God.               No doubt those who trust in God will continue to be ridiculed and questioned about their foolish faith.   Yet trust in God requires faith in what we cannot see.               Trust in God will be required of every soul that seeks to know Him and be set free from the trap of sin.   Trust in God is what is called out of us in order to partake in the hope, joy and peace that He longs to give.             Romans 15:13 says:   May the God of hop