Protect the Peace

It's cold here, and the temperature is dropping by the minute with snow expected all day tomorrow.  I am obviously not at home in Florida; most definitely out of my comfort zone as far as the mercury goes, but nevertheless enjoying the adventure. 

Suffering from the lack of traditional comforts like my bed, my kids, my car and my t.v., can induce a little anxiety and when out of my normal routine, I sometimes stray away from spending time in the word, so this morning, I grabbed my phone, which is loaded with several bible study applications and began to read these words:

"...our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand..." (Romans 5:2) 

This incredible grace in which we stand in the presence of the Father.  When I meditate on this, I sense His acceptance and welcome, no matter what kind of mood I've been in, or how my thoughts have wandered into dark and scary places.  In His presence, these things that just a moment ago seemed oppressive, evaporate like a puddle on an steamy August afternoon.  I need to find a way to remain in this peace even when (especially when) challenges arise.

Picking up gloves, a scarf and hat, a sweater and overcoat to protect myself from the elements, reminds me that I need to protect that peace, by layering truth upon truth, promise upon promise.  I'm confident that I will survive this burst of arctic weather as well as every attempt the enemy makes to steal away this peace I've found. 

As you navigate your own world today with all of its ups and downs, remind yourself that your are continually in a state of grace, standing in the presence of the Father who loves you unconditionally.

Are We Still Sinners?

Here comes the debate on the touchy subject of whether or not believers are still sinners.  I've heard many preachers say things like, "I am a wretched sinner, saved by grace," or "we are all sinners, continually missing the mark." I understand that they are trying to identify with the Apostle Paul when he proclaims himself "the chief of sinners," or "the worst of them all,"  though he was simply holding himself up as an example of us all, in order to prove that no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands.  The law is a picture of the perfect and holy character of God, a standard none could meet.

In Romans 5:6-11, as Paul describes sinners, the literal translation is the ungodly.  In my early education I recall learning that putting the letters "un" in front of an adjective turns it into the opposite of the original word, i.e., true/untrue and happy/unhappy; now you know where I am going with this.  We were once the ungodly, enemies of God; but when we were saved, we became friends of God.

"But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God's condemnation... our friendship with God was restored... we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God... " (Romans 5:8-11)

In no way am I discounting the seriousness of the plight of the sinner I know I once was; however, the Spirit of God bears witness in me through the scripture that I am now the righteousness of God, in Christ Jesus.  He took my sin and gave me His righteousness in return—such undeserved kindness! Righteousness is then not what I do, but how I am perceived by God due to the blood of Christ.

Are we still sinners then?  I don't see myself that way anymore, because I have a new relationship with God.  If I were continually sin-conscious, noting every single failure and infraction throughout the day and constantly uttering, "Forgive me, forgive me, I'm sorry," I'm afraid I would feel hopeless.  Instead, I look to the cross and thank God that all of my sins have already been punished—past, present and future—and thanks be to God, there is no condemnation left for me.

So there is the place of peace; the cross upon which the Savior died in my place... the very spot where the guilty conscience can be set free to find Peace With God.

The Peace Treaty

I remember a movie on television a while back, about a Japanese man who'd been on a deserted island in the south Pacific for many years.  In fact, he'd been the sole survivor of an attack during WWII, and the news had never come to him about the Allies' victory and the end of the war.  Decades later, when a group of people tried to convince him that his people had surrendered long ago, he refused to believe and carried on at war with anyone who set foot on his tiny island.

This soldier had no idea that someone had made a treaty for peace on behalf of him and his country.  His people were no longer at war with America; on the contrary, the two countries were tied together industrially and economically.  Imagine how difficult it was for this old man to comprehend... everything had changed.

Man has been at odds with God since Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden due to their rebellion. Some people interpret this act of God as mean or impulsive--but within this exchange in Genesis 3, are three incredible acts of mercy:

1. God chose to cover their nakedness with animal skin instead of the fig leaves they'd chosen.  Although there is no particular mention of it, the implication is that God Himself killed the animal(s) making the first blood sacrfice in order to cover sin.
2. When Adam & Eve had eaten from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, they obtained knowledge that was not meant for them.  Had they partaken of the Tree of Life, they would have lived forever in their sinful state, and that was not God's plan.
3. As God passed judgment on the serpent, He prophesied about the Redeemer who would one day come and make things right between man and God.

Just as God promised, the sacrificial death of His Son, Jesus, brought reconciliation to sinners who put their faith in Him.  Though we were once enemies of God, we are no longer.  It's as if we were the old soldier who continued to fight a war we didn't know was over, except when we did receive the Good News, we believed and rejoiced!  The peace treaty with our Heavenly Father has been signed in the blood of His Son, and we are the beneficiaries through His grace.

Understanding this concept is the first step to finding Peace With God.  When we humble ourselves before Him and realize we have nothing to offer but our sinful selves, we are able to receive His righteousness in return.

"Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1)

Next post:  Are we still sinners?











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New Challenge

Two weeks have passed, and the initial challenge is over! Taking inventory again, I felt as though I'd experienced a loaves and fishes miracle.  Many of the items I planned on using are still sitting in the closet and freezer (and I'd worried that the food would not stretch to meet the needs of my household over the past two weeks).  Once again, the provision was there when we stepped out in faith.  

When I finally made it to the grocery store, I felt more discerning than ever, having spent $50.03 and saving $105 in coupons and store promotions.  I was happy to be shopping and choosing new things, but I was also a little winsome...I actually felt like I might walk out of the store empty-handed at one point, but I came to my senses.  I was a little tired of thinking so much about food! If saving money on groceries and household items is something you're interested in, then visit my couponing blog here .


More important than the challenge of Eating from the Pantry, was the personal growth and time spent in the bible finding encouragement and direction.  I rediscovered my love of sharing insights from the word through short stories and personal experiences; and having received positive feedback, I'm inspired to continue. 


The next phase of the project on contentment will find me mostly in Romans Chapter 5, studying about what it means to be At Peace With God.  After all, without peace of mind we cannot find true contentment.  I welcome your thoughts and questions, especially if they are contrary.


I hope you will join me in phase two.  

Days 13 and 14 - Challenges and Trials

I apologize for losing yesterday altogether as I spent most of it in bed recuperating from a stomach bug.  We were expecting company after dinner so I rallied and sort of helped while the guys did the necessary cleaning and baking.

When I began two weeks ago calling this adventure The Challenge, I meant it more or less like a dare.  I felt like God had given me the idea to set aside this time to break the routine I had created; be flexible, be happy at home, and mostly, be content with what I already had.  This was fun, not strenuous or frustrating like a real challenge or trial.

Having experienced everything from infertility, to financial loss, to chronic illness, and disabled children, our family has had its share of challenges; there have been times when I thought no one else understood our struggles.  I learned during those times that Jesus sympathized with me, and in that time of need, I could draw close to Him and find comfort.  Here is what the word says:

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

Somehow, knowing this is true makes everything easier.  Do you ever wonder how people with no faith in God make it through difficulties?  What have they to hope in?  When we are facing something that seems insurmountable, my husband usually declares, "Either He is God, or He isn't.  I believe He is and that He can do anything!"  My faith is restored, and all is well again.



Eating from the Pantry - Day 13 (Thursday)
Breakfast - Neil made waffles (80 cents for 14 waffles)
No lunch due to illness
Dinner - Hot dogs (90 cents for dogs/$1 for buns)
Cookie dough was about $1

Cost for day's meals less than $4


Eating from the Pantry - Day 14 (Friday)
Breakfast - eggs and leftover hash browns (50 cents)
Lunch - Skipped because of busyness!
Dinner - finally got around to making homemade pizza for the family ($3)  See photos:

This packaged dough mix is Walmart's brand and it costs 44 cents.  I used three bags to make a 24" x 12" deep dish cheese pizza.  The sauce was leftover from Tuesday, and added one bag of shredded mozzarella ($1.50).  Entire pizza $3.





I'm thrilled that we've made it two weeks, and a little shocked that I still have meals from the original list I never even prepared.  I didn't take into account the abundance of leftovers.  Over the weekend, I plan on writing about some things that I learned during the challenge of Eating from the Pantry, so I hope you'll continue to join me here.  Very soon I will introduce the nature of the next challenge on the road to contentment. 


I would love to hear your thoughts, so consider leaving me a comment...

Day 12 - Don't be afraid to give

One of the components of contentment is giving.  I will go so far as to say that you will never be truly content if you do not give sacrificially.  Many folks give from their abundance, supporting organizations and charities for tax purposes, which is honorable; but will never tap into the supernatural system of tithes and offerings, and financial gifts to those who preach or give their lives to furthering the gospel.

Some of the things Paul mentions in Philippians 4:
-the Philippian church supported him when he was there preaching
-they continued to support him when he traveled elsewhere
-no other church supported him at the time
-their gifts were a "sweet-smelling sacrifice that was acceptable and pleasing to God"
-God would reward their kindness

In the gospels, Jesus encouraged his followers to give, cautioning,
"Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.  Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."

In the same way that forgiveness must come from the heart, so should giving.  True giving is with an open hand and with no strings attached; and one more thing--in faith.  Let's just get it out of the way right now...you may feel like you have nothing extra to give and yet you know it's the right thing to do.  What then?  Well, then you give in faith and trust God, who you know will keep His word.

"And my God shall supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19 NLT)

I can attest to this truth, that even though a balance sheet would find us lacking, we have never gone without anything we needed.  There was a time when we were very prosperous and loved being generous with what God had blessed us with.  We are no longer in that position; yet it is in our hearts to give, even when it seems illogical, even detrimental.
One of the hardest things to learn in this process was how to receive from others when God prompted them to give to us; humbling.  And speaking of humble...

Eating from the Pantry - Day 12

Breakfast - eggs, hash browns ($1)

Lunch - leftover chicken (still have enough for another dinner)

Dinner - Leftover tacos, nachos (finally gone!)

Cost of meals for the day was only $1 because everything else was leftovers.


You can tell how much I love my hubby when I confess that since he was dying for some cooked chocolate pudding last night, I agreed to go get a box for him to make.  Never forgetting my frugal disposition, I had an ulterior motivation and that was to obtain a $10 off of $50 purchase coupon from Winn Dixie.  If you read my couponing blog at http://www.frequentbuyer.blogspot.com/, you know that it is my goal to get this coupon every week so that I can use it when I shop at Publix.  It worked, and we were both happy. 

I am currently planning my grocery shopping for Saturday, when I finish this, my first challenge in the Philippians 4 Project.  Stay tuned to find out what the next challenge will be.

Day 11 - Doing Math

Moving on in Philippians 4, it's time to examine our thought life.  Here's how Paul explains it:

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

I began breaking down the sentence, adjective by adjective, to come up with some kind of list.
True—truth, immutable fact, certain, loyal—that could cover anything from algebra to your dog.
Honorable—respectable, ethical—some business people, pastors and judges?
Right—suitable,  proper, accurate—doing your taxes, flossing teeth, being charitable
Pure—unadulterated, clean, chaste—an infant, newly fallen snow, fresh squeezed juice
Lovely—adorable, pleasant, aesthetic—a panorama, a cover girl, a memorable day
Admirable—praiseworthy, valued—a winning sports team, a perfect SAT score

Each attribute in its own right can be easily calculated and understood, however, it's the sum total, like a mathematical equation that makes this passage unique.  Like a math problem, there is only one answer, a single conclusion.  Let me explain:

Many things are true, but that doesn't make them honorable.  Many people are lovely, but that doesn't make them admirable.  A soldier is most likely admirable, honorable and true... maybe even right, but hardly ever pure, and never lovely.

There is only one who can measure up to the the standard, the sum total of each of the qualities (true + honorable + right + pure + lovely + admirable) that Paul implores us to fix our thoughts on and that is Jesus. 
    True + honorable + right + pure + lovely + admirable = Jesus

When your thoughts are going in the wrong direction, remember this wonderful promise... when you think on these things, then the God of peace will be with you.


Eating from the Pantry - Day 11
Breakfast - finished off eggs, with toast
Lunch - hot dogs
Dinner - Chicken parmesan, broccoli and noodles.  The cost was about $9 for all the ingredients with enough chicken to last 2 dinners.  The meat was on sale at $2 a pound, I got the breadcrumbs for free with a coupon, although I had to give my son $1.50 to get some eggs because I forgot that the breading required it.

I always filet chicken breasts with a sharp knife to get two thinner breast portions from each.

These steamer bags of frozen vegetables regularly go on sale B1G1 free.  With coupons, they normally end up costing 60-80 cents each.

Pasta and rice side dishes are even less expensive, costing about 50 cents after coupons and promotions.



Here's the finished product:

Total cost for today's meals about $11


Final Thought
Thoughts are not easily controlled by natural means.  It makes me think of a single domino that sets off the chain reaction solely by its proximity to the next domino.  With synapses firing, our brains connect a single thought to countless others triggering memories and associations, which in turn affect our emotions and physiological responses.
The supernatural means of controlling our thoughts described in Philippians 4, is God's way of redirecting the process into a profitable one.  With negative thoughts rejected and godly thoughts welcomed, we abandon despair and are filled with hope.