The first time I heard Matt Maher's song "Lord, I Need You" I was blessed. It really spoke to the place I was in. Today as I sat in the car and listened to it playing on the radio, the one phrase got me thinking: "My one defense, my righteousness/Oh God, how I need You."
My one defense...I have been a big fan of defending myself. Hang around me for any length of time, and I will be sure to launch into an explanation of why I am doing what I am doing. Anything that sounds like correction or instruction will also bring a flood of defensive excuses to the surface. I feel an almost constant need to argue my case with anyone and everyone who steps in my air space.
But there really is only one argument that is absolutely essential, one case that must be won. There is one Judge, who watches over every part of my life and to whom I will have to give an answer for what I have done with that life. I have absolutely no argument or excuse that stands before Him. Any good that I have done is not good enough to satisfy His holy requirements, and all the evil I've done...well, it's evil.
So I'm in quite a pickle.
HOWEVER, this same Judge has graciously provided for my case. He has sent His Son to pay the penalty on my behalf and satisfy all the requirements that I am unable to. If I believe on Him and trust completely in Him, I have a defense--my one and only defense. When I turn from my own ways and my own arguments and submit myself to His ways, every righteous thing He has done is credited to me. My one defense, my righteousness--what an exchange! Every other argument and attempt to defend myself pales in comparison to this.
Oh God, how I need You...
Monday, April 29, 2013
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Christmas Card
Oh, wait a minute. Are you wondering why I packed stuff and sent it up to New Mexico? Did I forget to mention that I am moving? That is part of the big change in the new year, which I mentioned in the video. Yes, it's really happening. Breakthrough 4 Life Ministries is headed up to the Navajo Nation just as soon as the ministry property sells. Pastor Don Randall has been asked to pastor up there, and as part of the Breakthrough ministry team I am moving up there with them. It's wonderful how this all came about. I will share more details my next post. For now, I just want to share the video and wish everyone a very blessed Christmas!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Good With the Home Office
A few weeks ago, I had to make a trip to the county courthouse to make an appearance before the judge. Yes, I was in trouble with the law.
See, the month before I had gotten pulled over. I wasn't driving recklessly or anything. My inspection sticker had just expired, although I was still within the 5-day grace period that is permitted by the state of Texas. The cop pulled me over and asked to see my license and insurance information. No worries, I thought. Everything is just fine. I'm all legal. Insurance is paid, and I'm going to have my car inspected before the five days is up, so...what's the problem?
The cop returned my paperwork and politely informed me that I had no insurance. What?! I just paid my insurance, and I paid for three months' worth. I should be good until the middle of November. What did he mean I have no insurance? I most certainly DO have insurance. But no, he insisted, I did not. Then I looked at my ID card. The date only showed one month of coverage, not the entire three that I had paid for. Argh. No sense in arguing anymore; I don't have any proof with me of what I know to be true. I signed the ticket and made sure that I got the instructions for how to contest it.
The cop pulled away, and I turned the car around to go directly to my insurance company's office, which strangely enough was right around the corner from where I had been pulled over. I explained to them what happened, showed them my ID card, and they checked their computer. Sure enough, I WAS covered for three months. I simply had not received the new ID card that they were supposed to have sent me, the ID card showing three months of coverage instead of one. They issued me the correct card, and I drove down to the county courthouse to show them the proof. Turns out, it wasn't enough to show the courthouse clerk; I have to see the judge.
So a few weeks ago, I finally had my appointment, along with about fifty other people. I waited for my turn to be called up to the front of the courtroom, and I knew that I had nothing to be worried or anxious about. This time I had all the correct paperwork with me, and I could prove that I had insurance at the time when I was being accused of not having it. The judge called my name, and as I stood in front of the bench he read the charge against me--failure to maintain financial responsibility. Then he said something that I will never forget:
"We checked with the home office, and you were good at the time. We can't charge you a dime. Case dismissed."
Good with the home office--the charge against me was dropped, because I was good with the home office. I had gotten my insurance squared away long before I was pulled over, so they didn't have any more case against me. As I walked out of the courtroom, all I could think about was the spiritual parallel to this incident.
See, there's going to be a day when every one of us is going to get "pulled over" by death. Our time on earth will be up, and we will have to have our spiritual "paperwork" in order at that moment. We will be required to have an appointment with the Judge, Jehovah God, and He will check with the "home office". If we aren't good with the "home office", in other words, if we have not repented of our sins against Him and confessed Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we will be in BIG trouble. But if we're good with the home office, all the charges will have to be dropped. THAT will be a hundred times more wonderful than having a silly little traffic ticket dismissed, don't you think?
If you want to know more, don't hesitate to contact me. Meanwhile, I'm going to go make sure that new ID card is sitting safely in my glove compartment...
See, the month before I had gotten pulled over. I wasn't driving recklessly or anything. My inspection sticker had just expired, although I was still within the 5-day grace period that is permitted by the state of Texas. The cop pulled me over and asked to see my license and insurance information. No worries, I thought. Everything is just fine. I'm all legal. Insurance is paid, and I'm going to have my car inspected before the five days is up, so...what's the problem?
The cop returned my paperwork and politely informed me that I had no insurance. What?! I just paid my insurance, and I paid for three months' worth. I should be good until the middle of November. What did he mean I have no insurance? I most certainly DO have insurance. But no, he insisted, I did not. Then I looked at my ID card. The date only showed one month of coverage, not the entire three that I had paid for. Argh. No sense in arguing anymore; I don't have any proof with me of what I know to be true. I signed the ticket and made sure that I got the instructions for how to contest it.
The cop pulled away, and I turned the car around to go directly to my insurance company's office, which strangely enough was right around the corner from where I had been pulled over. I explained to them what happened, showed them my ID card, and they checked their computer. Sure enough, I WAS covered for three months. I simply had not received the new ID card that they were supposed to have sent me, the ID card showing three months of coverage instead of one. They issued me the correct card, and I drove down to the county courthouse to show them the proof. Turns out, it wasn't enough to show the courthouse clerk; I have to see the judge.
So a few weeks ago, I finally had my appointment, along with about fifty other people. I waited for my turn to be called up to the front of the courtroom, and I knew that I had nothing to be worried or anxious about. This time I had all the correct paperwork with me, and I could prove that I had insurance at the time when I was being accused of not having it. The judge called my name, and as I stood in front of the bench he read the charge against me--failure to maintain financial responsibility. Then he said something that I will never forget:
"We checked with the home office, and you were good at the time. We can't charge you a dime. Case dismissed."
Good with the home office--the charge against me was dropped, because I was good with the home office. I had gotten my insurance squared away long before I was pulled over, so they didn't have any more case against me. As I walked out of the courtroom, all I could think about was the spiritual parallel to this incident.
See, there's going to be a day when every one of us is going to get "pulled over" by death. Our time on earth will be up, and we will have to have our spiritual "paperwork" in order at that moment. We will be required to have an appointment with the Judge, Jehovah God, and He will check with the "home office". If we aren't good with the "home office", in other words, if we have not repented of our sins against Him and confessed Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we will be in BIG trouble. But if we're good with the home office, all the charges will have to be dropped. THAT will be a hundred times more wonderful than having a silly little traffic ticket dismissed, don't you think?
If you want to know more, don't hesitate to contact me. Meanwhile, I'm going to go make sure that new ID card is sitting safely in my glove compartment...
Saturday, September 8, 2012
The Return of La Tortuga
And now it would appear that La Tortuga is getting ready to finally head out on the mission field she was intended for. It is an exciting opportunity that has been unfolding in the last few months. The resurrection is only the first part of the adventure, so stay tuned...
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Beautiful August
9X12"
Watercolor
This painting is actually from last year. I believe I sent the original to my aunt, who had posted a challenge on Facebook. She shared what she found beautiful about the month of August and asked others what they found beautiful about the month. Down here in El Paso, I have come to enjoy and appreciate the rain storms that come in August. The clouds have their particular beauty, and with everything being so flat it is easy to see the storms coming from a great distance. It is certainly something that I never appreciated when I lived back East and experienced rain more frequently.
The Excellence of the Word
"The Excellence of the Word (Proverbs 22:17-21)"11X14"
Mixed media
Just a little fun with some calligraphy and collage and paint...
Here are the verses (I see that they are difficult to read from my tiny picture):
"Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge; for it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you; let them all be fixed upon your lips, so that your trust my be in the Lord; I have instructed you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, that I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those who send to you?"
When I came across these verses in my daily reading, they just grabbed a hold of me. I like to write out verses in calligraphy now and then, because it helps me to meditate on them as I pen them. So I wrote out these verses. Then as I was going through some papers in preparation for a yard sale, I came across this flowered scrapbook paper and the canvas board. It all came together so nicely. Now it hangs in one of the bunkhouse rooms at Breakthrough 4 Life Ministries to minister to those who stay there.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
My Valentine to All
"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." -- 1 John 4:10 (NKJV)
I have been single, and I have been married. I am now a widow, which technically, is single again. One thing has never changed in all that time: God's love. He loved me first, before I ever knew or cared about Him. And God is so huge that He loved not only me, but also every single soul on the planet--past, present, and future. None of us ever has to feel slighted; He's got more than enough love to share with each person. It's amazing! This love is not like the pitiful expressions of love that us human beings display toward one another. It is very different, and I guess that is what can make it hard to receive. But the more that I have learned about God's love, the more I have found that every other love pales in comparison. That love, God's love, is what I wish to share with all on this Valentine's Day, no matter what situation you may find yourself in.
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