The Importance of Mucking Out the Stalls

The photo today might be a little bit shocking, but bear with me. Yes, the contents of the wheelbarrow are exactly what you think. Manure. It's a part of my daily routine. 

When the temperatures are low or the weather is stormy, my horses go into the barn for their evening meal and to sleep overnight. The next morning, they have breakfast and go outside again, where fresh water, grass, and hay await them. 

My job is to prepare the stalls in which they reside. Every day, I fill the racks with fresh hay and the water buckets with fresh water. I also scoop out the waste from the night before. Part of that waste is hay that's been trodden underfoot. Part of it is the droppings they've left behind. 

There's something oddly appealing about the job of "mucking out" the stalls. I take great pleasure in a clean stall that, moments before, was filled with the stench of waste.The work results in clean stalls in which my horses will be more comfortable. It makes a safer environment for them because the bacteria-laden manure is not left as a breeding place for disease. 

When the wheelbarrow is full, I roll it to a hole that needs to be filled, and dump it. Nothing is wasted. In a year or two, the manure and hay will degrade into composted soil that will make a happy home for grass or flowers. 

I pray as I scoop out the waste. Earlier this week, I had a conversation with the Lord that went a little like this:

"Whew. Calli sure was busy last night, Lord. There's a mountain of pooh in here. I could smell it when I walked in the barn."

I scooped for a bit, then something occurred to me. "Lord, I hope my sin doesn't seem as unattractive to You as this stall is to me."

That Still, Small Voice didn't hesitate for a moment. It wasn't an out-loud voice, but in my heart, I knew. "It's much worse."

I leaned on my scoop and pondered that for a while. The stench of sin rises up to the Lord, just as our offerings of praise and love rise up. Our prayers are a sweet smelling incense to Him. Our sin is not. It's offensive and foul. 

Our job as disciples is to muck out the stalls of our hearts every day and remove the droppings of sin and our encounters with the world. When we do, we present a sweet-smelling home in our hearts for our Lord to reside. When we don't, we risk the disease of sin breeding in our hearts and minds. We also leave an odor that's unpleasant to the Lover of our souls. 

Today, let's take a closer look at our hearts. Is there anything there that needs to be "mucked out?" If so, let's do the work of repentance until it's done so that we can present our Lord a heart that's beautifully cleansed. Done daily, the job is repentance is quick work, so let us not delay. 

"Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you." Romans 8:8,9 BSB

"And the smoke of he incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand." Revelation 8:4 nasb
______________
In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Footprints in the Snow

Whose Sin is Worse?

In general, my sin doesn't seem as bad to me as your sin does. Sad, but true. 

If the truth is told, we probably all feel this way, especially if we compare ourselves to the world. It's a common Christian delusion, but it's not an accurate assessment. Our standard of measure isn't the world. It's Jesus. Compared to Him, we're all pitiful failures.

1 Corinthians 10 upends my self-satisfied misconceptions. Paul wrote about the importance of learning from the mistakes of our forefathers. They had a variety of sins, he reminded us, but all suffered severe discipline from God. "These  things happened as examples for us," Paul wrote. (1 Cor. 10:6)

He used four short verses to lump idolatry, immorality, trying the Lord, and grumbling in the same pot. Yeah. Right. He stirred cheating on your spouse and grumbling about your circumstances together and came up with one pile of sin. No differentiation at all.

What? My grumbling is as bad as your idolatry? Your trying the Lord? Your immorality? 

A stab of remorse shot through me as I read those four verses. Paul was right. We've all sinned and, as a result, we've all fallen short of the mark God set for us. (Romans 6:23)

Archers have many arrows in their quiver with which they shoot at their target. It doesn't matter which arrow they use. If they miss the mark, the result is still the same. 

I haven't always given a lot of grace to people whose sin is different from mine, and I'm truly sorry for that failure. 

It may not make it out of my head and into words or actions as often as it used to, but that doesn't mean I don't indulge in sin. These days, I'm trying to see my sin the way God does, and the required repentance keeps me plenty busy. 

I have too much sin of my own to worry about yours. I'm reasonably sure we all do. 

Does our critical, judgmental spirit seem like less sin than our neighbor's? Today, let's examine our own hearts. We'll likely find more than enough sin to keep us busy repenting. Let's quit comparing ourselves to the world and start comparing ourselves to Jesus. When we see our need, let's ask Him to wash us white as snow. 

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 nasb

______________

In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: Love That's More Than Words

The Tarnished Bed and the Great Stripping Away Day

Yesterday was a "get some things done at home" day. One of the tasks I've wanted to complete for a long time was cleaning my old brass bed. I received this bed when I graduated from high school. It was precious to me at the time, but the decades of accumulated tarnish seemed too big a task to tackle. It's been in the storage house for too long to remember.

A few days ago, I decided to move the bed back to my house, partly because Ryan's bed had gone to a new home. Like any tech-savvy senior, I Googled "how to clean brass." I was shocked when the first entry suggested tomato sauce or ketchup. The writer was a well-known home renovator, so I decided to give it a try.

Ketchup was on sale at the box store, so I bought three of the largest containers. Yesterday, I smeared ketchup on the bed, let it sit, washed it off. As you can see, the ketchup did a magical work of cleaning.

The acid in the tomatoes melts the tarnish away and leaves the beautiful metal beneath. As I watched the ugly melt away, I pondered the spiritual corollaries. 

For those who are unrepentant, despite numerous calls from God to turn from sin, there will eventually be a time of judgment that results in a stripping away of the things we hold dear. 

For the one willing to turn from sin, God doesn't use a harsh acid for stripping the stain away. Instead, he gently washes our sin away with the blood of Jesus. The once-scarlet stain becomes as white as snow and as free from stain as I hope my brass bed will be soon.

What about us? This day, let's take a serous look at our sin-stain. Are we willing to let it go? If so, let's ask our Lord to remove our stain and cleanse us with the love-laced blood of Jesus. 

"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18 esv

____________________
Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Caregiver Chronicles: Doing This Day Today

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

The Freedom Day

I can't remember exactly what I said at the Whisper Gathering, but I do remember asking something like, "Do you want to hear from God this weekend?" and getting lots of yeses. 

"What is it that separates us from God?" Everyone knew the answer. Our sin.

If sin gets in between us and God, and we want to hear from Him, there's only one sensible thing to do. Get rid of it. 

I introduced the "repentance bowl", explained how it works, then invited these beautiful, wonderfully brave women to come forward and let their sin go. So they did. 

As if repentance was the easiest thing in the world, an entire roomful of women stood up, walked forward, and laid their sin down. No one held back. No one kept their sin like a prize. 

They simply looked their sin in the face, saw it wasn't working for them, and kicked it out. 

Seventy women let their mess go and chose to live big for Jesus.

These were church women. Women who live godly lives, attend church, do good. They looked clean on the outside, but, like all of us, they, too, were sinners saved by grace. They, too, had sin that needed to go, so they gave it to Jesus. It's all gone now and they're forgiven. 

I still can't get over it. They grasped what it would take to have what they wanted, and they did it. I admire them more than you can imagine. 

If what I laid down is any indication, we left a mountain of sin on the floor Friday night. Saturday morning, we did it again. We repented until our repenting was done and our hearts were clean. 

It was magnificent.

They were beautiful when they arrived, but those amazing women left with new zip in their steps and incredible peace on their faces. 

I'm left wondering why we don't do this as a matter of routine. Why wait for a Whisper Gathering? Why not let go of the sin that's besetting us now and be done with it?

Today is the day to be done with whatever's keeping us from being all God wants us to be. Anger? Fear? Pride? Whatever it is, let's admit our sin, confess it to God, and ask for forgiveness. It's that simple. 

There's a little problem we often have that also needs to be addressed before we close. Laying sin down is hard. Picking it back up is easy. Both are a choice we make. 

Pick it up again and you'll have to repent all over again. Leave it down and be free. Which sounds better to you? I think freedom is worth it. 

Why not let today be your freedom day? Name your sin and give it to God. He'll help you leave it with Him IF you're willing.

"'Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow, though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.'" Isaiah 1:18 nasb
_________________

Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: After the Whisper Gathering: The Lingering Glow

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

#whispergathering 

After The Whisper Gathering: The Lingering Glow

My assumption that I could write about something other than the recent Whisper Gathering was wrong. On Friday, seventy women arrived for the first-ever Whisper Gathering prayer retreat at FCR Christian Camp/Crow's Neck. We'd prayed God would move, and we assumed He would, but our expectations were so far exceeded that I don't think we'll ever get over it. I hope we don't.

The Spirit of God was so present with us that we spent the weekend, really only 21 short hours, repenting and allowing God to cleanse and heal us of sin and hurt. We went to our knees broken and wounded. We arose healed and whole. We were sent out, ready to serve and love and proclaim the grace and mercy of Christ to a lost and perishing world.

Here are just a few of the comments I've seen so far:

- It was an amazing time with sweet sisters and the strong presence of the Lord.

- Such a blessing. Still in awe of God's handiwork!

- Thank God and you all for a wonderful time.

- I'm rarely without words but wow, just wow!!!

- "God cannot use me while I'm wrapped up in entitlement." Truth!!!!!

- Had an amazing time @Whisper Gathering...Such wonderful Christian fellowship.

- Amazing! God's Grace is sufficient! Hallelujah!

- Such an awesome blessed time.

- Wow, what a sweet Whisper.

- It is amazing how God can tie the hearts of women together in such a short time. As I reflected over my time at the Whisper Gathering, I thought about how special those women have become to me after spending the week together  And, it hit me - we didn't spend a week together. We spent 21 hours together. Only God can graft hearts together in that time frame. I am forever changed and am excited to move forward in life with my Heavenly Father. Thank you for your obedience and servant's heart. 

- My soul sings praises!

- Ahhh, freedom feels so sweet!!

- Amen! The Power of the Lord is my strength! Amen!

- I am still just amazed, what a powerful God we serve!!!

- Such a beautiful start of a weekend.

- Thank God and you for the weekend!!!

- Just AWESOMENESS!

- God is so good.

- Wonderful, amazing sweet sweet time with new friends, previous ones and God! The presence of the Lord was evident in worship!

- Wow, wow, wow! God was awesome!

- Beautiful weekend full of beautiful God-loving women!

- It was amazing!!

- Wonderful weekend!

- I went to have fun and fellowship with other ladies but I never expected such an amazing experience! I laughed and cried and felt the precious presence of God! Wow!!!

As you can see from the comments, the focus is not on any one person. It's all on God and the encounter each person had with Him. 

I believe this is how we're to live. Forgiven. Free. Ready to serve. We can't live this way, however, if we don't begin with repentance and a willingness to relinquish our sin.

Even if you weren't able to attend the first Whisper Gathering, you can respond today by bending your knees, bowing your heart, and humbling yourself before the mighty God we say we serve. Admit your sin, repent, and ask for the forgiveness that's so freely offered, then rise and live in the freedom you've been given.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free..." Galatians 5:1 

______________

Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Fighting Back With Thanksgiving

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Middle East, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

The Sparkly Top and the Muddy Dog Adventure

I know my sparkly top had nothing to do with the events of the morning, but the truth is that something crazy happens every time I wear it. Yesterday, I chanced wearing it because it's my favorite item in the closet. 

It might not have been a good idea.

Since I was ready for work early, I decided to enjoy a cup of coffee on the patio. The wonder dogs and I went outside and took our places, I in my favorite chair, the dogs beside me. I breathed in the aroma of the coffee, took a sip, and surveyed the scene before me. The sky was the bluest of blues, not a cloud in evidence. A faint breeze barely stirred the crisp, cool air. Surrounding trees were reflected in the lake's mirror-like stillness. Drops of dew still glistened on the grass.

Without warning, the dogs alerted for a moment, then sped away. Before I could finish a second sip of coffee, they were across the levee and out of sight, barking like hounds. 

I drank my coffee and waited, as time ticked away. 

They didn't come back.

Departure time was imminent, but the dogs were nowhere in sight. I began to pray, "Lord, please send these silly dogs back. I need to leave for the office." 

Still no sign of them. 

I had just pulled on my rubber boots in anticipation of hiking through the tall, still-wet grass, when Mamie came running. She was soaked with dew. I locked her in the kitchen and went in search of Maggie.

Whistling and calling her name, I headed down the slope to the levee. I was nearly there when Maggie came running. She was just as wet as Mamie. She stopped at a dusty spot a few feet ahead of me and, before I could stop her, started rolling in the dirt.

As you might imagine, the combination of dew-soaked fur and dusty ground resulted in a very muddy dog. 

Maggie loves to roll in the dirt, so I wasn't surprised, but I was terribly disappointed.  

"Stop," I told Maggie in my firmest voice. She stopped, stretched out flat on her belly, and looked up at me. She knew she was in trouble. There would be no snuggles with that much dirt. 

There wasn't time to bathe her, so I grabbed her up and held her at arm's length  to keep the mud off my sparkly top. I marched her to the kitchen and locked her in with Mamie.

"Girls, I don't have time to deal with this dirt right now. We'll take care of it when I get back." 

As I switched into my flip flops, I thought about how Maggie had given me such a clear picture of repentance. She'd done exactly what she wanted, then, when she realized her actions hadn't given her the result she wanted (peace with her mama), she's surrendered to my authority and stretched out before me. 

I'd gathered her up, put her in a safe place with all she needed for the moment, and given her time to dry and rest from her antics. Later, we dealt with the dirt. 

It's a little like how God deals with us. When we repent, He gathers us up just as we are. There's usually time for a little rest, but, before long, He begins to deal with the dirt of our sin. The more we're cleansed, the closer our intimacy with Him can be. 

Last night, clean dogs snuggled in my lap and took their place at the foot of my bed. Muddy dogs don't get to do that.

Which is better? Muddy and locked in the kitchen or clean and snuggled at the feet of the master... 

We have a choice every day: the stain or sin or the intimacy that only repentance can bring. Which will we choose?

"Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord..." Acts 3:19 nasb 

_________

Please like and share if this blog post has touched your heart. It extends our digital reach in significant ways. Thank you.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Fire that Set the World Aflame

If you feel led to partner with this ministry (US, Jordan, the digital world), here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

Or you can mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

The Sorry that Can Take You Straight to Hell

Last night at dinner, Sam made a bold statement. "Sorry don't get you saved." 

"Do what?"

"Sorry don't get you saved. I've been thinking about that. It don't matter how sorry you are for what you done. If you don't trust in Jesus Christ to save you, your sorry will take you straight to hell."

It was an unusual statement, but I could see what he meant. It's a little like Rhett Butler's words to Scarlett O'Hara in Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind. "You're like the thief who's not at all sorry he stole, but very, very sorry he got caught."

Sinners are like that, and I have to admit I've been that kind of sinner before. More than once. Wanting to continue my sin but wanting forgiveness, too. Sam would say, "It don't work like that." 

Forgiveness comes after repentance. Repentance is not a simple apology. Repentance is a 180 degree turn. It's apology plus relinquishment. Choosing to leave our sin is part of salvation. We can't have it both ways.

To be perfectly clear, Sam is right. If saying sorry were enough to save us, we could save ourselves, but we can't. 

Salvation from the penalty of our sin requires more than an apology to God for what we've done. It requires that we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. 

I believe that the salvation from sin part is something we can all embrace. It's the Lordship of Jesus, giving up our ways for His, that stops us in our tracks. That's the part of salvation, however, that's not optional. Scripture makes it clear. Salvation requires Jesus. There's no other way.

What about you? Are you counting on sorry to save you? It will never work. Salvation comes through accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life. His gift of eternity requires acceptance of His way of living. There's no other way.

As Peter said of Jesus, speaking before the rulers, elders, and scribes in Jerusalem, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 nasb
____________
In case you missed the story of Sam's project, here's the link: Sam's Project: Rubber Boots for Barefoot Rwandan Children
If you'd like to give to help buy boots for the barefoot school children of Rwandan, you can go directly to the project page here: Help Sam's Kids. We're making good progress. More than 300 pairs of boots have been given so far. 10% of the need has already been met!

In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: The Secret to Miraculous Transformation and here's the link to this week's guest blogger: I'm Fine and Other Lies
#Jesus #salvation #repentance

The Face Softener

As one who looks in the mirror and still sees dark brown hair, despite the ever-increasing number of silver strands, I'm more interested in face-softening products than ever before. I have a few favorites, but I'm not sure how effectively they hold off the ravages of time and sun.

(In case you're wondering, I do know how silver my hair has become, but I have the heart of a brown-haired girl, and I'm still claiming it.)

This morning, I saw an astounding bit of information in Daniel 9. Daniel had been studying the writings of Jeremiah, realized the during of the captivity was scheduled by God to be seventy years, and that the allotted years were almost up. 

It was nearly time to go home to Jerusalem.

There was one problem. The people hadn't repented. They'd been taken captive and made homes and built lives in the new land. 

They'd adjusted, but they hadn't changed.

If they were to go home, changed hearts were needed, so Daniel set about to do the work of repentance. He wasn't just confessing his own sins. Daniel repented on behalf of everyone.

Over and over, he used the phrase, "We had not obeyed." I read those words and prayed with him. "Our nation has not obeyed either, Lord. We, Your people, have not obeyed."

He went on to pray, "We have not sought your face..." There's a footnote next to this phrase that says, "softened the face of". The word used here is chalah and literally means a continuous rubbing that smooths a surface, removes rough edges, makes it shine.

There's a beautiful word picture tucked into this little phrase. When we sin and God "sets His face like flint" against us, in judgment and discipline, our genuine, humble repentance is as precious to God as a caress against His face. He responds to repentance by "softening" His face. The hardness smooths.

It's the kind of change that comes over a father when his much loved child runs up, grabs his leg, and says, "I love you, Daddy. I'm sorry I messed up." As parents, we know what we would do for that child. Smile. Bend down. Hold him tight. 

We would soften.

In that same way, God responds to our genuine repentance with face-softening of His own.

Like the exiled nation of Israel, we have piled sin upon sin. We haven't turned from our evil ways, and we, as a people, deserve any judgment God sends. 

But God...

God responds to humble, repentant hearts. If we humble ourselves, turn from our sin, and repent, He will not fail to respond. He will not fail to soften His face, and His heart.

Repentance softens more than God's face. It softens our face, too. But that's a topic for another day.

For this day, let's repent on behalf of a people who aren't willing to repent for themselves, just as Daniel did. Today, let's pray, with him, "We have not obeyed. We have not sought Your face. We have not asked you to forgive. But we do today." 

We deserve judgment. We deserve the consequences we are likely to reap, but it may be that our prayers will be the ones that soften His face toward our nation.

"As it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to Thy truth." Daniel 9:13 nasb
___________
In case you missed yesterday's post, here's the link: Pagans, Persecution, and the Prayers that Saved a Nation
Here's the link to the prayer guide: The Prayer List

Here's the link to my Global Outreach page: Leanna Hollis MD
#prayer

The Bad Influence and It's Terrible Price

There are times when Scripture shocks me. What caused me to shudder recently was a verse in 2 Kings written about the time during Josiah's reign.

Josiah was king of Judah. He tried hard to do everything right. He worked diligently to undo all the idolatry of the kings before him. If anyone could have "bought" mercy for Judah by his good deeds, it would've been Josiah. Mercy, however, comes from God alone.

God rewarded Josiah for his faithfulness, and spared him the worst of times, but He had sad news for him.  

"However, the Lord did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath with which His anger burned against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him." 2 Kings 23:26 nasb

Manasseh became king of Judah when he was twelve years old. His idolatry was extreme. Scripture tells us his wickedness was "more than all the Amorites who were before him." (2 Kings 21:11) He was worse than the worst pagans.

Manasseh wasn't just evil privately. He did evil in public. He encouraged all the people of Judah to follow along with him, and they did.

Manasseh "made his sons pass through the fire". Those words tell us that Manasseh burned more than one of his sons as a human sacrifice to the idol Molech. 

He trivialized the gift of life to the extreme.

Eventually, God had enough of unheeded calls for repentance, so He sent the Assyrians to capture Manasseh and carry him, in chains, to Babylon.

At last, in exile, Manasseh repented and cried out to God. God heard his cries, brought him back to Jerusalem, and allowed him to reign as king again. Manasseh did many good things after his return. He destroyed idols, restored the altar of God, and ordered the people to return to the Lord.

Manasseh's good deeds were too little, too late. He had led the people into the worst kind of idolatry, and they refused to be led back out of it.

They continued to worship idols.

They continued to burn children alive at the altars of idols.

They continue to spill innocent blood as if it were nothing more than water.

That precious blood was more than water to God.

Our Lord did not view their sin casually. There was a price to be paid and neither Manasseh's late repentance nor Josiah's faithfulness could hold back judgment. Only widespread repentance and revival could do that. 

When it finally came, judgment was devastating. Jerusalem was burned and leveled.

It's easily forgotten, but our sin has wide-ranging effects and long-lasting consequences. 

As Manasseh learned, those consequences are greatest when we lead others into sin. If the people Manasseh led astray had turned back to God, judgment could have been avoided. They did not. Repentance could not be accomplished by royal decree.

In that same way, the innocent blood that has been spilled in this country has not been overlooked by God. Our idolatry and immorality have not gone unnoticed. We are no better than Judah in her later days. We deserve judgment no less.

Repentance and revival are critical if our nation is to return to her former glory, and they cannot be accomplished by executive order. Each one of us must allow God to search our hearts, repent of our sin, and turn back to Him.

Today, let's admit our own personal sin and truly repent. Let's ask God to cleanse us and keep us from further sin, including that of bad influence. Pray, too, for sweeping repentance and revival that lasts until all the work of repentance is done.
__________________
In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: The Orange Tutorial
Here's the link to the worldwide prayer guide: The Prayer List 

#revival #reviveAmerica #Judah #disciple #repentance

The Wonder Dogs and the Chicken Feather

           

A few days ago, Sam took the Wonder Dogs for a walk. When they went to the barn, Mamie the Apprentice Wonder Puppy (on the right) found a big chicken feather. She carried the feather in her mouth all the way back to the house. 

After they returned, she stretched out on the floor, held it between her paws, and licked the feather for hours. She held the feather. Carried the feather. She adored the feather. She still does.

Maggie the Wonder Dog knew about the feather and she wanted it, too. When Mamie put the feather down, Maggie took it, held it between her paws, and licked. She adores it, too.

They haven't fought over the feather, but they're both dedicated to it.

The feather smells like a chicken. Maggie has grabbed a chicken by the neck with her mouth (when she got to the barn before I did), so the feather probably tastes like a chicken to her.

The feather is more than a play toy. The feather is a reminder of their past and their wicked ways. 

Maggie and Mamie are chicken-chasers at heart. If truth be told, Maggie is a chicken-shaker-and-killer at heart. Mamie would like to be, but she's not quite big enough to grab a chicken. Her size is the only thing that's saved her from chicken-killing.

Since we take them to the barn on leashes now, they don't have an opportunity to grab chickens. Their enforced abstinence hasn't stopped their longing for it, though. I think the feather reminds them of the old ways and feeds their desire a little bit.

Keeping a reminder, just a taste, of a past sin is probably not a good idea.

I've found that, if I want to get a certain sin out of my life, I need to get it out of my life completely. Sever all ties with the old ways. Turn 180 degrees from the action I want to stop.

It's called repentance, and it's more than saying we're sorry. If we're done with sin, we stop carrying a "feather reminder", turn completely around, and head in a new (sin-free) direction.

An alcoholic can't keep alcohol around and expect to stay sober. A pornography addict can't keep copies of risque magazines around and expect to stay away from them. A glutton can't keep cakes and cookies and expect not to eat them. A gossiper can't keep track of other's business and expect not to indulge in secrets.

When we repent of sin, we choose to let go of that sin. 100%. If we want to stay free of it, we hold on to nothing of our old way. Even holding on to a tiny scrap of seemingly-insignificant-sin will trip us every time.

The worst part of "feather-holding" is that it robs us of the best part of repentance: Times of refreshing.

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:19 NIV

Having our sins wiped away is a wonderful gift from God, but the times of refreshing that comes from repentance are just as precious. That godly refreshment is worth all we give up in the form of sin and reminders.

So let's let go of our sin and our "feathers", take up our cross, and follow Jesus with all our hearts. 

_________________

Here's a link to the FREE ebook: The Clay Papers  (Free from 6/3/16 through 6/8/13. Don't miss it!) I hope to give thousands away, so please share with all your contacts.

In case you missed it, here's the link for yesterday's post: The Incredible Kindness that Broke My Heart

#repentance #disciple #freeebook 

Praying for Peace

I wanted to write a "touching story" today. A Maggie story or a farm life story. I long for a dose of fun, easy brain candy. Today, however, is not one of those days. I promise I will write something fun this week, so please don't abandon me.

~~~~~~
As I was pondering what to write this morning, I decided to check the news, just in case something immense had happened.

Something immense has happened. 

France has launched fresh airstrikes against ISIS in retaliation for the Paris attacks and acknowledged that they are at war. Russia has launched airstrikes against ISIS in retaliation for the bomb that brought down their Russian airliner. Israel has called for Arab nations to join with them to defeat ISIS. The Pentagon is calling for a "global coalition" to defeat ISIS. 

It has started. 

I fear that World War III, though yet unacknowledged, has begun. 

This enemy must be defeated, but I am frightened by how the coming months and years will go. I've read Ernie Pyle's book, Brave Men. This daring war correspondent climbed into foxholes with our soldiers, ate the rations they ate, slept on the ground as they slept, went unwashed as our soldiers did. He experienced war first-hand and described the conditions of war in clear terms. It's horrible. 

I'm not sure we, in this country, understand war enough to fear it. Those who have had war in their streets, occupation forces in their cities, bombs falling on their homes understand war in a deep way, and they fear it. They run from it. 

This time, ISIS has vowed to bring war to our streets, occupation forces to our cities, destruction to our homes. When they are finished, we, too, will understand war and evil enough to fear it at the core of our being.

Since ISIS took over Fallujah in January 2014, their progress has been relentless. Their gains have been immense. I reviewed the timeline of WWII this morning, as well as a timeline of ISIS activity. The similarities between the rise of the Nazi's and the rise of ISIS are frighteningly similar, as is the pull into world war. 

If you haven't reviewed those facts lately, I encourage you to do so. My intent is not to create fear but to create an understand of the immense need for repentance, humility, and prayer.

God is still in control.  

He was in control before ISIS was formed. He will still be in control after ISIS has been annihilated.

Is there nothing we can do to protect ourselves? Yes. There's plenty we can do, and no political platform is required. Here's three steps you and I, from the comfort of our homes, can take to help end the tyranny.

There is great freedom in truth, so seek it. 

In fact, it was Jesus who said, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." (Of course, He was speaking of the truth of the gospel, but there is freedom in truth. John 8:32) I encourage you to learn the truth about current political events. Don't go to "opinion" blogs or news sites. Search for unbiased truth and unvarnished facts.  

There is great power in repentance and prayer, so do it. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 offers a promise for those who will sacrifice to obtain forgiveness and healing. "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

There is great protection in righteousness, so hunger and thirst for it. 

Psalm 9:9-10 promises a stronghold for those who put their trust in God. "The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble; and those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You."

There is no need to fear, for God is still in control, but there is a need to act with humility, repentance, and prayer.

Today, let us pray for ourselves, to be the kind of disciples Christ intended us to be, to be the salt and light that adds the flavor of Christ and brings the light of His Spirit into a dark and perishing world. 

Pray for us as a nation and for our world. Pray that the reign of the evil one will come to an end. Pray that, as a nation, we will seek God's face, his forgiveness, his healing and, in so doing, lead the world in repentance and healing.

Pray for peace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Photo courtesy of freeimages.com
In case you missed any of the past week's posts, here are the links: Loss of Power, Grateful Heart: Veterans, Grateful Heart: Laughter and Grateful Heart: Worldwide Kindness,  Remembering Paris,  Persevering for Paris, and Resisting Evil.

The most viewed post of the last week was Remembering Paris
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
#Prayers4Peace #ISIS #disciple #JesusChrist #saltandlight