Who Am I?

Who am I????  When I ponder Jesus and the gift he gave of His own life, I wonder who am I?  Why would He do it?  He knew I'd be one of the worst sinners.  He knew at times I'd be rebellious, unfaithful, ungrateful, gossipy, unkind, and a total useless human being.  Yet while in that state, HE LOVED ME.  Why?  Who am I?  

It makes me realize that salvation has little to do with me.  It has so much to do with Him and His love.  That doesn't mean that I don't have responsibilities.  It still means that my love for Him must be proved by following His commands.  Yet, it is so hard for me to understand how God, knowing my failures, would allow the perfect Son to die so that He could offer salvation to me. 

I think that those of us who fail Him don't really understand the GIFT.  If my husband or child gave their lives for someone else, I would expect appreciation.  Our lack of obedience at times just says that we don't really appreciate what we have.

My nephew Justin Owen said in a lesson recently "What is it going to take?"  What tragedy will it take before we recognize that there is really only one friend on whom we can depend? 

I know that the great I AM gave His most precious possession for "Who AM I?"  Life has been tough at times, and at times wonderful.  But, no matter what life brings, the best has already happened and is yet to come....when He sent His Son  to die for Who Am I?

Yet, He wants us to reach out to the lost.  He loves them too.  Yet we pick at each other and debate over beliefs that only each of us will answer to God for.  And the lost continue being lost.  He died for those "Who Am I's" too.  Can we focus on saving the lost and stop some of the bickering with each other so that we can show the kind of love that Jesus showed to us?

"Nothing can separate us from the love of God"

Isn't life wonderful?

Hello Everyone!!!

God is so good to us.  Glen Osburn reminded us in his meeting this week how blessed we are to have God's grace, mercy, and plan of redemption that the angels couldn't have.  How pitifully I take that for granted at times. 

I know it sounds rather canned on paper, but I am one who appreciates God more every single day that I live.  I used to hear people say that if there were no God or  heaven or hell, that they would live a worldly life also.  I can't imagine why.  There was a time that I was away from God and lived that worldly life.  Let me tell any of you that have even contemplated it that it "Aint all that it's cracked up to be".  God as our loving Father has given us the very best way to live.  I am so thankful that He has shown me the very best life!!!!!!  If there were no God or no penalties, I would still want to surround myself with people who love me, who put others first, who have integrity and honesty, who are self disciplined, kind, don't keep track of wrongs, who are forgiving, etc.  Why would I want to live any different or have any different friends?  

I am convinced that as long as we as Christians feel like we are missing something by following God and His boundaries that we can't ever show the world the joy in Christianity and inspire them to want it.  Please all of you who read my posts, please pray that I will have opportunities to share with others what has been shared with me. 

Satan's biggest lie is that he can offer us something more fun and more fulfilling than God can.  Satan can give a moment of pleasure...but it is always barbed with pain, guilt, shame and ruined lives.  It is seldom that a month goes by that I don't hear some Christian wife or husband talk about disappointment in their spouse.  It is because we have been sold a lie by satan. 

Ever watch the Bachelor?  My husband said to me that those girls can't really believe that they are going to be the princess and live happily ever ever.  It's sad, but one by one the girls on that show have talked about it.  Girls, there is no life with a perfect mate.....the only perfect man walking on this earth lived and died a bachelor....Jesus was His name.  And the fellas are just as bad.  They have an unrealistic picture of what their bride is like.  How can a loving wife who smells like bacon and  perhaps even baby spit up instead of perfume ever compete with the women models that we see on tv and on magazines?  Impossible!!!

I have the best husband in the world for me.  God gave him to me.  But he is not what my idea of a fairy tale huband would be.  For that he would have to live in a tuxedo.  Instead of being out serving others, he would spend his every waking hour being obsessed with how to romanticize me!!!!  How empty that would be.  I have a Christian man who serves and leads by example. He even gives me criticism when he thinks it will draw me closer to what God wants me to be.  This is the best life, but it isn't happily ever after.  We are happy, we don't fight, but sometimes he doesn't feel well or I don't.  Sometimes I'm cranky or he is.  But fortunately God taught us that love is dependable.  Because it isn't only an emotion, but a committment to be there for each other even at times when it isn't easy.  There is nothing better than a man who loves me and who I give my whole heart to.

Thank You God for this life, for your book on how to live it and for giving me an area that I can express to others how thankful I am. 

Go out and find someone to tell how blessed you are this week and how this is the best life that anyone could ever ask for!!!!    Sue

October 8, 2006

The things I'm thankful for:

I am thankful that my parents taught me to know God.

I am thankful that God's grace and mercy has forgiven me of some oh so stupid mistakes.

I am thankful that I live in the United States.

I am thankful that I have sons, daughters-in-law law, and grandsons.

I am thankful that God has blessed me with a wonderful christian husband.

I am thankful that we have men in Benicia that will spend many hours in study and sharing their discoveries with us.

I am thankful for people who have helped me grow closer to God.  Included in those are Greg & Cassie Gay, Glen & Reba Osburn, Carney & Marsha Briggs and Rodney Watson and soooooo many more.

I am thankful that my nephews, Justin Owen and Matt Hayes, who have chosen to spend their lives spreading God's word.

I sat with a friend with an amputation this week, I am thankful I have my arms and legs.

I got to see Lori Armstrong this week, I am thankful for her and Rich and their determination to glorify God even in the worst of circumstances.

I am thankful for God, for his Son, for the Holy Spirit and all that has been done so that I, a sinner, can live with God forever.

I am thankful that God is faithful.

I am thankful that my husband lets me stay home and that God has blessed us financially to be able to do so.

I am thankful for my sister, Donna Gamble, who is such a good friend to me.

I am thankful for Marsha Briggs who spiritually is worth more to me than all the gold in the world.

I am thankful that both today and in my memories I hear laughter.....I hear Lori Owen laugh, I hear Stacy Smith laugh, I hear Molly Briggs laugh, I hear my daughter in law Michelle, I hear Sarah Modglin's laughter and I hear my nieces Holli & Kristi and their laughter.  I hear people who by their laughter have just made life more fun and on those bad days have made life more bearable.  

I am thankful for Kelan & Olivia, Garrett & the new baby to be, Karli, Jonah, Jordan, Zachary, Tyler and all the other little children that bring some lightness to my heart.

I am thankful for Sephra Osburn, who will always be our first grandchild.

I am thankful that God tells us to have joy even in trials, it's so much better than feeling sorry for ourselves.

I am thankful that God taught me what love is.

I hope you all have a great week.  Have a closer relationship with God tomorrow than you did today.     

Well, I can't believe Fall is here and that September is almost over.  I am loving being a "grammy".  My life is so full.  In addition to wonderful sons, I have gained two daughter in laws that I adore and my grandson's (Tyler 8 and Zachary 13 months).  John & I have 37 years in now and are more in love each year than the one before.

The Church here in Benicia is a great congregation.  We each have our shortcomings but we want to be pleasing to God.  So when our diversities and differences make it difficult, we have it good, because we are all heading in the same direction....wanting to make God happy and glorify His name. 

Glen & Reba Osburn are supposed to be in California soon, so hope to see them.  They are some of our dearest and most treasured friends.  Marsha & Carney Briggs are moving back to Sacramento.  They too have helped us on our journey to heaven. 

It was good seeing Donna Stone.  We have been best of buddies since our teen years.  Though we don't see each other often, we always catch up easily.  I miss her.

I've just spent a couple of days with my sister and brother in law (Donna & Fred Gamble).  As always, they spoil me rotten and I had a great time.

My husband bought a boat this year.  It is in the Marina here in Benicia, so the family has enjoyed it alot this year.  My daughter in law, Michelle and my grandson, Tyler, and I have had a great time fishing from the pier. 

As I close, may I encourage you all to read God's word today, draw close to Him in prayer, and open your hearts to his direction for your life.