In His Love

he saved us,

not because of righteous things we had done,

but because of his mercy.

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

so that,

having been justified by his grace,

 we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:5-7

 

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In His Love

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You’ve kept every promise

not a broken one I find

My heart was safely held

within your arms all this time

~

I’ve come through dark valleys

and more yet to be

But I did not walk alone

You’ve always walked with me

~

Though others may have left

or not understood my pain

You comforted and instructed me

in gentleness without shame

~

Your love is not a prize

that I must strive to win

It is simply who You are

and what we find entering in

~

The cost for my failure

what is due on my account

 fully paid by the Lamb’s Blood

poured upon that sacred mount.

~

Wendy/2013

~

Our family recently watched The Passion again.

It was the second viewing for me and the first for our youngest child.

It’s about Jesus.

I love how the interchange between Jesus and the repentant thief was included in the movie.

It is one of my absolute favorite parts of the Bible.

Each time we have communion, at our small church, I envision the blood pouring out from Christ’s pierced side.

It is this blood that cleanses me and anyone who believes in the saving work of Jesus.

Like the thief, who is now in Paradise with the LORD, my salvation is not dependent on whether I have gone through certain rituals; read certain words; or even been baptized.

I am saved because I have put my trust in what Jesus did to pay the penalty for my sin.

The thief admitted that he was deserving of punishment and death. He acknowledged that Jesus has done no wrong. Then the thief showed his belief and trust in the saving work of the Messiah by asking Jesus to remember him.

It’s all about Jesus.

We are all sinners who need a Savior. Jesus is the only One who saves.

 If there was another way to get to heaven,

then why would our Creator have had his Son suffer such agony on our behalf?

Just as we have only one captain of a ship or one president of a country; we have one Creator and one Savior.

Would you trust an unqualified surgeon to remove a cancerous tumor from your body?

 I trust the only One who can remove the cancer of sin from my soul – Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.

 ~ One Creator/One Earth /One God/One Truth/One Savior/ Jesus  ~

It is not pleasant to find out about a tumor. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Truth is not any less true just because it is potentially painful.

Truth is true.

It’s up to us to trust in Truth.

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Truthful Blessings ~ Wendy

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Temporary Treasure

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“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:20-21

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Temporary Treasure

________________________

When earth’s gold has dulled

and rust has entered my abode

I’m once again drawn to my Lord

to dwell upon the truth He’s told

~

For all the dusty treasures here

are just temporary props

upon a stage deemed kindling sticks

a mere background for all He’s taught

~

So I take comfort and delight

in remembrance of this fact

that the only gift I’ll keep for good

 is his love when Christ comes back.

~

Wendy/2013

~

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Death, decay, and destruction are the hallmarks of life on our earth. It is the reality of what occurs daily on our beautiful blue, green, and brown planet.

I was reminded recently that no matter how safe we think we are, and no matter how careful we are to save and spend wisely, there is always the potential for unforeseen disaster.

Ian and I had planned a special get away for our first trip alone since having our children. It was not to be extravagant – but it was something to look forward to. We cut back here and there and he worked some overtime. I have postponed upgrading my camera etc. in order to make ends meet.

Within a week of our planned trip we discovered that a member of our household made some poor choices that cost us our trip and more. We won’t be going this year.

At first I was in shock; but, praise God I rallied quickly and prayed that He would use it for good. I was absolutely not interested in allowing Satan the opportunity to make a wedge in our close-knit family.

Since this prayer, and the  flowing of peace into my heart , I can already see that He has, indeed, used it for good.

~

What kind of god can use what the enemy intended for harm – for good?

~

Our God can! 

~

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Heart in the right place blessings ~ Wendy

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~

What if?

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“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Matthew 25:21

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What if?

*********

What if my talents resemble

a child’s sandcastle on the shore

while others are built of stone

on mountaintops grandeur?

~

What if the crops I’ve planted

only yield some lowly grain

while others have mined diamonds

and other costly things?

~

What if the life I live

only leaves an etch in stone

while others have hewn marble monuments

when they’re warmly welcomed home?

~

What if I joyfully accept

the humble lot God’s given me

investing it with all I’m worth

for interest eternally?

~

Wendy/2013

~

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The comparison  game really isn’t appropriate for Christians to engage in. Our mandate is to trust and obey God; we are also called to make disciples. A spinster I know works faithfully at her day job quietly and reliably. She also serves faithfully in children’s ministries year after year in her church. I would not describe her as a glamorous woman; however, I believe she is potentially the most beautiful woman, from her fellowship, in the eyes of God. I admire her!

~

May we invest the talent we’ve been given.

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Investment Blessings ~ Wendy

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~

A New Creation in Christ

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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

2 Corinthians 5:17

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A New Creation

*********************

Before the Lord found me

as a lost and lonely one

I was much like the prodigal

a disappointing son

~

My spirit had been rebellious

as I wandered from His arms

to squander away my youth

in recklessness and harm

~

I thought I’d reach great heights

My wings got tattered and torn

and off the ground He lifted me

Through Christ I’ve been reborn.

~

Wendy/2013

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Before I became a mother, I loved to decorate and rearrange furniture and accessories regularly. Now that I have three teenagers and osteoarthritis I have not been hauling sofas across our old fir floors like I used to do in the old days. I’m much more likely to ask my young men to move stuff, or just leave everything as is. I save my muscle power for gardening and other outdoor activities; however, with blogging I am enjoying using my decorating passions in each post and blog.

I say all this to introduce you to, yet, another blog that I have started specifically for Christians and seekers of God. The catch with the new blog is that it will be best used in conjunction with the world’s most famous Christian devotional:

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.

I highly recommend this book. In the new blog I will post a poem, picture, and scripture verse. The posts will be short but succinct.  Each poem will encapsulate the main points of one devotional from Oswald’s book.

So if you have a copy of My Utmost for His Highest in your home, you may want to dig it out along with your Bible so you can make the most of each poem I hope to share with you. I will start posting this coming Monday. But in the meantime here is the link to the first page:

http://mypoetryforhishighest.wordpress.com

Let me know what you think. Please be sure to check out the about page where I explain the blog purpose. I look forward to seeing as many of you there as He wills. I will still be posting

The Word With Wendy on Wednesdays right here.

Blessings from a passionate poet who loves to decorate ~ Wendy

PS – You are most welcome to visit/follow my new blog with or without a copy of Oswald Chamber’s book. 🙂

~