Freedom from Guilt

I have been auditing a class at OBU entitled 'Christian Counseling' by Gary R. Collins. The book is OUTSTANDING and I wanted to share an excerpt with you:'God knows us perfectly. He understands that we are merely dust, and He recognizes that we will sin so long as we are on earth. He does not expect perfection, but He wants a sincere attempt to do God's will as we understand it and as best we can. God is compassionate. He loves us unconditionally and will forgive our sins without demanding personal atonement and penance. The ultimate solution to guilt and guilt feelings is to honestly admit our pain,suffering, failures, and guilt; to confess sin to Christ and at times to other human beings; to pray for forgiveness and a sincere desire to repent and change behavior; and then to believe with divine help that we are forgiven and accepted by the God of the universe. It is He who in turn helps us to accept, love, and forgive both ourselves and others.' many times our struggles relate to a false concept of God and/or a false concept of God. Believe who God says He is and who you are...and experience His peace and freedom!

Lifetime Learner

I always want to be a lifetime learner. There is always something new to learn about God and His character,how I might emulate Him and reflect His character to those around me, and about myself and the world I live in. God is like a beautiful diamond with so many amazing facets to who He is. We can never fully know the vastness of our infinite God. I want to seek to know more of Him each day..."For my determined purpose is that I may know Him..." (Philippians3:10) I also want to know more about how God has made me and equipped me to serve Him and others. "He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers." (Proverbs 19:8) I seek to also be a learner of others and their needs as well as a learner of the culture and language they live in. (Yes, even in America!) I hope you will join with me in the desire to be a learner of our amazing God, of yourself, others, and the world we live in. "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise." (Proverbs 19:20)

Reflections

I have been procrastinating starting a blog for a looong time, but just can't put it off anymore. I really believe God desires for me to write my thoughts and reflections down both for myself and for others. This truly is a step of obedience for me and I trust that God will use this blog for His glory! "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it ALL for the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31