Joy, Joy, Joy!

I am studying joy, so I thought I would pass onto you what I am learning.  Joy is a great way to start of a new year!

“…and rejoiced because God had given them great joy.”

Nehemiah 12:43

Over and over again in the Old Testament, I am finding that it is God who gives joy or who causes someone to rejoice.  Psalm 16:11 says, “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy.  In Your right hand are pleasures forever.”  So, if it is joy that you are seeking and it seems elusive, spend time with God.  In His presence is great joy in spite of the circumstances of your life at any given moment.  I have found this to be true in my life.  If I need joy, I begin with praise and enter into God’s presence and there I find joy and peace.  Just by remembering our position in Christ (as beloved sons and daughters of the king) and how big our God is and His eternal perspective can bring me around to joy in the midst.

 

Happiness is an emotion that ebbs and flows with our circumstances and emotions.  Joy is a settled peace and contentment that we can rely on no matter the circumstances.  Joy comes form God and from spending time with God.  Joy is found in knowing that I am loved by God because I am His, not because of my performance or how I look or what others think.  But I must choose to enter into this joy by entering into relationship and fellowship with God.  Have you lost your joy?  Are the worries of the day overwhelming you?  Start with praise and sit on your Father's lap and be still with Him.  He will renew your joy in spite of your circumstances.  

 

Garrett, our oldest, is still here and will be until January 6.  Then he returns to Hawaii.  He is busy working and doing school work as he is on a moot court team and is an editor for the law review, but it is nice having him here to talk to.  He is such a joy!

 

My new book is at the editors and the cover art is being finished even as we speak!  I am really excited about this book and hope that it encourages many.  It is called, "As They Sit and Stand: A Guide to Teaching Your Child the Bible from Birth through College." 

 

I am being interviewed for the homeschool leadercast on Thursday about this new book. I am excited about this, too. 

 

 

 

Family background

“Forever, O Lord,
Your word Is settled in heaven.”
Psalm 119:89

Line up your priorities for 2014 with the verse above and have a great year!

Those who have been coming regularly to my blog know that I usually include a Bible verse and commentary.  I am going to try to be more personable in 2014.  This will include thoughts and emotions and the goings on of the Halydier clan.  So let me introduce my family to you.

Tracy is the head honcho.  He is an administrator for a civil engineering team in Houston, TX but works out of an office in our little West Texas town. He is an amazing father, has a servant's heart and is my best friend of 28 years.

Garrett is our oldest.  He is in Hawaii in law school.  He has a Master's degree in international business as well.  He is also co-owner of a marketing business with his brother Nathan.  Garrett loves doing research, writing, and online gaming.

Nathan is the other half of the Paramarketing Firm.  He is the creative hands-on owner over graphics, sales, and office management.  He lives in South Carolina.  Nathan is a people person and loves doing - anything!  He loves water sports, sightseeing, travel, board games, etc...

Aaron is married to Hannah and they work in Austin, TX.  Aaron is a sales rep for his older brothers.  He has a degree in animal science and grassland management.  He loves animals, lifting weights, crafts with leather and wood, and good food.

Ethan is married to Eighmy and is about to become a first time dad. (Our first grandchild!)  He works for his dad and is training to become an IT techie.  He is in college at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, TX.

Lucas is in Killeen, TX at Central Texas College.  He is studying aviation and wants to be a missionary pilot.  His roommate, Holley is from Saipan and we claim him as one of ours also.

Dara (that's me!) is a mom.  I iron, do dishes, make meals, etc... I also try to get some writing into my days.  I speak at women's retreats and conferences all over America and love it!  I am looking forward to being a grandma.  Especially the spoil them and send them home kind!

Keeping up with grown children is almost as hard as when they were little.  That takes up a lot of time.  Tracy and I also enjoy traveling, and RVing.  I have spina bifida which does not leave me in a wheel chair, but I deal with chronic pain and medications.  Our dog, Jack, a Golden Retriever, keeps me walking!  He and I try to do a mile each day.  The doctors are predicting two surgeries this next year, but I am lifting weights and walking trying to put them off as long as possible. 

Well, that's all for now.  I hope that you join us on this journey of 2014 and that you will grow closer to God and more at peace throughout the year.

No Doubt!

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…
But he must ask in faith without any doubting,
for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord
being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
James 1:5a-8

James continues to challenge our faith.  The key to this verse is God’s sovereignty.  We are to ask knowing that God is able and that He hears our prayers and knows our hearts.  We are to ask without doubting that God is able and that He wants what is best for us.  When the answer is “Yes” , we rejoice.  When the answer is “Wait” , we wait with expectation and joy.  When the answer is “No”, we worship.  That’s right.  We worship God because we know that He has our backs and that He will not allow evil to overtake us.  His “No” is His protection and provision.  Even when it hurts! 

Sometimes God answers “Yes” and we don’t expect that to be the answer and then we also worship a Father that loves us.  Never doubt God.  Doubt your request or the circumstances, but never doubt God.  He is able and willing to reach down into the lives of men and intervene for His children.  Read books about godly people and you will see God’s ready hand – Corrie Ten Boom, George Mueller, etc…  Their prayers were not always for themselves, but for others and they were living a life in the presence of God, so they knew what to ask for.  When God said “No”, they worshipped.

Trust God, not just what you want God to do for you.

 

Wisdom from God

“But if any of you lacks wisdom,
let him ask of God,
who gives to all generously and without reproach,
and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5

This is a promise in the word of God and yet sometimes, I don’t feel like God does give me wisdom when I ask then I go ahead on my own and make a decision – good, bad, or ugly.  So what does it mean?  First of all we know that Jesus is the personification of wisdom.  So first we need to be sure that we have Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  Then we need to make sure that our relationship with Jesus is open and growing through confession and praise and prayer.  Secondly, Jesus is the Word of God, so we must know what God’s word says.  There are some things we don’t have to ask for wisdom about because God has already made it very clear that we are to do that thing (pray for our enemies, forgive others, do good deeds, etclll) or not to do that thing (adultery, fornication - living together out of wedlock), lying, etc… ).  If we need wisdom about an act or an issue, we must first turn to Jesus, then to His word.  If we are still not sure, we should seek the counsel of others who have gone that way before us.  “Where there is no guidance, the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (prov. 11:14).  These should be godly men and women whose lives are consistent with the Word of God.

Wisdom comes when we ask God through

1.       Jesus

      2.       The Word of God
      3.       Godly counselors

If you ask for wisdom and still feel that you are not sure what to do then the answer is “Wait.”  It may be the right action, but the wrong timing.  God makes all things beautiful in His time.  So wait for His timing and you will see His hand. 

There was a time when Nathan was reading the Lord of Rings as a school assignment.  I felt a real tug from the Spirit to ask him to put it aside for a time.  I don’t know why.  But he did.  A few weeks later, I felt God saying that it was okay now for him to finish reading it.  Why?  I don’t know.  Maybe it was a lesson in obedience or there may be a deeper spiritual reason that we will never know.  But follow the Holy Spirit’s urgings in your spirit.

     4.       The Holy Spirit

If anyone lacks wisdom let him ask for it.  God will give you the way.  He promises!

 

Know then Serve

“As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father,
and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind;
for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts.
 If you seek Him, He will let you find Him;
but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”
1 Chronicles 28:9
 
David is speaking here to Solomon about building a temple for the Lord God.  But his admonition to his son is so much greater.  It consumes all of life.  I think it is interesting that David tells Solomon to first know the God of your father, then serve Him.  Many Christian churches teach tradition and service and never lead their people to knowing their God first.  Serving without the Lord is futile.  It gains you nothing, for our best is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).  Spend time at Jesus’ feet, then He will equip you and lead you into service.  Jumping into service first leaves you no time to just know God.  How do you learn to know God?  Read His word, pray, ask, seek, pray for a mentor or for a church or small group that will challenge you.  Spend time in worship and praise.  Know God and find joy and then you will be able to serve with your whole heart and a willing mind.

Faith, Endurance, Perfection

”Consider it all joy my brethren,
when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:2-4

Endurance.  Perseverance.  Hanging on.  Not letting go. Pushing through. Having stamina.  Going the hard mile.  How do we develop this endurance?  James says that it through the testing of your faith.  Faith is like a muscle.  When you strengthen it, it is able to be strengthened further and it makes you stronger.  When you are asked to pick up a hundred pound weight of frustration, circumstances, anger, etc…, you can if your faith muscle has been strengthened with smaller weights and you have continued to show up and do the reps.  I lift 3 and 5 pound weights each morning to strengthen my arms and keep them from getting flabby.  I won’t win any competitions this way, but as I continue to strengthen my arms, they will have more strength as I get older and I will be able to use them for the long haul.

The testing of your faith produces endurance.  Ever wonder why God allows the hard things in life to come in and challenge your faith?  Here’s your answer.  He wants you to be able to hold on through the long haul.  He wants you to stand firm in the hard times and be strengthened to withstand the weightier times of life.  He wants you to endure through the fire and the flood and be found faithful when you stand before His throne and enter into His kingdom. 

As faith leads to endurance, endurance leads to your “perfection” or maturity, your completeness.  Colossians 2;10 says, “…and in Him you have been made complete…”  This is our eternal reality, nothing else is needed for us to be complete in God’s eyes.  Jesus’ death accomplished it all.  But in our temporal bodies and existence here on earth completeness is a process.  It is becoming more like Christ.  It is living in holiness.  It is walking so close to the Savior that even the difficult situations of life don’t crush you.  You are able to endure because you have exercised faith and learned endurance.  You know the Scripture promises of God and you walk in that reality with Jesus every moment of every day.  That is the perfect result.  God desires relationship above all else.  Let you hope and joy and peace stem from being in His presence.

Endure.  Know what you believe.  Stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  Delight in the presence of God through praise.  Put you faith in His word, not in life’s circumstances.  Eternity will come and this world will pass away.  Put your apples in the right basket!

 

Joy and Trials

“Consider it all joy, my brethren when you encounter various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.                       
James 1:2

We don’t usually think of joy and trials as a pair.  Joy is about happiness and goodness and trials is the hard stuff of life.  But in God’s economy, we are to find joy in the midst of trails.  In order to do this it is of the utmost importance that we first remember that Satan is the Father of lies, the first sinner that ushered sin into our world and tempted Adam and Eve.  Satan is the prince of the power of the air.  He is the spirit of the age, the evil one.  He is the source of all evil and illness and death – not God!  And yet, we so often jump immediately to blaming God.  True, God is able to reach down and save us from suffering, but so often He does not because He knows that suffering is leading us to Him – to a deeper walk and trust and a more profound faith and hope in His eternity. 

So when circumstances overwhelm you, blame Satan – trust God.  He is there and He cares for you.  He has a plan and a purpose.  He will work all things out for good for those who love Him.  So where does joy come in?  Joy is not happiness because joy is not based on how we feel about our circumstances.  Joy is a deeper all-abiding knowing and contentment that God is there and that He loves you unconditionally and forever.  Joy is knowing that the things which we see are temporal, but the things that we do not see are eternal.  Even in the midst of grief, anger, sadness, or depression, we can experience an inner joy.  If we focus on that joy through praise and thanksgiving, joy will overtake the other emotions. 

Joy is an interesting study throughout Scripture.  It is more often than not coupled with being in the presence of the Lord.  That trial that you are facing should drive you to your knees and there in the presence of the Lord you will find joy in the midst.  God is able to comfort your mind and relax your spirit and bring peace in the middle of turmoil.  He promises us that if we are, “…anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7. 

The other reason that we should consider trials as joy is because we have posed a threat to Satan and therefore we share in the suffering of Christ Jesus.  Satan let’s those who are complacent, stay in their complacency.  But those who are fighting for the Kingdom of God in their own souls and encouraging and teaching others God’s truths pose a threat and Satan attacks with vengeance.  I speak and teach all over and can almost predict trouble within a week of God’s working through me.  When I have a deadline is when my physical pain is so bad that I can barely accomplish what needs to be done.  But the joy comes in the doing and being faithful knowing that it is God’s grace that will allow me through it.  He will never leave me nor forsake me. 

 

Loving Your Enemies

“Do not give what is holy to dogs,
 and do not throw your pearls before swine,
or they will trample them under their feet,
and turn and tear you to pieces.”
Matthew 7:6

“Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned,

and turn away from them.
For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites;
and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.”
Romans 16:17-18

This is hard teaching.  As Christians we get the wrong impression that we are supposed to love everyone.  The vengeance and harshness that David shows towards his enemies in the Psalms repulses us.  But, these are Jesus’ own words.  How do we live this out?

We are to reach out and encourage one another within the church.  We are to reach out and witness to and show by our love the love of God to others.  But, whether in the church or outside of the church, we are to be discerning.  If you find that someone that you are trying to help is lying, backstabbing, gossiping, misusing what you have given, etc…, then you should pray about it and probably back away from that person.

My husband and I have been in the ministry for many years.  There are three types of people: 1.) those who want help, respond to your help, and change 2.) Those who respond to your help, but over time continue to make bad choices and refuse to apply God’s word and your help to their lives, and 3.) Those who don’t want help and lie to you or use you up with no intent of changing or growing.  This is where your discernment must be used.  The second type of person is the hardest to figure out.  Always take all things to God in prayer.  Maybe offer a one-time help rather than becoming a friend. 

And no guilt!  Jesus was not best friends with the Pharisees!  Rather He called them white-washed tombs!  He healed many but did not become friends with all of them.  Only those that He knew would listen and change and be sincere did He allow to become friends.  Friends should be equals in spiritual matters.  “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever:  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16a)  This is often applied to marriage, but should be applied to all areas of our lives – friendship, business, etc…

Jesus does tell us to love our enemies and then He gives us the way to do that: pray for your enemies. (Matthew 5:44).  Only God can change a heart.

 

Answers

“I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me. 
He will send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches him who tramples upon me.
God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.”
Psalm 57:2-3

 Just rest.  God’s gotten it taken care of!  Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).  He will accomplish what concerns you (Psalm 138:8).  No, that doesn’t mean that troubles won’t come, but it does mean that God will use those troubles for our good and His glory and that He will see us through them.  He promises not to give us more than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13).  But we must remember that only through Christ can we do all things! (Philippians 4:13)

 "God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.”  These two weapons are all we need against Satan’s lies.  First, God loves us so much that He sent His son.  We are worth a lot in His eyes.  We are His sons and daughters!  Even if we don’t feel lovable, act lovable, or know the love of others – God loves us!  God’s truth will combat the Father of Lies.  Jesus used God’s words against Satan in the wilderness, and so can we.  First we recognize his lies, then we tell him God’s truth and ask him to leave.  When we resist the devil, he will flee from us! (James 4:7).  Cling to God’s love and truth , and you will be triumphant!

 

Tithing

“Will a man rob (defraud) God?
Yet you are robbing Me! 
But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings.”

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,

so that there may be food in My house,
and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, 
"if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”
Malachi 4:8 and 10
 
Just a reminder!  God gave you so much – your every breath, as well as the physical, spiritual,  and mental power to accomplish any task that you are able to do.  He lets you keep 90%!  NO, we are not under law, but often the  law is just an action that reveals a heart for God.  Is your heart right? Do you worship God through giving?  Are you able to trust Him enough to give Him His tithe first, and know that He will meet all your needs according to His riches in glory? (Philippians 4:19)  With five active boys, God met every one of our needs above and beyond what we could have ever expected.  Even in the bleak times, we tithed and trusted our God Who Is Faithful!  Let Him reveal Himself to you in this way.  Be obedient and trust.

 

Homecoming Party!

“Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich,
When the glory of his house is increased;
For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
His glory will not descend after him.”
Psalm 49

I just read an interesting, but true story.  Teddy Roosevelt was returning home from an African safari on a large steamer ship.  Also on board was an elderly couple who had spent their lives as missionaries in Africa and were returning with the tickets purchased by their last pennies.  Throughout the trip the missionary watched as Mr. Roosevelt received accolades and privileges and the best of everything, while he and his wife ate very little.  Bitterness began to settle into his heart as he thought, “God, it’s not fair, I have sacrificed my life for your work.  I have been faithful and no one notices my wife and I.  All that Mr. Roosevelt did was go and shoot a few beasts, and he is being given everything.  All his needs are met.”  This missionary became solemn and withdrawn as the ship neared New York harbor.  When he heard the bands playing and the crowds cheering for Mr. Roosevelt, he became even more angry.  AS he and his wife walked off of the boat unnoticed by anyone, he began again to rail at God.

This couple were soon settled in a small flat and the wife suggested that her husband spend some time with God over this issue.  He went into the bedroom, got down on his knees, and poured his frustration out before God.  He exclaimed that it was just not fair that Mr. Roosevelt received such a homecoming, when he received nothing.  He stayed on his knees for some time.  Peace finally came over him, and he was able to let go of his anger.  When he returned to the living room, his wife saw such a change that she was amazed.  “What has happened?” She exclaimed.  “Well, God said that yes, Mr. Roosevelt was getting a fine homecoming upon his return home.  Then He reminded me that I am not home yet!”

Our homecoming will be a grand affair!  We will get to sit at the supper table of the Lamb!  Many will cheer us across the river into heaven.  If I am there when your homecoming arrives, know that I will be waiting for you with my party hat on!

 

Holiness and Joy

“’I will dwell in the and walk among them;
I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord.
‘And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me.’ Says the Lord Almighty.

Therefore, having these promises, beloved,

let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit,
 perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

Therefore.  Whenever you read the word “therefore” in the Bible, always look just before it and see what it is there for!  Why should we live a life of holiness?  Because we are sons and daughters of the King!  We should leave the midst of those who live in evil and sinfulness, and be separate from them.  That is the very definition of holiness.  We don’t do it to earn our salvation, or to gain favor with God.  We do it because we are saved and  because we already have His favor.  We do it for the fear of the Lord – the awareness of His awesome power and might and love and joy and sacrifice and plan for our future.  Sin just keeps us far from experiencing all that is ours as Christians.  Sin keeps us from walking with Jesus and dancing before God’s throne. 

If you are not waling in fellowship with your Father God, perhaps it is because you have sin in your life.  Pride, arrogance, judgment, selfish ambition, etc… are just as deadly as theft and murder.  Be quick to repent and reclaim your position as God’s precious son or daughter and live holy lives in great joy and exultation

Denying Self

“Then Jesus said to His disciples,
‘If anyone wishes to come after Me,
he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it;
but whoever lose his life for My sake will find it.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?
Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels,
and will then repay every man according to his deeds.’”
Matthew 16:24-27
 
Start at the end.  “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels.”  That should be our first motivation.  Keep an eternal perspective.  Yes, we must work and play and live life, but it should be done with the knowledge that in the end, Jesus is coming!  How will Jesus sum up your life when it is over?  Will He say that you were His?  That you followed His calling and that you trusted Him?  That doesn’t mean that everyone has to be a missionary or a pastor.  It does mean that when you hear Jesus’ voice, are you obedient?  He may be calling you to a certain profession, or for a one time smile or word of encouragement to someone.  Are you listening and willing to go and do as He directs?

Then comes the second motivation – We will be repaid according to our deeds.  That is not salvation by works, but rather as a saved son or daughter of the King what is your life about?  Are you doing good, seeking peace, abstaining from evil, speaking the good news, and most importantly, are you obeying the Savior’s call?

Once our heart is right with Godly intent and motivation, then we can go back to the beginning of these verse.  If my heart’s motivation is to please Jesus and look for His coming and be about deeds that are of the KIngdom, then denying myself and taking up my cross is not so foreign or hard.  I trust Jesus.  He is coming back.  He saved me.  He is in control.  Any “cross” that comes my way, He will give me the strength and wisdom to handle Biblically.  I can give up my desires, expectations, whims, time, dreams, etc… for the King of Kings Who is coming back for me!  I can turn over the results to the God who saved me and know that He wants what is best for my eternal good not merely to make me feel good now.  When I hear His voice, I am free to obey knowing that He will work all things out after His will.

There is great peace when we surrender to God’s desire and will.  There is rest when we trust.  God is good and able and will support me in anything He calls me to do.

 

A Prayer for Integrity

“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.”
Psalm 15:1-2

“The integrity of the upright will guide them,

But the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.”
Proverbs 11:3

May you walk each day in integrity before a holy God.  May you choose truth and honesty above all else.  May your actions and your words mirror a heart in love with your Savior.  May your choices be pure and upright before God Almighty.

I pray many things for each of you throughout each day.  Yes, I pray for health and that God will go before you to provide for you financially and that He will guide your steps each day.  But the most important prayer that I pray each day for you is that you will bow your knee before Jesus and that He will raise you  up before men and kings.  That comes only through a walk of integrity.  Your name, your reputation will be based upon each little choice, each little task that you undertake.  Do all as unto the Lord.

 

Depression

“Be angry, but sin not.”
Ephesians 4:26

First of all, I am not a licensed counselor.  However, I come from a family with both bipolar and clinical depression, so I would be glad to share with you what I have learned and experienced. 

Almost all depression is a result of unresolved anger.  Now, I would never have thought of myself as an angry person.  Rather, I would turn it inwards and was easily hurt.  Hurt and anger are the two sides of the same coin.  My depression was a combination of learned behavior and unresolved anger.  My mother responded to life with depression.  Therefore, I learned that that was the way to deal with life.  Even after becoming a Christian at age 13, I was not discipled to understand that I had a choice! 

Choice is the key word here.  Depression is one of Satan’s weapons.  We are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  We do this by taking thought of self abuse, anger, etc… and praying over it and holding it up to the truth of God’s word.  It can be a real battle sometimes!  I still will have days where the thoughts from Satan are coming thick and fast.  I have to choose to stand against them, arm myself with God’s truth, and choose to sing praises even if I don’t “feel” like it.  The emotions eventually line up.  Sometimes, I can’t fight it alone and I need to go to a trusted friend and get their listening ear and prayers. 

Unresolved anger is dealt with by talking it out with someone safe.  For me that was a licensed Christian counselor.  The difference between a psychiatrist and a Christian counselor is very important.  A very astute 18 year old told me that when she went to the psychiatrist and talked things out, it was like digging big holes, but having nothing to fill them up with.  She filled them up with drugs and alcohol.  When she saw a Christian counselor, they had the answers through God’s word to fill in the holes with truth.  Talking out our stuffed down emotions with someone who can deflect them is really important because it normalizes the emotions.  I thought my emotions were wrong.  My counselor often reacted even more severely to the situation than I did and I learned that emotions were okay.

I asked a medical doctor who was a Christian about bipolar or manic-depression once.  He said that he learned through his research that it is 95% spiritual.  That a vast majority of people have the physiological bent towards bipolar behavior, but  only a small amount show symptoms.  I am not one to see a demon behind every bush, but I would definitely get with a Christian counselor to deal with bipolar depression. 

My counselor did prescribe an anti-depressant for me while I was in counseling, but I was not able to take it – they really bother my stomach.  But I was also dealing with depression from childhood abuse, sexual abuse, and self-loathing.  I got through the counseling without medication, but did take some homeopathic remedies and exercised and watched my diet while in counseling.  From what I understand, a trauma can  change the actual formation of brain patterns.  The anti-depressants allow the brain to retrain to better patterns.  I think that medications is really up to the person and their counselor.

As I emptied the emotional bucket that I had stuffed since childhood, I also learned boundaries on harmful relationships and coping skills.  I was in counseling for 18 months.  Now if I get depressed, I call a friend, praise and pray, talk to my husband, etc… I have ongoing physical disabilities so usually the depression is about dealing with chronic and severe pain.  I was finally able to allow Christ Jesus to be Lord over my future and that has brought a lot of peace, although He has to remind me sometimes!  It is a process, and that’s okay!

 

 

A Throne for You

“But God, being rich in mercy,
because of the great love with which He loved us,
when we were dead in our transgressions,
made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved,),
and raised us up with Him,
and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:4-7

“But God” Those are important words.  The verses previous talk about our existence in the old nature, the fact that we were children of wrath and sons of disobedience.  “But God… “ He didn’t leave us there.  Because of His great love and mercy, He made us alive through the blood of the Jesus (He quickened our spirit to be alive and able to converse with the Holy Spirit), and raised us up with Him.  Notice that this verb is in the past tense.  It is a done deal.  We have been raised up with Christ – raised from the dead, raised from the former life, raised to the very throne of God!  And, He seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus!  Again, past tense.  Done deal.  We are seated.  That means that even though we are not in heaven yet, that our place is there waiting on us.  It has been decreed.  We are members of the royal household. 

Do you envision yourself seated with Christ in heaven?  You can!  You can sit and talk to God, you can have a discussion where your opinion matters, you will one day rule over angels from those very seats that are already ours.  Notice that God even encourages us that this is reality, but in the ages to come.  We must be patient, living this life as if the next life is a reality because when we get there, God wants to show us the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us. 

Wow!  Hold on a minute!  Do you mean that God wants to be kind to me?  I should be being kind to Him and giving Him glory, honor, praise, adoration, my life, etc… for what He has already given me!  But it is true, God wants to give us even more, if we will just believe in Him and hold onto the grace by which we have been saved. The surpassing riches of God’s grace is ours for eternity.  Done deal.  We may not always look and act like royalty, but we are!

 

Pray for Those Affected by Government Shut-down

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Romans 8:18

We usually think of physical suffering when we see this verse.  But I believe that it includes all types of suffering including those inflicted upon a people by their government.  Please pray that Lucas will be able to take his FAA test and be able to sign up for his next flight class.  Pray that Aaron and Hannah will be able to get the loan they need to get into their own house.  Pray for Ethan to be able to change his FAFSA so that he can take a computer course for work at TSTC.  Does government affect us?  Yes!!! 

You can be an encouragement to those around you during this time of grumbling and griping.  Let people know that there is a Rock that will not be moved, and that no matter what the government does or our culture, Jesus is truth and His word will stand.  These are changing times.  Go with the flow and trust not in horses or chariots, but in the Lord your God.

 

Grace or Works?

If we live by the Spirit,
 let us also walk by the Spirit.”
Ephesians 5:25

There are several examples throughout Scripture that make it clear that we are in partnership with God.  Psalm 139:15 refers to God skillfully making a human being in the womb of a mother.  He chose to partner with mankind in procreation.  Man and woman would conceive, woman would carry the child in her womb, but God would be fashioning him/her

Another example of this partnership is found in Philippians 1:6 where it says that “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  But in Philippians 2:12 it says, “ …work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  So which is it?  Does God work in us or are we to work?  Both!  It is that partnership that is seen in Ephesians 5:25.  We have been taught and it is true that God’s grace covers all our sins and that once we ask Him to save us we are His children forever.  But we are so turned off by the thought that we have to also work out our salvation in fear and trembling.  Isn’t that salvation by works?  Isn’t God’s grace enough?  My question to you is, “Does it have to be one or the other?”  I think that it is both.  We are saved by grace and held in God’s hands by grace, but we show by our actions that we are His.  He should be changing us through the transforming word and we should desire to do good works.  Thus it is a partnership. Thus in Matthew where the goats and the sheep are judged according to their works, it is not work-based salvation, but rather salvation that is revealed through the works of the saints.

Amazing that God would trust us enough to partner with Him!  What a mighty God we serve!

 

Not Free From...

Things that we are not free from:
Our emotions
Our circumstances
Our suffering
Moral code of the New Testament

 Emotions:  We are made in the image of God and He had emotions (anger, compassion, He wept, He loves, etc…)  So emotions are not bad, but they need to be put under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and come behind the truth of God’s Word.  When we choose to walk by truth and not our emotions, then we are truly taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)  When we feel depressed, angry, hurt, forsaken, grumpy, etc…, but choose to give praise to God and pour out our hearts to Him and to glorify His name in thanksgiving, then the emotions will flee and we will find ourselves happy, content, and having great joy.

Our circumstances/our suffering:  Jesus never promised to take away our circumstances.  He said instead that in this life we will have troubles and tribulation, but that He has overcome this world. (John 16:33) We live in Satan’s world.  He has authority here for a short time.  It is limited, temporary authority, but for now, we live in his garbage pit, and when you live in a garbage pit, you will get garbage on you!  Jesus reached down into the garbage pit and called you to live above your circumstances.  That means realizing that this is temporary, but God’s relationship with you is eternal.  Sometimes, just because of His great love for us, God will change the circumstances through the faithful prayer of His children.  But sometimes, He chooses not to.  That is His right; He is sovereign.  But He will be with us through anything and everything if we call upon Him, trust in Him, rest in Him.

 Moral code of the New Testament:  We are to be holy because God, our Father, is holy.  We are not saved through our works, but we are to follow the moral code of the New Testament, Jesus’ commandments, after we are saved.  This is our operations manual.  By following it, we declare that we are God’s and that God knows what is best for us.  This can be tough because the world has a different code, a different morality.  God’s commandments lead us further into truth and life and prepares us for the life to come in heaven.  It keeps us able to have a relationship with God.  He knows that we are but dust (Psalm103:14) and has provided a way through confession to be brought back into His fellowship when we mess up.  But to think that we can accept Jesus and not His commandments is a fallacy!  We were sanctified at the cross and we are to continue to be sanctified through good works.  Don’t for an instant think that you have a free “ Get to heaven card” just for believing the facts about Jesus.  It has to be a heart change.  One that displays good worls and obedience.

Free to...

 We are free to…
Have abundant life eternally and now!
Hope!
Love ourselves (God loves us so we are lovable!)
Love God!
Love others! – Now we are filled up and can pour out!
Have joy! – Joy is always coupled in the Bible with being in the presence of the Lord
Rule over our emotions! – They don’t have to drive us!  God’s Word comes first.
Be obedient to Jesus! – Those who continue in my Word (both in study and in action!)will be free indeed!
Choose to not sin!
Give grace and mercy! – God gives it to us in abundance that we might pour it out on others!
Dream – God gives us the desires (dreams) of our heart!
Learn and grow!  We are not stuck, we can move forward!
Let go of old habits, sins, relationships, etc…
Pray and have a relationship with the Creator God!

Wow!!!

Christian maturity does not come from doing; it comes from sitting at the feet of Jesus, reading the Word, listening to His voice, and living in His presence in praise and thanksgiving!

 

Freedom to Surrender

At the cross we can find freedom from self, hopelessness, ignorance, pettiness, performance based love, and trying to conform to the expectations of others.  It all starts with surrender.

Mary gave into total surrender as God told her that she would bear a son out of wedlock: “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”  What did she get in return besides a beautiful baby boy?  She birthed the Son of God!  She knew intimately, like no other, God as He grew and changed and became a man.  But her journey also included betrayal, rejection, being misunderstood, etc… She held firm and her journey’s end was a glorious forever kingdom with her God and her Son!

What does it mean that Jesus is Lord?  The term “lord” is used for one who is in control and has authority over another.  To say that Jesus is Lord, is saying that you have surrender all (or some) areas of your life to His authority.  You have surrendered or yielded up your right to be in charge over that area of your life.  Surrendering, for most of us, is a process.  It requires many trips back to the cross to let go of things as God brings them to light in our lives. 

What type of things might we need to surrender?  Our money, our control over our spouse or children, our time, our dreams, our expectations, our body image, our status as married or single, our rights to earthly gain, our desires, the hurts of our past, our personality, our pride, our conversation, etc….  The good news is that as we let go and let God take over each of these areas, He has a plan and it is good.  The letting go is the hard part.  It is the circumcision of the heart.  It is surgery, the prying of our hands off of that which we want to hold onto.  Once we recognize the area that God tells us that we must let go of, then we must trust at a very deep level, that God is Who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do.  We have to trust that He loves us and will give us the best.  Boy!  This is hard!  But oh, the relief and joy when we don’t have to carry those burdens and responsibilities any more!

 I began to surrender my life to Jesus as Lord when I became a Christian, but I didn’t have a clue what that really meant.  There are different times in my life when I look back and see that God called me to let go of different things.  Letting go of my right to correct and control my husband was one of the first!  Then as each child came along, I had to give them up to God to form them in His image uniquely for Him.  This included a back brace for one, broken relationships for some, rebellion for another.  But God was in control, not me.  Sure, I stayed on my knees for each one of them, but the responsibility for them was God’s.  I had to let go of anger and forgive.  This took extra counseling as I was too hurt in some areas to do this myself.  I had to give up praying for a healing of my very broken back (spina bifida).

What did I get in return?  Freedom!  Hope!  Joy!  Rest!  God has worked in my life and my husband’s life and we have an amazing relationship.  My kids are the joy of my life as they and their wives are living out their dreams and lives before God.  The past no longer has a hold on me and I am free to move forward knowing that god loves me just because I am His!  And, even though there is pain every single day, god gives me the grace to move through life praising Him and He is right beside me every step of the way!

 

 

Free from shame

“You know my reproach and my shame and my dishonor…” Psalm 69:19
“In You, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
Let me never be ashamed.
In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me
Incline Your ear to me and save me.
Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come;
You have given commandment to save me,
For You are my rock and my fortress.”
Psalm 71:1-2

Shame is born out of our old nature, the flesh.  When you asked Jesus to come and save you, to live within you and to be the ruler of your life, you were born again.  “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new thing have come.”

2 Corinthians 5:17  So shame for any action that you took before you were born again, you are no longer held responsible for.  They are forgiven, you are declared clean through the blood of Jesus.  If you have shame for things that happened after you were a new creation, then you confess, repent, and rest in Jesus. 

Christians who live in shame are believing a lie from Satan.  He speaks in first person, “I’m no good.”  I am unlovable”,  “ I am so stupid”, etc…  It is Satan throwing your past in your face.  You have a choice to wallow in that shame and regret, or to claim who you ar in Christ!  You are a princess, you are the apple of God’s eye, you are holy, clean. Loved, complete, etc… in Christ Jesus.  The past is simply that – the past.  The only way that it can have power over you is if you allow it to.  You can say to yourself, “That whas then, this is now.”  Tell Satan to flee.  “Submit therefore to God .  Resist the devil.  And he will flee from you.  Draw near to god and He will draw near to you….” James 4:7

Shame has no place in the Christian life unless the Holy Spirit is convicting you to confess and repent.  Be quick to repent and then turn again to God.  He loves you.  He is your Papa!

I encourage you to go through the New Testament and make a chart of the characteristics of the Old Nature and of the new Nature.  One is death, the other life.  Claim who God says that you are and stand firm.

Free from Fear

At the cross we obtained freedom from the fear of death.

“Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood,

He Himself likewise also partook of the same,
that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is the devil,
and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives”.
Hebrews 2:14-15

The victory is not to come, but is already ours!  Jesus fought the final battle and the war has been decided!  We win!!!  Satan’s punishment has not been meted out as yet, and we are still subject to his lies and oppression, but know dear brothers and sisiters of mine, that he cannot possess you and you can know victory if you walk according to the spirit and not according to the flesh. 

Fear need have no power over Christians.  If Jesus took away the very fear of death and you believe that He has, then I bet that He can handle anything else that this life can throw at us.  God was in charge when you were born without your help!  He gently led you to the cross and He cares for you still.  If He is Lord of your life, then you can trust that He Is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do!  Jesus is still the answer.  We need not fear the circumstances of this life because God allows them to mold us ad make us more like Him so that we will be suited for the heavenly kingdom and the work that God has there for us.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Fear is not of God.  Don’t let that temptation lead you to sin.  Take every thought of fear captive, lay all things at the feet of Jesus, and trust and rest and wait to see what God will do.  He does not always change our circumstances, but He promises peace in the midst.  And an eternal reward and purpose.

God is good!

 

Set Free

At the cross we were set free.

“It was for freedom that Christ set us fee;

therefore keep standing firm
and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1

Great question to ponder and consider:  What were you set free from and what were you set free to?

Most people think that they were set free from the Law.  That is not Biblical.  We were set free from the guilt of the Law.  The Law is good; it is God’s provision and protection for us.  It teaches us about the Lawgiver.  It shows us that we are not holy and righteous in our own flesh, and it shows us our need for a Savior.  As New Testament believers, we follow the New Covenant law that does not delete the Old Testament law, but sums it up in two laws:

1.       Love the Lord your God with all your hear, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
2.       Love your neighbor as yourself.  (Matthew 22:37-39)

God did free us from the food laws in Acts 10 when He lowered a sheet full of animals to Peter and told him to eat.  Three times Peter refused, but then God spoke, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider unclean.”

 Jesus came not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill the law.  He is our completeness in the law.  But He also knows human flesh, having walked on the earth for 32 years.  He made a way for us to remain righteous even when we mess up and break the law.  Confession and repentance is found in

1 John 1:9. 

The first century church struggled with this concept of being free from the Law and allowing too much grace.  They finally told Gentiles that were coming to know Christ to do just a couple of things: abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood and from things strangled, and from fornication.  Romans 8:1-2 is a great verse about grace:

                “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  A fourth century monk really struggled with this unlimited grace and he took part of verse four and put it up into verse one so that it reads in the KJV, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”  See the condition?

Well, Paul has an answer in Romans 6:1-2 – “What shall we say then?  Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?  May it never be!  How shall we who died to sin still live in it?”

Freedom from the guilt of the law is much different than being free from the Law.  The world wants to be free from all authority and responsibility.  Christians are under the authority of the cross and God the Father.  They are responsible as bondservants to follow Christ’s commandments.  Jesus sums up our freedom in John 8:32 – “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mind; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Don’t remain in the bonds of Satan.  Choose freedom this day and confess, repent, and move forward in God’s grace and mercy and great love.

 

Redeemed

"For you have been bought with a price;
therefore glorify God in your body."
1 Corinthians 6:20

When you go to the grocery store and "redeem" a coupon, you have traded something of value for something else.  To redeem something is to pay a price for it, to clear something by payment.  Jesus redeemed us on the cross.  He bought us, paid for us, cleared us with the payment of His blood.  We are redeemed as believers.  And there is a no return policy!

Because we have been bought with a price, we are to glorify God in our bodies.  Freedom in Christ is not freedom from authority or rule.  It is freedom from sin and freedom to holy living and a relationship with God.  The world does see this as freedom and chooses to stay chained to their sins and the Father of lies.  But what freedom it is!  Free to know that you are loved!  Free to choose to live holy and clean before God! Free to hope for eternity!  Free to share your hope with others! 

How do we glorify God in our bodies?  We are to be a living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1).  We are to allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives instead of ourselves.  This means putting every decision, every relationship, every thought under His control.  Of course, we can only do this because God is good and wants good for us.  That does not mean bad things will happen because we live in the world and Satan is the Lord here.  By following Christ, you are setting yourself up against the prince of this age.  Bad things happen, but Jesus will be there with you in the midst and He will give you joy in the midst.

You have been bought.  You belong to Another.  Live that way!

Sanctified

We have been justified - legally declared righteous.
We have been reconciled - our relationship with God has been restored
And we have been sanctified - set apart and made clean
and we are to live sanctified - set apart and holy

"But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God,
you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification,
and the outcome, eternal life."
Romans 6:22

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification;
that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality;
that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor..."
1 thessalonians 4:3-4

Sanctifiication then is a finished act at the cross and a continuing act as we live holy before God.  Does this mean that we earn our salvation?  May it never be!  (No!).  What it does mean is that because we are clean, we are to keep being clean.  1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  So, God knows that we will still sin.  But if we confess that sin, then we are cleansed (sanctified). 

We have the Holy spirit within us, Jesus interceding for us, and God the Father forgiving us.  Once we kneel at the cross, the blood of Jesus sanctifies us and cleanses us so that the Holy Spirit can reside within us.  We just have to keep clean through right living and confession to be able to go before the Father in relationship.  We are His - His prince or princess.  Our sins do not take us from that relationship, but we don't want to appear before the King in rags, so we take a bath first!

So, does that mean we can go and sin as much as we want to as long as we confess it?  May it never be! (No!). Once we have been truly cleaned and know the feel and power of righteousness, we should want to stay in that state of cleanliness.  Once we have been declared holy, why would we want to revert to unholiness? 

We were sanctified at the cross.  We are to live a sanctified life.

Reconciled

"Much more then, having now been justifed by His blood,
we shall be saved from the wrath of God through HIm.
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son,
much more, having been recondciled,
we shall be saved by His life. 
And not only this, but we also exult in God through our lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Romans 5:9-11

Having been justified - declared righteous through a legal action - now we can also be reconciled. 

When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, all men were destined to be born with a sin nature.  Having a sin nature keeps man from being able to walk with God.  As Adam knelt behind a bush in the garden fearing God, God walked through the garden in the coolness of the day and cried out, "Adam, where are you?"  Adam in his sinfulness hid from God.  God, already knowing the sin, prepared a sacrifice to cover their nakedness.  The blood of that animal was shed to provide garments of modesty for Adam and Eve.  But God no longer was able to walk with them in the garden because His holiness keeps Him from being able to abide with sin, and sinful was man's nature.

Christ's blood covers our sin and we are able once again to be in the presence of the Almighty God. The cross did not just give us forgiveness of our wrongdoings, though it did do that, but even greater, it put to death our sinful nature and we are made alive in Christ Jesus!  Now, with the blood covering us, our sin nature put to death, we were justified and can now be reconciled with God.

Reconciliation is the reuniting of a relationship.  We can enter into God's presence.  We can come boldly before His throne!  We can walk in the garden with Jesus or sit at His feet and lean upon His knee.  We can dance dance before the King and bow before Him in worship.  We can have a relationship with God.

Wow!  That is such a big statement!  We can have a relationship with God!  The Greeks and the Romans would never have thought to make such a claim.  The god and gods of this day want to rule over us and to control us, but God wants to relate to us in love and joy!  He is our Father, our Lord, our Friend, our Savior.  Seek HIm.  Listen to His words.  Pray to Him.  And let His love soak through you and be renewed each morning in His presence.  What a difference that makes!

And it is ours throughout eternity!  I can't wait to leap into His arms, snuggle on His lap, sit at His feet, and run with Him through the fields of heaven.  But I don't have to wait!  I can do that even now!  I am reconciled with Him. 

Justified

At the cross we were justified!

"Therefore, having been justified by faith,
we have pace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..."
Romans 5:1

So what does it mean that we were justified?  Justification is actually a legal term and action.  God signed a legal contract at the cross declaring us not guilty, innocent, absolved, acquitted.  Once we are justified, then no one can take us back to court for the same crime or sin. 

Justification is a fact.  An irreversible decision and action.  If you have asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins, then you are justified. Period.  It is finished.  There si nothing that you can do to get God to reverse His verdict.

So what does that have to do with how you live your life?  Well, when Satan whispers in your ear that you are so bad that God can't forgive you, you can remind him that you are justified; already judged and been declared righteous. 

Being justified is also the first step towards reconciliation.  Reconciliation is the process of renewing a relationship.  Because we are no longer considered guilty in God's eyes through the blood of the cross, we can enter into a relationship with Him.  We can "...draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

Justification is a one time action.  We don't have to keep being justified.  We are justified. Period.  Legally we are God's.  Ruth Bell Graham wrote a peom about two sheep.  both were the Shepherd's sheep, but one came limping home, worn out, abused, disgraced and the other came bounding in exultantly with great joy.  Both were justified, bought with a price and declared fit for the Kingdom, but only one knew the joy of walking with Jesus along the way and abiding by His word and instructions.  Which will you be?  You will stand before God and give account of your words and actions.  You are forgiven, but are you victorious?

What Happened at the Cross?

Good morning!  It has been awhile since I posted.  I needed some time to get my feet back on the ground after a tough spiritual battle.  God wins!  And I am once again fully His!  There is victory in letting go of judgment and pride and letting God be God.  I am not in control and I am so glad!!!

I am getting ready to do a women's retreat and we are starting at the cross.  My question to the ladies will be: "What happened at the cross?"  Answers will be in the form of "We were..."  some that I have come up with include:

We were...
forgiven
Set free
Redeemed
Justified
Made pure

I came up with many more, but what about you?  What can you add to my list? 

This is a great process.  The next step will be to define what those words actually mean lived out in our lives.  Stay tuned!

Anger

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.”
Eccl. 7:8

Anger held onto becomes bitterness and bears a prideful heart.  Anger is often misplaced judgment.  God says to be angry but to sin not, but He also says not to let the sun go down on your anger.  This is because He knows that if we hold onto that anger, then we are poisoning ourselves and placing ourselves as judge rather than letting Him be Lord and Judge.  Letting go of anger begins with a volitional choice - I will forgive.  Sometimes it takes a while for the emotions to catch up.  In the meantime, talking it out, praying for a humble heart, reminding ourselves that we have chosen forgiveness, and doing something nice for the person can all help bring the emotions in line. 

I have been prideful and guilty of judgment.  I have laid that before the Savior’s feet at the cross.  It will happen again.  But hopefully this lesson is learned and it won’t be such a struggle next time!

Are you willing to let go of the right to be angry because of another person's actions?  Even if they don't apologize?  Are you willing for the Spirit of God to humble your heart?  Are you willing to let go of judgment and allow God to be the Judge?  Here is freedom.  Here is joy.  Here is peace.  May you have the strength today to forgive and let God work.