Custom Maid

I have a maid service. I've mentioned before that I am blessed by this wonderful service! Every other week they come and clean bathrooms, change linens, vacuum, mop, dust, everything. Some people have said things like "it must be nice never to have to clean your house!" WRONG!

The maid's will dust the table if it isn't covered with books, magazines and school papers. They'll vacuum the floor if it isn't covered with toys and shoes. They'll scour the sink, if it isn't full of dishes. They don't straighted up. They clean. I am still responsible for straightening up the mess, or the cleaning won't be fully done.

Jesus died on the cross to clean up the sin in our lives. Through him we are washed clean as snow! But we are still responsible for straighten up the "mess." That means we need to look at our lives. What things are still messing up your life? There are so many things, big or small. Addictions to soap operas, romance novels, chocolate, alcohol, and drugs are all possible. Even addiction to the Internet. The Bible says anything we put before God can be an idol. Do I put my TV and computer time before my "God time."

Jesus cleans up the stains of our sin, and better than the maids he wants to help us straighted up our lives. First we should pray about what clutter needs to be removed. Then clean it up! Gossip, bitterness, lack of self-control...Jesus isn't going to leave you alone to do the work. He's here to help. But you have to shoulder some of the work too.

Get busy straightening up your messes today with God's help. Jesus will make sure you're maid made holy.

Psalm 51:2 -- Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Matthew 8:2-3 -- A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.

Matthew 23:25, 26 -- Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

Thankful Thursday 3/12

Here are the 5 things, big or small, that I am thankful for this week:

1. Edie at Rich Gift Graphics. She gave me a special birthday blog design and it was so fantastic. She has real talent. If you are looking for a blog makeover, a button or anything else blog related, check out her site.

2. My Birthday! I had so many bloggy friends come by & wish me well. THANK YOU! Thanks for my local friends too. It was a great day all around.

3. A night out! My sister (My ADHD Me) & I are going out to dinner & a show tonight. I can't wait. We have 2 annual "just us" outings, 1 for our birthday and 1 pool day. So I can't wait.

4. God's protection for my church. My church had a small fire yesterday. PRAISE HIM that no one was hurt and damage was minimal. Wed night activities were cancelled, but we'll be back to worship on Sunday. Thank you God!

5. My husband's healing. He was back to work on Tuesday and is feeling GREAT after surgery just last Friday. He is quick to recover from things, my former Army Ranger. So I'm thankful that he is better.

That's it! Five things I'm thankful for! What are you thank for this week? Link up over at Truth 4 the Journey, by clicking the button below (which was also made by Edie). Or you can just leave me a comment. Blessings to you!

Christian Geometry

If you've had small children, you may be familiar with the term parallel playing. Toddlers don't know how to play together, so they will often parallel play. In other words, they may both be playing dolls or trucks, but not together, just side-by-side like parallel lines. As children get older they learn the fine art of sharing, interaction and playing together. This comes with maturity.

Our relationships with God can be parallel as well, especially without spiritual maturity. It is easy for me to slip into a parallel relationship with God, without interaction. If I am doing devotions every day, but not making time for prayer and mediation, I am not interacting with God. I'm working along side, but not with God. It is easy to get confused. I am doing godly things, but I am just paralleling God, not interacting with him or following his will and his way.

The opposite of parallel is perpendicular. That is lines intersecting at a right angle. It looks like a "T" or a cross. A Cross. Jesus died on the cross for us, so that we could have a relationship with God. But how can we live in the right angle at the intersection. How can we live right? Another term for the same concept (one line hitting another at 90 degrees) is called normal. I know I'm not normal with God. (I'm not normal to a lot of people). *smile*

We need to be straight with God. He should be ahead of us, leading and guiding. We should be following. As a recovering control freak, it's easy for me to try to get parallel with God. I need to take a step back, literally and figuratively, and start interacting with God to make sure my actions are responses to his will, not my own.

So are you parallel or perpendicular today? How can you become normal by God's standards, which are out of line with the world's? It takes a Ruler (and not the 12" kind). Our Ruler is the King of kings and Lord of Lords. When we have the Ruler, we can calculate the changes we need to make in our lives to get "square" with God. Then we'll be straight and right.

Psalm 99:4 -- The King is mighty, he loves justice— you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right.

Psalm 27:11 -- Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

Revelation 17:14 -- They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.



My friend Sharon at Joy in the Truth is celebrating her 100th post today with some give aways. After commenting here, drop by and wish her well and enter to win some great books.

Happy Birthday to Me!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLY! You are dearly loved and appreciated. Enjoy your special day and don't worry about the confetti on the floor. I'll be glad to sweep it up for you at the end of the day.

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This blog has been hijacked! (sort of with permission) Everyone get in the comment box and wish Kelly the best birthday ever! :D
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We now return you to your regularly scheduled post. Scroll down.

div align="left">I love my birthday! Many people down play their birthday, or get upset at aging, but I love my birthday. It is "MY" special day. My day to be the special, the center of attention, to get lavished with lots of attention and special wishes.

As most of my followers know, I grew up in a household where I didn't feel special. As a matter of fact, I often felt unloved. I worked so hard to be good enough to earn the love and approval I sought, without avail. My mom is mentally ill and an alcoholic. She couldn't look past her self, and only related to people in what they did for her.

So some how over the years, my birthday has taken significance as a day where I am "important." As a little girl I clutched tightly to my birthday as the day I will finally be noticed, special and loved. Yet, I am a woman now.

Having a birthday doesn't make me special. In fact, everyone I know has one! (I'll bet you do too!) No, the thing that makes me "special" is the fact that I have a Heavenly Father. I don't have to be good enough to earn his love. He loved me while I was still a sinner, and he continues to love and accept me, even when I mess up.

Are you trying desperately to be noticed, loved or special? Here is a love letter from your Heavenly Father. Read it and know that it is true, based on scripture. You are special. I am special. Just because God loves us.

My Child,
You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented

by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7
I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2009 www.FathersLoveLetter.com