Category: Book

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True Freedom

This morning started a little differently for me. I woke at 2:30 and thought I should sleep just a little longer…Yikes! Woke at 4:50 am. My youngest daughter and I had committed to walking the “God Shed His Grace on Thee” 5k so I had enough time to change out of my jammies and into my walking clothes. We were out the door by 5:05.

We participated in a virtual 4th of July 5K. Walk done. Cool down in progress and now it’s time to share some thoughts on freedom with you. True Freedom.

On this day of independence, it’s important to remember that we are truly free through our relationship with Jesus Christ. We are no longer held captive or enslaved by sin and/or the devil because the Son, Jesus Christ, broke the chains of bondage and set us free! Hallelujah!

“So if the Son makes you free, you are really free.” John 8:36 ERV

Our nation was founded by men who were seeking a better way of life; an opportunity to achieve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They trusted in God’s leading and direction in the founding of this nation.

Many of us have become disheartened, during the recent past months and years, by the events taking place in our nation. But one thing has not changed, God is still, and forever will be, Lord God Almighty who rules and reigns in mercy, truth and justice!

We can trust Him and Him alone! He is our hope, He is our peace, He is our joy, the Everlasting God!

“Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories” Isaiah 41:10 CEV

Kingdoms and nations will rise and fail but the kingdom of God and the liberty that we have in Christ will remain forever. We should be grateful to live in this country that we have but the most important thing of all is that our citizenship is secure in heaven.

“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” Philippians 3:20 NLT

Make today a celebration of freedom!

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Each Day’s A Gift

I try to look at each day as a gift from the Lord. When I get up in the morning I write two or three words in my journal – things like strength, wisdom, joy, family, inspiration, health, etc. These are the gifts that I realize I received the day before. Sometimes it’s the same gift several days in a row – there are times that peace, health, freedom from pain and inspiration are directing my life during that season and I never want to take them for granted.

To say my life is blessed is not clique nor is it a self-righteous proclamation. It is a statement that comes from a humbled and grateful heart. I never want to take the goodness of the Lord for granted. His blessings fill me with awe!

How could the Almighty God who made heaven and earth be so loving, so personal that He would care about the smallest details that effect my life? I can only explain it one way – His love! He loves me unconditionally, in spite of my failures and shortcomings, even when my heart is rebellious and I sin willfully He loves me! That’s who He is and what He does.

“Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. 7 No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. 8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful. 9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger. 10 Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by his Son’s life.” Romans 5:6-10 CEV

I could fill the pages of my journal and every subsequent one with “God loves me” and still truly never completely comprehend the depth of that statement. A part of His expression of love to us is friendship, deep abiding commitment and loyalty.

The gift of friendship with God! Amazing!

The Apostle Paul takes it one step further. Unconditional love, friendship and then peace with God. He says that peace with God is greater than friendship with Him. How can that be?

Everyone of us know that when we love someone or are friends with someone there isn’t always peace in the relationship. We don’t always see eye to eye and conflicts come. How sweet it is when the relationship is restored and peace rules.

The Apostle Paul also wrote these words: “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:18-19 NLT

We have before us a table piled high with gifts. Life, itself is a gift. I pray that you open the gifts of God’s love, friendship and peace today. They’ve been custom-crafted just for you.

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Celebrate Life

This has been a week for celebrating life. We got to meet our first great grandchild last Thursday – that was a time to celebrate. We have spent the last week with my mother, who is almost 97, and as we reminisce it’s a time of celebrating the many events of her life. My sister had a birthday on Monday and so we celebrated that too and now our nation will have a birthday on Saturday which brings millions to celebrate our freedom.

Celebrate Life!

God has been doing that from the beginning of time. In the garden, at creation, He saw everything that He had created and called it good. Everything, except the creation of man and woman, that He called very good. When creation was finished He took the day off to enjoy what He made and celebrate. (my opinion)

All through the Bible we see people celebrating the goodness and love of God with feasting, singing and sacrificing sweet incense, oil and bread. They were celebrating the life God had blessed them with and the deliverance He had provided.

Heaven celebrates life. The angels in heaven throw a party when someone decides to follow Christ.

“In the same way, it’s a happy time for the angels of God when one sinner decides to change.” Luke 15:10 ERV

One of my favorite parables in the Bible is of the prodigal son. He takes off from his father’s house, spends all of his inheritance then comes home, repentant, with his tail tucked between his legs. What does the Father do? He celebrates life – he throws a party. Our heavenly Father does the same when we return home after wandering off to follow our own desires and schemes!

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Hurry! Bring the best clothes and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his finger and good sandals on his feet. 23 And bring our best calf and kill it so that we can celebrate with plenty to eat. 24 My son was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost, but now he is found!’ So they began to have a party.” Luke 15:22-24 ERV

And when life on earth is over there will be a great celebration in heaven as those of us who follow Christ are seated at the banquet table there.

“Then a voice came from the throne and said, ‘Praise our God, all you who serve him!
Praise our God, all you small and great who honor him!’ 6 Then I heard something that sounded like a large crowd of people. It was as loud as crashing waves or claps of thunder. The people were saying, ‘Hallelujah! Our Lord God rules. He is the All-Powerful. 7 Let us rejoice and be happy  and give God glory! Give God glory, because the wedding of the Lamb has come. And the Lamb’s bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen was given to the bride for her to wear. The linen was bright and clean.’ (The fine linen means the good things that God’s holy people did.) 9 Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Great blessings belong to those who are invited to the wedding meal of the Lamb!” Then the angel said, “These are the true words of God.’” Revelation 19:5-9 ERV

We will get to celebrate life with the Giver of Life. What a party that will be!

Join in today and celebrate life – let’s tell our friends and family we love them. Let’s be grateful for the impact they have made in our lives. Don’t waste an opportunity to show and share love.

Celebrate Life!

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God Bless America

When I was a girl we had music class in grade school. Mrs. Martinez was our music teacher and she had a love for music that was contagious. If you got close enough she would “infect” you with a melody that would stay with you a lifetime.

Every occasion brought new songs from her piano bench; Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and the National Holidays but the songs I remember the most are the ones about America.

America the Beautiful – Battle Hymn of the Republic – God Bless America – My Country T’is of Thee – This Land Is Your Land – Star Spangled Banner

We learned all the verses. How I wish those days had never gone! We were a country that wasn’t ashamed of God’s grace and guidance.

I’m a red, white and blue American girl! I get choked up singing our National Anthem. I proudly stand and proclaim my Pledge of Allegiance. I believe in our country. I know She has flaws and room for improvement – who of us doesn’t? She’s been going through a rough patch lately. It seems there is a virus more deadly than COVID-19 seeking to destroy Her. It’s the virus of disrespect, hatred and malcontent! She’s been infected but She can recover.

I would like to share these words from America, the Beautiful. I hope they become the prayer of our heart.

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

Father, You have blessed our nation and we thank You for that. Our prayer is for healing – physical, emotional and spiritual. You’ve called us to love one another, to pray for our leaders and to bear one another’s burdens. We repent of selfishness and ego, break the hold of greed and the lust for power. May we be noble and self-controlled. We look to You for guidance. Thank You for your ever lasting love and Your mercies that are new every morning. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

“But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. 12 What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. 13 The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. 14 From his throne he observes all who live on the earth.” Psalm 33:11-14 NLT

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Seeing Clearly

This morning I experienced a life lesson that I have had a few times in my life. One that I try to avoid. I wear contact lenses and I reached up to rub the sleep from my eyes, not realizing that I had not washed all the soap from my hands and immediately every cell in my body screamed that this was the wrong decision.

Pain shot through my body; my eyes were watering, my nose ran and I struggled to remove the lens and bring relief to my eyes. The only thing worse than soap residue is the result of having chopped jalepenos and then touching your eyes. I hope you never experience this. I’m still squinting as I look at my computer screen, my eyes feel like they are scratched and my nose has only now quit running.

Isn’t it amazing how our bodies are designed to respond to danger or pain and all systems immediately come on board to aide the hurting part? But that’s another life lesson…

Research shows that approximately 80% of perception is based on visual sense. Today’s life lesson was on the importance of protecting our eyes, but more importantly protecting what we perceive.

Early in Jesus’ ministry he taught a sermon of short life lessons. It is often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. When we read chapters 5-7 in the book of Matthew we find a series of snippets that give us instruction for a good and prosperous life.

These are some of the verses that came to mind after I removed my contacts and sat here wiping the tears from my cheeks.

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 22 Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! 24 No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” Matthew 6:19-24 NLT

These verses are written about perception. Jesus is telling us that there is more to life than physical riches. Those things can be stolen or they can deteriorate. True treasure is what we hold in our heart. Our perception can be clouded or darkened just like our vision is when we are in a dark room. We will stumble over things that are hard to see when we are focused on chasing after things. However, our vision will be clear and we will have plenty of light to guide us when we serve God.

Please understand this does not mean that we must relegate ourselves to a life of poverty. Not in the slightest. In fact, just seven verses later Jesus has this to say.

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:31-33 NLT

When we keep our focus on the Father’s love and provision; when we seek (look for diligently) God’s way of doing things we will be able to see that He is our source for an abundant life.

Protect your vision.

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The Worry Box

Have you ever heard the story of the “Worry Box”? I heard a pastor use it in his sermon a number of years ago. It goes something like this:

The head of a major corporation had an appointment in his office. During that meeting the corporate head wrote something on a piece of paper and then put it in a box on the corner of his desk. At the conclusion of the meeting he was asked by the other person about the box and what he had placed in it.

The corporate executive referred to it as his “worry box”. He went on to say that life gives us many opportunities to worry and if we take them all they could be paralyzing. So, he determined to worry only one day a week, Wednesday. Each time he was faced with something to worry about he would write it down and put it in the box until the following Wednesday. He said he soon found that each Wednesday when he opened the box many of the worries had been already taken care of. The Lord, prayer and time had handled them.

Several years back I was able to share this story with a friend and her young daughter-in-law. I gave the daughter-in-law a metal heart basket and I encouraged her to hang it in her kitchen or bedroom and place her worries in it. I hope she is still using it.

Sometimes we need visible reminders of Biblical principles. A worry box is just that.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” I Peter 5:7 NLT

Some weeks it seems that we could fill an entire yellow pad with the situations that are trying to unnerve us. We might need a bigger box. But, no matter how many things we put into the box our God is able to handle them all. He never puts a limit on His ability to help. We’ll never hear “daily limit, 5 items”. We have been given free access for whenever.

His word is clear: “So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

I read and saved this writing by Max Lucado about worry. I love how the Lord takes our worries and replaces them with trust and joy!

“Take your problems to Jesus. Don’t take them out on others. Temper tantrums never advance a cause. The moment you sense a problem, however large or small, take it to Christ. I can almost hear you say, ‘Max if I take my problems to Jesus every time I have one, I’m going to be talking to Jesus all day long.’ Now you’re getting the point!

The Bible reminds us not to “worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this you’ll experience God’s peace” (Philippians 4:6-7).

An unprayed-for problem is an embedded thorn. It festers and infects—first the finger, then the hand, then the entire arm. Best to go straight to the person who has the tweezers. Let Jesus take care of you. He knows about thorns!“

At the start of this week, if need be, find a box, pen and paper and give your worries over to the Lord. He always manages our problems better than we do.

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Getting the Right Picture

Do any of you enjoy taking pictures? I look at great photography as real art. The ability to capture the beauty that is seen with the natural eye through a camera’s lens is a true gift!

We took quite a few pictures when the girls were here and the thing I realized was how quickly we had been in taking some of them. Blurry – delete. Off center – crop. No one was ready – trash. One of the advantages of digital photography is it gives us the ability to capture many images that are similar and then delete the ones we don’t like.

The true photographer is patient; waiting for the right angle, the perfect light and then they bring it all into focus! A masterpiece.

A lot of people take life the same way – hurry up and click. Snap, snap, snap. Delete, trash it, do over. Or they spent their lives taking selfies and never learn to include the beauty of the people around them.

With a Christ-centered focus, we can zoom in on what’s important. Bring the tiniest of details up close and appreciate the intricate design – the design of health, friendship, innocence, honesty, joy, patience, love.

This reminds me of the story Jesus told of the Good Samaritan. The priest and the Levi were too busy taking selfies to be concerned with the hurting of the man who had been robbed but the Samaritan zoomed in, focused on the situation and saw the beauty of caring for someone other than himself.

“The next day, the Samaritan took out two silver coins and gave them to the man who worked at the inn. He said, ‘Take care of this hurt man. If you spend more money on him, I will pay it back to you when I come again.’ 36 Then Jesus said, ‘Which one of these three men do you think was really a neighbor to the man who was hurt by the robbers?’ 37 The teacher of the law answered, ‘The one who helped him.’ Jesus said, “Then you go and do the same.” Luke 10:35-37 ERV

It’s important to stay focused. People and situations need to be viewed through the lens of God’s word. The Bible tells us there will be a time when people will call good evil and evil good. We see some of that happening now. Their image is out of focus – it is being processed through a filter of selfishness and disrespect.

We mustn’t allow the world to distort how we view things. Instead we need to post clear images that are focused on God’s love and forgiveness; images that will give hope to the world and not despair.

Lord, improve my focus today. Let me love my neighbor as you have loved me.

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Thanks for the Memories

I’m so thankful for wonderful memories. Yesterday was no exception.

We are visiting with my Mom for the week. She’s almost ninety-seven and now, more than ever, we cherish each visit. Our granddaughter is in the Phoenix area visiting her parents. In February of this year she gave birth to our first great grandchild, their daughter. This was the first time they had ventured out since her birth. One thing she wanted to do was visit her great grandmother, my Mom, and have a five generation picture taken.

What a surprise! Mom was thrilled and so were Dave and I. It was so amazing to see our daughter, with her daughter and our granddaughter with our great granddaughter. Almost more than the heart could hold. What a joy!

It’s at times like this that I am so extremely conscious of our heavenly Father’s loving presence.

“When my followers call to me, I will answer them.  I will be with them when they are in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. 16 I will give my followers a long life and show them my power to save.” Psalm 91:15-16 CEV

One translation of this verse says “with long life I will satisfy them”. I am definitely satisfied with the life my Father has given me. Yesterday was one of those special “icing on the cake” days, for sure.

Each day can be like that when we’re trusting the Lord. Our days should never be mundane or routine. We should live expectantly, anticipating to see God’s goodness fill our natural with His supernatural. It bothers me that many times I neglect to see the miracles because I am overwhelmed by the routine.

The phrase “stop and smell the roses” isn’t in the Bible put the premise is a godly one.

“I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NLV

May I encourage us all to take time each morning to record at least one sentence describing the blessings we saw in the previous day. We will be amazed at how many miraculous things we find when we look for them.

Michael W Smith wrote a song, “Breathe”, in 2001. It’s one of my favorite contemporary worship songs.

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy presence living in me

This is my daily bread
This is my daily bread
Your very word spoken to me

And I, I’m desperate for you
And I, I’m I’m lost without you

Let’s live each day desperate for God, aware of His miracles and end each day by saying “Dear Lord, thanks for the memories”!

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Burnt Toast

The discussion around the table late yesterday afternoon was about burnt toast. When I was a young girl I remember my dad saying eating burnt toast would make you a better singer. I believed him; my older brother and sister did not. They saw his real purpose in saying this, he didn’t want the toast going to waste.

I’m not sure how many pieces of burnt toast I have eaten in my life but there have been more than a few. Some as a child and others as an adult.

My mom told a story of a missionary whose family lived on a very meager monthly allotment. She said they never wasted food. When asked what they did about burnt toast she smiled and said I hold it up and simply ask “who wants chocolate toast”.

But the story I like best is the one of a man, who recalling his childhood and his father’s many sacrifices, said that whenever the toast burned his father would tell the family “don’t anyone take my toast, this is the way I like it best and your mother made it special, just for me”. He said his father’s act of love in not embarrassing his mother and not subjecting his children to something as unpleasant as burnt toast was an example of self-sacrifice and kindness that guided his words and actions with his own family.

Burnt toast, spilled coffee, muddy footprints, the last piece of pie say volumes about our character.

Do we value possessions over people?

“God has chosen you. You are holy and loved by Him. Because of this, your new life should be full of loving-pity. You should be kind to others and have no pride. Be gentle and be willing to wait for others. 13 Try to understand other people. Forgive each other. If you have something against someone, forgive him. That is the way the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-13 NLV

Kindness is a gift we can all give. It never goes out of style; one size fits all. Kindness isn’t waiting to receive; it is always willing to give.

I heard of a husband who bragged on his new bride, “My wife thinks I’m a god. She offers me a burnt sacrifice every night”. Eating a piece a burnt toast with a smile on our face and love in our heart can be one of the greatest sermons never preached. Our actions often speak louder than our words.

May we always share the love and kindness we receive from the Lord. In the case of burnt toast, it’s always better with butter and jam.

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What Do You See?

What do you see when you look at the dark sky of night? Where we live there are only a couple of street lights so the night sky is undisturbed by artificial light. Watching the constellations unfold and reveal their beauty is awe-inspiring.

In the beginning, God saw the glorious heavens. There was nothing there, the Bible says the world was without form, it was void of substance but God saw something beautiful. He saw life. His words created what was in His heart, much like an artist creates an image on canvas. He created the stars and the planets, the sun and moon. His words created the land and the seas and all that lives in and on both.

In the beginning, God saw us and He created man, male and female. He created us in His image.

“Then God said, “Let Us make man like Us and let him be head over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every thing that moves on the ground.” 27 And God made man in His own likeness. In the likeness of God He made him. He made both male and female. 28 And God wanted good to come to them, saying, “Give birth to many. Grow in number. Fill the earth and rule over it. Rule over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “See, I have given you every plant that gives seeds that is on the earth, and every tree that has fruit that gives seeds. They will be food for you.” Genesis 1:26-29 NLV

From the very beginning God’s plan was to provide for us. Earth had everything we need for a good and prosperous life. All that He created had life in them – the plants and the trees had the ability to produce life through their seeds. The animals had the ability to repopulate and so did Adam and Eve. God saw us and He had a plan.

When man sinned and sin separated him from his relationship with God, God had a plan of restoration ready to implement. He didn’t give up and start over.

“But God had loving-favor for everyone. He had Jesus suffer death on a cross for all of us. Then, because of Christ’s death on a cross, God gave Him the crown of honor and shining-greatness. 10 God made all things. He made all things for Himself. It was right for God to make Jesus a perfect Leader by having Him suffer for men’s sins. In this way, He is bringing many men to share His shining-greatness. 11 Jesus makes men holy. He takes away their sins. Both Jesus and the ones being made holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them His brothers.” Hebrews 2:9-11 NLV

We were always on God’s mind and in His heart. These verses are part of the prayer that Jesus prayed right before He was arrested, put on trial and crucified:

“Father, I don’t ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They don’t belong to this world, and neither do I. 17 Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours. 18 I am sending them into the world, just as you sent me. 19 I have given myself completely for their sake, so that they may belong completely to the truth.

20 I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. 21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.

22 I have honored my followers in the same way that you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. 23 I am one with them, and you are one with me, so that they may become completely one. Then this world’s people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me.” John 17:15-23 CEV

When we look into the mirror, what do we see? Do we see someone whose nose is too big or their chin is too small? Do we see someone who fails to measure up and whom others see as insignificant?

God, our loving heavenly Father, looks with us into that mirror and He sees someone who was created in His image. He sees someone who has His loving-favor, His grace. He sees someone that Jesus isn’t ashamed of; He sees His sons and daughters. He sees someone who is one with Him.

The mirror we use in looking at ourselves is distorted, like those mirrors at the carnivals. They amplify our failures and shortcomings. But look at what God’s sees. He looked into the nothingness before creation and saw it all made perfect, including us in our relationship with Him.

“We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. These are the people God chose, because that was his plan. 29 God knew them before he made the world. And he decided that they would be like his Son. Then Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters. 30 God planned for them to be like his Son. He chose them and made them right with him. And after he made them right, he gave them his glory.” Romans 8:28-30 ERV

When we look at ourselves in God’s mirror we will see ourselves in the right light, the light of forgiveness and restoration, the light of love.

So, let me ask again – what do you see? Look into the Father’s eyes and you’ll see His love!

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