Tag Archives: who I am in Christ

Sweet Fragrance

Christ's rest, Christian encouragement, Discouraged Christian, Encouragement for Women, Freedom in Christ, Jesus Christ, Love of God, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, Who I am in Christ, , , , , , , , , ,

Image

Sweet Fragrance

I love to buy candles. There are a couple that I buy each and every season. And perfume! There are certain fragrances I love, and some not so much. There are sprays to eliminate foul odors in shoes, cars and carpets. Scented sprays are even available is flavors!

Don’t you love walking through gardens smelling the delightful fragrances floating in the air? Right now honeysuckle is aloft and hits your senses with power when stepping out the door. I love peonies and saw a perfume in a magazine today of that very smell!

How about walking into your grandmother’s kitchen and smelling fresh apple pie? And who can forget freshly baked bread? And garlic….it smells great on breadsticks!

Have you imagined a scent right now? Scents even have the ability to bring forth memories. Scents have amazing influence and impacts on our lives. We are a society appreciative of pleasant scents!

A sweet smelling fragrance has an even more permanent impact.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” I Corinthians 2:14-15

A fragrance in this passage is something sweet-smelling, an odor of acquiescence, satisfaction; a sweet odor.

We are a fragrance….Christ through us! I don’t know about you, but sometimes I think I stink! But in Christ, nope…I am a peonie!

Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE



Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image, NIV Bible, Strong’s*

Image

Curly Hair

I have curly hair. After losing a lot of it several months ago, I don’t complain about it like I once did…but it has a mind of its own! I got it from my mom and dad.

My dad died 22 years ago when he was actually only one year older than I am now. My uncle reminded me of some good memories several years ago. I have always had trouble remembering the good because there were so many bad.

As I went further back into my childhood memories, I remembered some of the names I called him and that he called me. “Da-Da” of course, although I don’t remember specifically, it can be said that that term is universal. My mom told me that when I was up all night crying my “Da-Da” would get up and rock me. I was his baby girl.

I remember calling him “Daddy” as a little girl. That was the time that I hung on every word he uttered. He could do no wrong in my eyes.

My parents soon divorced and I was becoming a teen about that same time. He went from “Dad” to “Father” to “that man”. That was a very hard and emotional time in my life. My memory often plays tricks on me and doesn’t allow any pleasant memories to forge themselves through these thoughts.

But I did recall that my dad called me “Sis”. I have been wondering about that….I was the eldest child of three. But the more I look upon that I believe that was a term of endearment that my father gave me. For that memory is precious now to me and I will always cherish it.

Our heavenly Father has many names. The Bible tells us many of those names in many scriptures. He is…Everlasting Father, Advocate, Lamb of God, Resurrection, Bishop of Souls, Abba Father, Shepherd, Judge, Lord of Lords, Man of Sorrows, Head of the Church, Master, Rock, High Priest. John 10:9 tells us He is the Door. John 4:10 He is the Living Water. He is the Bread of Life, the Rose of Sharon, the Alpha and Omega, Messiah, Beloved, Redeemer, Bright and Morning Star, The Way, The Truth, The Life.

He is the Last Adam The Great I Am, the Chief Cornerstone, The Most High God, Provider, Our Banner, Our Perfect Peace, Our Righteousness….just to name a few! But there is one very special to me.

What is He to you right now in your life? Which name ministers to you?

Mine? Abba Father, which means Papa, daddy…Oh how I love that name of God! He allows this little girl to climb up in His lap! I am no longer without a Daddy. He is all I want, He is all I need!

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with out spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:15-16

I am kind of thinking that my Abba Father may even call me “sis”. I think I like that.

Image

Be Blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE



Isaiah 55:8-9

Ragamuffin

Christ's rest, Christian encouragement, Discouraged Christian, Encouragement for Women, Freedom in Christ, Grace, Jesus Christ, Love of God, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, Trials, Troubles, , , , , , , , ,

Rich_Mullins

RAGAMUFFIN The True Story of Rich Mullins

My heart is so full right now. We went and saw this movie Saturday night and I was reminded of so many things. Memories flooded every fiber of my being. I have pulled out some of Rich’s CDs and books and reread quotes. Brennan Manning was a “ragamuffin” that Jesus used to bring healing into Rich’s life, and I have been re-reading the RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL.

Why? Trust me, Rich nor Brennan are not on a pedestals. Besides, they would not want to be there. I remember the first time I met Rich I was organizing a meal for his first time of three in our little city. I was uncovering all the food and asked where Rich was? Of course, he was sitting directly in front of me. He laughed when I said I did not recognize him. He remarked that the album covers with his picture didn’t look like him either. After the concert and cleaning up, he was ever so gracious and asked us to help him count money from tape sales (1991). He did not like the stuff.

I got to hear Brennan Manning speak a couple of times. He was so unassuming and humble..and truthful. I was so moved by his honesty.

I was reminded last night about how much God loves me. HE LOVES ME. I had a pretty rocky relationship with my dad as my parents divorced and things were always bad between us. As a result, I could never get it in my head that GOD loved me unconditionally. I struggled and struggled.

Then I met Rich Mullins and his music. Abba Father spoke to my heart with reckless abandon. He pursued me relentlessly. And I got it. Oh, I went back to many of my “legalistic” ways from time to time, but God always pulled me back into His arms of love.

A ragamuffin is someone who, according to Brennan Manning, one who is “dirty, bedraggled, and beat up.” Rich Mullins said “We miss the gospel of Christ: the good news that, although the holy and all-powerful God knows we are dust, He still stoops to breathe into us the breath of life-to bring to our wounds the balm of acceptance and love.”

Friends…this is the GOOD NEWS. “Jesus Christ is crazy about you. He loves you just as you are, not as you should be” Brennan Manning

I encourage you to see this movie. Please. It will either confirm what you already know to be true, or challenge you to think about the grace of God.

Be blessed~
IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*Wikipedia image, The Ragamuffin Gospel, All is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir