CARRIED

I just finished the book "Get Out of that Pit" by Beth Moore, I don't think that I can completely put into words how that book is changing how I think about forgiveness, how I think about the "pits" we find ourself in, and how we can find peace and rest through the power of the Holy Spirit.  But, what I can do is recommend it to you if you find yourself in some low moments maybe because of how someone else helped to get you into a pit, maybe because of a loss that caused bitterness, anger, and sorrow, maybe that's how you got in the pit, or maybe you just plain put yourself in a pit by some poor choices.    If you find yourself in any of these places, I would recommend reading this book.  She tells it like it is, and that's what I needed.  I had many favorite quotes from the book, but this one especially is worth quoting here, 

"Settle in your mind right now that staying in the pit is ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.

Lose it as an option.  No matter how responsible and guilty you feel for sliding your way

in, GOD WANTS YOU OUT!  If you know Jesus Christ personally, you are NOT stuck!

You have the POWER to stand up against the enemy."  

Freedom experienced through the power of the Holy Spirit is just that...freedom.  That's how it feels, that's how it is experienced.  Power and freedom can only be experienced by the Holy Spirit.  There was a whole section that hit me about forgiveness, experiencing Christ's forgiveness as well as learning to forgive ones in your own life...learning that forgiveness is a daily journey of letting go and forgiving.  Another quote worthy to be placed here is this,

"My breakthrough came when I realized that NOTHING took more divine power than 

forgiveness, and therefore nothing was more powerful than forgiving.  You will never use your own volition -- the force of your will --more dramatically than when you agree with God

to START FORGIVING (notice the active, present tense that I always point out).  Forgiveness is not about feeling.  It's about willing....In the power of Jesus, first you will it and son you'll

feel it.  Start today.  Confirm it tomorrow.  And KEEP CONFIRMING (there it is again, the

present, active sense) it by faith as the will of God for you in Christ Jesus until you walk it by sight."

These are two quotes that kicked me in the butt and said stop here, things have to change.  You can't stay where you are, you have to start DAILY choosing to live in a different way by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Not in my own will power or discipline or strength, but solely by the power of the Spirit within me.  You don't have to be a Christian all of your life to get this, I've been a Christian all my life, and am just now learning this in a new way.  In fact, I think there's a whole lot of Christians who aren't getting this, and I've been one of them for quite some time.  Not that I have attained this in anyway, but I do believe The Lord is changing me, changing my heart and my spirit to begin understanding how this looks more and more everyday.  Praise The Lord!  All of the sudden, scripture jumps off the pages more than it use to, scripture and quotes are remembered throughout the day, a strength is experienced that is not of my own.  This verse I read this morning was comforting to me, and is what I am going to end with tonight,  

"Lead them like a shepherd and carry them in your arms forever." 

Psalm 28:9b 

What a comfort to know we are led like a shepherd leads his sheep, and that HE will carry us in his arms forever.  I picture the gentle image of a shepherd carrying his lost sheep back to the flock.   How comforting as I continue to move forward in my life, and daily live by the power of the Holy Spirit....I don't have to remain stuck or lost for that matter.  I can continually know that I am carried and I am never alone.  What an encouragement as I walk this journey we call life.  What a journey it is!  

As always, thanks for stopping!

Kendra :)

P.S. Eric has the computer so still no more pics of those precious little ones I love to call my children.  Someday soon, stay tuned....:)