I can already tell you this will be hard to keep from getting all over Aimee’s post for tomorrow! But I will try!
When I read what Beth had written and the Scripture text for today, I found myself wanting to fall on my knees in repentance for things that I know is under the blood. Already forgiven.
I was such a rebellious child for the day and time that I was a teenager. I remember many times getting so angry with mother, although, thinking back now, I cannot for the life of me remember why. She was an excellent mother! But I am sure that it had to be her not allowing me to have my way! Imagine that! A mother actually maintaining control of her children. Every single day! And for some crazy reason, we didn’t balk….to her face anyway. But boy-howdee did I ever let her have it when my bedroom door was closed. Silently. Right. We never even slammed a door in our house. It was Mother, me, Wanda, Aimee and then little brother Jeffery. And I had to be the rebellious one. She says that is until little Jeff became a teen.
Although I never murdered….I did have anger. And even murderous thoughts! You know…you may have even said something similar…. “when I get my hands on him I’m gonna strangle him!” Of course you wouldn’t. Neither would I. So why did I say it?
As far as adultery…well, I wrote a post yesterday on my own blog…the Lord woke me early. Around 4. …You can go there by clicking on my blog, but I will add a short exert from that post.
“During a time of devotion on our Sisters of Faith Retreat 2008, I told the dear sisters that I felt that even the “thoughts” of our mind would be accountable to Christ. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:8 NLT
When provoked to the point of anger, where does your mind go? I know EXACTLY where mine goes. And I have to pray. The mind is a dangerous place for some. For men, when they see a woman on the cover of a magazine—half naked—where do you think their mind goes? Same for women. The body of muscles rippling on a naked torso on a man sends some women into a frenzy of lust. And almost every single magazine you pick up from the newsstand screams that today. (I have discovered that women can be just as bad as men when it comes to trash like this. It is one of the most irritating things to me. I suppose because I hear it almost daily. Then if you watch any TV…there it all is again!)
As I watched the movie Fireproof on Tuesday night (Denise, we finally had our date!), I was reminded of the book by Beth Moore, Get Out of That Pit where she describes many pits that are waiting traps—and many we dig ourselves right into…”
Almost every single morning…my patience is tried to the max when I try and get to the 4-lane that carries me the 42 miles to work. Many days as I drive through downtown I find myself behind someone not going as fast as I think they should. That little bit of aggravation has to be dealt with. It’s not anger at this point. It’s minor aggravation. Major aggravation comes into play when someone pulls out in front of me and then stops, or turns “just after pulling out in front of me”. Does any of this EVER happen to YOU?? And now, just by saying this…it will probably happen in the morning! Again. Oh well. I will try and think happy thoughts!
I feel the need, having just talked about all this anger…to pray again. We didn’t even touch the stealing and lying either! Just reading this has caused me to remember my rebellious ways, my wrong turns in life and my incredible Savior who loved me so much, that He took care of my sins once and for all. I am so thankful.
I read last week, many people think someone else’s sin is worse…just because it’s different from theirs. But it’s not worse. Wipe the mirror clean. Look again. Yours is not worse than mine…and mine is not worse than yours. Sin is what it is. The Blood of Christ Jesus was shed for all.
Thank you Father—for the ulitmate gift. Your only Son. I don’t deserve what I have been given. But I am glad that I wasn’t given what I did deserve. That’s Your mighty mercy and grace at work in me. Keep each heart and life safe today, teach us and direct our hearts and lives to live fully and freely in You. In the name of Jesus~Amen.
Keeping the Faith,
Angie
Picture from Art.com
Jeff & Angie 
Amen dear Angie, Amen. Gods love for me truly amazes me. Such a precious gift straight from His beautiful heart. He gave His only Son to die for worthless me, because He finds me worthy. Praise You Fther. I love You.
That is so true Angie. We all can look back with some regret of how we wish we would have done things differently, maybe make better choices. However, I'm reminded to “press toward the mark…” He has “mercies new every morning.” Love you!
Aimee
I often say that if one could be convicted on thoughts, I would have rightfully gotten the chair a long time ago. Come to think of it, so would everyone else I ever knew. But I'm still His beloved child, crazy thoughts and all. How great is our God and His mercies!
I have a very favorite saying… I pray that it does not offend anyone.. but!!!!!! My sins are many and some of them you can read about in the local archives of the Court house where divorce records are kept… Then there is another record of my sin and it is kept in the halls of hell………. So if you are bringing up my past sin that is under the blood of Jesus then you have had to go to the court house or to hell to get the records………… My FATHER GOD has scattered them as far as the east is from the west!
Oh to live a life without the past looking you in the face from time to time…… I once again am filled with such overwhelming love for the Man called Jesus that loved me when I was so unlovable!
Love this post Angie, thanks for sharing a bit about your Mom, she reminds me of my own who had all eight of us towing her line or wishing that we had.