Honoring the Memory of 9-11

It is hard to believe that ten years have come and gone since the infamous acts of September 11, 2001.

I had scheduled vacation during that time as I had a high school friend coming to visit for a week. She arrived a few days before the event. Her flight out the Saturday after was much different and much more difficult.

Wordless Wednesday

Hoarding

James 5:15-17 (NIV ©2011)

15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Have you ever watched any of the “Hoarder” programs on television? I have and I find them disturbing and somehow fascinating at the same time. Each time I watch a program like this I determine that I am going to minimize, down-size, and give-away those things that are cluttering up my life and home.  At least annually we have a Yard Sale.  I've been known to look at something I've placed in the sale and 'take it back'.

What strikes me about the program is how the person who is being focused on has trouble seeing their hoarding as a problem and will rationalize that the items may be needed at some point in time. Generally there has been some catastrophic event in their life that has caused them to go a tad bit 'over the edge' with regard to collecting (read hoarding here) items.

On one such program the person of interest eventually became so belligerent, she sent the organizing/cleaning crew away. She was actually keeping chickens in her living area, a lot of them and a number of them were dead. I was mortified by what I was witnessing on this program! How could someone possibly live their life in this manner?

Later, as I was reflecting on this program, God moved my heart into the realization of the things (read sin here) that I am quietly hoarding away and allowing to pile up in the quite recesses of my soul. I wonder if He ever wonders how someone could possibly live like this… Yes, the seven deadly sins are alive and well and being hoarded in my spirit. So what to do? Confess. Repent. And find someone I can trust and become accountable to and with.

My Prayer:

Abba, Father, hear my prayer. Forgive me the many sins I commit. Forgive me those sins of omission. Help me to purge, eliminate and clean up my life. Help me to rid my spirit and my soul of all the debris I have willing collected. Guide and direct my steps this day. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we’re His,

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

~Ephesians 1:7-8 NIV

Thoughts on today's verse...

Are there times when you need forgiveness? I have those times when I desperately need forgiveness. Oh, it doesn't matter what for, just know that I know that my sin (or sins) keep my prayers from being heard. And there is nothing worse than praying and knowing that your prayers just hitting the ceiling and going no further...

Then, when we do ask for and receive forgiveness, the problem is: (1) we usually just don't feel forgiven and (2) having to deal with the consequences of our sin. It all comes down to our focus. If we focus on our junk, our lack of worthiness we have difficulty forgiving ourselves and in accepting God's forgiveness. We need to shift our focus to Christ and his redemption for all sin on the cross.

If we're struggling with forgiving ourselves or even someone else, we need to remember the Jesus died for all of us - equally.

My prayer...

My Lord and My God, help me to remember that your forgiveness is for one and all. The only sin that will separate me from You is the one I haven't confessed. May I be humble enough to bring all those things before you and lay them at your feet. In Your name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara