For my daughter

I feel expectant.
I feel an idea, a dream being ready to be birthed.

For my daughter...
For your daughter...
For our daughters...

Empowerment
Strength

They are MIGHTY in Christ.

It is time to teach our daughters to be strong in Christ.
It is time to teach our daughters the power they have through Christ.
It is time to teach our daughters their worth in Christ.

They will be shaken
They will fall
but if they have a firm foundation in Christ...

On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
I will not be moved....

He knew

There's a lot said about Jesus welcoming the children. One of the main stories taught in children's church. The disciples tried to push them away, but Christ wanted to be with them. I wonder if they were laughing and running around him. Tugging on his robes. Playing with them. Or did they sit in awe of Him?  Did they scramble in His lap to be held by Him?  One day, I imagine, we will know. 

One story that's also told, though not to children, is of the woman who came and anointed His feet with her hair. 

Reading a few different translations, one says "a Sinful Woman". One says "an especially wicked sinner". Yeah. Really. I guess that needs to be told. It's not pretty, but it's real. Parts of our story aren't pretty, but they are real and important. 

In knowing that she was a sinner, even an especially wicked one, we understand. She had made some wrong choices. She had lost her way. She was broken and bruised. 

The Pharisee had no sympathy for her. Didn't want her in his home. Said to himself, "If He only knew what she had done!"  Can you imagine the look of disgust on his face?  I can. 

But Jesus did know. He knew. He knew the depths of her sin. He knew the pain that she caused in her sin. He knew!

And forgave her. 

He allowed her to come close to him. To honor him. To worship him. Because he also knew her heart. He knew how much she needed his forgiveness. He knew how broken she was because of her sin. He knew how much she needed healing. 

He know how much she needed his love. 

His unconditional love. 

He told her to enter into peace. Enter into the freedom from all the distresses that are experiences as a result of sin. (Luke 7:50 AMP)

He knew her sin. He knew her. And he welcomed her to Him. He took her sin and gave her peace and forgiveness. 

I will not be moved!

Woke up today depressed.  Just did not want to get up and work out like I had planned.
Made coffee.
Sat in the bed and watched Walking Dead.
Seeing people die really helped.  (sarcasm there)

Decided to shower and get ready for work.  Sigh....

I don't remember exactly how I decided, but I put on my Mandisa station on Pandora.
Wow...

First song was hers.  Stronger

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

This song was one I listened to over and over while I was pregnant.  I didn't know how I would make it through.  But I had no choice.  I had to be strong.  For me, for my boys, for my baby girl.

Then the song, In Christ Alone, came on.  yeah...Ok, God.  I see what you're doing.  

Then the ultimate.  My life song.  

I Will Not Be Moved.

I listened to it and just cried.

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned sovereignty
and had my share of doubts
And though sometimes my prayers feel like they're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
and is the reason why...

I will stumble, I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes, I will face heartache,
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart many times before
My life has been like broken glass, and I have kept the score
of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
that I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see it's grace I'm standing on

It felt like Christ just came down in my pit and raised me up.  I felt a strength I hadn't felt in so long.

4 years....almost 4 years ago to the day I jumped into the pit.  4 years ago, my life changed forever.

Genesis 50:20You planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the present result—the survival of many people.

What was meant to bring me down, humiliate me, shame me is being used for good!  God is using it!  God is allowing me to share my story with other women and encouraging them.  

I was down for a time, but I'm back.  I feel His power.  I feel His grace.  I feel His love and acceptance.  

I 

Will

Not 

Be

Moved

Natalie Grant - I will not be moved  Watch her!  Love her.  She rocks!!