I Am A Sinner

Ephesians 1:3-10 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 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, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

Forgiveness of sins. Tell me that those words alone don't completely blow your mind. As it says in John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. It's amazing to even think about that!

The reason I'm talking about this today is because I was having a problem this past week. That problem was, I knew I had been saved, and I knew I was doing all I could do to live my life for God, and I knew that He has forgiven me for all the things I had done before I accepted Him into my heart. Here's the thing, I couldn't forgive myself! So, today I had a talk with my pastor, and I said to him, "I know God has forgiven me, but how do I forgive me?" He replied by saying something like this, "keep moving forward as you live your life for Him, He forgives you."

After I talked with him, I just thought, "Wow, how lucky am I!" How lucky are we all to have such a loving Father who will forgive us for our sins.

My name is Brittani, and I am a sinner, saved by God's grace.

True Religion by Palmer Chinchen

Today, I'm writing to tell you about a book I read this past year that completely changed my life, and help me be even more sure that I wanted to commit my life to serving God. That book is called True Religion: Taking Pieces of Heaven to Places of Hell on Earth, Palmer Chinchen, PhD. In this book you'll read about several accounts of devastating things going on in the world around us, that nobody wants to talk about. Why? Probably because the issues are so difficult to hear [children with no shoes, clothes, etc...]. Palmer wants you to hear them, he wants you to know the devastation. The key thing he wants you to know though is, you can help, you can make a change. Something he says in the book really opened up my eyes, and I'm sure it will do the same for you. Palmer writes, "God has a more beautiful way." That is absolutely true, He does have a more beautiful way, and YOU can be a part of it. So if you haven't read this book, I highly recommend you do, and after you do, I hope you're compelled to make a change - change people's lives. Make a difference. Isn't that what living is all about?

www.palmerchinchen.com

"Faith in Unexpected Places"

Philippians 4:10-13 - But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

What's so special about this Bible verse? The answer is simple...Everything! Knowing that you can do anything you put your mind to because He is always there, helping you along the way, building you up, strengthening you. That's pretty amazing!

I'm currently in the process of starting a project that I will need His strength for. It's a project I'm calling "Faith In Unexpected Places". What I want to do is put my passion to use to show my faith. I'm a photography major, and I want to photograph crosses [or things that look like crosses - if I find any] in places you wouldn't expect to see them, to imply God is always with you - no matter the situation. Any suggestions / thoughts / ideas are welcome.

A New Creation

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

This is a particularly home-hitting verse for me. Why? Because this is how I felt the next day after being saved. Like a new creation, from that moment on, I knew I wanted to live my life for God. I knew He would guide me the right direction. Do you want to be a new creation? If your answer is yes, start today. Live your life for God, make a change. I promise it will be the best choice you ever make.