GOD IS OUR REDEEMER

Isaiah 47:4 KJV
As for our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.

Dearest Ladies,

HAPPY TODAY!!!!

HAPPY JANUARY!!!

HAPPY WINTER!!!!

HAPPY, HAPPY!!!!

I challenge you all to scribble down at least five things that occurred today that made you happy. Ready, set, write......

How did it go? Was that an easy or challenging task? Try it again tomorrow. We are blessed beyond belief; it's easier to maintain this conviction when we develop a habit of counting our blessings. Compiling what makes us happy is a quick jumpstart to counting our blessings. HAPPY COUNTING!

Dearest Sisters, allow me the opportunity to remind you that those of us that live godly in Christ Jesus are redeemed. From the moment we placed our faith in Christ, we were redeemed. Our souls were instantaneously redeemed as the blood of Christ blotted out our sins. However, redemption is an ongoing process. Just as God redeemed our souls, He continuously redeems 'things' in our lives.

Redemption is evident in both the spiritual and physical dimensions. Redemption is welcome wherever sin has left its dastardly effect. Because we live in a sin-marred world, we will continue to encounter people, relationships and situations that desperately need redemption. Brokenness will remain the backdrop of our earthly pilgrim journey. But, we can rejoice because God is the master potter (Romans 9:21). Though we are mere clay, we become so much more in the hands of our Creator. The Lord, ever so lovingly, restores, renews and redeems us. God's redemptive power allows us to persevere through the storms of life and ultimately, witness the 'sun after the rain.' The Lord's redemptive strength and loving beauty shines forth in brokenness.....in our brokenness.

Brokenness....

Brokenness....

As I walked along the shore of Jewel Beach, the wind nearly swept me off my feet. I imagined floating on the invisible currents as strong gusts raced over the Gulf of Alaska to pummel the season's first beach combers. My porous jacket and scarf were no match for the unforgiving, salty breeze. It was a very chilly, Spring day in Kodiak.

The top layer of previously frozen tundra was thawing. Brilliantly colored Honeysuckle and Salmonberry shoots were bursting forth. Salmon had not spawned in the island's rivers. Yet, Kodiak Bears were emerging from their dens to scavenge in the fresh foliage. Fresh berries had blossomed and were awaiting their hunt. Vibrantly glistening jewels were finally unearthed on the beach as Winter's snow blankets were repealed.

Jewel Beach was a favorite destination among locals and tourists alike. It was a wonder to behold. The beach was named for the tons of sea glass that had washed ashore for many, many years. Instead of observing typical shoreside litter, the coastline was bejeweled. The Gulf once purged it's depths of shards of glass and relics that floated up from sunken ships. Even glass objects polluted by distant sailors and crews were churned and spurned by maritime drift. The sea glass was multicolored and sprinkled ashore for miles. The jewels were visible for as far as the eye could see.

I bent down and scooped up a few jewels. They were smooth, glossy, lustrous, sleek, polished AND soothing. Ocean currents usually eject an array of fascinating treasures onto the shoreline. But, these beach jewels were unrivaled. Initially I was not sure which was the more glorious: the jewels or their transformative process. On second thought, I assuredly knew that the comparison was a distraction. Both the refining process and the jewels radiated with indescribable glory that mutually complimented the other.

I marveled at the jewels around me. Studying them made my happy. My heart raced and my lungs happily sampled the ocean air. I rejoiced as I reflected on biblical truths. I was overcome with joy as I praised God and pondered His goodness. "The Lord is an incredible redeemer," I thought. ONLY GOD can transform coal into diamonds. ONLY GOD can transform discarded, rubbish glass into sparkling sea glass. ONLY GOD can give a broken, divorced woman beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:1-3). NOTHING broken, discarded nor or distorted is marred beyond redemption. God's artistic, divine, transformation power can breathe life and beauty into anything or anyone.

Brokenness, in a fallen world, is yet another opportunity for God to display His power. None of us witnessed the wonderful creation of the Heavens and Earth (waaaaaaay back in the beginning....) but we are blessed to encounter God's re-creation EVERYDAY. By way of brokenness, we learn of the Lord's love and care. Because of brokenness, we see His power unveiled throughout the universe. Heaven and nature proclaims His glory.

Restoration, renewal and redemption give us a glimpse of Heaven on Earth. One day we will join the Lord in Heaven; all things will be new. But, in the meantime the Lord is willing and able to redeem all things in our present lives, especially US, that have suffered from a traumatizing divorce. The Lord can and will redeem ALL things in our lives that divorce destroyed, stole, or tainted. We are already survivors! But, God wants to do so much more in our lives. Are you available to see the hand of God at work in your life? Slow down! Make the time! The Holy One of Israel is our redeemer. AMEN!

Love and New Year blessings

Hugs