http://www.blogger.com/profile/07291628430833626275 said...Hi Carol,
So nice to meet you at my blog. My husband is from the midwest--Minnesota. I know you may have a lot of blue out there but you also have abundant green--which we lack in the desert. God paints different colors in different places. Unique just like you.
The Lord is gracious and He offers us many opportunities to be thoughtful. Praise God that He is reaching out to encourage us, not to condemn us. Only the enemy does that--and we get fooled into playing his ugly game.
Know that the Lord delights in you Psalm 37:23&24
Blessings,
Janis
http://threefromhereandthere.blogspot.com/
http://gettingdownwithjesus.blogspot.com/ Jennifer is there encouraging me and 'praying me through" She tells us in her stories that "He took me as I was, but promised He’d never leave me that way. I am an imperfect pilgrim, clinging to a perfect God who loves me anyway."
Janelle said:
http://ihavebeenchanged.blogspot.com/ "It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
I agree with Kelly; our God is not a God of shame ~ and you Carol, are a kind, beautiful, thoughtful and caring person!
How very wonderful to have new friends, as well as old friends telling me that I have not messed up so much that God is going to give up on me.
The Holy Spirit does not wish to convict me or shame me.
God is not a demanding Master.
The Lord is gracious.
God gives me rest when needed.
God is reaching out to encourage me, not condemn me.
The Lord delights in me!!!!!
I am having a much better week, thanks to lots of prayers, a restful weekend and God's amazing wonderful grace which allows me mistakes, forgiveness and the strength to begin again with a new attitude and a reminder of that joy I search for!
I found something about joy in one of my blog searchings and I can't remember who I got it from. If it is YOU, please let me know in a comment so I can give you the credit! I added, subtracted and changed it up, but it tells my story.
Sometimes joy makes a wet trail down my cheek. Sometimes it curls upward in a grin or bursts into a giggle. Sometimes it fills my heart making me feel blessed inside, and sometimes my heart is filled to overflowing and it comes out in a song.
Check out "God gave the song" sung by Sandi Patty on YouTube! It is quite amazing!
Carol, the Holy Spirit does not convict to shame you.
Take heart, friend. God knows what He intends you to do. He is not a demanding Master... Rest in Him now, on His grace.