Matthew 5:48

Last night, I had a dream about this, and I thought it was significant enough to write about it.

Matthew 5:48 says, "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."

I think there are times this verse is taken out of context. It does not mean that we will never sin or that God expects us to never sin. It does not mean that we need to do or not do something in order to be perfect.

What it means is that as soon as we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, God sees us through the lens of Christ; therefore He sees us through the perfection of his Son.

We are perfect because that's how God views His children. Hebrews 10:14 says, "because by one sacrifice He has made perfect those who are being made holy."

Perfection is not something we strive for. God's children are perfect because Jesus' sacrifice allows us to share in the perfection and holiness with our heavenly Father.

Almost 3 years ago, I went cage diving and saw lots of Great White sharks, but unfortunately, I never saw this! 🦈🦈

God envisions me as whiter than snow.
Psalm 51:7

Billy Graham

I saw Billy Graham when he came to Oklahoma City in 2003. I was astounded, that night, by the number of people who answered the altar call to receive Jesus Christ.

"Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now.  I will have just have changed my address. I will have gone into the
presence of God." Billy Graham

I can't believe there is even one of these gorgeous birds let alone two! 💜💜

Juliette

A young lady and I followed each other on Twitter. I thought she was really cute and funny, and we both share a mutual fondness for pop culture.

I almost unfollowed her. She was posting some really inappropriate things about her sexuality. But something kept me from unfollowing her.

The last couple of days, that reason has come to light.

First of all, she posted that she is ugly, when in reality she is beautiful. Second, she posted a picture of herself when she was about 4 years old, and the caption said, "I was already a whore."

Then today, she posted about being terrified of the Exorcist. She stills hears the theme music and the voice of the possessed girl in her head and she is scared all the time.

I realized why I wasn't suppose to unfollow her. For 20 plus years I was terrorized by that movie. I couldn't even look at the name or say it out loud without a wave of unspeakable fear consuming me. And I was constantly terrified that I was going to see the girl standing in front of me.

We had a long private Twitter conversation. I asked her if she had ever been sexually abused. She said, "I really don't like to talk about it. But, if I am being honest, I come from a very wealthy family so I have no reason to complain. But one unlucky day, I was sexually abused, and everything has been f***ed up since then. I am really sick and I feel like a failure all the time."

I encouraged her to talk to a pastor, so she could get wise godly counsel. I even asked her where she lived so I could call some churches in her area and find out which would be the best one for her to call. But she lives in France.

She said she has a shrink (her words) and I told her to please tell her everything that is going on, and to find a a clergy member to talk about her fears with. I told her I take medication and go to counseling every week, but Jesus is the only One who can heal our brokenness.

The best thing I can do is pray for her and keep checking in with her on a daily basis; to offer her hope and encouragement.

Please join me and pray for her. Her name is Juliette and she is 18 years old.

We should all be this happy to see our friends! ❤❤

Love

Happy Valentine's Day! 💟💟💟

New Bible Study

I started a new bible study this evening.
It is called Pneumanetics, which I took about 11 years ago. But this is the extended version,  with several new lessons, such as:
The Self-Life
It Took a Miracle
Candidate For a Miracle
Living on the Cutting Edge

We have a nice size class of about 8. We had  great interaction. There are two semesters and each last ten weeks.
I think this is going to be a great study!

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times. 💝💝

Susie

We all need at least one friend who comforts and encourages us when we are hurting; speaks the truth to us in love; imparts godly wisdom; and is our biggest fan.

I found that in Susie Howell! 💜💜 She radiates Jesus Christ!

Invite these people into your life!

My day with Josh

I had a great time today with Josh.
I ended up by going to Shawnee because he had to work at 2. We went out to lunch and tlked for a long time. It was the first time I had spent time with him without the adoptive parents.  He is such a sweetheart, and so easy to talk to

But for some reason it still emotionally drains me and I always think I'm done grieving, but right now I'm in tears.

I think God just uncovers different layers in His timing and when He knows we are ready.

Looking forward to finding out God's plan for this relationship! 💝💝

It's time

One of my twins, Josh will be at my house tomorrow at noon! We are going out to lunch to talk and spend time together!

I'm SO excited but also nervous! I know God is in this! 🙌🙌

I love this family! 💞💞💞

Rosalie

I had dinner tonight with my friend Rosalie. Her family was killed by a drunk driver.

She is doing well, but is still working on getting everything settled with probate and she needs to take the NClex so she will be able to practice nursing in the United States.

Please pray for her in whatever way you feel led.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

Only God could create a purple and green baboon! 😊

How many owls do you see?

I got this on Twitter.

I thought it was so fascinating and kind of creepy looking also! 😁

Rules bring out the flesh

What is it that causes the Christian to still act out in ungodly ways: Law, legalism and standards.
The law was meant to lead us to Christ, not to be the means for salvation.

God declared Abraham righteous (established His covenant) 430 years before God gave His commandments (law) to Moses. So, the law can't be the basis for salvation. Salvation is solely by grace through faith.

Why both Abortion and Racism are Blasphemous

"You cannot worship and glorify the majesty of God or embrace his redemptive purposes in Christ

while treating his supreme creation with contempt-whatever color or whatever age that certain

creation might be."

Pastor Sam Storms