Happy

Winter has a purpose...

Dreams...

Via

Verse Two

There was a time, in the not-so-distant past, when I was dealing with the aching pain of rejection. It was a dark, insecure place. Not only was I feeling rejected, but I also felt isolated, as if I were the only person on the face of the earth who had ever felt that pain. I truly doubted that anyone could understand how I felt. In the midst of my despair, the homework for a Bible study I was attending at the time directed me to read Isaiah chapter 53.

If there was ever a chapter of the Bible that so radically changed me, it was that chapter on that day. I was amazed, and filled with the love of God when I read that I was not alone ~ I was not the only one to experience rejection! Not only did Christ experience the gut-wrenching pain of rejection (and therefore understand how I felt), he was rejected by everyone on the earth. There is no comfort on earth  that compares to the realization that Christ so loved me that he died on the cross for me, despite enduring all the pain of (my!) rejection. My pain pales in comparison to his - and he loves and forgives anyway!

Words cannot possibly describe how much this chapter has meant to me; how I've returned to it time after time for a reminder and reassurance. This is the first time that I've selected a verse of this chapter to memorize, and I chose this verse because I never want to forget that he has not only felt my pain, but borne the pain of my sin, and yet he loves me still.

What about you? Feel free to enter your memory verse in the comments below!

We Are Having A Week Around Here...

We've been having a week and a half in the last seven days, if you know what I mean. Last night, I was reminding myself of something that I learned last summer. So, this reminder is for me:

If this is the worst thing that happens today, it's still a pretty good day.

- Lysa TerKeurst, Unglued

Complaints

Something to ponder…

Complaining about an unchangeable seems to be a colossal waste of time. Complaining about something one can change makes a person look like a fool.

Just something I've been thinking about today...

Verse One

Fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Yesterday, I needed a reminder that God is in control. I needed to hear - yet again - that I have nothing to fear. I chose this familiar verse because it was exactly what I needed to hear, exactly when I needed to hear it. What verse did you choose to memorize first in 2014? I look forwarding to hearing the verses you choose to memorize, too!

*I'm posting about scripture memory in 2014 and all are welcome to join me! Read more about My Sword 2014.