You never really know how wonderful it is to feel wonderful until you don’t feel so wonderful! You can quote me on that! =) Migraines aren’t fatal, but some days when they knock you for a loop, you kinda wish you could just move on to heaven where “there will be no more death, neither sorrow or crying; neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away”! Revelation 21:4 The migraine is passed for the time being, so I thank the Lord and press on with renewed strength. A new day is a true gift, isn’t it?

We had a sweet time at Bible study at Boones Creek Bible Church Monday night. I’m so thankful for the faithful women that have chosen to study with us and came out to share what they learned in the last lesson, and hear new things. Our new lesson is about “Pressing For the Prize.”

Philippians 3:13, 14 – Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Have you ever been in a race? The only time I competed was when I was in college and all the freshmen were required to run a mile under a certain time limit – or else you did it again! Running has never been a favorite thing of mine. I enjoy a brisk walk outside or walking on the treadmill, but running is just…painful! As I ran that mile run with all the other girls in my class, I was determined not to be at the tail end of the group! I didn’t end up first, but I finished well enough to pass the run and have that behind me.

In preparation for the run, I learned that you never turn around and look behind you. It’s tempting because you want to know how close your competitors are! But looking behind you is dangerous! Falling is the biggest reason to keeping looking ahead. Looking behind isn’t wise because it will slow your progress. It also uses up energy you need to complete the race.

In our Bible study we learned that it is also essential for the Christian not to look back. We have a tendency to look back at the past. We are filled with regret over what has happened and we fail to recognize that what is behind us is no longer true or real. It’s over with, and we need to get over it too. Corrie Ten Boom uses the illustration of the sea reminding us that Psalm 103:12 says that our sins are removed as far as the east is from the west; they are buried in the deepest sea and there is a sign that reads, “No fishing allowed!”

Why would we want to go back and dig up what has been forgiven and is under the blood of Christ? We can certainly learn from the past. As Elizabeth George said, wisdom usually comes from failure! So we learn from the past, we log it, and we leave it!

But not only are we to forget our past sins and failures, but we must also forget our past accomplishments! Too often we live on what we did for the Lord way back when and we fail to get after anything now! People will gloat in the “Good ol’ days” when they really weren’t so good, if you take a hard look at them! Today is what matters. What is important is what is between your two feet today. Look at it and then press on! Elizabeth said that a person who knows where they’re going:

• has a sense of God’s call on their life
• understands God’s purpose for their life
• focuses on God-given goals
• moves toward those goals

Does that describe you? If not, ask the Lord now to give you His understanding of those things and then, with His enablement, move forward!

Pressing on,

Yep, it was another Migraine Day. No post until tomorrow. See you then!

We got out the Christmas dishes this weekend – it’s hard to believe it’s time for them, but I love having a change in December. I have this china, then I also have a casual daily set to use. Dishes are one thing that your family will remember. It can be a part of your family’s tradition. “That was the bowl we always used for popcorn” or “those were the plates we always used at Christmas.”

I have vivid memories of my mom’s dishes, do you? What special memory do you cherish? And what was cooking in your kitchen this weekend?

With love,

I can’t remember a time I’ve ever won anything for free – that is until this past week! Ahhhhh! I really won something! I yelled out when I learned the news! It’ a beautiful “something” too, but I’m not going to tell you about because I’m giving it away to my daughter, and she reads my blog! Suffice it to say that I’d love to keep it (but I won’t)! I entered a contest on a blog I follow and I was chosen out of hundreds of entries – amazing!

Free just has an amazing sound to it! Let Sam’s club give away free samples and you have to dodge the carts, lest you get maimed by someone running for that 1/4″ piece of cheese or swallow of apple cider! People will spend money on stamps on envelopes to send away for a coupon for a one free sample size of the product just because, well, it’s free!

Does it amaze you that our salvation was absolutely free? We paid nothing; we own nothing. There are no strings attached. Christ gave His life for me. All I have to do is accept His free gift of salvation and enjoy the benefits of being a child of God for all eternity. My heart desires to serve Him because I love Him, but it’s not a payment; it’s gratitude.

We, who are thirsty, are also commanded to drink of the water of life freely. Each day my soul is thirsty for God. I come to His Word and He freely pours out His truths to me that my thirst may be quenched. The picture is that of the water of life gushing forth with no restraint. I leave satisfied. If I choose to walk past the sample booth at Sam’s, it’s my loss (not much of one, but a loss, nonetheless). If I ignore the Water that’s freely poured out to me; it’s my loss – and it’s a huge one! We each need to stop and drink and drink each day. It’s better than the free gift that will be coming in the mail soon. That gift can burn, break or get lost. My free salvation and the water of life is mine forever. Now, that’s something to rejoice about!

See you in church!