Pieces of my Heart....

     .......in "Picture quotes"
I don't know about you, but, pictures speak volumes to me!!!! However, when you combine picture with words........its a whole new level of amazing awesomeness.

So here are a few "picture quotes" that I have gathered from here and there (mostly Pinterest) that are encouraging and inspiring to me.....

\

Jesus Paid it all.....

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 

                                                                                                                                               1 John 1:9

And that raps up the past three days...



Wow! Guys, I have to tell you about my weekend!! The past 3 days I have spent with 27 other people reading through the book "The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus." by John R. Cross
It has been such a refreshing study! And I am completely amazed, over and over again, about how much God loves us! How much He loves me! 

Going through this book, we have been taking a deeper look at all the events in the bible.  There were so many times where I exclaimed an "Aha!" Because I understood why something had happened, why someone did what they did, or said what they said. Points in the bible that didn't make sense to me before -- it all came together -- I finally understand! 

{This book is simple, clear, & consistent from start to finish. It does not get caught up in the more complex realities of the Bible, but simply communicates the heart of its message. It addresses the problem of sin, the plan of salvation, and the solution in Jesus Christ. It is a perfect evangelistic tool for sharing a chronological approach to the Bible with unsaved friends and family.} 

Chapter by chapter the excitement inside of me grew. I'm overwhelmed time and time again, about how great our God is! At the same time, there is this other feeling deep within me.....its a feeling to hard to explain. As I read the story of the cross, I was reminded how much agony Jesus went through, how much pain He endured, and the fact the He face ALL of Gods terrifying wrath....... All on my behalf. He took on my sin, all the punishment I should have received, even separation from God the Father. Jesus was beaten almost to death, then, with nails that driven through his hands and feet...he was hung on a cross, there He died! JESUS DIED IN MY PLACE!

THAT is love in all perfection. Yes, God is love, but not without tremendous cost. Jesus paid the price of our sin-debt. He died. Jesus paid it all. But why? 

"...So that in Him we might become the righteousness of God"
                                                                  2 Corinthians 5:21

And guess what...He did this voluntarily. No one forced Him to die. It was his choice.....a choice that was motivated by His love for us! Wow! My mind is blown!! Isn't yours? Why the God of the universe would humble himself and become human, so that he could be mocked, and spit upon, betrayed, beaten and then die suspended from a tree....all for a rotten sinner like myself......its unfathomable....this love. 

These song lyrics come to mind....

"Jesus paid it all...

....all to him I owe 

sin that left a crimson stain 

he washed it wight as snow.." 

I know I deserve eternal death! I deserve to be cast into hell, the lake of fire, where I would be separated from God forever! I deserve to have been beaten. I am most "un-perfect." But, with a love that I don't understand, God sent his PERFECT, SINLESS son as an atonement, a blood sacrifice, for my sin.  Jesus took my wretched, putrid sin upon himself, and then -- wonder of wonders -- he wraps me in HIS OWN righteousness..........

"....Greater love hath no man than this, that one lay down his life for his friend."

                                                                                                      John 15:13

"....But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

                                                                                                                                    Romans 5:8

I am completely flabbergasted. His love is totally AMAZING! I cant even contain myself. And I don't know what else to say except Wow-wow-wow-wow! 

"Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging
Your love is a mountain, firm beneath my feet
Your love is a mystery, how You gently lift me
When I am surrounded, Your love carries me
...
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing
...
Your love is surprising, I can feel it rising
All the joy that's growing deep inside of me
Every time I see You, all Your goodness shines through
And I can feel this God song, rising up in me

...
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing" <3 

     

Guys and Girls...

.....Relationships, and boundaries.


I have the desire to save my romantic love, and physical intimacy for my future husband.

But that doesn't mean I can't have relationship/friendship with guys in my "single" life.
The desire to have a healthy, biblical friendship with the opposite gender is highly uncommon in our culture, but, I know that it is possible to have relationships without "paring off onto an exclusive, romantic realm."

We need to cultivate our hearts towards a respectful, protecting love for each other. Also, set boundaries, not just for others, but for ourselves.

I know that when boundaries are set our natural reaction is to see how close we can get to the line without actually crossing over it. But, as Christians we should think opposite right?!


I am currently reading a book called "Extreme Romance" by Jesse & Heidi Jost. (Such a good book! I highly encourage everyone read it!) And in a chapter titled "Build Healthy Non-Romantic Relationships" i came across this quote......."When you are not blinded by infatuation or feeling the pressure to impress a certain someone, you can find a delicious freedom to enjoy healthy relationships with other young people. You can inspire each other towards godliness, rather than dragging each other down by defrauding and distracting."


YES! And as brothers and sisters in Christ we have a responsibility to protect each other right?! As well as put other's needs above our own.


So......Guys, you need to realize that your job is to be a protector, not a stealer of hearts. Learn to treat each girl like you would your own mother or sister. You need to learn to be sensitive to the emotions and vulnerability of the girls around you! Don't toy with our hearts by flattery, flirtatious teasing, caring touch.

This doesn't mean you have to ignore girls or act in a cold manner towards them, rather be friendly and cordial. Treat each girl with gentleness and kindness, the way you would want other men to treat your future wife. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6)"For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you."


Girls, your job is to be respectful of the men in your life! That means inspiring them towards purity by dressing modestly! This is HUGE! God designed men to be "turned on" at the sight of woman's body. This is part of the gift of sex. Men are very visual and it is a huge stumbling block to our brothers in Christ when we choose to be careless and reveling. (1 Peter 3:3) "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes."

But, modesty does not only apply to what you wear, but also how you speak, and how you act! (Proverbs 11:22) "Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion." Society teaches young women that they need to be fashionable, and provocative in their appearance, as well as in their speech. Girls are encouraged to be loud, obnoxious flirtatious, and manipulative.


For the sake of those around you and for your own protection, be careful not to fall into the patterns of "the world" by dressing and acting in a sensual way.


Over all, guys and girls, remember these verse... (Proverbs 4:23) "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."


( Philippians 2:3-4) "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."


just something for you to think about!


Blessings <3

One of those days....

Today.....I'm having one of those days. Feeling really discouraged. And the worst part is that I don't even feel like fighting against it. I just want to yield to its relentless onslaught, give up, and sulk in my bed all day.


I feel swamped my emotions and unnecessary agitation. So much has happened in the past couple of weeks. So many things that should have strengthened my faith...... But, have you noticed that when life seems to be going great, and you feel spiritually rich, those are the times when satan likes to hit the hardest? Casting lies in the subtle ways. Today, I listened to him.....
I allowed him to fill my mind with past mistakes. I found myself examining my life to find all those places where I failed, or messed up, or said/did something wrong. I allowed my fears to take over.


But just wait....wait one minute...what am I doing? I've lost focus. Why have I given up so easily? My excuse is that I'm tired......but really? There is no excuse! I have to get off my high horse, my selfish parade, and refocus my mind and heart on God. Truth is, I hadn't even opened my bible, nor uttered even one prayer. I know.....that is so messed up.

So, I jump into the word, and start searching for encouragement; Saying a quick prayer asking God to change my heart, and renew my mind, and help me focus on Him.
Then turning on my ipod, in hope of music lifting my spirits, I was reminded of the the song "Strong Tower" by Kutless....


When I wander through the desert
And I'm longing for my home
All my dreams have gone astray
When I'm stranded in the valley
And I'm tired and all alone
It seems like I've lost my way

I go running to your mountain
Where your mercy sets me free

You are my strong tower
Shelter over me
Beautiful and mighty
Everlasting King
You are my strong tower
Fortress when I'm weak
Your name is true and holy
And Your face is all I seek

In the middle of my darkness
In the midst of all my fear
You're my refuge and my hope
When the storm of life is raging
And the thunder's all I hear
You speak softly to my soul


and " By Your Side" - Tenth Avenue North


Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching
As if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

'Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands at my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

And I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

'Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, yeah I'll love you
I'll never let you go, no, no

And I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Here at my side, my hands are holding you
Ohhh...


How could I loose sight of this? Of HIM? How could I fall captive to discouragement knowing how much God loves me? He is my strength! I should run to him when I am weak.
When I am tempted to be discouraged, rather than sulk and feel sorry for myself, I should immerse myself in the word. Rather than think about my failers, I need to remember God’s goodness in the past.

And you know what?! When I thinking about all the good things that God has already done in my life, my spirit is lifted.





HE must become great, I must become less.....
So, anyways, these are just my thoughts and struggles today.....


blessings <3

Make No Mistake....

"He took our suffering on Him and felt our pain for us................He was wounded for the wrong we did;  He was crushed for the evil we did. The punishment which made us well, was given to Him, and we are healed because of his wounds. 

Make no mistake....

Jesus gave more that a Kiss--He gave his beauty...

He paid more that a Visit--He paid for our mistakes...

He took more than a minute--He took away our Sin!" 

                                                                

                                                                       - Max Lucado

My testimony.....

I don't really know how this is going to go....
Not really sure what I am going to say....

but I'm just going to let the walls fall...

....and open myself up to you.

A little bit of my life history....
I was introduced to Christ when I was three years old. At that age I was more afraid of "Hell" and "The lake of fire" than anything else, and I knew that I did not want to go there..."Heaven" and "eternal Life" sounded much more appealing, so I prayed with my dad and started my relationship with Christ. When I was about 6 years old my dad joined Village Missions and became a pastor. Having been born into a christian family, and my grandpa also being a pastor, I fit perfectly into that mold of "The good little church girl!" I knew all the right answers regardless of whether I lived by those answers.

The past 2 years have been the hardest and lowest 2 years of my life.
Ups and downs..... it was a time where I was finding who I am, what I believe, and what path I was going to take in life.
In the summer of 2011, while I was in Uganda Africa, God really opened up my past to me...and I began to take in all the things that I had been through. I felt the pain and hart ache of the wars I had been through in the past. 
It was like I had rejected those feelings at the time of suffering, and was now overloaded with those emotions. I had to make a choice.....
 was I going to choose to be mad for having to go through these things?
Or was I going to take these trials and allow them to grow me?

The 6 months fallowing my trip to Uganda were very dark depressing months....
I had come home so excited and soaring on a spiritual high! But soon after a crashed and burned....
Falling back into the patterns of life. I really started questioning myself.
I started doubting myself...
I created this idea in my head that I was alone...
And I allowed Satan to get a hold of my life..I listened to the lies he told me! I began to believe that no one really liked me....that I wasn't anyone special....that I wasn't beautiful. I was depressed, and food became my "anti-depressant." I didn't realize how much I was eating until people started making silly remarks about my weight. Just a few careless, offhanded comments, and one step in the scale threw me head long into an eating disorder.
I stopped reading my bible, and I stopped praying..
I hated myself...
I wouldn't even look into the mirror...
I spent the majority of my time in my room, hardly living life with my family.

I cried at night after everyone was asleep...
But, on Sundays I would go to Church putting on the same face that I had always worn, all smiles, laughing, pretending that there was nothing wrong. On Wednesdays I would go to bible study and voluntarily to read scripture out loud, and give all the right answers...just like a "good little church girl."
I don't think that anyone even suspected that anything was wrong...

It wasn't to long before a friend found out about the eating disorder...... she promptly told my parents.
It almost ruined my relationship with my mom and dad. That night was one of the hardest conversations that I have ever had! Like someone had cut me open and laid me out so that everyone could see what was on the inside.  
It has been a very long long long road...... regaining their trust. For months after, I could hardly even look them in the eye because of the shame I felt. They were always there to love me, and to talk to me, yet I hid my pain, fear, and struggle from them.

The year of 2012 was spent healing, and rebuilding relationships that I had ruined.  Refocusing my life on the Lord. Redeveloping a love and passion for Christ.
Every day is still a struggle.
There are consequent that I have to face because of the decisions I made.
Its still hurts every now and then, but that is when God reveals himself to me the most!
I'm just taking one step forward at a time....in finding out who I am in Christ.


Blessings always <3

Every day....

Something awesome happened today.....
My mom, dad, and I were all gathered around the piano just praising and singing to the Lord....... flipping through the songbook we came to this song "Every Day".......as we sang,  tears just started flowing down my cheeks! The lyrics to this song were speak specifically to my emotions the last couple of weeks....
I just want to share these lyrics with you....


In Your grace,
You know where I walk
You know when I fall,
You know all my ways 

In Your love,
I know You allow
What I cannot grasp
To bring Your praise

Thank You for the trials
For the fire, for the pain
Thank You for the strength
Knowing You have ordained
Every day

Your great power
is shown when I’m weak
You help me to see
Your love in this place 

Perfect peace
is filling my mind
And drawing my heart
To praise You again


Thank You for the trials
For the fire, for the pain
Thank You for the strength
Knowing You have ordained
Every day

In my uncertainty,
Your Word is all I need
To know You’re with me every day

In my uncertainty,
Your Word is all I need
To know You’re with me every day


So, Thank You for the trials
For the fire, for the pain
Thank You for the strength
Knowing You have ordained
Every day

Trials....

I haven't always had a good attitude about the struggles and trials that I have, and am faced with in my life. Moping and whining..."Why me, I don't deserve this!" My whole outtake on the situation completely centered on myself, every bone in my body seeping with selfishness.
Grumbling and complaining.
Discouraged.
Miserable.


Then, one day I stumbled upon this passage....
James 1:2-4 

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."


I was enlightened..
I want to be "perfect and complete!"
But, it doesn't make sense to me....how on earth am I supposed to be joyful, and thankful when there is a raging sea all around me? Are you nuts? Do you have any idea what I've just been through?” It does sound rather idealistic, if not downright impossible.

--

and God spoke...
"I AM ABOVE ALL THINGS:
your problems...
your pain...
and the swirling events in this ever-changing world.
When you behold my face...
...you rise above circumstances
and rest with Me
...in heavenly realms.
This is the way of peace
living in the light of My presence.
I guarantee that you will always
have problems in this life..
but they must not become your focus...
When you feel yourself sinking
...in the sea of circumstances,
say,"JESUS HELP ME"
and I will draw you back to Me.
Even if you have to say that thousands of times daily
....don't be discouraged.
I know your weakness...
and I will meet you in that very place"


--


Then I realized... I was making my problems bigger than God. In my mind my problem was so big that I was loosing sight of who God is and what he can/has done.Struggle in the Christian life is inevitable, lifelong and ultimately beneficial. God uses trails to strengthen and grow us, molding our shaping our character, so that we may become the men and woman that God wants us to be! There is no growth without struggle!
I think he also uses trials to show us just how great He is, and to strengthen our faith! Without trials, we would have absolutely no need to rely on God for anything. Our world would be perfect, and we would have no need of a savior!

At least that's my take on it!


SO........

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."


A few other verses...

1 Peter 4:12
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;"

Romans 8:28
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose"


I would not be who I am today if I never encountered these trials in my life. I would't have been convicted of this, and I wouldn't be writing this post either. So I rejoice and thank God when trials come my way!


I found this interesting translation of James 1 verse 2....it kind of puts it in a more relate-able way “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!”

I think that is pretty cool!


I want you to take the time to go check out this link. This blog is written by a new friend of mine :) that I am so thankful for. He has a good heart, and some great things to say on this topic, and others.


Blessings <3

Renew my mind....

I just wanted to share a few of my favorite verse with you (in no particular order)....

"Fear not, for I have Redeemed you; I have called you by name YOU ARE MINE.
Because you are precious in my eyes, and I honor you and I love you. 

Fear not for I am with you." (Isaiah 43:1,4,5)

"I Love you, O LORD, my strength. 

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies." (Psalm 18:1-3)

"Yet even now", declares the LORD, "Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your hearts and not you garments. Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast Love;" (Joel 2: 12-13)

"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the spring of life." (Proverbs 4:23)

"The LORD your God is in our Midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quit you with His LOVE; He will exalt over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

"See to it that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and everyone. Rejoice Always! Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18) 

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12)

"Continue in FAITH, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation." (Colossians 1:23)

"I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me." ( Philippians 4:13)

"Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:30-31)

"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him." (1 John 3:1)

"Submit yourselves therefor to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleans your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you double minded. " (James 4:7-8)

Love and blessings always <3 

When I Think About Myself.....

Just some thoughts that from my journal; I hope you enjoy...
.....and I'm sorry if it doesn't really make sense....

"And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

(Ephesians 5:20)

I want to shout out "I do, I do" but it would be a deafening lie. I reach, and try to grasp what it is to have Eucharisteo......grace, thanksgiving, joy. I want to be give thanks and joyful, and I know that it only deepens the pain of this life when I neglect to give thanks each morning/evening/day. But still, I fail to understand it fully. I fail to practice it in my life. I fail. I fail. What must I do? How can I change? And why is it so hard?


I always looked to find joy in acceptance.

My whole world was/has been based on peoples opinions of me.
It became such an idol that it wasn't even just my friends and the people I know whose opinions mattered to me, I looked even to strangers. And then I went through a period of time where people just stopped talking to me, it seemed like I was invisible to the world, and it totally crushed me. I began to think "what is wrong with me?" Searching myself for faults....something, anything that I could fix and try to make myself better. I became more and more depressed.


It gave me joy when people talked to me
It gave me joy when people complimented me
It gave me joy when people looked to me for help
It gave me joy when guys showed interest in me

I wanted all that, but I wasn't getting it! And so acceptance completely stole my joy.


Everywhere I looked I saw someone who was better than me. Someone who was skinnier than me, or prettier than me. Someone who was a better and more caring friend than me..
And so I would conform and try to be JUST LIKE THEM.
Because I wanted to be accepted..
and loved by people.

because I wanted people to
look up to me...

And because I wanted guys to see me
and say " dang who is that?"


My heart was in the wrong place, and I was looking in all the wrong places to find joy. But, God showed me my own heart, and at first I didn't want to admit that I was wrong, and I certainly didn't want to be content. But God is doing great works in my heart. And even though it really hurts to see the sin inside of me, It is all for the good.....because once I saw my own rotten and selfish heart, it didn't take long before I began to realize that this is not the way that I want to live me life. And this is not the way GOD wants me to live my life.


Where had my focus gone? On myself and everything I wanted, and I needed.


Mom always says, "When I think about myself, I lose my joy."

That seems incredible, because, wouldn't selfishness revel in joy, no matter how it was discovered? It doesn't work that way.


"The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). John 10:10


I am in bondage, selfishness is my captor, and I do not feel free. My sin nature is steeling my joy, and that effects every aria of my life, and every person that I meet.....

I don't want to be held in the bondage anymore....

The burdens we carry of selfishness, greed, anger, lust,etc; are the weights smothering our Joy. They cling to us tightly and removing them, like so many leeches with teeth buried into our flesh, might be a painful process. Once removed, we can finally be free.



He will help you find joy.


“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)


God is showing my just how true joy is in HIM....rather than these things..being thin, or pretty..etc; They don't matter because I am accepted by God, and that should give me all the joy I ever need! God is changing me. There is no greater joy than to walk in a room knowing that Jesus is in me. Praise the Lord! Joy is coming back to me! And what better way to express my joy than to give thanks!? I want to give thanks to God in everything! I want to thank him for every breath that I take. And thank him for the friends and family that he has given me. I will thank Him for showing my my own heart. And I give thanks to Him for accepting me....



Everyday I'm learning...

And everyday I'm growing closer to him.

But I still have a long way to go...


I'm Far from what I once was.....But not yet who I'm going to be!


blessings <3

Something Beautiful.....

I just wanted to share a story that my sister wrote a few years ago.
I remember the tears rolling down my face as a read....

"Filthy, wretched, and bedraggled, 

I fell on my face before the Risen Lamb, 

the King of Glory, 

I was more than aware of the stench of my sin, 

the repulsiveness of my selfish humanity. 

Filled with shame I bowed at His feet, 

not daring to look into His face.

For this was Jesus Christ, the crucified lamb. 

There was no reason for Him to even look at me, 

I had broken every law there was to break, 

I was sinful, a hypocrite,

but, every fiber in my soul was longing for Him, 

He was the only way I could be saved from myself. 

Weeping bitterly,

I saw that the mess I had become was my own fault, 

and I knew I had brought others down the wide, shallow way that I had traveled, 

my whole being screamed for forgiveness, 

to be made clean again,

to be set free from the cruel grip of sin in my life. 

“Jesus, I beg you SAVE ME!!!” 

I felt two strong arms around me; 

two nail-pierced hands lifted me gently to my feet,

I winced as I saw those cruel gashes, 

with great anguish I realized that it was I who put them there.

“Forgive me Lord!” I cried in agony. 

Overwhelmed by the sorrow of my soul, and the foulness of my sin, 

I was unable to stand. 

But those heavenly arms encircled me and held me up. 

I looked up into His face 

and was amazed to find His deep, penetrating, eyes,

filled with love, and compassion,gazing down at me. 

Tears ran down His face, 

was He shedding those tears for me?

“You are forgiven, My child, My blood has covered your sins.” 

He said lovingly. 

The blood from His wounds ran over my body in scarlet streams,

cleansing me from all unrighteousness.

My sin and my shame vanished, I was made whole and clean!! 

I was filled with wonder, 

for I realized that he had looked on me with love when I was unlovable. 

I knew how unworthy I was; 

I was most undeserving among men. 

I was ugly and hateful, and now, 

Oh wonder of wonders; 

He was beginning to mold me into something beautiful!!! 

Hallelujah What A Savior!!!!" 

by 

My dear sister Anna