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A Morning View By the Wood Stove

Our souls can become empty and our hearts filled with wonderment and pain. Sometimes all we desire is joy and laughter. We want to be recognized, acknowledged and invited. We are able to temporarily put a bandaid by finding ways to fill our time even with laughter and celebration. We can be busy doing good things and have success, but an empty soul is still an empty soul. Until we are willing to open our soul to God and another we will continue with similar patterns in our spirit. Until we safely confess our root foundation of pain to God and another to be held accountable, we will deal with fixing symptoms and still have an empty soul. 

Please understand that having a life is important. Being with others playing cards and enjoying laughter is good medicine. Deep gut level laughter moves the endorphins and feels so good. Receiving positive affirmation is so important for encouragement and self worth and accepting it is the icing on the cake. Having others to deeply, safely share your whole life and soul with is vital. BUT without intentionally, deeply connecting to God it will still fall void. 

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”   - James 4:7-10 NLT

I sometimes really do not like James. This book is in my face and it feels better to only live in the fluff of Grace. Grace is huge and important and vital to our lives. But fluffy grace without accountability to others and depth in relationship with God falls short. Grace is where we should always begin, remember and embrace on our journey always remembering God has redeemed us and continues to encourage us. But the scripture is clear in James that I/we must surrender ourselves to the Lord. 

I believe Out of the Ashes of authentic repentance to God, our laughter, joy and peace will be restored better than ever! Seek the heart of God and take on the character of Jesus Christ.

Peace,
PB





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