Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Yes to God Tuesday!


It's blog-Bible study Tuesday!! I love this day and I love the study we are doing! Like Lelia, this chapter spoke volumes to me. My life is very similar to hers in that I have had to draw a line in the sand and step away from my ugly past. This has been a four year battle for me but I feel like I have finally let go and I am finally letting God have control. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is too big for God's grace and forgiveness and we must live in that blessing!

As Lysa stated in this Chapter "it's much safer to stay focused on the road ahead and use the rear view mirror when absolutely necessary". We can never fully walk away from the scars of our past but we do not have to focus on them. Our scars can be beautifully used by our Lord to accomplish good for His kingdom and that is the road we must focus on..the path He has ordained us to NOW travel. "We can't go ahead with God to new and exciting places if we're spending too much time looking back". Though looking back may bring feelings of remorse, it should serve as a pleasant reminder of where God has taken you in your relationship with Him. And then we choose to live in that relationship!

Lysa also stated "you may or may not have to change physical locations, but you will have to change your mind-set and your spiritual perspectives". I can speak from experience from being in the pit of darkness from my own choices that it would have been so much easier to run, move away from my sin but God had different plans. His plans were indeed to change my mind-set, to re-set my spiritual priorities. You see, I knew about God. I have known about Him and His character since I was a small child. I grew up in a Christan home, went to a private christian school but it wasn't until my journey from "the pit" that I truly came to know Christ. My passion is to live, breath, and drink Christ and I wish to inspire that in others also. I am, after 45 years of living, just learning the true meaning of dependence on God, on having an intimate relationship with Him, not just serving my faith and my religion.

One of the questions at the end of this chapter identified that we are made anew in Christ, given a new life, a new name as evidenced by these verses:
The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
~Isaiah 62:2-3
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have,
so that no one will take your crown.
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.
Never again will he leave it.
I will write on him the name of my God
and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem,
which is coming down out of heaven from my God;
and I will also write on him my new name.
~Rev. 3:11-12
We were then asked to research the meaning of our name. I have known the meaning of my name but again researched for a different Bible verse than the one that is always associated with it. I guess inwardly I have disliked that I have not measured up to my name but, hopefully, that will change as I walk this journey of faith as the new Pamela God ordained me to be.
Pamela (Greek) "Sweet as honey"
Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
~Proverbs 16:24
If, like in the Old Testament, God was to re-name me, I would imagine it would be "Grace" because that word has been so evident from Him in my life. What does your name mean? Has He re-named you?
As I attempt to use this blog to minister to others, I pray that the words He lays on my heart will be sweet and healing to the souls of those who stop here. I pray the passion in my heart will be evident and contagious. I pray to inspire all my blog visitors and friends in their faith journey and in their love relationship with Jesus. Lord, forgive me for all that wasted time I spent looking back instead of looking for you. I just want to live, drink and breath you Lord!
Blessings~Mrs. JoeB

13 comments:

Lelia Chealey said...

Loved what you wrote here Pam and the meaning of your name so fits you!!! You are a very nurturing friend! I too am glad we're supporting each other in drawing that line in the sand & moving forward with God! Great ride to be on!!!

Unknown said...

Sweet as honey girl, sweet as honey!

I so loved the whole name thing in this chapter...it speaks volumes! Thanks for sharing your heart! You indeed minister with your blog!

Prayers and Blessings!

Rebecca

Laura said...

Pamela,
I think you are sweet as honey...and your words are sweet offerings in my ears. I know God feels the same way. YOu honor Him with your words every time you write on your blog. I love the verse you found! I forgot to do that! Maybe when I get a free moment...

Paula V said...

I too love what you wrote it. I felt drawn in and on the edge to see what you were going to say. That says a lot in this evening when I am too overwhelmed and behind on so many things.

I was not able to post to my blog about this.

I made some comments on Lelia's blog if you'd like to pop back over there and read them.

I couldn't have said it better about what God does with our pain and our scars. Isn't it awesome that only He could make something so ugly, so beautiful. I love what you said about the scars being a reminder of the road we've journeyed with the Lord. Amen. I can't agree more with that. I am so thankful in the midst of my extreme heartache and total brokenness and all those painful feelings that He's made me more beautiful than I have ever been in 34 years. Not as beautiful as I desire to be but so much better about who I am ... wow.
Thanks for blessing me.
Paula

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

My first name is Faith. My parents called me by my middle name, elaine, because my sister's name is Joy. I suppose they didn't want others to ask where peace, love, hope were at!.

Anyway, I've often thought about my name. For too long, I've allowed "elaine" to be my portion rather than "faith." Like you, I've spent a few years (actually many) regretting some sinful decisions I made years ago. About five years ago, I had a head on collision with the power of God's Word. I am only now walking free from my self-induced condemnation to live in the abundance of God's grace.

So you can be Grace, and I will be Faith, and we'll leave them all wondering about joy, peace, and love.

Great thougts.

peace~elaine

Jill Beran said...

Thanks for sharing and like the story about your name. Mine means youthful one and the verse I found was in 1 Timothy with Paul saying don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity. Though I'm 32 still often times feel like what I have to say isn't as valuable as the more mature Christian, but He reminds us that is not the case.

I also scrolled down to your next post and it was a great follow-up for our past Sunday sermon - the holiness of God. Wow!! Thanks for sharing and keep doing so - honey is a good thing!!

Blessings, Jill

Unknown said...

Pam:
You do so fit your name! I told my girls that the moment I met you I knew you were 'good people". And as the She Speaks weekend went on, it was confirmed! You are sweet and loving and godly. I know you probably don't feel that way sometimes but girl it is the truth. Thank you for ministering the way you do with your blog and your encouraging spirit!

Love ya,
Mari

Laurie Ann said...

Your name definitely suits you, Pam. I loved your post, so full of inspiration and encouragement. God bless you for speaking such sweet words to us.

LynnSC said...

Pamela,

What a perfect name for you. I do find your words sweet and healing for my weary soul. God is using you because you are passionate about Him and leading others to be passionate as well.

Look forward girl! He has great plans for you.
Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
Lynn

Sandra Garcia said...

Hi Pamela,

What you wrote in this post so touched my heart ...

"Our scars can be beautifully used by our Lord to accomplish good for His kingdom and that is the road we must focus on..the path He has ordained us to NOW travel."

I have some ugly scars that He has beautifully used to accomplish good for his kingdom. Thank you so much for the heartfelt reminder that God loves us inspite of ourselves.

Blessings,
Sandra

Runner Mom said...

Pam, thanks so much for visiting my blog this week. I appreciate the encouragement and wisdom and prayers!! Your blog is awesome. I will be back to visit!!
Blessings,
Susan

Jami said...

Pamela - thanks for your comment today at my blog. I want you to know that I am praying for you.

God bless you!!

Yolanda said...

Coming from that pit, as I have, I so hunger for womens lives that I can touch, to not go there! If my experiences can keep them out of THAT pit, then Lord, please allow me to do so. Pointing them To The Cross!


Love ya,
Yolanda