How to make the season bright

Fall Times

Weekly Blessings

Dear Family that God has blessed me to be a part,
Thank you for making time in your busy lives for coffee talk, praying, sleep overs, walks and healthy meals. Your conversation and love are more wonderful and encouraging than you know. Because of your encouragement I am able to face the day and be the person that God has made me to grow to be.
My identity is part of a clan that is proud to be family and blessed by food and time shared together.

Dear Friends that God has given me,
Thank you for the adventures, the challenge to be social, testing me, speaking truth, and late night talks. You have made me stronger than I ever could have been alone. Thank you for being a part of healing of my heart.
Thank you for helping me realize I love people.

Dear God,
You are more love, more wonderful and more than comprehensible. You are amazing for loving me. Thank you for your never ending, grudge withholding love.
My identity is completely changed by your love.

I bought a car.

Can I be a real adult now?

Independence has an expensive price tag that continues to build I have found.

car price + state plates & tags + gas + engine fluids + oil change + insurance = Ouch!

I am still trying to process that all this hassel is worth the headache and "pride of ownership."

Time to Read

The Pursuit of God- AW Tozer
It was amazing!

Don't be messing around with my goodness

Notes from Pastor Ben: Enjoying the Good Life
http://www.fbceugenefamily.com/podcasts/
Get rid of your pride; it is external and God does not want it.
self righteousness is righteousness that is their own
Matt 5:20 For i tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
The harshest words God ever said were to religious people.
The kind of righteousness discribed in Matthew 5 by Jesus is imposiblefor even the most religious people. Jesus does not call us to religion; He calls us to relationship with himself.
It is not about keeping the rules of external religion; it is about something that happens deep inside you.
The blessed or happy life in Matthew 5 is gaining God's approval after we've already received His acceptance by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (Rom3:24) We must be creadited with God's righteousness as a gift through faith, before we can actually begin to become more righteous like God in our hearts and demonstrate that through good works. (What church people call sanctification- becoming more like Christ.) Jesus' sermon was intended, primarily, for those who are already His disciples. (Those who already believe His gospel.)
Therefore, it is possible to be enabled by His Spirit to live, love and lead like Jesus.

Thanks for knowing me

Meeting new people is always exciting, but there is something so great about not having to explain your background, your likes and dislikes, and the changes you have made. Today after dinner with some old friends and a phone conversation with my parents, I was reminded of this fact. It was so refreshing not having to put all that extra energy forward. To only have to give a background story of just three days was great!
To all that know me and how long it takes me to trust. Thanks for sticking around and continuign to share your story. I love you!