bonniejmartin

Is there anything that you desire so much that you just can’t stop thinking about it? Your brain becomes fixated on that thing to the point you think of nothing else. When you attempt to focus on a task you become distracted and your mind takes you back to that one thing that is in the immediateness of your being! It can be anything. A cupcake. A car. A new job. A house. A person. A cupcake. Oh, I already said that.

You get the point. It. Just. Has. To. Be. NOW!

I read a book many years ago that taught about cravings. The deep recesses of our hearts’ desires bring about actions to attempt satisfaction of those desires. And the failed attempts to satisfy because the matter of our hearts’ desires are not always beneficial for us. That cupcake is not always, or ever, the best choice.

But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:23 (NASB)

It is not always about a cupcake. Anything that distracts, like this constant ringing in my ear that has developed over that last month! Anything that takes my attention, demanding that I give in to the luscious mound of icing in all its glorious sugary creaminess, is the most pressing issue at hand. So good or bad, the distractions exist. And the seemingly good is not always good.

The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. Romans 14:22 (NASB)

My convictions tell me that cupcake should only be eaten on special occasions. For me, that cupcake can bring dire consequences. It can pull me into a web of deceit and convince me that it means no harm. And there are 23 friends sitting next to it that shouldn’t go to waste. When those are gone there are many other options sitting to the right of the entrance of the grocery store. Or left, wherever you shop!

No, this isn’t about my fascination with cupcakes. Honestly, I haven’t had one in a while but I have had a piece of cake with deliciousness mounded on top!

This is about the distractions we allow to consume our thoughts to the point of destruction. Giving a millimeter of freedom to a deadly habit that wants to devour us. This is about making choices and knowing those choices are the best for us. This is about living in such a way that I live in peace with the choices I have made.

For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (NASB)

There you have my confession for the day. Pray I can abstain from cupcakes.

Make good choices!

Peter followed at a distance. The others ran. Judas was counting his money.

The perfume from the night before still lingered on His head. His face covered in bloody dirt from praying face down while His friends slept. He didn’t resist arrest. He was on alert. He was paying close attention to details. He had a job to do. He was the only one that could do it.

The leaders were baffled that He didn’t even attempt to free Himself. They just didn’t fully understand Who they were dealing with.

He had given so many instructions to His disciples. He had poured it out on them like a fire hydrant opened fully and you trying to get a sip. No. Gulping is required. Eating up like a ravenous wolf. Devouring every word that was spoken. No time to rest. Rest will come at its due time.

But where were they now? Peter sat in the back peeking around big heads. Straining his neck and pulling it back in when asked his association with the prisoner. He slipped around the corner as if to hide. Then another asked. When asked the third time, he became indignant and denied again his brotherhood with Christ.

And then the rooster crowed. Loudly. Boisterously. That rooster may have well just pecked Peter’s eyes out because the denial punched him hard enough to bring him to his knees. Jesus had warned him about this very moment. And while Jesus was on trial, Peter was out back crying his eyes out because of his selfish behavior.

Judas even had remorse. He tried giving the money back. His deed had already been done. There was no taking back the deed that had to be done. He couldn’t live with what he had done.

But Jesus knew the deed was required. For every human the deed was necessary.

As the party continued, Jesus waited quietly. While the crowd cheered, “Crucify Him!” Jesus waited patiently.

I would have been locked up in a house, peeking through the curtains. Making sure they didn’t move as I peeked through because I wouldn’t want anyone seeing or knowing of my presence. I would go back and forth checking Facebook and watching the latest press conference wondering what lie I was being fed this time. I wouldn’t be on the front row. I wouldn’t be fighting on the front lines. I would be behind closed doors, hiding.

That is a hard confession. But this isn’t my story.

The rowdy crowd cheered as Jesus was beaten and spat upon. They lined the road as if watching a parade as He was led to Golgotha. Surely some were splattered when the hammer hit the nail. Gruesome. But aren’t we all splattered?

And the world went dark.

Jesus hanging on a splintered tree. The earth shook. The women watched from a distance. And one man decided He needed a proper burial. That large stone wasn’t large enough.

Jesus took care of what no one else could. He satisfied the penalty of eternal damnation. He finished what He started. He took what I deserve. He stood in my place. He alone is strong enough to endure what I can’t.

He took all the sin. He took it and abolished it. He crushed it. He covered it in His blood and washed it clean. He made it as if it never happened.

His love, so great, that He received the wrath of God in my place.

The story uncurled like new branches. Reaching for the light. Spreading out before the life-giving Savior. There, the anticipation of victory.

He is the beacon of hope the world would forever cling to. He is pointing the way to the only way. The sure and steady directional Master paving the way.

But He had to go through the dark. He had to enter that place to satisfy what mankind couldn’t. He willingly entered it. His strength all-sufficient.

His is the final victory. Raised to live.

On the nextday the largecrowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took the branches of the palmtrees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, “Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel.” John 12:12-13

(https://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/john/passage/?q=john+12:12-13)

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standingbefore the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palmbranches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loudvoice, saying, ” Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standingaround the throne and around the elders and the fourlivingcreatures; and they fell on their facesbefore the throne and worshipedGod, saying, ” Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our Godforever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 7:9-12

(https://www.biblestudytools.com/nas/revelation/passage/?q=revelation+7:9-12)

When I saw her yesterday, in fresh skin dressed in soft cotton, she still radiated purity.  Her dark silky hair her crown.  She slept a peaceful sleep full of smiles and moans of contentment.  I had to imagine what she witnessed behind those fluttering eyelids.  Barely two months into this world, what does she know now that we have forgotten?

Surely a faith in the care of her parents.

She doesn’t know all the pain this world will throw at her.  For now, she trusts that her needs will be met.  She sleeps in complete satisfaction.  She is held and comforted.  She wants for nothing.

We know a little of the life she will face.  We know the hurt of not getting our way.  We have experienced pain from splinters and cuts and scrapes.  We have wondered at things our minds can’t quite grasp and struggled in moments of uncertainty.  We have wrestled with heart-break.  We have known disappointment.  We have known what it feels like to lose someone we love dearly.

Jesus knew the little children trusted in Him.  He knew their faith to be so much stronger than those of us who have been tainted by this world and its influences.  He captured their attention and I have to wonder how those children that were able to touch His face and hold His hand must have felt.  Did He provide a space of euphoric bliss?  Were symphonic notes of heaven heard at the sound of His voice?  Did skin spark with glory at His touch?  Were fragrant wafts of breath welcoming?  Did they fully realize the splendor they beheld?

And then life.  Did they remember Him?

Do we remember Him?

When we nestle into the pillow and cover with warmth, are we able to let the world slip out of our fingers long enough to rest?  If our doors are locked and the lights are off and the thermostat is set to our comfort and the dogs are not barking, do we slip into a place where we can remember Him?  In that space of rest?

There comes a final rest.  And at that moment of leaving the certain uncertainty behind that has become who we are, we come to a fork in the road.  After having traveled through the fluttering eyelids and moans of contentment as an infant fresh from the womb to experiencing every moment of living, the end comes soon.  The in-between choices bring us to a destination.

It is a place that becomes our decision.  And it isn’t a decision we can make too late.  Because our first breath is given to us and our last breath will also be given to us.  The moment that final breath is given will be the final moment of decision.  That next moment is too late.

There are only two directions in the road.  And the split is evident long before we arrive.  At some point it comes into view and we start planning.  We take little side excursions, veering off the path to pick a wildflower or grab a picture of the setting sun.  And the beauty reminds us to get back on the main road.  The journey is uncertain.  There may be potholes and black ice.  It is a journey only we can travel and navigate ourselves.

No one can walk around in my skin.

Not another soul can reside in my place.

My choices are mine as soon as I claim them.

But that one defining decision sends us in a certain direction after that final breath.  One decision that requires faith in Jesus.  One decision where we recognize Him as the only One that can redeem whatever we have experienced.  That moment may not bring with it all things pleasant but it does bring with it a certain path of eternal joy.  Not to be confused with happiness.  Unspeakable joy that resides forever.  Joy being a deep contentment of the soul.  Peace in chaos.  One defining moment of decision.

That little one I saw yesterday will come to a place of decision.  Many decisions.  But one will be the most important.

Because there will come a time when no other decisions can be made.  The uncertainty of living will be removed and a sure eternity exists.

Have you made the most important decision?  Have you highlighted your map?  Do you know which direction you will travel?

If you haven’t made a decision to trust in Jesus, will you reach out to someone that knows Him?  Will you talk with them?  Will you pick-up a Bible and read its pages?  Will you pray to the One that will redeem all that you are and welcome you into His family?

It is your choice to make your final moment in this world the ultimate sweet moment.

Facebook will show you what you posted in the past.  In this certain memory that appears today, I am reminded of many memories from three years ago.

There were blisters on my feet when I sat in the chair that night.  Because we danced and laughed and celebrated a wedding.  My girl’s wedding.  Those blisters showed the physical evidence of the rubbing in my heart and mind.  You know blisters can be painful results.  But the memories of earning those blisters are sweet reminders of so many things.

The “everyone that played a part in this day” come to mind first.  Everyone being a plural that encompasses friends and family that when I try to remember what everyone did it blows my mind.  They physically gave of themselves to pull this mama together.  Because this mama couldn’t do it on her own.  We had a small army that day to overcome a small window of time to give two what we hoped would be their forever favorite day.  I remember the love that poured from every heart that helped bring that day together.  I am still so thankful.

That cake!  It really eased the pain from the blisters.  I don’t normally inhale cake at 11:24 pm but that cake!  At that moment, I needed that cake!  Thanks, Sugar Cains!

The venue provided the setting this couple wanted and didn’t disappoint.  The Peach Barn was beautiful!

If you have a memory from that day that you want to share please do…

And happy 3rd, Ashley and Drew!