The Truth Will Set You Free

“People are broken and we live in a broken world” … Out of a desperate attempt to understand what was happening around me and to empathize with others, I have said something along those lines quite a few times in 2021. I think it came from a good place in my heart, yet as I reflect on the past year I believe it is a statement that actually diminishes the truth about the children of God and the world.

Taking this a step further, I reflect on some of sweet Araella’s final words ♡ It is true that her body was broken – because of the darkness in the world - but she certainly was not broken! She believed that God would save her. She told a few people that stood beside her as she was fading away that she still believed that and she asked us if we believed Romans 8:11. (Sometimes the mysteries of God are difficult to understand from the perspective of brokenness and flesh… That moment has played over and over again in my mind and I am sure in the minds of the three people who were there with us. Final words are enduring…)

Today I was reading Timothy - the apostle Paul’s last recorded words - and it came as no surprise to me that his words reminded me of Araella’s ♡ Paul also believed he would be saved by God!!! (Although writing from prison and awaiting execution.) The entire letter is a timely message, but some of his last words were, “ The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (I felt like there should be an exclamation point at the end of that verse - 2 Timothy 4:18.)

So, instead of spending so much time trying to understand what is happening in the broken world around me, my resolution is to boldly speak the Truth more often. To answer the everyday, “How are you?” with the Truth - even when it is difficult to see. Some of Rae’s friends in college periodically ask me to pray that they would be more bold. I think I get it now. May we boldly proclaim the Truth that was spoken by our Savior and is written in the WORD.

 

I am saved!

I am Redeemed ♡

I am Chosen

I am bought with a price

I was lost, but now I’m found 

I am heir to a Kingdom

 

Add to the list ♡ And please reach out if you would like to know where these truths and more are found in the Bible. I would love to help you find His promises to you ♡ 

 

#TheTruthWillSetYouFree

 

Araella’s Instagram post from 12/31/2017 (73 days before Heaven)

 

Best Gift Ever

God is going to hand me an inheritance someday. 'It is the Father’s good pleasure to GIVE me the Kingdom' (Luke 12:32). I have been reading the book Heaven, by Randy Alcorn, and the chapter I read today explored the promise of how we will reign in the Kingdom (the New Heavens and New Earth) as co-heirs with Christ – FOREVER. I mean, wow - that all sounds magnificent, but it is pretty hard to grasp, isn’t it?

 

Then, I had an epiphany! (I love it when that happens.)

 

This past Christmas, my little brother handed me an envelope. Inside was a note and the key to his old VW bus. Can I just tell you that was, undisputedly, one of the best moments of my entire life! Pure JOY and gratitude beyond compare. I mean, other than the gifts Jesus received from the wise men when he was on this earth, BEST GIFT EVER, right?! (Until Luke 12:32 is realized.)

 

Now, let me add a little reality to this picture for you. Upon receiving the key, that VW bus was stationary in my parent’s barn where it had been for 15 years. It was covered in dust and droppings, the tires were cracked, and it didn’t run. But none of that mattered. Not one bit! In my hand was the key to a promise of potential and purpose.

 

I do believe that joy-filled reception moment, the journey of possessing that gift thus far, and all the prospects the bus provides for the future, is a tangible way to understand the unfathomable and glorious gift of the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

Just like my brother gave me a key, God is going to give me a place in His Kingdom. And, just as the bus is a gift that requires work, reigning in His Kingdom will provide endless opportunities to participate in GOOD works. (Works that we were created for. Works that we long for.) Just like the bus will, hopefully, get better and better with time, reigning in His Kingdom will ensure exuberant and expanding experiences for eternity.

 

Maybe someday I will drive saints to another galaxy in a VW bus of sorts. What an honor it would be to serve God by joyfully serving others as an driver in the Kingdom of Heaven! Alright, I know we will probably not require vehicles there, but maybe we will still travel together as a way to enjoy fellowship. I can’t imagine Heaven without having the opportunity to go on another road trip with Araella, a few pets, a lot of laughter, singing, and discovering new places. Ah yes, that would be heavenly. I think wondering about the New Heavens and the New Earth should fill me with as much hope as thinking about a VW bus here.

Heavenly Father, I pray that Your Kingdom will come soon - and, I pray that until it does, the hope of Your Kingdom will fill us all with wonder and peace that passes earthly understanding. Amen.

x

Reckless Love

This post is in loving memory of Araella, who left this world to live where He is three years ago today.  I hope her voice brings you peace and reminds you of His voice.

Rae recorded a song on April 6, 2018.  If I remember correctly, her roommates told me that after Easter weekend, Araella began to spend more time going to a room in the chaple where she could play and sing alone.  (Reminds me of Jesus going to the garden to pray.)  The song that Rae recorded on April 6th was "Reckless Love." A song with lyrics Araella had been contemplating for a while...  I think she talked about the lyrics with her friends from Upper Room.   I know we talked about them.  And we talked about the parable of the Shepherd leaving the 99 sheep for the 1.  After that conversation I often reminded Araella that she was the 1 He would leave the 99 for 💛

Araella's prayer journal indicates that she knew her healing might be heavenly.  She knew each day was a gift and that she may not have many days left.  Her prayers indicated that she had pain.  And yet, on April 6th she sang to God about how He was so, so good to her.  So, so kind to her.  It made me cry every time I heard it and that is why I haven't shared it before now.  I didn't want to make you sad.  But as my mom and dad and I listed and sang along with her last evening, I realized that Rae wouldn't have saved it on her phone and marked it as a favorite to make us sad!  I realized I was missing something.

So, after mom and dad left I sat with Araella's sweet voice and these lyrics for some time and I started to understand what she was declaring.  I think that even though Rae was being confronted by cancerous shadows, mountains, walls, and lies, she was also feeling pursued by God - who was fighting for her.  Rae felt pursued by God!  Wow.

I know you can't see her as she sings.  And I know the song ends abruptly.  But someday you can see her again!  And that day will never end.

As you listen to Rae's voice, remember you are the 1.  You are the 1 He would leave the 99 for 💜

"Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the 99
And I couldn't earn it
I don't deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the 99
And I couldn't earn it
I don't deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God

There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the 99
I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still You give yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending reckless love of God"

Copyright information - The Song "Reckless Love" was written by Corey Asbury and released in 2018