Your love is.... Fierce?

Before I call

Before I ever cry

You answer me

From where the thunder hides

I can't outrun

This heart I'm tethered to

When every step

I collide with You

A + A // "Have a lice day!"

Awkward:
- Telling the customers to "have a nice day!" after they've paid for their food. Then thinking that's getting a bit boring so changing it up a bit and telling them to "have a lovely day" instead. Then getting the two mixed up so what comes out is an embarrassing mixture of the two. Dear customers, all we want is for you to have a lice day.

Hello, my name is... Regret

Hello, my name is Regret

I’m pretty sure we have met

Every single day of your life

I’m the whisper inside

That won’t let you forget

- From 'Hello, my name is' by Matthew West

As Matthew West's song says, regrets are the whisper inside that won't let us forget. That won't leave us. That won't give up on constantly reminding us of our failures.

Dictionary definition of regret

Regret: feel sad, repentant, or disappointed over (something that one has done or failed to do).

I think there isn't a single person in the world that doesn't have a regret about something. I have regrets. I often lie in bed and think back over the day and kick myself about things I did and things I failed to do! 

But the question is - are regrets healthy?

Because sure, it is good to make mistakes and learn from them. But isn't there a point where it becomes unhealthy to obsess over our mistakes and cringe over our actions? If so, where is that point?

As is always a good idea when we have questions like this, let's take it to Scripture.

2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

There is definitely a time and a place for godly grief and godly regret. If we sin, we should not continue in an unremorseful state of mind! Our sin should be properly regretted and confessed to the Lord. 

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

But after that regretting and confessing - what then? Well, we are cleansed from all unrighteousness, as 1 John 1:9 says the Lord is faithful and just enough to do.

Psalm 51:8-9 “Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.”

He hides his face from our sins and blots out all our iniquities. Psalm 103:12 backs this up, going so far as to say that he has removed our transgressions (sins) from us as far as the east is from the west! That's a long way. 

God doesn't remember our sins. He takes them away and they don't count against us any more.

So what should we do?

Should we continue in our regret and annoyance at ourselves because of our sin?

You know what I think? I reckon that if God forgets our sin, maybe we should, too. 

I'm not saying that we can continue in our sin, forgetting the consequences and not learning from mistakes we have made. I'm saying that we should stop beating ourselves up about our past mistakes and just get on with our lives.

Philippians 3:13
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead...

There we go. The key of it all, I think. Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.

I don't think that constantly looking behind us makes for a very good journey. If you look behind you all the time you won't see the potholes and pitfalls in front of you! No, you need to look in front of you and in the words of Paul, strain forward to what lies ahead. 

I think that the past can be an amazing teacher. We can learn so much from what has gone on in our past - and it can definitely be the catalyst for change in the future. 

But is heaps of regret helpful? 

No.

Proverbs 15:13 “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.”

You can't change the past but you can change the future. 

So no matter what you've done in the past - sins you've committed, foolish errors you've made, mistakes you've made, wrong roads you've taken- there's really no point regretting it too much. The past is the past. What's done is done. 

Stop looking behind you and regretting what you've done. Learn from your mistakes- and move on.

May you be blessed abundantly!

What has the Lord been teaching you lately?

Bonnie's Opinion // Once Saved, Always Saved?

Remember my last post, the one on my thoughts on Predestination? Well, today I'm back with another opinion post. This time, however, the topic of conversation is "Once Saved, Always Saved".

Once saved, always saved?
Or is it possible to become unsaved if you sin enough during your relationship with God? If so, how much sin is 'enough'?

I'd like to start with my little 'disclaimer'. Just cause I think it's a good idea.

*disclaimer follows*
Since this is an opinion post, I am going to state my opinion here. If you don't like the idea of hearing my opinion, perhaps don't read this post. :P I'm all for sharing opinions in a loving way. If you agree with me, that's cool. If you don't agree with me, that's also cool. I'm quite happy for people to disagree with me. I am in no way passing judgment or anything on anyone who has a different opinion to me. The fact is, there is a bit of a grey area around a lot of these theology disagreements. If there wasn't a grey area there wouldn't be any need to discuss it! :) So I'm going to share my opinion - and please feel free to share yours in the comments section. :) 
*end of disclaimer*

So the thing is, once we become a Christian and give our lives to the Lord, are we then forever guaranteed a spot for us in Heaven? Or is it possible to become a Christian and then to fall away?

Well, my opinion is that once you are saved, you are not 'always' saved. It is possible to lose your salvation. I have many reasons for this train of thought which I shall share with you.
 
Hebrews 6:4-6 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.…

[taking sections out of the above verse] - For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit (those who were once Christians)....and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance....

It is impossible to renew them to repentance once they have tasted of the Holy Spirit and then fallen away. Welp. That's some serious stuff, right there! Yet it speaks for itself.

There are some people out there who would say that if you preach that you can lose your salvation, you are turning your faith into a works-based faith where you are only saved if you do not sin. I can see how it could be seen to be like that although if you dig deeper it isn't like that at all.

When we become a Christian, our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus and we are perfect in God's eyes.

What happens if we then choose to sin ?

I believe that if you are truly repentant of  your sin and you actively try to rid your life of it, then you are still saved.
We are human and we make mistakes. We sin. The Bible says that there is no one who is righteous. Romans 7:14-25 sums up well the war that rages in us between wanting to do the right thing and wanting to sin.

Romans 7:14-25 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

We struggle with sin. All of us.

Sinning does not in itself make us lose our salvation, providing we are truly repentant of it. It is all in the heart attitude.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

However, if you are living a life that is filled with sin and you are unrepentant, I believe you are not truly saved. The Bible is clear that God cannot tolerate sin.

Let's look at the example of Saul in the Bible. God chose him to be King of Israel. After being anointed by the prophet Samuel, the spirit of the Lord came upon him in power and Saul actually prophesied with a bunch of prophets (read the story in 1 Samuel chapter 10, verses 5-11). The Bible says his heart was actually changed (verse 9). It would seem that to prophesy you must be filled with the Spirit!

However, the spirit of God did not stay with Saul. God said in 1 Samuel 15:10: "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions..."

So Saul was with God, then he turned away from God only five chapters later. You know the rest of the story. How God was so displeased with Saul he anointed another king, David, while Saul was still alive. Saul did not like this and tried to kill David. Saul was definitely not walking with God.

The thing about Saul was that he wanted to do his own thing. He refused to carry out God's instructions.

David made mistakes. He got involved with Bathsheba and killed her husband, Uriah, who was a good man.

Yet God said that David was a man after God's own heart! Why? Because David was repentant. He saw his sin and repented from it. Saul didn't care. He wanted to do his own thing.

Sin has consequences. David's sin had a consequence. His son died (2 Samuel 12:13-14).
But David's heart was towards the Lord.

So it's not about a works-based faith at all. It's about having a heart towards God that earnestly tries to follow and serve Him.

The thing about the 'once saved, always saved' thing in its extreme is that it makes salvation into a magic prayer that you have to pray. Once you've said 'the magic words' you are automatically accepted for Heaven and no matter what else you do, you're going to Heaven. Which is great. But it's not true.

Like I said before, it's all about the heart attitude. That's why people like the thief on the cross who repented at the last minute get to go to Heaven. Jesus's words to him were "I tell the truth, this day you will be with me in Paradise".

So, my conclusion? Can you lose your salvation? I think you can. However, you will not if your heart is right with God!

That's all I have to say! :) What do you think? Can you lose your salvation?

Bonnie's Opinion // Predestination

This morning I would like to chat a bit about my opinion on the popular topic of 'predestination'. I'm sure you've heard of it. It originates from Scriptures such as the following:

Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

That section at the end there (among a few other Bible verses), "but few chosen" is what people who believe in predestination base their theology on. In it's essence, predestination means that God picked some people that He would save, and others he did not pick.

Since this is an opinion post, I am going to state my opinion here. If you don't like the idea of hearing my opinion, perhaps don't read this post. :P I'm all for sharing opinions in a loving way. If you agree with me, that's cool. If you don't agree with me, that's also cool. I'm quite happy for people to disagree with me. The fact is, there is a bit of a grey area around a lot of these theology disagreements. If there wasn't a grey area there wouldn't be any need to discuss it! :) So I'm going to share my opinion - and please feel free to share yours in the comments section. :) 

You ready? *here we go*

I believe with all my heart, as it says in Psalm 7:11 (and in many other places throughout Scripture), that God is a righteous judge. He is a perfect and just judge. He will judge each human being according to his or her sin. 

Romans 2:6 God will repay each person according to what they have done.

For those who have been sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ who died on the cross as payment for the sins of anyone who would believe in him, however, it's different. God looks at us in the light of his Son. Jesus's blood has washed away our sin and we are therefore perfect. God sees our perfection and that makes us 'eligible' if you like for Heaven. Jesus's death and resurrection on the cross has made a way for us to go to Heaven to be with him.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him will not die but have everlasting life.

That says clearly that God loved the world. Now, I don't know about you, but when I see that, I think of 'the world'. The world includes everyone in it. All of it's inhabitants.

You see, many of those who believe in predestination believe that Jesus only died for those whom God pre-picked. Well, John 3:16 seems to say pretty clearly that Jesus died for the entire world. Not only John 3:16 either, but many others, including these three:

1 Tim 4:10 (emphasis mine) For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.

1 John 2:2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

1 John 4:14 And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

I believe that Jesus died for all men, as the Scriptures state clearly.
Have a look at this verse:

Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

God is no respecter of persons. People who believe in predestination believe that God has pre-picked some people for eternity with him. However, God is no respecter of individual people and he loves all of us the same. His love and grace is available to anyone!

We now come to my main point.

In order for God to be a righteous and absolutely just judge, predestination cannot possibly happen.

You see, I believe as I said above that God is an absolutely just judge. However, how is it just and fair to pick some people to save and to pick some others to cast into damnation? Because by not choosing the rest, in a roundabout way he would be effectively choosing them for damnation.

We are judged on our own merits. I believe that each individual has the right to choose whether to accept Jesus's payment for our sins and the free gift of eternal life... or whether to reject that gift.

Bear in mind that there is a difference between foreknowledge and predestination.

I believe that God knows everything. He is in charge of everything. He knows what's happened, what's happening and what's going to happen.

However, knowing something is different to predestining something.

I believe that God knows what's going to happen in the future and knows who will accept him and who will reject him. However, that does not stop him offering his grace, mercy and forgiveness freely to all. In order for him to judge everyone fairly, everyone must have the option of accepting or rejecting him. So each human must choose between death and life. There is no middle ground.

God loves everyone equally and wants all of mankind to be restored to him.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

He wants everyone to come to repentance. Just because he knows someone will never come to repentance does not mean he loves them any less! He still offers them the free gift of eternal life.

He respects our decision. And the decision is ours to make.

So anyway, there's my opinion on predestination! Do feel free to state your opinion in the comments... this should be an interesting comments section!

The other opinion post I'm thinking about at the moment is 'Once Saved, Always Saved'. Keep a look out for that one to pop up sometime.

Have a lovely day!

PS. My family is moving house this weekend! We would appreciate your prayers that everything goes smoothly. :) Thank you and bless you guys!

When Your Dreams Die Away

sunset from the house window, Picton


When you're sitting alone
In the midst of despair
And you're watching your dreams die away
And your heart fills with grief
As you see your dreams fade
And to God you so desperately say

"Oh Father, you planned this?!?!?!?!
Tell me, how can it be
That your plans were so different to mine!
Did it not seem to you
That my dreamings and hopes
Were actually wonderfully fine?" 

Let me ask you this question
Then you'll see more clearly
Why your visions and dreams did not fire
Did you build up your plans
In accordance with God's?
Or were they based on your own desire?

As hard as it is we

Must look at the rubbish

Of all of our crushed aspirations

We must pick up the bits

And take them to the cross

And say, "Lord, I had good intentions!"

"My desires were based

On the wrong thought that I

Could govern my life better than you

Please, God, patch up my heart

Draw me back to Yourself

Show me all that You want me to do

I know that my notions

Are flawed, human objects.

Please keep working on my heart until

I can cheerfully say

(without kicking or screaming)

My desire, Lord - to follow Your will."

PS. Today's my fantastic Dad's birthday!!! He's turning *mumble mumble* years old!! How awesome is that. Happy birthday, Daddy. You're the best Dad I've ever had. 

Bonnie's Helpful Guide to Being Encouraged

Today I'd like to be a bit real with all of you (because being real is quite good, so I'm told). So here's me being really really really realistically real.

Sometimes I get discouraged.

Don't we all?
Don't we all have days when we just need someone to come along beside us and give us a hug and encouraging words? Don't we all have days when we just feel down in the dumps, sad and/or discouraged (sometimes even for no particular reason)?

I'm not talking about depression or anything like that. I'm just talking about the times when us humans just get discouraged.

It happens. It happens.

When I'm feeling discouraged, there are a few things I do to encourage myself. Of course, it depends on exactly why I'm feeling discouraged what I do to encourage myself. But this is pretty general advice and I feel it could apply to pretty much any situation.

So here's Bonnie's (hopefully) Helpful Guide to Encouraging Yourself When You Are Discouraged.

1. Identify (if you can) the cause of your discouragement
Sometimes it just happens and we have no idea why. But if there is a special reason, it can be helpful to pinpoint what it is. I find it helps me to solve the problem if I know what the problem consists of.
See, that wasn't so hard, was it?! :) Now for number 2.


2. Be kind to yourself!!

To get back to your cheerful old self, it is necessary to be a bit gentle and lenient on yourself. If you're grumpy at yourself for being discouraged, trust me, the situation is NOT going to improve. Let yourself be discouraged. Console yourself. Be sympathetic and empathetic (bonus points if you know the difference between the two, because there is a difference!). Have a good cry. Encourage yourself. One thing I do is write little encouraging messages on post-it notes and put them in random spots in my journal. Then I come across the notes when I'm writing in my journal and am encouraged. :)


3. Dig into God's word for encouragement.

Really, there is no better way to encourage yourself. Find encouraging Bible verses such as Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength) and Isaiah 41:10 (So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand). Spend time in the Word. If it helps you (like it helps me, cause I'm a visual person) illustrate the verses. Write them out beautifully. I meditate on them while I do it and it's incredibly helpful.


4. Ask God to send you encouragement

Say to God, "Lord, I just really need some encouragement today!" then wait and see what God will bring into your life that day to encourage you. God loves to bring unexpected joys and surprises into our lives. He loves to pick us up and is incredibly gentle with us in our discouragement. He understands.
Here's a quote by Amy Carmichael (from the book 'Thou Givest, They Gather', I believe) that I love - emphasis mine.
"The rose is set on a thorny stem. This is my word for you today. Is there in any heart something that is like the piercing of a sword? Then watch for the unexpected joy. It will come sooner or later. The rosebud will form and open, and the rose appear."


5. Talk to others

Talk to people. Your family is there for you. So are your friends. Be honest about your discouragement and they will encourage you for sure! If you need some encouragement, feel free to contact me via the form on the sidebar of my blog and I would LOVE to send you some encouragement. One thing I'm trying to do more of this year is encourage. So talk to people (and do contact me, I'm really not hugely scary!).


6. Do things that lift your spirits

Go for a run, if that lifts your spirits. Watch a funny movie. Listen to some really beautiful music. Google image search "incredibly cute puppies" or even "baby alpacas" and then look through some of the search results (this really lifts your spirits!!). Eat icecream, chocolate, whatever makes you feel better. Do the little things you love. Crafts, biking, playing your instrument, reading, just sitting still and thinking about the many blessings in your life.


7. Encourage others
There's nothing like encouraging someone else to lift your own spirits!! Google "how to encourage people" if you are stuck for ideas. Here are some random ideas of my own.
- Write notes/cards and put them in the mail. I love receiving mail from friends. "Happy mail", I call it. So nice to know someone is thinking of you and praying for you!
- Give someone a hug
- Compliment people sincerely. Tell your friend that she has a really beautiful smile, tell the girl serving you at the shop how efficient and friendly she was.
- Let someone know you appreciate them. A quick facebook message or phone call is all it takes!
- Be quick to listen - and careful and postive with your speech. Bite your tongue if you're about to say something negative.
- Pray for people. In the quiet of your room or when you're with them. There's nothing like asking someone if you can pray for them then and there.
- Recognise and affirm people who are doing things behind the scenes.
- Don't look for things people do that are wrong but notice and verbally appreciate the right.


And that's that! Thank you for reading!
What do you do when you're feeling discouraged?