Pack it or File 13 It?

I've been packing and moving this past week. I've found that I collect way too much stuff just to try to figure out if I need to throw it away (file 13) or pack it up for another day's use. I really think I should start taking inventory of the items around me.
As I write to you a few things come to my mind and I think "hmm I should file 13 that item."  Yet I pack things up too. I walked my dog this morning walked by a dumpster where a vase was sitting; it matches a vase I already have.  I picked it up and carried it home. So did I clean an area out or did I just add to it?
Do you ever wonder why you do the things you do? I sure did; just now. It's hard to let go of things you've held onto for so long. These things have become comfortable and cozy fitting, or part of the decor and no need to change things around; until now.
Isn't that the same way with our lives? We get so comfortable with the way we are or the things we do that it becomes second nature. That is until something happens in our lives to make us take notice. 
It's not always easy to make transitions to new ways of life or changing our character, but it is possible.
So what do you do when a change needs to be made? Do you grit your teeth, hold your fist tight, and stomp out of the room? Do you lighten your step and roll with the tide?
Your attitude determines your altitude and your outlook determines your perspective.
I say all this because it is time we take notice of what is around us, in us, and determine what is important in our lives. We need to do this because life is ever changing and it's changing fast. Tell me, when was the last time your day just stood still? It didn't; it is ever changing and changing fast right?
We can change for the better or leave things the way they are , the only difference is there is no growth.
There were two men, the first man was living at home with his parents and tending to the  animals and the other man was with great wealth.  Both men had a choice to leave their home and all their wealth in order to make a difference in the world.  The first man had no problem making this change. He was so excited that he went home and had a bon fire using the equipment he worked with and roasted the animals he farmed. The rich man wasn't too happy with the idea of giving up his wealth, so he declined.
Which one would you choose?
You see when God comes calling for you to make a change you will do with great joy and do whatever it takes to follow His instructions or you will be more concerned with your "money, stuff, and things."
When you make that choice to get rid of useless things in your life and packing up the good stuff; you are well on your way to a better life.

~Marjorie
Why put off tomorrow what you can do today; you're not promised tomorrow anyways.

So what changes do you want to make today?

Looking for Renewal and Restoration; First Find Forgiveness

So what do you do first to receive forgiveness? Have faith.
Are you looking for renewal and restoration in your life?  It's hard to receive renewal and restoration when you are holding onto unforgiveness.
In Psalms 51, David appealed to God's mercy and love; not justice. If God was to write all of our wrong words and deeds in a ledger, we wouldn't be able to stand before Him. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be dealt with according to my sin.
David asked to be dealt with according to who God is.
God is more than able to forgive us of all our transgressions. As far as my research goes, it's the only question God won't respond "no" to.
Next be honest. David took responsibility for his wrongs. In fact he listed them in three different ways.
Iniquity which is to twist or pervert
Transgressions which is to rebel deliberately; ignore the "though shall not"
Sin is missing the mark.
David lived a haunted life and he was always in hiding. Did you know that when you sin that you first sin against God and then man? All God wants is your honesty, tell the truth about what you did wrong against yourself or someone else. He isn't going to beat you over the head with a stick; I promise.
Prayer is needed to find forgiveness.  Ask God to forgive you and allow Him to cleanse you, break the chains that bind you, change your desires from the temporal things to the eternal things of God himself.
Prayer is a cleansing and healing process. When David spoke on cleansing he referred to it as a cleansing ceremony as for lepers and washing as in cleansing like that of a garment. David also made the statement to "blot out my transgressions." When I heard this, I thought of a tide pen. You know that pen that you just wipe it on a stain and it goes away. Yeah, that kind of blot out; wipe or erase away.  When asking for a cleansing through prayer it is a desire to be completely cleansed of all your wrong doings.
The last thing to do to find complete forgiveness is to repent. This means to completely turn away from the sin in our life and run towards what is good and right.
A grateful person will want to be a bold witness, a chair member,  praising God for the complete turn around.
So are you broken over sin? Are you genuinely ready to commit your life and will to the care and control of Jesus Christ? Not there yet? It's okay; he's waiting. I suggest you  get ready because He won't be found forever.
This past month there were fall festivals on the night of halloween; satan's day. There were three boys that were up to no good. I watched them and they knew I was watching them. They were under the influence of a substance, but I didn't know what. Rodney and I prayed over the festival that was happening, when the Lord told me to go up to the ring leader of the boys and give him a message.
After praying, I walked around the festival to find this young man but couldn't. So I figured God just wanted to see if I was going to be obedient. I was good with that; confrontation isn't always easy.
Just after I had that thought and spoke it out, the boy came out from where he frequently visited his vehicle. I walked up to him, which seemed like miles away. I tapped him on his arm, he looked right into my eyes and I looked into his half closed, glassy, and beautiful blue eyes and said "I have a message for you." He said "what's the message?" I replied "Jesus loves you."  He paused for a moment and then responded "that is the best message I've ever gotten."
I don't know what God is going to do with him, but I am sure it is going to require some faith, a lot of honesty on his part, prayer from me and others, as well as himself, and repentance for what he has done to his body. The most important thing needed is his sincerity; your sincerity. You have to be completely broken over your sin. You have to not want it and detest it because God dislikes it. Your heart has to be genuine in its response to the call of forgiving.
One thing to remember when looking for renewal and restoration in your forgiveness; is that it can't be fake because God knows  your heart. God knows your heart better than you do.