Jeremiah 4-6

Day 220 I have enjoyed reading about the rise and fall of leadership across the Old Testament - it has been rather interesting to see just how the beliefs of Kings could change the face of the world. Even more interesting, is how God would warn them over and over that they would not be rewarded for condemning Him, they wouldn't believe, and His punishments would come. Talk about shock & awe! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jeremiah 4 1 "If you want to come back, O Israel, you must really come back to me. You must get rid of your stinking sin paraphernalia and not wander away from me anymore.2 Then you can say words like, 'As God lives . . . ' and have them mean something true and just and right. And the godless nations will get caught up in the blessing and find something in Israel to write home about." How often have you gone to God? You are a part of Israel, you know. We all are. And we have an opportunity every single day to go back to Him. Turn our backs on sin, and ask for forgiveness. What stops us? What stands in the way? I could make a list of a million things, or I could just give one simple answer: The only thing standing in our way, is our very own self. I trip myself up all the time, and I know you probably stand in your way, too. But you can stop wandering from Him, you can run back with your arms open. He will hold you tightly. 18 "It's the way you've lived that's brought all this on you. The bitter taste is from your evil life. That's what's piercing your heart." I've had a REALLY bad day today. In fact, I had been reading my study and had started writing this post when I had to stop to deal with Red having major Asperger's meltdown. It is now after 1am and I'm only just now getting around to finish my thoughts and prayers. When we have days like today, I can't help but wonder if this really is all my fault. All of the sins and pain I caused in the past caused Red's condition. No ... no, I know that isn't right. There is no karma in God's Word. Red is exactly the way God made him because, one of these days, all of his little aspie hangups will glorify Him. (Just praying, its sooner than later, today ... please) When God sent Christ to live and die for us, Christ took all of that pain and sin with him. No longer does my life reflect my behavior - Christ saved me from that horrible sentence. It is simply time for me to learn how to deal with my child - so easier said than done. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jeremiah 5 3 But you, God, you have an eye for truth, don't you? You hit them hard, but it didn't faze them. You disciplined them, but they refused correction. Hardheaded, harder than rock, they wouldn't change.4 Then I said to myself, "Well, these are just poor people. They don't know any better. They were never taught anything about God. They never went to prayer meetings... Growing up, I wasn't taught the everlasting and eternal love that Christ provides. I was not taught how to speak with him, and commune with him. I was not shown that letting Christ shine from my heart was the most amazing feeling in the world. I am constantly questioning my ability to teach my children these things. I'm certainly under qualified, right? I'm *only* a Mom ... No, that can't be right, either. I don't have to have a Pastor's degree to teach my children that Christ loves them and its easy for them to love Him back. I am a Mom. And even on days like today when my heart is broken and I feel like there is never going to be an end to the hurt Red's condition causes, I know there is still Hope, Faith, Love .... God. Every day. All the time. Forever.