Tag Archives: forgiveness

Clean at Last

VineWords Devotions and More

The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy. ~Proverbs 28:13 NET I am notorious for losing jewelry. Bracelets have slipped off my wrists, necklaces have mysteriously vanished, and years ago my wedding ring disappeared. Thankfully, I’ve since replaced it. Recently, however, I lost my ring again. I searched for weeks and finally gave up. While doing laundry, I found the ring wedged between the wall and the dryer. While inspecting … Continue reading →

I’ve Forgiven But Why Am I Still Upset?

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“I’ve forgiven, but why am I still upset?” Why do I feel the same pain? The Pain of Unforgiveness These questions hit me every time someone hurts me. The emotions tear me down, giving me a heavy heart, even after I have forgiven. But God commands us to forgive because He has forgiven us. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of … Continue reading →

Giving Day

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Not what I will, but what You will. ~Mark 14:36 NKJV The aroma of horsehair overwhelmed me as I buried my face in Princess’ mane. I knew there wasn’t much time. Princess grasped my ponytail scrunchie with her muzzle, slid it off, and waved it triumphantly. If a horse could laugh, she did. This was a deliberate move to cheer me up. I would have joined her celebratory disposition, but I knew we only had days together. I was moving … Continue reading →

Fully Forgiven

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God There’s not one totally good person on earth, not one who is truly pure and sinless.  ~Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7‬:‭20‬ ‭MSG‬‬ The enemy wants us to think that we are alone in our sin, the worst human being ever to live. He wants us to forget that we are fully forgiven. God’s Offer Social media presents us with snapshots of others’ lives that look pulled together. It can make us feel alone, worthless, and like a failure. So, we beat ourselves … Continue reading →

Time to Examine and Turn

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I thought about my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies. ~Psalm 119:59 NKJV Cleaning has always been therapeutic for me. Unfortunately, my kitchen countertops are speckled granite, often concealing the grime that’s in plain sight. Each evening, I adjust the lighting and stoop to see if I missed any crumbs. I usually find some in a corner or in plain sight, visible if I look carefully enough. One morning, as I cleaned and inspected, I realized that I … Continue reading →

The Speeding Ticket

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Casting all your care on Him: for He cares for you. ~1 Peter 5:7 NKJV The reflection of blue lights flashed in my rear-view mirror. Embarrassed, I pulled over. I just knew the speeding ticket would be next. The Offense   “Ma’am, can you explain why you were speeding?” “I wasn’t paying attention.” Not knowing my speed was no excuse. I was responsible for operating my vehicle safely. The officer ticketed me, and I went my way. When I got … Continue reading →

God’s Mercy Triumphs

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I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! ~Isaiah 57:18 NLT My children are a blessing, and I’ll always cherish the privilege of having watched them grow. Recollections of their laughter and silly antics still bring me joy. The memory of their childlike prayers fills me with melancholy and reminds me that God’s mercy triumphs. They’re adults now, and watching them make decisions on their own is more difficult than I imagined. Some of their decisions have … Continue reading →

Skunky

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As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. ~Ephesians 2:1 NIV As I readied for the day, a terrible smell drifted through the bathroom. What’s that odor? I know it … wait. I had smelled that skunky smell before. The Smell of Skunky We opened the door and called for the dog. The smell hit us like a ton of bricks. My youngest opened the door wider to check on the noise, and the dog, covered in skunkiness, … Continue reading →

The Golden Hour

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So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. ~Luke 15:20 NLT As an amateur photographer, I find the golden hour one of my favorite times to look for photo opportunities. It requires the sun to be visible towards the horizon during the sixty minutes before it sets or the sixty minutes after … Continue reading →

The Paradox of the Christian Life

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Through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. ~2 Corinthians 6: 8-10 ESV Once, while home from missionary work, I met a neighbor on the street. He said, “Kenny, I thought you were a good boy?” … Continue reading →