life is a lesson

I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change. I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that. I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. The same goes for true love. I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life. I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I've learned that you can keep going long after you can't.

I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I've learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up. I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel. I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them, and less to do with how many years you have lived.

I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I've learned that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I've learned that two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different.

I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you you will find the strength to help.

I've learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I've learned that the people you care about most in life are sometimes taken from you too soon

The Mercy of God

May God Have Mercy On Our Souls

As I listened to this message today, it so convicted me. I realized that at times in my heart - even if I hadn't verbalized it - I had been telling God, "It is just not fair."

Hear me here. I am not speaking of conscious thought. I am speaking of the hidden matters of the heart. While I was holding on to faith and pressing on in the Lord, inside I was questioning: Why God? Why is such and such happening? Why are you allowing it?

Honestly, I know that there are times we will have questions. However, at the heart of such statements is the belief that somehow, we don't deserve "this" [whatever "this" may be]. It is an accusation against God's righteousness.

Are we God? Have we created the Heavens and the Earth? Have we power over life or death? Are we wise or just in our own eyes? Is this not how God responded to Job?

What is it that we think we deserve from God? Is not the summation of what we deserve death and the grave (Romans 6:23)? If it were not for God's mercy, such would surely be our end.

Whatsoever God does for us, it is because of His mercy alone, and not because we have done anything to merit it. As Min. Pawson says:

"God will give everyone what they deserve, but He will give some people more than they deserve. He will be absolutely just with everyone, but He will be merciful to some."

"When you are in the Kingdom of Heaven, you don't have rights. You live by mercy."

"There is no such thing as luck or chance in the Kingdom of Heaven. God and luck are opposites."

Yes, as His children, there are certain promises to which we can hold as part of our inheritance in Him. Yet even those things are still the result of His mercies...and it is to His mercy that we must appeal in all things.