No condemnation

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1

I had broken God's laws. Again. I was condemned. And it hurt. Why couldn't I just figure out how to respond correctly in those situations? Why couldn't I just be perfect??

Here's the reality: I WAS condemned. But now... NOW there is no condemnation! God does not condemn me—so why am *I* condemning myself?!

When you are feeling condemnation—as I struggle with from time to time—it is often because you are trying to be right with God by your own works—and feeling guilty and disgusting because you can't measure up to His standard. Don't do it! Instead, we must rely on the One who died to make us holy once for all time! (Hebrews 10:10)

You are "in Christ Jesus" when you place your faith in Him—believing that when He died on the cross, He became the sacrifice for your sins—and that it is enough. There's no penance for you to pay, no groveling, no pleading, no promises of doing better next time. That's not what God wants! It's all about faith in Him—and a heart that's humble before Him.

You have been made right in God's sight by faith and you have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ my Lord has done for you! (Romans 5:1)

Presidents Day

In honor of Presidents Day, here is a quote from Abraham Lincoln:

America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.

How prophetic and pertinent. Lord, help us.

Blue potatoes

Ever seen blue potatoes?


This is a new discovery for me. I bought a bag of mixed-variety potatoes—yellows, reds, and... well... these sort of dark grayish ones... which were actually bluish-purple on the inside. This threw me off a little! How do you cook these, I wondered, and what do they taste like?

Even more interesting to me was the fact that, as they boiled, the water turned green!


At the supper table, my boys were a little put off by the color. But I'm here to tell you that they are as tasty as any other potato. And the color—isn't it fantastic? It makes your dinner plate pop! :)

The Yoke

I was praying about mothering this morning. And I realized that, while I've read some very encouraging and inspiring accounts/experiences of godly mothers, I have also unintentionally taken that information and laid upon myself standards & expectations for what I should look like as a mother.... weighing me down with burdens I am not meant to carry.

Jesus did not say, "Take Susanna Wesley's yoke upon you..." He said, "Take MY yoke upon you. Let ME teach you..." (Matthew 11: 29-30)

Jesus, Jesus! How gentle and loving You are! Thank you that Your yoke fits perfectly...