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I’m A Skunk

There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man. Mark 7:15 Without a doubt my greatest challenge and sin are the words I say. Words said in anger. Words said to make a pointed point. Words said to punish. Words said carelessly without thought. Wounding words I can’t retrieve. Things I say to impress and elevate self. Gossip and slander.…

Abide

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. John 15:15 Apart from the vine, I can do nothing. Remain. Be still. Listen and follow. I cannot grow or bear fruit disconnected. Continue and persevere. He strengthens me. Fear not. [bctt tweet="With God all things are possible." username="Liz_Petruzzi"] Let me not become weary. The harvest is coming. Patient endurance. In my weakness, He is strong. Constant prayer. Blessed are those who remain steadfast. Steadfast in Christ. Suffering produces…

Mary Knew

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38 A young girl, a teenager. A teenager in a culture where girls pregnant out of wedlock were at best shunned and rejected. Most commonly, they were stoned to death. A teenager doing her best to live an honorable life. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And…

Future Stakes

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father.”   – Jesus,        John 14:12 1984’s The Terminator, smashed theaters. The futuristic movie features Arnold Schwarzenegger, a cyborg assassin disguised as a human who travels from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor. Sent to protect Sarah is Kyle Reese who reveals Skynet, an artificial…

Serenity Now

And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7 In the push and pull of the Christmas season, I long for quiet and calm. To sit at the Savior’s feet and experience the hush of a stable bathed in starlight. I long for tasks to stop ticking through my head like a CNN banner. For quality over quantity.…

Against the Grain

For am I now seeking the approval of man or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 I hate being misunderstood. It’s one of the most frustrating things for me – I’m saying something, doing something and people (even people who are supposed to know me) interpret it another way. Put their own spin on it. Tell me I’m not…

A Child is Born

All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 7:11-12 Perfect love. Rock of salvation. His body and blood Heaven’s bridge. I need not fear. Behold and be loved. Inequity removed. Robes for rags. Come, let us adore Him. He…

Weak Made Strong

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27 Grafted then drafted. Soldier of light. Sword of truth. Shield of faith. Grow in grace. Strength and power. The Spirit He gives isn’t timid. There is power in His Love and Name. In my weakness He is strong. Glory revealed. God, our Father, heals, transforms, provides, protects, loves without limits or condition.…

Speak Life

There, I said it. Air silenced by the slicing sting of words. Backed up words I wanted to say but hadn’t. Angry words spoken from a place of hurt. Words that wound. In response to scripture that says I am accountable for every idle word, I joke, “I am going to be before the Lord a lonnnng time.” My tongue can be a sharp sword and it’s by far my greatest sin struggle. I make light of it when what…

Love Endures

Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22 O Lord my God, I cry to you for help. The night stretches long but morning will come. Your promise preserves my life. You are my portion, my salvation and grace. You delight in Your people and remember sin no more. Deliver and rescue. Stronghold. Shield and refuge. I trust Your Holy Name. Your…