We, the Oddity

Ever feel like the odd one out?
Or just, simply odd?
That's soooo ME. 
 I was super-encouraged by my Pastor today as he encourage our local body with this verse, "But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. (I Corinthians 12:18 NKJV) So, by God's beautiful design, we are who we are. We do life differently. And it's perfectly fine! So long as we are doing that which lines up with the Word of God, we are pleasing Him. PLEASING GOD? How nifty is that?! 
 

         <a former Sammy thought>

I have NO gifts. I just don't excel at one particular thing.  

-Thinking this isn't humble. I once thought that was why I felt this. It's sorta a lie from the enemy. Satan wants our eyes to be on US. And man, if I stare at myself all day I can be DISCOURAGED. But- and this is a BIG but, when we realize that Jesus GAVE His life for ours, to reconcile us to God the Father, we can see that it wasn't cheap. No cheap grace was mixed with the rich blood of Jesus. It's not an 'all for not' instance. It's  amazing how it pleases God to gift us with gifts that minister to his people. Be encouraged church!!! And read this love-packed passage:

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8 NKJV)

                       Loving Jesus alongside YOU-

                              SC

FIRST post EVER: Saturday thoughts..ocean, stars, and baby doggies

Feeling worthless?
Be honest with y o u. 
I know this is for me, maybe its for you, too?

 The God of the Bible gives humans worth. The truth that the God of all creation (the maker of the ocean, stars, and baby doggies, W o a h!) saw fit that He would take on human flesh in the person of Jesus (I mean really? This world is messy, hurtful, sickly. I've soo wanted to escape it) and WILLINGLY be the payment that I've (we have) accrued with my/our 'self-ness'. God==> taking on flesh===> to save me from self/separation from God. God is Holy. My sin, or choices that I have so willingly made against truth, against God's standards (I mean He IS the giver of breath, right?) that sin pushes me from Him. Away. Far. Forever. But J E S U S-God, so lovingly paid my debt (not credit card :) mind you ) and redeemed my sinful condition. That I am not looked at by God for my weighty, dirty selfness is so s w e e t a reality. Humans may look down at me. But because of Jesus, I can securely, safely gaze upward at the God of my salvation. That's my WORTH.

Until you come back, Father.
-comfortably me :)SC