Tag: trust God

Sin

Let Jesus Take Care of the Jerks, and Don’t Be One

meghanewhite

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Over ten years ago, we moved to one of the largest cities in the U.S., Houston. Immediately, we noticed the friendliness and politeness with the people we encountered. That all went away as soon as we drove around the city. The southern hospitality ends at the asphalt.

Road warrior is no joke here. When I drive on the massive highways, and freeways I’m suddenly praying the Hail Mary. But that’s not all. There are days and times when I’m behind the wheel where I become a different person, and it’s not pretty. It brings out the worst in me. I may have worship music blaring in my car and I’m feeling great and then I’m cut off, or honked at, or nearly killed by an aggressive driver, and I’m angry. Then I’m not thinking about Jesus. I want that person to be stopped.

Justice must be served, by me. I’m cussing, and I want bad things for that bad driver who almost took my life. Then I’m brought back to reality and reminded that I’m supposed to be salt and light, wherever I go. Not very salty. I was using salty language, but not letting the Lord handle it.

We are to die to ourselves daily as followers of Jesus. When I’m on the road with a bad attitude, I’m living for myself. It’s my pride. By my selfish actions I’m saying, “Since You’re not going to take care of this Lord, I will.” I’m a wretch. There’s my confession. Good for the soul, right?

Here’s the good news, I am forgiven. Hallelujah!

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9, NKJV

This wretched sinner is under the grace of God. He is so patient with me as He teaches me, guides, and shows me how to do better and truly die to myself. I can’t help but think of what Paul wrote in Romans.

For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15, NASB

God’s working on me. I am reminded that I can just as easily be a jerk too. I say this little mantra to myself as I’m driving.

Let Jesus take care of the jerks, don’t be one.

I’m a sinner in need of a Savior, daily. And He saves me, from my selfishness. My God loves me too much to let me stay as I am. From glory to glory, less and less of me, and please Lord, more and more of You.

No one but Jesus has lived a perfect life. I’m not looking for perfection, it will never happen in me. God does not expect me to be perfect. He’s very aware what I’m capable of. That’s why we have amazing Jesus. He made the way to the Father, not me.

Oh Lord, forgive me for my many sins, especially pride. Thank you for sending Jesus to save me from my sins and make the way to You. He is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him. Thank you for your grace, mercy and forgiveness. Help me to extend that to others by Your Holy Spirit. And help me Lord, as I drive, to be salt and light and not give in to temptation. Amen!

Love you all,

Meghan

Photo credit: Meghan E. White

Promises, Promises

Is Anything Too Hard for the Lord?

meghanewhite

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I’m reading Genesis right now and a very important event occurred in chapter 18. Every Biblical account is significant, but this one stopped me in my study. I have read the account of Abraham and Sarah many times over the years with much enjoyment, and many questions. Apparently I have short term memory as I seem to forget just how awesome God is. I was reminded of it today.

Sarah is eighty-nine years old, well beyond child bearing age. She has accepted the fact that she will never have a baby, or so she thought. The Lord appeared to Abraham and told him that at the same time next year He will return to them and Sarah will have a son. Sarah overheard this conversation between her husband and the Lord.

So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Genesis 18:12-13, NIV

Sarah is caught in her disbelief. Of course it seemed absurd for an elderly woman to conceive a baby. But the Lord confronts Abraham.

Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.” Genesis 18:14-15, NIV

I love this interaction. It’s so personal, and authentic. The Lord called Sarah out on lying, to her face. Yikes! I think you know the rest of the story, if not please read Genesis. Guess what? Sarah conceives and gives birth to Isaac a year after this meeting, like the Lord said she would. Once again, God kept His promise.

Is there anything that God cannot do? Is there anything too difficult for Him? No. He is the Almighty. The one true God. The maker of heaven and earth. The Lord is omnipotent. There is nothing too hard for the Lord. Nothing!

As you wait on that promise God gave you to be fulfilled, be encouraged. Keep trusting Him, keep believing, keep obeying, and keep asking. Whatever may look impossible, and too hard in your life, is not too hard for God to take care of.

There is nothing too hard for the Lord.

Love you all,

Meghan

Photo credit: Meghan E. White

healing

The Root of the Problem

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This ugly, gnarled up root ball does not want to leave my backyard. I don’t remember when this weed tree appeared, but it seemed like it just popped up along our wrought iron fence one day. The first few years I trimmed it and did my best to hack it down, not really knowing what exactly it was. It took a while until I realized it’s just a weed tree.

Weeds can be tricky to get rid of, and a tree that has taken up residence in your yard, without being invited, is even more difficult to destroy. I would trim all the branches off and cut it down to the stump. For a while it looked like the unwanted tree had died. Then a small sprout appeared while I wasn’t looking, which rapidly multiplied, and turned into branches, and the nasty thing got bigger.

There is only one way to dispose of this nuisance, kill it at the roots. If the roots die, the tree dies. As I was digging and clawing at this hideous eye sore I was going deeper to expose the roots. The deeper I dug, the more I saw just how vast the root system of this ugly tree was. I quickly figured out I needed help from someone bigger and stronger with way more experience, my husband.

Our sins, our secrets, our addictions, and those shameful things we never talk about can turn into weeds in our soul. We’ve covered it all up, buried it with a nice pile of dirt, and believed that took care of it. Yet, we never killed the roots and it keeps growing and we keep trimming branches and hoping and praying that maybe it will just go away.

With each push of the shovel, the Lord reminded me of all the stuff I can let take root in my life if I’m not careful. Resentments, unforgiveness, and past hurts that seems so small can grow over time and become weeds in my life. I am not strong enough on my own to get rid of these uninvited guests. Only God can heal me and set me free from my sins, pain, and heartache. There is no root system too big for the Lord to destroy if we let Him. He is bigger.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23-24, NIV

Come in, Oh Lord, to every part of us. Heal our hearts and destroy, at the root, anything that is sinful, or causing us pain. Give us the courage and grace to face the ugly stuff and stop covering it up. Expose those nasty deep roots, dear Lord, and set us free! Amen!

Love you all,

Meghan

Food

Italian Grinder Sandwich

meghanewhite

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Tik Tok strikes again with another viral recipe. I love trying new recipes and this sandwich is so good! It’s definitely worth the hype. The grinder salad is what makes this Italian sandwich stand out. Creamy dressing with red pepper flakes and banana peppers add the perfect amount of spiciness.

This sandwich is super easy to make, yet it’s packed with flavor. The original version used homemade focaccia bread but a variety of breads will work. I have made this sandwich with french bread and that worked great, but I prefer ciabatta or focaccia bread. The thicker the bread the more challenging it will be to eat this delicious sandwich filled to overflowing with meat, cheese, and salad.

Use your favorite meats, and cheeses. This is another one of those customizable foods that I adore. Make this sandwich your own, although the version I’m giving you is very yummy. There is a good reason this Italian Grinder went viral, it’s fantastic! Have fun with this savory sandwich.

Happy Eating!

Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

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Italian Grinder Sandwich

Ingredients

focaccia bread or ciabatta loaf

6 to 8 slices provolone cheese

1 to 2 lbs deli meats (turkey, salami, pepperoni)

1 sliced tomato

2 to 3 Tbsp parmesan cheese

Salad Ingredients

1/2 head of iceberg lettuce thinly sliced

1/2 red onion thinly sliced

Dressing

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 1/2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

1/4 cup banana peppers or sliced pepperoncinis

1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 clove of fresh minced garlic

1/2 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp red pepper flake

salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°.
  2. Slice loaf of bread in half lengthwise. Place each half on a baking sheet.
  3. Place 3 slices of cheese on each half of bread.
  4. Pile the turkey, then salami, then pepperoni on both halves.
  5. Put the prepared bread with meat and cheese in the oven for 5 minutes, until meat is warmed and cheese is melted.
  6. While the sandwich is in the oven get your salad ready. In a medium size bowl put mayo, red wine vinegar, banana peppers, garlic, oregano, red pepper flake, salt and pepper and whisk together. Add sliced lettuce, and red onion. Give it a good toss until evenly coated.
  7. Once the hot sandwich is out of the oven sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Then place the sliced tomatoes on each side and add salt and pepper on top. Now pile on the grinder salad on one side and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Place the other side of the sandwich on top, slice and eat!

Notes

  • French bread works well if you can’t find focaccia.
  • Use ham, prosciutto, capicola, or any meats you prefer.
  • Any of your favorite cheeses will work.
  • There will be extra salad.

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Bible

The Power of Memorizing Scripture

meghanewhite

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When I was in the sixth grade I was part of Awana, which I did not enjoy. We were brand new Christians and very involved in church, so that meant going to Awana. Picture me rolling my eyes. I know, sounds like an ungrateful child. I really wasn’t, but I did not enjoy the competition aspect of Awana, and I did not enjoy the Bible verse memorization. We had to memorize large passages of scripture, which I did. None of it stuck though. I could not tell you today a single verse I memorized all those years ago. There are probably super star Awana’s kids out there who memorize and retain it, that wasn’t me.

I understand the value and importance of memorizing scripture, but I am not a big scripture memory person. I love to read the Bible, meditate on it, and study it, but I have not made memorizing scripture a priority. I can recall verses, but I cannot always tell exact chapter and verse. There are some scriptures I have memorized just from reading them so many times. I write verses down on cards and place them where I can see them. Sometimes, I keep my Bible open to a particular passage so I can meditate on that during the day, but I still do not purposely memorize Bible verses.

As an American I have access to a Bible app on my phone at any time. I can look up any verse I want on a computer or phone. I can read my Bible and bring it with me anywhere I go. Because of this unlimited access I don’t even consider that I should start putting the Bible in my memory. Maybe I should though.

Heroic Christians living in Iran have made me reconsider the importance of memorizing scripture. The following story is from Voice of the Martyrs.

A prayer meeting in Shiraz, Iran at the home of Pastor Houmayoun was interrupted by the secret police. The pastor, his wife, their seventeen-year-old son, and four others were arrested. They were blindfolded and taken to an intelligence prison where they were interrogated for days. After being moved to a public prison they were told not to share why they were there.

In spite of being warned repeatedly not to talk about Jesus, they shared the gospel with their fellow Muslim inmates. They quickly realized they needed Bibles. So they wrote memorized Bible verses on any paper they could get their hands on. This was an encouragement to each other and a great way to share the gospel.

Once the pastor and the other believers were allowed to call family members they asked for chapters from the Bible written in English. The prison guards and an imam (person who leads prayers in a mosque) could not read English and passed these letters on to the pastor without knowing it was complete copies of books of the Bible.

The Christians who knew English translated the scriptures into Farsi so the inmates could read them. Because of his evangelism, and the positive response of the prisoners, the pastor eventually got sent to a part of the prison called “Hell”. Pastor Houmayoun continued sharing the gospel with the death row inmates, with several placing their faith in Christ before being executed.

Pastor Houmayoun was released after three years with the seeds of the gospel being planted in that prison. What an amazing story of the power of God. He cannot be stopped. His gospel will go forth regardless of the tactics of the enemy.

How awesome that the pastor, his family, and church leaders wrote down memorized scriptures to help encourage them and share the truth of the gospel with the Muslim inmates. They had no Bibles or apps to rely on. Those verses came from memory.

This powerful testimony got me thinking. How important is scripture memorization? And why am I not making it a priority? There are many believers who memorize scripture and entire books of the Bible. I have not made that a goal, yet.

Do you memorize Bible verses? If so, do you have any advice or tips?

I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11, BSB

Love you all,

Meghan

Photo credit: Meghan E. White