...anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Amen and Amen!
I definitely consider myself a 'born again' Christian.
I grew up knowing Christ as my savior and God as my creator.
But, like many, I strayed from that knowledge.
I put it on a back shelf for a more convenient time.
During that time I still certainly belonged to Jesus.
He claimed me.
I didn't really claim Him.
Once I had my first child that all started to change.
I started to realize the importance of claiming Christ.
Not just for myself, but for my child and the well-being of my marriage.
Once I claimed Christ I changed.
My old life was gone.
My new { and much more spiritually fabulous } life had begun!
I really encourage you to read 2 Corinthians, Chapter 5.
I personally find it to be a motivational chapter, but it also offers comfort and promise.
...and when it comes to reading the Bible, you never can tell what you'll get out of it!
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I also want to ask those of you who took on the "challenge" from last week how it went for you.
{for those who don't know, the challenge was to thank God for something each and every time you saw, smelled or ate bread}
Did you notice a change in your mood or attitude?
Did it help you in some way?
I'd love to hear about your experience with this challenge!!
I personally found myself in a much better mood...I was happier, calmer, and generally more focused.
I also felt much closer to God and more cognizant of all the things - be it big or small - that He really has blessed me with.
I admit, there were times when I glanced at those rolls on my counter and somehow forgot all about this challenge, not thanking Him for a single thing.
There were also times when I'd see bread and had to really stretch to find something, anything, at that moment that I was thankful for. These times usually happened when my kids were fighting or throwing tantrums!
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Want to join in this challenge?
Here's how to participate:
1. Select a scripture.
My hope is that each week you will search your Bible and select a verse that has meaning for you.
Here's a link to a good Bible verse search engine.
2. Add a photo to it.
I hope that you will chose a photo that goes with your chosen scripture, and not just throw these two elements together. The photo can be from your archives or a new shot. Please only use your own photos. You can have the scripture on your photo, below it, make a collage - however you want, as long as the two elements are together!
3. Put the Scripture & a Snapshot button in your post.
You won't be deleted or banned if you don't. It just helps spread the word...and the Word. ;)
It also helps visitors from the blog hop quickly identify your Scripture & a Snapshot post.
4. Come back here and link up your post.
Please link directly to your Scripture & a Snapshot post, not the home page of your blog.
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Click here to get the blog hop code!
loved everything about this post. And praise God for the new creation that he makes us in Him! I have been challenging myself in a similar way to focus on thanks all day long and it really is a GREAT habit to get into but, so hard to keep going on. I'm going to continue though!
ReplyDeleteThanking God for the new creation that is you . . .and me today. And your photos are just so inspiring. I loved your bread challenge last week, but I have to admit, I am doing the Joy Dare with Ann Voskamp this year so gratitude seems to be coming in all things. Have a great Sunday Katie!
ReplyDeleteMissed your bread challenge, but have surely been there before....in challenging my own attitude, expressions to Him for all that I see, feel, taste, touch, hear.
ReplyDelete2 Corinthians 5 is a rich chapter - thanks for the link. You encouraged me to hop over and read it this morning. The verse that most jumped out at me today was verse 7: For we live by believing and not by seeing.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, when we believe, we can see God in so many places, right? Lovely. Thanks for the inspiration!
I am thankful that we are made new!!! Thanks for this post!
ReplyDeleteLiving with a purpose for Christ can be very challenging -- there are many days when my prayer is, "Lord, get me through this next half hour!" Thanks for being such a wonderful hostess!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI can completely relate, but isn't that transition beautiful.
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