I AM HIS

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; YOU ARE MINE." Praise the Lord- I am so glad to be His. I want to thank Him for a really good week- it was more than a new outfit, a good meal, great weather, a vacation, the beach...or whatever. It was a normal work week, but God has given me renewed joy! I've just had a really great week with Him- learning about and experiencing His peace- catching a glimpse of what it looks like to trust Him a bit more than I did last week. Oh yeah- I'm most definitely still a work in progress- I am still learning to trust Him and to completely believe Him...fully. Yes, it's easy to say we believe "in" Him...but, do we believe Him? I was reading in Mark 9:21-24, where a father was asking Jesus to heal his son of an evil spirit. His comment was peculiar to me... the man said to Jesus, "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us" (23). He just asked the Almighty God if He could do anything....yep...that's one of those put-your-foot-in-your-mouth kind of comments...and to JESUS!!!! Wooh! But, really, do I pray like that sometimes? "God, if you can..." Well, goodness gracious, Emily, of course He can! And that's what Jesus said to the man... "'If you can?' Everything is possible for him who believes.'" (vs. 23). Yes, God is God- He can do anything. And, even when we don't think He can grant peace for our souls...or contentment...or joy...of freedom...or faith....He CAN! Oh, Lord, "help me overcome my unbelief!" (vs. 24)

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!!!
I just have to give a shout out to my dad- who, I think, wins first prize in the "Best Dad in the World" contest. I'll never forget the day I realized how much my daddy loves me...
I was a Junior at Moody Bible Institute...I was walking on LaSalle Blvd, almost reaching Dryer Hall- I had just opened a letter from my dad with some money in it. It was a gift for me- an undeserved gift...one that I shouldn't have received because of my attitude in that particular scenario. Yet, my dad selflessly blessed me...why? Because who wanted to show how much he loved me and forgave me. And, why else? Because the Sovereign Lord wanted to teach me a lesson...
God used my daddy, Ron Poling, to show me how much He, my Lord, loved me- unconditionally. I don't deserve the blessings of God and eternal life, but by His grace we can have them.
When I think of my dad, I see the love of the Father. When I think of God's love for me, I picture Jesus Christ, and I picture my daddy.
Thank You, Lord, for my dad- I'm truly blessed...
I'm not a dad, but I can definitely celebrate Father's Day!