The Greatest Gift

Today, I share at Women Walking With Jesus about the greatest "GIFT" I've ever received,  who gave it, and the importance and value in my life. Please visit and feel free to share with others.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

God is God!

God doesn't have to use us, yet He does. God doesn't need to use us, yet He does. He is God and He graciously chooses to include us as He works in the lives of others. Pretty cool if you ask me!

Let's be ready and willing when God chooses to use us. Don't ignore His tug on your heart. Just do it, while remembering it's an honor to be His usable vessel. 

By HIS mercy and in the grip of His grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Killem With Kindness

Today, my article "Killem With Kindness" has posted at Women Walking With Jesus. I share my heart and the wisdom of Godly grandparents that has served me well. I am thankful they set the foundation and while they died when I was young I can still hear their voices when I struggle with making healthy decisions. I hope you will visit WWWJ and learn from the wisdom they shared with me so many years ago.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea Bowling Perdue

Soul Care

I've been thinking about soul care a lot lately. Everywhere I go I am faced with the deep need to address what is going on "inside" of me. At home, at church, at play, and most importantly in the messiness of this life I am recognizing the importance of what's happening in my soul and how that impacts every aspect of my life and also impacts every person in my path for good or bad.

Wow, it's not just about me. Not sure I was quite ready to realize what I thought was carefully packed inside has the potential to help or harm others. As I attend to caring for my soul, I am reading "Soul Keeping," by John Ortberg for the fourth or maybe it's the fifth time now. I'm reading and re-reading the new testament and also many old testament passages that relate to "soul care."

It must be pretty important to God that I get this "soul care" thing right, because everywhere I go and everything I do speaks to soul care. God is continually revealing Himself and reminding me of His presence and His desire to be fully present with me during every step of my journey through this life.

This weekend, I picked up my Message version of God's Word and read Matthew 5-7. Yes, those are chapters and I couldn't put it down. So, I am sharing this passage with you:

You’re Blessed

"5 ^1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

³ “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
⁴ “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
⁵ “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
⁶ “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.
⁷ “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
⁸ “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
⁹ “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
¹⁰ “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.
^11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

Salt and Light

¹³ “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

^14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

Completing God’s Law

^17-18 “Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.

^19-20 “Trivialize even the smallest item in God’s Law and you will only have trivialized yourself. But take it seriously, show the way for others, and you will find honor in the kingdom. Unless you do far better than the Pharisees in the matters of right living, you won’t know the first thing about entering the kingdom.

Murder

^21-22 “You’re familiar with the command to the ancients, ‘Do not murder.’ I’m telling you that anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder. Carelessly call a brother ‘idiot!’ and you just might find yourself hauled into court. Thoughtlessly yell ‘stupid!’ at a sister and you are on the brink of hellfire. The simple moral fact is that words kill.

^23-24 “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
^25-26 “Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you’re likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. If that happens, you won’t get out without a stiff fine.

Adultery and Divorce

^27-28 “You know the next commandment pretty well, too: ‘Don’t go to bed with another’s spouse.’ But don’t think you’ve preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices—they also corrupt.

^29-30 “Let’s not pretend this is easier than it really is. If you want to live a morally pure life, here’s what you have to do: You have to blind your right eye the moment you catch it in a lustful leer. You have to choose to live one-eyed or else be dumped on a moral trash pile. And you have to chop off your right hand the moment you notice it raised threateningly. Better a bloody stump than your entire being discarded for good in the dump.
^31-32 “Remember the Scripture that says, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him do it legally, giving her divorce papers and her legal rights’? Too many of you are using that as a cover for selfishness and whim, pretending to be righteous just because you are ‘legal.’ Please, no more pretending. If you divorce your wife, you’re responsible for making her an adulteress (unless she has already made herself that by sexual promiscuity). And if you marry such a divorced adulteress, you’re automatically an adulterer yourself. You can’t use legal cover to mask a moral failure.

Empty Promises

^33-37 “And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.

Love Your Enemies

^38-42 “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

^43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
⁴⁸ “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

The World Is Not a Stage

6 “Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding.

^2-4 “When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure—‘playactors’ I call them—treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.

Pray with Simplicity

⁵ “And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?

⁶ “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
^7-13 “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
    as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
    Yes. Yes. Yes.

^14-15 “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.

^16-18 “When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well.

A Life of God-Worship

^19-21 “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.

^22-23 “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
²⁴ “You can’t worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you’ll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other. You can’t worship God and Money both.
^25-26 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
^27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
^30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
³⁴ “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

A Simple Guide for Behavior

7 ^1-5 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

⁶ “Don’t be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don’t reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you’re only being cute and inviting sacrilege.
^7-11 “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
¹² “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.

Being and Doing

^13-14 “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.

^15-20 “Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.
^21-23 “Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’
^24-25 “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
^26-27 “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.”
^28-29 When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard."

Okay, I hope I didn't lose you with several chapters of God's word, but I wanted you to know what's going on in my world and I pray God will speak to each of you as powerfully as He is speaking to me. Together, we can all run this race called life and do our best to become the person/people our Heavenly Father created us to be.

By His mercy and in the grip of His grace,
Andrea Bowling Perdue

Tribute to Jesse Weston

Recently, I received the phone call no friend wants to receive. At 5:30 am on Sunday, September 21st, 2014 my son called to tell me his friend Jesse had been killed. I will never forget my sons shattered and broken voice. In the days after we all tried to help our friends family, but there is nothing any of us can do to ease their pain. Sure, our presence and support means much to them, but their hearts are broken and their lives are forever changed.

Along with many others, I've been thinking a lot about Jesse and his life. He was known to always be there for his friends and family, even unto death. At age 20, he already seemed to understand and live out the greatest commandment by loving his LORD and loving his neighbor as himself. Through the actions of being there for friends he revealed Jesus.

Jesse was no more the perfect kid than any of my kids, but loving and caring for others the way Jesus did came naturally to him. Did he always make the right decisions? Of course not. Like the rest of us he took a few wrong turns and hit a few speed bumps along the way. However, Jesse's most important decision was made when he was young as he accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. We, his family and friends can know we will see him again. Sure, our hearts are broken, but we have assurance of where he is and our future with him.

Jesse's death reminds me of the love of Jesus. By coming to the defense of others he put himself in a vulnerable place and another human took his earthly life. It's likely he never thought about the risk to himself, because that's just who Jesse was. He simply chose to defend those whom he loved. Similarly, Christ chose to die on the cross taking our sins upon Himself. In doing so, Christ made a way so that we could live forever with Him.

I believe if Jesse could shout back from heaven to his friends he would ask each of us to evalute our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Asking:

"Do you know what your eternal destiny will be? And if not, PLEASE pray/talk to Jesus and ask Him to come into your heart and life and forgive you when you mess up. We all mess up even with Jesus in our hearts. I want to see you again. So, do it.....talk to JESUS and make sure at the end of your life you step into heaven with Jesus, me and many others who have gone before you."

^"16-18 “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him." John 3:16-18 The Message 

The words above are what Jesse's family and I believe Jesse would say to each of us if he could.

By HIS mercy and in the very grip of HIS grace,
Andrea Bowling Perdue

Running In Circles

Today, my article "Running in Circles" is on Women Walking With Jesus! If you feel like you are running in circles and have lost your focus, jump over, read, and find comfort in the Jesus who died for you.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea Bowling Perdue

Mesothelioma Awareness

Recently, I read an article about a young woman (photo above) who was diagnosed with Mesothelioma. I don't know about you, but I always thought of it as a disease occurring in older adults. While statistically most people are diagnosed between age 50-70 the numbers for younger adults are on the rise due to second hand exposure either from parents or spouses. 

As I began to read the facts about Mesothelioma I was astounded. The only known cause is asbestos exposure. In 1989, the EPA issued a final rule banning most asbestos products. Unfortunately, in 1991, this regulation was overturned by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and few asbestos products remain banded.  This fact alone took my breath. If we know asbestos causes Mesothelioma and other cancers then why are we not working toward a total elimination of the products? 

Other staggering facts about Asbestos use:

~30 million pounds still being used in the United States today

~#1 cause of occupational  cancer

~This year 10,000 Americans will die of asbestos related disease and 200,000 people will be living with asbestos. 

~Asbestos is still found in many homes, schools, commercial, and industrial buildings. The EPA estimates there are asbestos containing materials in most of our 107,000 primary and secondary schools and 733,000 public and commercial buildings. 

Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer and most patients are given a ten month prognosis upon diagnosis. Mesothelioma commonly sits dormant in the body for 20-50 years after initial exposure. However, more and more young adults are being diagnosed.  It seems asbestos exposure could be best described as a ticking time bomb just waiting to ravage the body.  

I don't know about you, but I am not happy knowing virtually everyone is at risk because of the continued use of asbestos. There is a great need for both awareness to the problem and research to attain a solution, as well as cure.

Hoping and praying the more aware each of us becomes of the risk asbestos exposure the more willing we will become to be apart of the push for change. 

For more information and links: Heather's awareness page

 By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

A Mother's Love

Today, my article "A Mother's Love" is posted on Women Walking With Jesus. If you are struggling along the journey of raising your children, please visit and be encouraged.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea

Storms

Storms come in all shapes and sizes. Our lives are full of them. Some are treacherous, even hurricane like; Some are just plain messy and annoying. The storms I find most annoying are not those that affect me, but those who have the potential to harm those I love. And even more annoying are those I can not do anything to control. There you have it....the "big" problem is my need to fix/control the situation to obtain an optimal outcome for all involved.

Recently, God spoke loudly to me about the "need to fix/control" the problems/storms around me. It's really nothing new, but something He's been trying desperately to get through to me all forty eight years of my life. Nearly half a century and I might get it this time. I am trying.

As I walked, God spoke these words to my heart:

"You are NOT in control. You have never been in control and even if you were, you could NOT fix any of these situations on your own. I am not asking you to do NOTHING, but what I am asking you to do is trust ME to do the work in each area/person while you pray, love, and encourage and keep walking toward ME."

It seems so simple, yet we humans make it difficult. So, if you are struggling with storms in your life join me in fully surrendering the storm(s) to our Heavenly Father while walking in love toward HIM.

"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord." Psalm 89:15 NIV

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Looks Are Deceiving

Today, my article "Looks Are Deceiving" is published at Women Walking With Jesus. I pray each of you will hop over, read, and be blessed by what God is doing in and through my heart and life. God is faithful!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea Bowling Perdue

Blessings

A house
A dwelling
Beautiful
Glorious

Yet, built only from sticks, nails, and a few stones.

Without a doubt this beautiful home sits in all it's glory waiting to bless it's next guest with a wondrous experience. The house on it's own can not fulfill the hearts of those within. Only God can heal their pain and restore their hearts.

Over the last few years, Doug and I have been blessed to share in the experience of visiting this home in Pine Island, N.C.  Our friends have invited us year after year to partake of the blessings they inherited through a hard working, God-honoring father and husband. None of us take our experience here for granted and while each of us would be just as happy in a tent with an air mattress we recognize the sacrifice of those who have gone before us to provide such amenities. We praise GOD for preparing the way before each of us and helping us to remember our happiness is found in HIM and not the material possessions around us. We are thankful for the deer who graze on the dunes around this home and the butterflies that light all around us. Each sunrise and sunset beseech us to draw closer to our Heavenly Father and listen intently to HIS voice.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea Bowling Perdue

Keep Hiking

Do you ever feel overwhelmed or like you are standing a little to close to the edge of life? I know I certainly do. Today, I'm reminded of God's presence no matter where life takes me. There will always be scary times and unbelievable adventures this side of heaven. However, God gives us the Holy Spirit to live within us as a comforter and guide. He will  never fail us no matter how unbelievably difficult life seems.

Having the strength of Jesus within me puts new meaning in my heart to "...the joy of the Lord is my strength." Nehemiah 8:10

Join me as I embrace the strength our Creator places with within each of us. Keep hiking through this life, dear friends!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea Bowling Perdue

HOPE

At birth, my parents had chosen my first name, Andrea and I've been told the doctor who delivered me chose my middle name, Hope. In fact, when I was a small child the same doctor was my family doctor and he quite often called me by my middle name, not the name everyone else calls me.

Over the years, I've thought a lot about my name and what it means. I've often wondered why Dr. Miller chose the name "Hope." I've come to believe God used Dr. Miller to plant a seed in my life. When there is nothing else, there is HOPE!

 "It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone." Ephesians 1:11-12 The Message

"We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek" Hebrews 6:18-20 The Message 

So, today I cling to "hope" in Christ and I pray this hope is contagious to all those I love.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

The Garden Of My Heart

 

Today, you will find my article "The Garden of my Heart" over at Women Walking With Jesus. I hope you will be encouraged as you read how God is weeding and working in my heart.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue 

The Little Girl

Visit me over at "Women Walking With Jesus" and read my article "The Little Girl." Everyone leaves an impact on the lives of those they nurture. You may not realize the impact you are leaving. Be encouraged, your impact may be far greater than you realize.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

What "Prayer" means to me.

What "Prayer" means to me:

Indwelling presence and power much greater than my own, continually translating my groaning and fear into gentle whispers entering the heart of God. All the while each prayer transforms my heart and spirit. With each heart-transformation, Jesus is reflected through my responses to adversity and pain sweeping fear out of the deep recesses and crevasses of my heart and filling it with His peace.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." Ephesians 6:18 NIV

No request is too great for God. He cares about every detail of our lives.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea Bowling Perdue

Perfect, not me!

If you struggle with the "Need to be PERFECT," I've written an article for Women Walking With Jesus you may want to read. I pray God will speak through my words to each of you and work miraculously through each heart and life. Healing is yours, my friends. God wants you to soar in freedom with Him.

As you read, "Perfect, not me!" May you find strength and courage to fully surrender those unhealthy needs to Jesus and begin living the life He created you to live.

By His mercy and in the grip of His grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Healing

'Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this." Proverbs 3:4-6 The Message


While biopsies may not be fun, Doug has settled into a regimen of obtaining them yearly. It's been two and half years now since his diagnosis of prostate cancer. Initially, we were in a state of grief and emotional distress. The word "cancer" evoked countless emotions within each of us. Over time, God has taught us many things about ourselves and also about Himself, the Great Physician.

In January, Doug had his third biopsy. This is our second "cancer free" biopsy. The doctor can not explain where the cancer went, because the course of treatment we chose was holistic.  Doug's  treatment plan was a change of diet and a decision to pray our way through it. Our initial decision was based upon the type of cancer and fully supported by his doctor. In fact, Doug and I were inclined to seek surgery or other options, but his doctor recommended we proceed slowly. He said, "research showed the type of cancer he had was slow growing."  We chose to have yearly biopsies and bi-annual check-ups with blood-work, etc.

In January, Dr. Morgan said, "I don't know what you are doing, but keep doing it. I can not find the cancer. We know it was there and we know we have not done anything to remove it. I know I am biopsying in the correct area, yet it is NOT showing up."

Doug said, "God can take it away!"

Dr. Morgan jumped up and hugged Doug and said, "Stay focused on that!"

Doug was Dr. Morgan's last patient of the day. It was a beautiful sight to see Doug and Dr. Morgan basically skip down the halls chatting about how good God is as we prepared to leave.

Doug will continue to have biopsies and tests as scheduled. With each positive result we are thankful for the time we have been given and pray God continues to bless us with many more years together. Doug and I have learned to trust God with each moment of our lives. We have also learned to embrace the blessings and adventures in our path. Each day is a new day; keep your focus on God and trust Him with every detail of your lives.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea Bowling Perdue

Grace Happened

GRACE:

~undeserved, yet given
~beautiful, yet misunderstood
~forever, yet forsaken
~free, yet longed for

It doesn't make sense, yet "Grace" happened. So, let's stop stumbling over what we don't understand and embrace the fullness of Christ and all He has to offer.

~His forgiveness
~His grace
~His love
~His acceptance

It's already there....available and free to all who accepts. Jesus has already given/sacrificed "all!" That happened on the Cross.

The Cross is the only place in this life where we always win.

We win:

~grace
~forgiveness
~love
~acceptance

The Cross frees us to be the people God created us to be. Lord, help us to find this person within ourselves.

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again." John 3:16-17 The Message

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Tragedy

The shock of tragedy intensifies grief. One moment life is normal and the next moment normal is gone. We spend the rest of our lives searching for a new normal. God graciously supplies the strength through His presence to step back into the race He's called us to run. However, we must choose to embrace and trust Him. We do not choose tragedy, but we choose how we handle it.

" The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him— my father’s God, and I will exalt him!" Exodus 15:1-3

By HIS mercy and in the grip of His grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue 

Questioning GOD

 

 Today, I am sharing about a season of life where I "Questioned GOD!" Actually, I share about several seasons and how important it is to journey on with our Savior, Jesus. Please join me over at "Women Walking With Jesus." I pray each of you will be encouraged.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

One Pebble at a Time

"Never stop praying." 
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT


Over the years, many people have called me a prayer warrior. The name seems overwhelming and unattainable. Yet, as I began tossing each pebble size prayer at God I suppose I was building prayer warrior skills. They were not pretty prayers and many times they were more like inaudible groans from a dying animal or a flood of tears from a broken damn. They were my prayers to a loving, gracious, and merciful God; a God who sent His son to save and restore me to the person He created me to be.

Each person who prayers and seeks God is a prayer warrior. Our prayers range from fragmented pebbles to giant boulders as we continue on our journey through this life. We must warrior on, one pebble at a time.

One pebble at a time
We build
We grow

One pebble at a time
We live
We know

One pebble at a time
His love
We show

One pebble at a time
With grace and mercy
Our prayers go

One pebble at a time

By His mercy and in the grip of His grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue 

New and Exciting Ministry

I am excited to share a new ministry site with each of you,  Women Walking With Jesus. You will find daily encouragement, love, and much more through real life stories from women around the world. I am thankful to be a part of this uniquely designed group of ladies. May the love, mercy, and grace of Jesus be your constant blessing as you visit Women Walking With Jesus!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea Bowling Perdue

~ Needs

Thought for the day:

~When you don't have everything you need.......all you need is what you already have!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,
Andrea Bowling Perdue

MUD PUDDLES!

After Sunday morning church, Savannah and Elijah climbed a big hill. I thought I would take their picture by the "three wooden crosses" standing atop the hill by our church (New Life UMC), with my I-phone.

On the way back down, they began to stumble. Stumbling became rolling and rolling became crawling out of the the only mud puddle in sight. At least and acre of land around the crosses and they land in the only mud puddle we could see.

Lauren (our daughter and Elijah's mom) and I laughed hysterically as did Savannah and Elijah. Both children were muddy and wet from head to toe. Elijah's little wool dress coat will be going to the dry cleaners, today. Lauren and I could see it was going to happen, but there was nothing we could do to stop it.

Isn't that the way life is sometimes? We are moving along, making wise steps, climbing mountains hand in hand with those we love, and the next thing we know we slip and fall into a messy mud puddle. It's in that moment we have two choices:

1)Get angry and wallow in the mess flinging mud on all those around us.

2)Help one another out of the mud puddle, clean up the mess, and move forward with hearts full of love and laughter.

So, the next time you unexpectedly land in one of life's mud puddles, clean up the mess and embrace the next step God has for you. Life's too short to linger in the muddy places consumed with anger and/or guilt about the fall. Be thankful for the journey and watch your step.

Remember, we are all one step away from a slip-sliding mess. Keep your eyes on Jesus and enjoy the journey.

"Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow."
Psalm 25:4 NLT

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

~If you are wondering, the series of pictures I took did not come out. Too much glare! 

Loving the "Bad Apples!"

Remember the seemingly wise words your parents or grandparents  use to admonish you with?

"All it takes is one bad apple to ruin them all!"

For me this implied one of two things:

1) Don't be the bad apple and lead others to ruin.

2)Don't socialize with bad apples or you might become one.

Lately, I've been thinking about how this applies to my walk with the Lord and the church (fellowship of believers). Let's presume our church (fellowship of believers) is a healthy spiritual community. Now, what happens or what should happen when we have one apple exhibiting unhealthy choices?

While there are admonitions in scripture for those who offend and directions on how to handle ourselves, rarely do I see them carried out effectively. There are cases handled beautifully and lives are redeemed, but I find those few and far between.

After much prayer and thought, I believe the radical difference is actually very simple. It's all in the heart and attitude of the community (fellowship of believers). When God speaks to my heart admonishing me the first thing I hear is "how much HE loves me and will continue to love me whether I choose to make wise decision or I choose sin!" Once I've felt the presence of the Lord's love, HE begins to radically work within my heart cleaning up the mess I've independently made of things.

If that's how God approaches us, shouldn't we approach others in and outside the fellowship in the same way? Shouldn't we continue to love while setting healthy boundaries?

We can "lovingly" stand firm!

Many times I've messed up.
Many times I've sinned.
Many times I've been in a pit of my own choosing and in some cases a pit caused by others actions.

I will be forever thankful for those who loved me through life's messes whether I caused them or they were the result of others actions. They loved me when I wasn't capable of being lovable. At my worst moments, God sent earthly angels to stand alongside me, pray for me, and most importantly love me.

Today and every day, as we ( fellowship of believers) face the unlovable what will we do?

Remember: NONE of us started out with a strong faith. We start as babies and grow daily into the people God created us to be.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Normal or Not?

Normal, what does it look like?

To most of us, normal means fitting in; being a part of; a look-a-like. Normal seems to be associated with a steady, unshaken state where everyone does the same things, wears the same styles, and doesn't disagree. Now, I know this is not the Webster definition for normal, but when I listen to others say, "you/they aren't normal," I realize normal is in the eye of the beholder or group of beholders.  We humans often deem normal as a state of comfort or a safe place. Normal in these terms doesn't really exist and when it does it is both boring and does NOT promote spiritual or emotional growth.

I don't know about you, but in my world  normal is usually no where in sight. In fact, the more abnormal the circumstances the greater God's presence seems to be. I, too fall into the trap of longing to be surrounded with people who agree with me at all times. I'm reminded, Jesus was found time and time again with people who were "different/not normal."

God continues to pour Himself out to me as I step out of my comfort-zone and into uncomfortable situations. He is stretching and growing me in different ways than those around me, but just maybe He is using my presence in their lives, too. God uses "the not normal" to grow me and help me stay the course He's called me to.

So, if someone says, "You are NOT NORMAL!" It's a compliment. You are probably stretching them. Evaluate your decisions based upon God's word and what He's called you to do, NOT what others think is normal or not normal.

Now, get out there....walk, run, grow, and don't forget to stretch! Stretching is good for all of us whether we like it or not.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of His grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

Love, A Living Legacy!

Pictured above are two of my three grandchildren, Savannah and Elijah. Baby Charley, our newest edition is too little to come out in the snow. If you asked me what legacy I would like to leave them it would be to:

“........You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind......."
Matthew 22:36-40 NLT

I know it's not easy, but I pray each of them will learn to embrace this greatest commandment with all their heart, soul, and mind!

My thoughts on how to "LOVE!"

Love God...
Love others...
Love self...

It really is a matter of the heart. The only time in scripture where Jesus became extremely angry...to the point of throwing tables is with the money changers in the temple. God recently brought this passage to my mind. As I pondered Jesus actions and anger, I thought of tables flipping over and money flying everywhere. WOW! What a scene that must have been. Again, I pondered his anger and the actions of all those present. Certainly, many had sinned and done it in the presence of Jesus, but this time He became furious.

Why was Jesus so angry?

His anger was not so much what they were doing and where they were doing it, but WHY they were doing it! It really was a matter of the heart.

Their motives: All selfish.
They put money before God.
They "loved" money more than they "loved" God.
Their hearts were filled with greed.

Any thing, person, or possession we place above God puts us in the same position. It's a matter of the heart. Do we truly love GOD more than anything and do we show it in our actions towards others. Loving GOD with all our heart, soul, and mind, and our neighbor as ourself truly is the greatest commandment.

We are selfish by nature. It's probably why we are to put ourselves third. Now, before you go out and abuse your body trying to take care of everything on your own, hear me out.

Self-care is very important. Our bodies house "the Holy God!" So, we must treat them as the gift and treasure they are. In doing so, we are healthy enough to be "present" in the moment and participate as God's living vessels.

As simple as it is; it's pretty complicated. Well, we make it that way.

I pray my grandchildren will be healthy spiritually, emotionally, and physically and will run an awesome race here on planet earth. And for each of you, my friends....I pray this same prayer.

By His mercy and in the grip of His grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue