Apple Pie and a content Conversation

...in a coffee shop with bar stools, and a good view of a sidewalk covered in orange leaves. Yeah.



I don't feel like writing now. I got up at 3:30 this morning, worked an 8 hour day, and got home an hour ago. And I've got to phone some people and find some material for the bible study tomorrow.

But last night.... and the sermon on Sunday, coincide strangely. I felt I needed to share about them... specifically to a friend of mine. But I wanted to attempt to share how God has been speaking to me with all of you... So I'll try.

'Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas (Peter)"'

The meaning of the name 'Simon' in hebrew is 'Reed'. Wimpy. One who is blown along with everyone else by a common wind. A crowd follower.
The meaning of 'Peter' is 'Rock'. Steadfast. Faithful.
Jesus was promising Peter that he would change. He was acknowledging that, yes, Peter was weak now, and yes, he would be blown over. He would fail. But at the same time Jesus was promising him another chance. He was saying, 'Peter, you WILL start to live as I have. You will become a rock, that I will build my church on.' Jesus told him out right, that Satan would sift him as wheat... He told him that he would deny his Lord three times before dawn. But Jesus also reassured him... saying that He had prayed that Peter's faith would not fail. He even said to him, 'When you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethern.' He gave him his ultimate mission. Before he even failed. Peter's faith was not dependant on how strong he was. His faith was tended, and made steady by God himself. It did not fail, even though Peter did.

"It would seem, that some Christians have a message of forgiveness for the unbeliever, but no message of forgiveness for the believer. I'm glad that God does!"
-George Duncan

Be perfectly certain that before you ever made a single mistake, before you were blown by the winds of sin, before you were pushed aside from your place of faithfulness... God saw it coming. He knew it would happen. Just as He knew Peter would deny Him. But He knew that your faith would hold strong! He knew that His forgiveness would buy you righteousness again. He knew that through His blood, You would be made whole again! You would be pure, and righteous again in the eyes of God!! And He said, 'Here, with my forgiveness, I will always present you with another chance.'
I have been a reed so many times in my life. I have failed. I have denied my Lord three times *many* fold! I have allowed myself to sink away from a place of surrender, a place of fulfillment... I've let myself be drawn so far away from God that I have wanted to kill myself. I'm perfectly serious. I have made every mistake I could. I have broken every commandment, and many many hearts. I have hurt people. I've been unfaithful to my King. I have looked at women lustfully, and therefore committed adultery. I have squandered much of my purity.
Yet my faith is still renewed... I'm am still given another chance to be a part of the foundation of God's church! The only way I would not be given another chance to become the faithful servent, a corner stone, that Christ has intended me to be is if *I* myself do not accept it!
The forgiveness of God is not something to take lightly. It is not to be taken for granted. Take time to just ponder it... It should be enough to fill our hearts, and souls with joy and thankfulness so deep that we would not be able to walk straight! Yet very seldom have I ever experienced something even close to that. You know why? Because I would not fully accept forgiveness, and allow His blood to clense me head to toe.
*near weeping* DO NOT STOP LONGING TO BE WHOLE AND FAULTLESS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD. I plead with you, receive the newness God is offering you. Take hold of the oppertunity to become Peter, instead of Simon. It will happen. Just as God promised Simon it would, so I believe he has also promised you and me the same.

To have known Jesus... to have walked with Him, and loved Him. Exhaulted Him as God.... and then to have betrayed Him three times... Can you picture what Peter saw of himself? Can you imagine his deep pain and shame? I think I can, because I've been there.
But your faith must stand. It WILL stand because God himself is there, with you. Weep in His arms, and discover joy. Live.


Grace and Peace surround you. May the God of all Heaven and Earth never leave you nor forsake you. May He make his face to shine upon you, and be good to you.

'Oh God, You are my God, and I will ever praise You'