No Condemnation!!

How badly do you smell?? Do you stink?

"Sara, I thought this blog was supposed to be comforting?" Well, yes it is. Let me explain.
Sometimes I think I smell. Yes, smell. Stink to high, high heaven, as we like to say here in the south. Sometimes, there are other people who tell me I stink. Stink bad. Stink to high, high heaven. As you can well imagine this makes me feel pretty ashamed. You know, like you want to really look good to someone; make and impression; and you forgot your deodorant.
It is pretty hard when I smell my own stink. I know it is there and it tears me up inside. Thinking about my sin and the sin I've carried around in the past. But, I tell you it can really tear me up when someone else tells me they can smell my stink from a mile away. Whether it is true or not, whether I've had my bath or not. They smell me and let me know it. It is even worse when they leave the impression that they have no stink and they won't let me wash mine off.

But, my dear friends, here's the "Comforting" part. God has given me my bath. I don't stink to Him anymore!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I'm washed in the blood of His own precious Son, His own blood. He DID that for me. Can you believe it?? I hope you can, because if you can, you won't stink either. Glory! Guess what? You really, really, won't smell and you NEVER, NEVER, will again. So anyone who says they can smell your stink is wrong and untrustworthy. Oh, we may need to check in with the Father for a little spit bath of repentance now and again. But never putrid, never filthy.

I wish I could convey to you how this cleanliness feels.

Here are some life-giving verses for you. I would encourage you to memorize them so that when you smell the stink you can remember:

Romans 7:14-8:1

...but I am carnal, sold under sin,

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man;

But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

O WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM! WHO SHALL DELIVER ME FROM THE BODY OF THIS DEATH (this stink)?

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; But with the flesh the law of sin.

There is NOW NO CONDEMNATION to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Sunday at Comfort Cottage

I find it truly amazing that I can go all week, doing all the work I need to do with a family of seven, and not very often need a nap. However, I have noticed that Sundays are very different.

Sometimes our Sundays are full of fellowship with families from our church. We often fellowship on this day leu of an evening service. Most of the time we come home and spend it together as a family. This is fine, because we like to be together.

I have noticed an amazing thing. On all the other days of the week I move along and get my work done. At the end of the day I am surely ready for bed. But, on Sundays it seems as though God "makes" me extremely exhausted. It is as if all the residual fatigue of the week bursts forth like a dam breaking on Sunday. Whether I am home or away, no matter, the deep fatigue strikes. I am not saying this is a bad thing. On the contrary, I am trying to feebly explain what I feel is very much a "God Thing". I believe when He commanded a Sabbath rest He meant it. I seems as though He commands me to take this rest for my own good without my consent .;)

Some Sundays we all do quiet things, not necessarily napping, but resting. We read, play board games, sit outside on the porch or deck, make homemade ice cream, listen to music, ride bikes, take walks, ect. Today was one of the 'other' kind of Sundays. When there was an overwhelming need for sleep.

Just as we parked the car in the drive a black cloud of rain came toward the house. It was accompanied by low rolling thunder. (The kind I love.) As soon as everyone was in the house the rain began to pour slightly heavy, but slow. We had already had a fellowship meal so everyone was fed. I tried to sit in the chair and read, but I knew it was no use. I went to my bedroom, changed into my cozy flannel shirt ( yes, I know it is July, but the house was cool and I wanted "comfort"). I climbed into my tall shaker pine four poster bed. I listened to that beautiful low roll of thunder and the rain pouring down and spent some time talking to my Father about some things that were on my heart. He is so sweet. He gave me a deep and restful sleep that I needed very much. I think I can meet my week now. I won't be starting the week with a debt I can't catch up on.

A restful Sabbath is just one more Comfort from God our Father. He knows what's needed. He knows our frame. He created us. It is so nice to see God's wisdom for my life and move with it, as if it were the tide. Just let it wash me onto shore where I need to be and enjoy.

Hope your Sabbath was a blessing to you.

Just Another Blog?

The first roses of summer in bloom at Comfort Cottage.

"Sara, you should get you a blog.

"Why?" would always be my reply. I'm a pretty straight-forward person. I have learned through the years that it is often better to just go to God in prayer than to say what I think.

So why were some saying that I should let the WHOLE WORLD know what I think. Talk about trouble! :) I've read posts from beautiful blogging sisters who were hurt by cruel critism. The idea of this does not thrill me. I have lots of things to say and talk about; but is any of it truly worthwhile, eternal ? There are, after all, so many blogs out there. Do I have the time to blog? I am working really hard to get (and keep) my act together at home ( whatever that means) that blogging seemed it might be an unnecessary intrusion. Time spent that should be used on more important things.

I began praying about this a long time ago. Time, years really, have past. I kept expecting God to put a stop to the idea. But, I kept being led in this direction. One of the brothers at our fellowship preached for us one sunday. He mentioned the great priviledge that blogging has afforded believers to comfort one another. Something clicked. God has also allowed me some opportunities to encourage (comfort) in my own sphere of influence. Another click. Then, I thought, "Well, I'll just make a list of blog names. There's no great commitment in that and it might be fun." So a long list developed. After such an effort, I thought I might as well check blogger to see if any of these names were taken. All of the names I originally chose were used. My next thought was, "How comforting to know God is leading me. Help me Lord." Wow! That's it! How about 'Comfort Cottage'! No competion for that name in sight. I didn't even have to spell it funny.

I like blogs that seem to have a general theme. Immediately, God began to bring to mind verses and phrases that have to do with comfort. There are many. How I love the comfort that God brings me on a minute-by-minute basis. I began to see I could maybe have something to offer. I hope to share my life in little bits. My hope is that God can be seen by anyone reading this blog when I share what He is doing in the little and big things in my life.

It is a comfort to know I am in His will. Thank you Lord.