Journal 2-12-14

Romans 8:28-30; 8:35; 8:37-39; 1 Peter 5:6-10

     For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called to His purpose (v. 28). In verse 35 he asks can tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, or danger separate us from the love of Christ? In verse 37 he says that in all things we are conquerors through Him who loves us.

     Many times I have wanted to give up on life and just let my feel good memories take over and consume me. At times I have been strong and at times I have been weak. I'm writing this lesson for the people who need encouragement in their lives today. Has anybody ever been lost? Do you remember the feeling? Scared, lonely, panic etc. It's a feeling I can't describe just plain hopelessness. In every direction you look you have no hope or good feeling. You are just lost. You don't know what direction to go or how to get there. You remember what it looks like, the sounds, the smells of home, or the people who are supposed to exist in this place where you just can't seem to get to. For me at times that has been happiness - family, laughter, security. A place filled with love, warmth, and protection. A place of rest for my soul. Home!
     When I was asked to leave my home where my 4 children lived with my wife, I felt lost and hopeless, alone like I've never been. No kids to come home to, no laughter, no warmth, no love, just quiet isolation. It's taken me several years to figure out but I traded that security for my own selfish desires because it felt good at the time. It's taken me 7 years now of miserable distress to hit my knees and realize that God is the answer to all my problems to the fear, loneliness, and rejection I've been feeling.
     Every time I've actually been lost in the woods or on a hunting trip, eventually I was found, heard a noise, saw a light, or somehow someway just picked the "right" direction to travel in so that I came across my saving grace which would be a trail, a road, or something. You get the picture. Well, the same is true in our lives and there are so many places in the Bible that God tells us and promises us that we can be conquerors of all these things through Him. It's a great feeling to be found and to know that all things are possible. Together with our lives focused on Christ we don't have to panic anymore!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely to us so we can run the race set before us with endurance and we too can be conquerors in all things through Him who loves us. In Jesus name, Amen.

Random thought: I know that God is working in my life today and that for those who love me and look to me for support that is a good thing because without Him we would all be lost. There are so many people I know and care about that are lost and feeling some of the same things I have felt in my life. I know that in the quiet places of this world when they think about their lives they want more than what they have received. Well, those of you who know me know I'm real and wouldn't hurt anybody or lead you astray. In my life the answer to those fears and bad feelings have been fixed somehow someway by the power of Jesus! Just sayin'...
     P.S. If you read the scriptures I have for you at the top of the page before you read my notes you might understand better what I'm talking about Savanah, Faith, & Hunter. Mia make your mom read them to you! Love you guys.
     I don't know why but today I just feel like talking, writing, and praying. I got some good news today. My daughter told me that my brother and his wife were reading the posts and I just wanted to say how good that makes me feel. For many years I have struggled and they have come to my rescue. They have no idea how amazing it makes me feel to know that I could offer them something after I've taken so much! I hope that all my friends and family are able to see the real me through these posts and that the Cody they know, the one who is a taker and is selfish, is doing all he knows to do to give back to all the people who have given. Love you guys.