an answer to a question

I've asked a lot of questions about faith and forgiveness over the last few years. I'd like to post something I read this last week from The Life Recovery Bible (NLT)(1998) Tyndale.

[Begin quoted text]
Our addictive patters are "sinful," so it is common to feel awkward about getting close to God. We may feel ineligible to receive God's love and, instead, expect his angry judgement. We might feel guilty and be afraid that God will reject us. Secretly we wish that we could have a loving relationship with God, but we are afraid we could never be good enough.

The apostle Paul has shown us that we can have the love and acceptance we desire: "For the Scriptures tell us, 'Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.' When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners....And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn't just for Abraham's benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God" (Romans 4:3-5, 23-25).

There are free gifts waiting for us that are essential to the recovery process. God's forgiveness, acceptance, and powerful support. God makes it clear that we have been declared "not guilty" in his court of justice if we have trusted Christ. He has promised to give us a special home in heaven with our name on it. There is no need for us to do anything but to accept his free gifts. When we turn our life over to God, we gain far more than we could ever lose!
[End quoted text]

new car

I'm enjoying the new car. It rides so great and gets really good gas mileage which is going to help me a lot in my daily commute. Today the plan was to wash the car, but its cloudy out and I just heard thunder. The forecast called for a 20% chance of rain.

soccer tourney

Today I spent the day in Edmond with my sister, mom and neice. Taylor has a tournament this weekend. Today they tied one game and won the other. Tomorrow they will enter the playoffs.

students first day

It was an exciting day as I met 130 students of mine. I'm not that great with names so this will be a challenge remembering all 130 names.

Start of School

Today teachers reported to school. This year I am teaching 6 hours of gemoetry. This will be a challenge since geometry isn't my first love like algebra is.

blood

Tonight in Bible study, the leader was talking about the woman who had the issue of blood from Mark 5. She said she had asked herself the question, "Do I have an issue with Christ's blood?" I asked myself the same question. Do I really believe that His blood can cover ALL sin, or do I think it covers only certain sins. I think in the past since I haven't been able to forgive myself that I've subconsciously been thinking that way. The past 6 months have been a real break through. I'm going to church now on a regular basis. I'm getting involved in this church. I'm attending regular bible studies and I thank God that He is healing me of many of my hurts, habits and hangups.

POPS

Today my mom, sister, nephew and two of my mom's nephews went to POPS to check the place out. It's in Arcadia, OK on Route 66. Pops has over 500 flavors of bottled pop. POPS