Sierra’s Story – Chapter Ten with lagniappe from Shellie
Thanks for dropping by! It blesses me to no end that you’d take time to meet me here. I imagine you’re gearing up for the Fourth, too. It’s one of this family’s favorite holidays. We’ll give thanks for this land we love and count our many blessings. Phil and I are trying to put up as much sweet in the freezer as possible before it gets too hard. It’s always a race, and a challenging one, but having that gold bagged up is worth it! This weekend I’ll serve a brimming crockpot of creamed corn to an appreciative crowd of happy family members. Yes, there will be butter, and bacon, and we’ll eat it like candy! (Speaking of good eats, did you see the Pepper Jack Shrimp Wraps in the kitchen? Have mercy! You’ve got to try them and get back to me.)
I’m also preparing for the 5th Annual Pops and Keggie Kamp that will follow the Fourth activities. Those of you who have been around here a while will remember the lovely chaos of Kamp when we host our grands without their parents. I’ll report on it when I recover. LOL! Here’s a pic from our very first Kamp, and then one from last year. I refuse to say time is flying because it’s just so cliché. Oh, wait. I just did.
(If you’re reading on a podcast platform, you’ll need to go to ShellieT.com for pics.)
But, about my reply. I’m thinking someone else could identify with my testimony, that it could help you learn to nourish yourself in Jesus alone, so I’m pasting it here. Please consider watching the video first.
My testimony to the girls and now to you:
Yes!!! The enemy used to be successful at making me feel like a broken record because I talk so much of the necessity of continually preaching the gospel of Jesus the Way, to myself first, every day, all the time— and then to others.
Every message I speak goes back to it and I used to think I needed to quit talking about it! (Didn’t I, Red? I can hear your amen from here.) The enemy lost that battle because I’m convinced of the universal need to hear this and the inability to hear it too much. As the wonderful believer in this video said, “If I don’t preach gospel to myself I fall back on works!” Yes!!!
My Achilles heel is the tendency to fall back to evaluating what I’ve done or haven’t done as my access to God’s throne. I can still, after all this time, after all my preaching of this glorious truth to myself and others, I can still find myself judging my performance for the reason He is “pleased” to dwell with me. I have to tell the devil he lies and run back to the throne ASAP with the Big Ticket in my hand.
I wasn’t “holding” my place in God’s favor because of anything I have or haven’t done, and when it feels difficult to sense His nearness and forgiveness because of my sinful act/word/or deed, it reveals to me that I was creeping back into that mindset, into trusting me for access. No!!! I stand in the favor of God because Jesus earned it and put me there. Living preaching the gospel to ourselves is inexhaustible fuel for worship!
Have a great day, friend. Jesus loves you this I know for the Bible tells me so. Trust Him with your life and DM me if I can help lead you to Him.
(If you’re reading on a podcast platform, you’ll need to go to ShellieT.com for pics.)
(Pic is from Father’s Day. I grabbed a moment with my Sunday School teacher from days gone by. Thank you Mrs. Marcella King for your service to the Lord, Sunday after Sunday, in that small classroom, in a rural country church. One little fidgety girl is forever grateful!)
Hugs,
Shellie
OH. MY! I got so busy catching up I almost forgot the show notes! In this week’s episode of Sierra’s Story, Sierra finally gives Charles Carpenter space to explain what happened all those years ago. But, when it appears it isn’t going to change things, Charles changes tactics, pressuring Sierra to take a long hard look at where she is and where her life is going. Meanwhile, several states away, Sierra’s parents begin taking tentative steps toward revealing the family secret that holds keys to the past that could impact her present and her future, all Sonny continues to piece together troubling clues about Sierra and Charles. Stay tuned!
Confession? Sometimes, it’s hard for me to believe I wrote this story. These people are driving me crazy. Each week I’m eager to share what happens next. ~Blessings, y’all!
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