Rest for the Weary

From Contributing Writer, Kimberlee Mendoza

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-29).

These words spoken by Jesus, nourish my soul every time I read them. It is comforting to know that when I am overwhelmed and burdened by the worries of this life, Christ calls to me and promises rest for my weary soul.

His rest comes when I put my trust in Him. As I consciously yield myself to Him, trusting His plans for my future, I find the peace I have been longing for.

His rest comes when I finally stop trying to control my life. When I stop striving and trying to manipulate people and events. As I learn to not only accept but embrace His timing and provision in my life, I find the rest He promises me.

His rest comes when I surrender the fear that hinders me and steals my joy. As I magnify Him rather than my anxiety, my fears are assuaged, my faith is strengthened and I find peace.

His rest comes as I allow Him to heal the wounds of my past. When I invite His grace to cover me and heal my heart, my soul is released from unforgiveness and bitterness. And I find His rest.

Jesus offers rest for the weary soul. The rest he offers is active, not passive. It is life-changing and transformational. Obtaining this rest requires my life. My whole life. It requires trust. It requires me to surrender my hopes, dreams, fears, and doubts. Some of these things are easy to surrender and some are terrifying. Truthfully, most of us really do think we know what is best for us. Jesus encourages us to learn from him and reminds us that the life he offers us is not burdensome or difficult to bear. As we endeavor to trust Christ and live surrendered lives before Him, we will find rest for our souls. 

Granola Recipe

Courtesy: Tina Burke

Tina made this for Bible study yesterday & It was like heaven in a cup along with greek yogurt & a couple of fresh blueberries. I think it was to yogurt chips that won me over. Definitely will be making this! Will post a pic when I do : )

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup almonds, chopped 

1 cup pecans, chopped

3/4 cup sweet coconut, chopped fine

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup dried cranberries

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Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.

In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.

Remove from oven and let cool. Transfer into a large bowl and add dried cranberries and mix until evenly distributed.

(I add about a cup of yogurt chips and/or chocolate mini chip)

Embracing Forgiveness

From Contributing Writer, Kimberlee Mendoza

The heart of the gospel is that we are all sinners, in need of forgiveness, and that Christ died on the cross to set us free from the power and ultimate consequence of sin.

As believers, we are assured that all our sins- past, present and future- are forgiven.  This is perhaps the most powerful and liberating aspect of coming to Christ.  Regarding sin, the psalmist declares “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalms 103:12).  Similarly, the Apostle John writes “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).  The Bible declares that God’s forgiveness is limitless and, where sin abounds, His grace will abound all the more (Romans 5:20). 

Although there is no sin so terrible or shameful that it cannot be forgiven, there are some sins that are harder for us to release than others.  Sometimes, the memory of past sin continues to haunt us even after we have repented.  In this way, Satan exploits our feelings of shame by whispering that we are not good enough or that God would never use us; that he does not really love us; or by telling us if people knew what we had done in the past, we would be rejected.  We must remember that Satan is the father of lies.  If he can trap us in his web and deceive us into believing that we are condemned by our past, then he keeps us in a state of discouragement, limits our effectiveness and steals the freedom that comes through GRACE.  We are the most powerful for the kingdom of God, when we are firmly convinced that we are forgiven from every transgression- no matter how dark or ugly or shameful.  In Isaiah, God declares “though your sins are as scarlet, they will be white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).

Can you imagine if King David or the Apostle Paul allowed condemnation or shame to prevent them from embracing forgiveness and fully living for God?  Think of how the course of human history would be changed!  King David paved the way for the temple to be built and penned some of his most beautiful psalms after his sin with Bathsheba and after he wrongfully had her husband Uriah killed.  How? Because David had experienced the grace of God and he was firmly convinced that he had been forgiven of all his trespasses.  Similarly, the Apostle Paul preached the gospel all around the world and wrote nearly half of the New Testament, in spite of his past persecution of the Church.  How is this possible?  Paul encountered the living God, on the road to Damascus, and was cleansed from all his sins.  The forgiveness of God liberates the soul and empowers the believer to live victoriously.

Only when we are convinced that we are forgiven, can we truly be free from the shame and condemnation of sin.  I have found it helpful, when I am reminded of past sin, to acknowledge that it was for that specific sin that Christ died.  When my thoughts condemn me, I imagine God wiping each sin away and cleansing each shameful memory.  Accepting His forgiveness also requires me to trust His promise to cleanse me from all my unrighteousness.  This step is intentional. Trust is purposing in my heart to believe God and fully embrace His forgiveness in my life.

Field Trip Thursday March 15

We will be heading out to Kahler Russel Park (735 N. Glendora Ave.) for our March Field Trip. We are meeting at 9:30 AM. Now, I hear this park is awesome for young kids because it is fully enclosed. This makes it easier to keep an eye on them while we share life together. Bring snacks/lunch/water. See you there! (Let us know if you want to come, but need a ride under the "contact" page).