Strangers No More

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Don't you love how God can drop us  into a group  of  Christian strangers and we instantly know we are family?

That happened to me last weekend. 

I was the guest speaker for the women's retreat at the Church on the Mountain in Welches, Oregon. I met a bunch of lovely, smart, funny and gifted women and was immediately swept up into their loving family. I was there to be a blessing to them, but from my perspective, I am the one who received a tsunami of blessings. I now have new sisters and brothers who will be close to me through now until forever.  

How is that possible?

It's a gift from God. 

John 13:34-35 says this - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Life as a Christian means we get to be part of something special. I know some of you have had "not so great experiences" in churches -  so have I. But we need to be patient with one another.

When we place our faith in Christ we immediately become part of God's family. We are his children and that makes us special. We're not suddenly perfect human-beings, but we are forgiven. And although we sometimes disappoint our Father and ourselves, that doesn't change our "status" with God. We still belong to Him.

It is comforting to know that no matter where we go, we have family - people we can count on - people who will pray for us, encourage us, help carry our burdens and who will love us just as we are.

I am thankful I got to be part of the Church on the Mountain for a day. The friendship, love, good food, and fun now lives in my memories where I can call upon them anytime and be reminded of God's goodness.

Thank you so much ladies for loving me.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Forty-Four Years & Still Together

Forty-four years ago today, I pledged to share my life with Gregory Leon. Celebrating still.

I met my handsome hunk of a man when I was just seventeen. He was nineteen and in the Navy. He looked so good in his uniform.

Truly hunky, right?







I was on my way out to a party, when my brother walked into  our house with a guy who had the most amazing green eyes and broad shoulders. I decided there was no reason to hurry out the door.

Our exchange that night was brief, but I was hooked. I never dated another man. And two years after our first meeting we were married. 

And after that day it was utter bliss and has been ever since - NOT!

This isn't a romance novel. We had a rough beginning, full of anguish and heartbreak. After four years together, we separated for seven months, and my husband filed for divorce. 

But that wasn't the end of our story.

God had other plans for us. As he worked in each of our hearts we realized how much we loved one another and came to understand that we belonged together. We each had a life-changing encounter with The Great I Am and offered our lives to Jesus Christ. And then, we began again, brand new in the Lord.

So, is there a magic formula for staying together? Is there a way to guarantee that you'll enjoy a long and happy marriage? No. I wish there was a formula. And if you find one please make sure to tell the world, which is in desperate need.

This is what I do know:

• When Greg and I became children of the Living God, we were made new and the anchor of our marriage became Christ. He is where we begin and where we end.
• The "D" word, divorce, is not in our vocabulary. We committed to the long haul, no matter what.
• Sacrifice is part of our life. We each give to the other (even when we don't want to)
• Forgiveness - There is nothing that we can't forgive. God forgave us everything.
• We give our partner wings to fly. And cheer each other on. And when one of us doesn't fly well we help pick him/her up and encourage them to fly again.
• There is no score board in our home. We try not to keep score of the faults in one another, but do make note of each other's good qualities ... often. And we tell one another that we know these wonderful things about the other.
• Saying thank you is more than just being polite. We say it often. 

There are a lot of other things I could add, but this short list is what comes to my mind first. Greg and I are imperfect and we're not always nice to each other. But the core of who we are is strong and no matter how ornery we get, we always come back to the core of us which is secured in love.

I am thankful for our life together. There are so many wonderful things I'd like to tell you about my husband, only there isn't room here. I will say this, I am thankful that God brought him into my life. And I am certain we will not be parted by anything other than death.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quite Moments With God -- Love Your Enemy

When we're treated unjustly or betrayed it hurts. It’s especially painful when the treachery comes from family or a close friend or a fellow Christian. I’ve been there. I’m there now. And I'm certain these feelings of betrayal will be part of my future. I know because even the best people can be thoughtless and unkind sometimes.

When we’re wounded by someone who ought to love us, what should we do? Strike back? Withdraw? Get angry or bitter? Never trust again?

The response God asks of us is to love . . . even our enemies. Not easy to do, but He’s clear about this. In Luke 6:32-36 we're told, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Convicting words. When I consider Christ on the cross, praying for mercy for those who cursed him—loving them and dying for them, I know what I must do. I must love. Is it easy? No. Is it spontaneous? Sometimes. Is it possible? Yes. God makes all things possible.

Allow the Lord to open your hearts. Love one another, forgive one another, be merciful to each other. Christ is our example. May His way be our way.

Trust in Him and He will create a new heart in you.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living -- Forgive Others

There’s a lot we can learn from children. We just have to pay attention.

A few weeks ago, two of my grandsons provided me with a delightful picture of forgiveness. The two cousins, both six years old, are buddies. They don’t live in the same state, but when they get together it’s like they’ve never been apart. It’s always instant bonding. For as long as they have, they play at full tilt.

Over the holidays they were blessed with almost two weeks of fun. It was inevitable that their joy would be interrupted by some sort of conflict. I don’t know what happened, exactly, but one of them did or said something that hurt the other and soon they were at war, both angry and hurt.

Eventually they each sought out a sounding board. Ezra went to his mother, and Gabe came to me. Interestingly my daughter and I gave basically the same advice, that they should work it out between themselves. Not long afterward I saw the two together. They were smiling and shaking hands, their eyes full of laughter, love and forgiveness. After the handshake they walked off together, side-by-side, arms draped around each other’s shoulders. All was forgiven and forgotten. They had more important things to do than fight.

If only us adults could move on so easily. Instead, we tend to hang onto our hurts, nurturing them and wondering if it’s possible to forgive an offense. The world would be a better place if we were more like children. Doesn’t God say we ought have childlike faith? Why not childlike forgiveness as well?

Ephesians 4:32 says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

To love and to forgive, that’s the better way. Instead of allowing our wounds to fester and corrupt our spirits lets shake hands, throw our arms around each other and get on with things.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living--Forgive One Another

August 14th, my husband and I celebrated our 37th anniversary. It’s almost too many years to imagine. Even more difficult to imagine is that at one time we weren’t going to make it at all. We’d separated and filed for divorce.

After four turbulent years Greg and I had decided being married to one another was not what we wanted. We’d committed unforgiveable offenses against each other. I was not an ideal wife, far from it. Proverbs 19:13 says, A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping. I was a quarrelsome wife. And I let my husband down in untold ways. Greg was no piece of cake either. He had a foul temper and a wandering eye.

After discovering he’d been unfaithful, we split. Seemingly there was no way for us to succeed as a couple. We had destroyed the love we'd had when we first set out together. After months of tousling, all that was left to do was sign the divorce papers.

But God had another plan, a better plan. He meant to save our marriage. It began with Christ, and he asked us to forgive. During our separation I discovered Jesus and accepted Him as my savior. I was new person and began to pray for my marriage.

After months, we were miraculously reconciled. Greg came to know Christ and has been a man of God ever since. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit were we able to forgive each other. And God restored our love.

I sometimes think about what would have happened if Greg and I had been unwilling to listen to God and to obey Him. I’m sure I’d have no inkling even of where he was or what kind of life he had lived. But God was gracious and because of His love we are still together, and we are in love and looking forward to many more years together. It took a miracle, but here we are, still the two of us.

Is there something you think is unforgiveable? If so, think about all God has forgiven you. What would happen if He couldn’t forgive you? Where would we all be then?

Forgive one another, love one another and good things will come.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie