blog for August 10th

Proverbs 5,6

Colossians 1

I've read that Paul had somewhat of a pattern in his letters: a greeting, a prayer, some doctrine and a practical application of how Christians should live.  In the beginning of his letter "to the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse" (1:2), Paul reminds us whose we are.  He writes, "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation - if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel" (1:21-23).

In the most current season of my spiritual life, I've been reminded of the beautiful gift of reconciliation.  To be reconciled is to reunite, bring (back) together (again), restore friendly relations between, make peace between; pacify, appease, placate, mollify; formal conciliate.

The passage above tells us that we are reconciled to God because of Christ's sufferings.  Christ reunites us with God.  He brings us back.  He is the bridge that closes the gap between us and our Father.  The beautiful dove of peace.  The restorer.  The redeemer.

There are days, sometimes weeks, sometimes years, when we cannot fathom the love and forgiveness of God.  Times when we can't see beyond our own shame, guilt, and embarrassment because of our former "evil behavior."  But here, we are reminded of the new covenant poured out for us as an offering of love...  The act of Christ done in order to save us from ourselves....

Today, try and see the sacrifice in a new light...

Instead of dwelling on the past, spend today receiving the love of Christ.  

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!"  Isaiah 43:18-19

Samantha Tashman

Program Manager - Recruiting and Public Awareness

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Samantha Tashman
Mountain T.O.P.
Program Manager—Recruiting and Public Awareness
(931) 692-3999
www.mountain-top.org

"From the moment a soul has the grace to know God, she must seek." -Mother Teresa

Mountain T.O.P. is an interdenominational Christian Mission affiliated with the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church, dedicated to rural life ministry in the Cumberland Mountains of Tennessee.