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Archive for November, 2012

Are You the Prostitute or the Pharisee?

Posted on: November 29th, 2012 by Laurie Coombs 3 Comments

I’m reading several books right now. I do that. In fact, oftentimes I read four to five books at a time. Admittedly this isn’t the best way to go about reading, but it works for me––most of the time. Anyway, I think Jesus has been trying to get my attention. The story of the sinful woman being forgiven by Jesus found in Luke 7 was presented in two different books I’m reading within days of each other. Both accounts painted the scene with vivid color. Flesh was given to these individuals as they came alive before my eyes. The authors explored the tension held in the room, the feelings of those in attendance, and all of the cultural intricacies at play––all drawn from biblical and historical sources. Here’s this woman. This prostitute. She sees Jesus, dining with a Pharisee. Overtaken by emotion, she enters into the room and approaches Jesus,…

Knowing God is the End Goal

Posted on: November 27th, 2012 by Laurie Coombs

A few weeks ago, the Holy Spirit challenged me with this: Have I been seeking God for what He can do for me or do I simply want Him? Ouch. Well, I think you can imagine what my answer was at the time. But it wasn’t always this way. When I was first saved (and for quite a while after) I was on fire for Jesus. I was seeking Him to know Him better. I was learning much about the character of God. I would pick up my Bible and simply devour every word, much like a novel you just can’t seem to put down. I couldn’t get enough of Him. I was thirsty. Thirsty for His Word. Thirsty for Him. He took me through some rough seasons. Taught me things beyond me. Things that blew my mind. He poured His grace upon my life. Allowed me to forgive the unforgivable…

Remembering with Intention

Posted on: November 22nd, 2012 by Laurie Coombs

All too often, we forget what God has done for us. Our memories are selective. I was listening to a sermon on podcast by Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina recently. In it, he said we remember what we ought to forget and forget that which we need to remember. I don’t know about you, but I certainly know this is true in my life. All throughout the book of Deuteronomy, God tells us through His word that we must intentionally remember. Remember who He is. Remember what He has done. Remember His faithfulness, His love, His mercy and grace. Remember. Deuteronomy 6:10-13 says this: “And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you…

Simply Be a Child of God

Posted on: November 20th, 2012 by Laurie Coombs 1 Comment

And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. – 1 Samuel 12:21 Have you ever gotten so caught up in doing that you forget to simply be in the presence of God? Over the last 10 months, I have been going… and going… and going. I have been doing. All good things. All with good intentions (or at least as good each of our intentions can be, in this fallen flesh). But still, I have been doing. Writing. Sharing the Word. Caring for those around me. But then I hear God’s gentle whisper. What about Me? Where do I fit in all of this? Don’t forget. You are My child before anything else. And so, I take a step back. Take a deep breath. And let out a heavy sigh. I am a Child of God. How could I have forgotten? I have been…

Memories

Posted on: November 15th, 2012 by Laurie Coombs 2 Comments

I was a daddy’s girl at heart. When I was a little girl, I thought my family was perfect and my dad hung the moon, himself. There are so many memories. I remember when I was little, my brother, sister, and I would each vie for our turn to be lifted into the air by Dad. “My turn! My turn!” we’d yell. Dad would lay on his back, arms bent and hands flat on the ground. “Hop on!” He’d say with a smile. When it was my turn, there was always a feeling of nervous excitement as I stepped on his hands. “Strong belly,” he’d say, “balance!” as he slowly hoisted me up in the air. He’d take me as high as he could, before I’d lose my balance and fall the short distance to the ground. I remember learning to snow ski in the Sierra Nevadas. My skies in…

The “Dad Bomb”

Posted on: November 13th, 2012 by Laurie Coombs 2 Comments

For almost a decade, revealing the story of my dad’s death to others proved to be difficult. In fact, after a number of years, I began calling it the “dad bomb.” I knew that if you stayed in my life long enough that the bomb would have to be dropped––at some point, I had to reveal the truth. It usually came up when asked about my parents. My dad would come into question, and I’d have to tell them. “Well,” I would say reluctantly, knowing where this would lead, “my dad died when I was twenty.” To which they would reply, “Oh, I’m so sorry!” Then the look on their face begged the question before it was asked. Some had enough nerve to ask the question right away. Others, however, waited, at times months, to get around to the inevitable question, but I knew it was coming, “So, how did…

{Prayer Gifts} Praying for the Impossible

Posted on: November 12th, 2012 by Laurie Coombs 1 Comment

If you recall, I had Lee Merrill guest post on my blog a while back, and today I’m over on her blog Prayer Gifts. Join me there as I recount the answered prayers throughout my journey toward forgiveness in Praying for the Impossible. If you’re joining me from Prayer Gifts, welcome! I hope you’ll take a moment, read, and stay a while. Be sure to subscribe (along the right hand side of my blog) to receive new posts by email or your reader of choice! Blessings…

{Redemption} “Your Testimony May Have Saved a Life!”

Posted on: November 8th, 2012 by Laurie Coombs 17 Comments

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“Your testimony may have saved a life!” wrote Anthony––the man who murdered my dad––from his prison cell. Holding the letter, I stood in stunned silence, tears rolling down my face. Oh Lord, I thought, as I closed my eyes and dropped my head back, in awe. There really were no words. Thank you, Lord, thank you, was all that I could say in worship to our mighty God. I was called to forgive. To love my enemy. To allow Jesus unhindered access to the pain, the bitterness, and the wounds of my past which took residence in the deepest recess of my soul. I knew that He wanted to take me to a new, better place. A place of healing, peace, and forgiveness. So, I followed. By the grace of God alone, I followed Jesus as He led me down the messy, war-torn path toward wholeness. It was a trial like no…

God Wants to Use You!

Posted on: November 6th, 2012 by Laurie Coombs 2 Comments

Shortly after forgiving Anthony, I closed one of my letters to him with this: I pray for God’s will in your life, and that He uses you where you are for His purposes to further the Gospel! Be an ambassador right where you are! Be sure not to waste your life in there. I believe we’re all placed right where we’re supposed to be. I was listening to a sermon by John Piper the other day…what was so prominent about this particular sermon was his call for all God’s children to not waste their lives. Most of us do, and that’s a tragedy. Just because you’re in prison, doesn’t mean that you’ve wasted your life. Allow the Spirit of God to use you in there to transform lives according to His will!!! Do not let my dad’s death be in vain. Do not let your life be in vain. God…

{Triple Braided} Resting in His Faithful Arms

Posted on: November 1st, 2012 by Laurie Coombs

I’m over at Triple Braided today writing for Brenda Rogers, author of e-book Fall for Him. Join me there to read my latest post, Resting in His Faithful Arms, in which I write about how we may simply rest in our Father’s loving arms as we follow Him. If your visiting from Triple Braided, welcome! Be sure to take a moment, look around, and read. And don’t forget to subscribe (in the right hand column) to receive future posts via email or in your reader of choice! Blessings to you all today…