Jesus, Friend of Sinners

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

~~~~~~

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

~~~~~

Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs, crossed over the lines, and loved like You did

~~~~~

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

~~~~~

'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

~~~~~

lyric excerpts copyright by Casting Crowns

Jesus, help us all to see that we truly are all the least of these.... so undeserving of the love that you have poured out on those of us who you have called your children. May we learn how to stop judging and love more like you did- becuase you came for the sinners just like me. ♥

The Sunshine Blogger Award

Hello, lovely readers!

Savannah  kindly nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger award, and since I haven't done a tag for quite a long time, I decided to give it a try. Thanks again, Savannah!

~ Rules ~

 ~Answer 11 questions from your nominee

~Tag 11 bloggers

~Ask them 11 new questions

Do you own any signed books?

I have a signed copy of The Mystery of the Midnight Trespasser, written by the lovely Hosanna Emily.

What are three of the prettiest books you own? Here's two of my favorite book covers that I own:

What are five of your favorite blogs?  Having a Heart Like His, Ordinary Girl, Extraordinary Father, Burning Youth, Scattered Journal Pages, and Saved By Grace. 

If you could re-write the ending of one book, which book would it be? I'm going to have to think about this one for a while.......

What is the last movie you watched, and what did you think of it? A recent new movie I watched was Is Genesis History? It's a great documentary, by the way. :)

How did you come up with the title for your blog? The title of my blog reflects what I wanted my readers to realize through what they saw here; their ultimate Purpose and Promise. I did have quite a time coming up with a name that fit, but I'm pretty happy with it. :)

What's one of your favorite memories from 2017 (so far)? 2017 has had some great memories so far, but I would have to say that one of my top favorites would be the amazing trip that I went on with my church's youth group in February. 

How is a raven like a writing desk? They are both related to writing. xD

What are your three favorite fandoms? I'm honestly not into the "fangirl" type of thing that most people are for their favorite music, movies, books, etc. Since I assume that most the things that most people have fandoms about fall into one of those three categories, I'll shift the question around a little bit. My favorite fiction book is definitely The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. One of my favorite musics artists is Casting Crowns, and the Anne of Green Gables movies would be up there with my favorite movies. 

Do you prefer writing by hand or typing?  It depends, really. For short stories and some poems, I like handwriting them, but I always type from second drafts on for longer works. 

What's a story you'd like someone to do a re-telling of? A Little Princess would be an intriguing start for a re-telling....

~ Questions ~

~ What is your favorite devotional book?

~What are five of your favorite blogs?
~What is your favorite book, music artist/band, and movie?
~ Is there a story behind your blog's name?
~ What question would you ask your favorite author is you had the chance?
~What is the last movie you saw, and how did you like it?
What is one tip you would give bloggers who are trying to reflect Christ in all their posts?
~ What are your three favorite books that you own?

~ What is one of your best memories from 2017 so far?

~ What is your favorite Christian Living post that you've read/posted in the last month?

~ Do you own any signed books? 

~ Nominees ~

Anika @ This Journey Called Life

Hosanna Emily @ Having a Heart Like His

Allie @ The Depth of My Faith

Anna @ Just Anna

Kara Lynn @ Saved by Grace

Mikayla @ Ordinary Girl Extraordinary Father

....and you! Feel free to use this tag if you'd like. 

Thanks for reading! ♥

but they do

the little girl sits alone and helpless

on the ground of a dirty subway entry

she just sits, holding out her hand

asking for money to buy some food

you know what you've been told

about beggars and thieves

- and orphaned children-

it's the same heartless words

that every visitor hears

but this time you just can't ignore

the feeling that you have

you've seen them before

but somehow, this time it's different

you drop two coins into her hand

as you pass by, she glances up

her dark eyes hold yours

and you can't help but stare into them

they hold such sorrow

such grief and pain

that a child's eyes should never see

but they do

you can't forget that little girl's eyes

as she sits alone

her skinny body shivering with cold

and her dark eyes staring at nothing

waiting for a penny

that might never come

you tell yourself "of course I'd do more

if I really knew how, if I really could

but that's just one- one little girl

and two coins that will be gone tomorrow

what good will they do?

nothing. not much. they don't matter"

but they do

weeks go by, but still

you can't forget that little girl's face

on the last day, you take the same route

hoping that you might see

that little girl a gain somehow

you don't even know what you'd do

if you saw her again, you just know

you have to do something

you approach the place where you last saw her

and eagerly look around

but it;s empty- no signs of life

except for the subway janitor, sweeping nearby

you know it's crazy, but you walk over

and ask about the little girl

the man says that just yesterday

a beggar child was taken away-

because she died

you just know it was her

and with silent tears, you turn and walk away

they don't care

but you do

years pass and you live your life

but somehow, you can never forget that day

then one day comes- it's your day at last

as you enter the golden gates

you're overjoyed and overwhelmed

suddenly, you see those eyes staring back at yours

and that little girl greets you

with all the gratefulness there ever was

you can't believe it

as she leads a group of children to you

five children you've never seen before

yet they're thanking you for setting them free

"from what?' you ask, "who are you?"

and they reply, "we're her siblings

and becuase of you, we are all here

that day, you gave us all something so precious 

you see, our sister ran home with the coins

and used them to buy some food that day

she met a missionary at the market

who came back to our hut and told us about Jesus

and just a few weeks later

our sister suddenly died-

but not without hope"

you're amazed and stunned

that just two little coins

had saved six precious lives

through God's grace

you thought it didn't matter

then you hear a Voice that says

"truly, when you do it for the least of these

you do it for Me

you thought it didn't matter

but they do- 

and I do"

~written 1.29.17

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ // Matthew 25:40