"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

8.21.2009

What is my good?

As I was thinking about my last post I had a few questions.

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."


The Message version says it this way.

"That's why we can be sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."

Work together for good, worked into something good.

What is our good? Not what we think is our good, but what does God think, What does God say is our good?

God says our ultimate good is "to be conformed to the image of his Son" The Message says, "He (God) decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his son."

So my ultimate good is to become like Jesus. So when hard things, come into my life, whether caused by my own foolishness, someone else s foolishness, or just by living in this world,
God will use that to mold me. It is not necessarily to make my life easier, or even happy, which is what we might think is "good" - but to make me more like Jesus.

Loves unconditionally, is compassionate, merciful, wise, selfless, these are qualities of Jesus. Do I want these - oh yes! Do I want what it will take to mold me, change me from the sometimes unloving, selfish, harsh, flawed, woman that I am? Sometimes yes, sometimes no! God knows me inside and out. He knows my struggles, my heart, my flaws. He loves me unconditionally as I am. But wants more for me. He wants the best for me. The best is Him!

Blessings!

15 comments:

ellie said...

amen.

Anonymous said...

whew! don't you know it!? just gotta say "hallelujah!", and i'm on the same wavelength here. thank you, sister of mine.

Poetic Artist said...

Yes, You are so correct..Thank you for always sharing what we all need.
Katelen

Martha Lever said...

Hi Mary, ok now---start that devotional book, you can add your art work---we will all buy it! This is a great post---that's the question isn't it?---what is our good? Sometimes it doesn't look so good ---but we know it will be good if we don't waste it and let Him transform us through the "good".

My show isn't until January and it will be at the Women's Center here in Jacksonville. I also found a "by referrel only" framer who frames stuff at a VERY affordable price. Yea!

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

Well put! Something to think about for sure before bed.

Mary S. Hunt said...

yep!

TonyaA said...

Yes...!

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary!
I found you through your sisters blog!
As I read your profile, it echos my life exactly..!
The art you are creating is wonderful and inspiring.. Keep on Keeping on..
Love your "Sassy Bird".. !
Hugs, Darlene

Brandi said...

whaaaa .. i dont see the comment i just typed. Please fogive me if it shows up twice!

thanks for the compliment on the blog .. im still tweaking it. I dont think it was to hard .. it walks you right through it. I followed the directions here
http://www.bloggerbuster.com/2008/04/complete-list-of-blogger-tutorials.html

Read about margins and padding also on the tutorials there.

Love your new light background!!

Unknown said...

Oh I'm so happy Darlene found your blog thru mine. As I said today when we talked, you do need to talk all your journals, all that you've share of your heart and soul with us here, and of course all the things you shared with those ladies at the retreat, and start a book. You have it in you my sweet sister...God is using you to reach other's who want more...me included sis.
I am so proud of you!!! My walk with God is getting stronger and sweeter by the day!!!
(((hugs)))

Doda said...

Thanks, it's good to be reminded of that!

Martha Lever said...

Hi Mary, Do you or Mystele have any prints of your wonderful banner? I is just so lovely! I would love t have ap print of that for my inspiration board. Can I buy one?

Martha Lever said...

Yes, it is such a wonderful painting! So perfect for you-- and it really draws you in. Don't go to any trouble for me with the print. I just thought maybe you had some prints of it.
As for the printing thing... there are sites out there that do printing for you and I think some are fairly economical but I think there might be a set up fee and it usually ends up being expensive to print just a few prints. And yes, Kinkos would probably do a good job. I have an Epson printer R1900 large format 13x19 so I can print my own giclees and actually you would probably do better just buying a large format printer and printing them yourself. I think Staples has a large format for a good price. I think it was a 1400. My friend just bought one.

laurel said...

Great message! I have Eph 3:20 on my wall at work and my mirror at home and many times contemplate the full ramifications of it -

... Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us...

Art by Darla Kay said...

You are so awesome to remind us of these things!!
Thanks for visiting also! I like your mom's quote :)
Darla♥