The Cry of My Heart

Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;
Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
That my mouth may declare Your praise.
For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Psalm 51

Bananas Foster Apple Dip

Ok.. so a friend of mine made this a few years ago in Washington and it was delicious.. except I couldn't remember exactly how she had done it. This is what I came up with.. YUMMY!

Bananas Foster Apple Dip

1 package caramels

cinnamon

nutmeg

ground cloves

lemon

chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter the bottom and sides of bread pan to prevent sticking.

Peel caramels and place them in pan.

Sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves.

Squeeze lemon juice over top (about 1 tsp).

Place in oven for about 5 minutes.

Check caramels, when melted pull out and stir until smooth.

Sprinkle top with Pecans and serve with sliced apples.

Mmmm..

Art

Epic Fail

Have you ever had one? One where you knew what God's word said and you deliberately disobeyed. If so, your fail I'm sure came with consequences as did mine. And although the Lord forgives me, and those I've hurt forgive me (most of them), I am having a really hard time accepting that forgiveness and being the woman God made me to be. Guilt is a powerful thing.

These are a few verses that God keeps using to help me refocus and trust God for healing from my choices and actions:

"...and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.

For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls." .

~1 Peter 2:24-25~

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."

~Philippians 4:4-9~