Clumsy and Forgiven

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. - Philippians 1:12 Read Philippians 1:12-14 Walking the beach, you may find the very treasured sea glass. Some pieces are big, some small, each a different shape, size and color. Some have sat on a shelf as beautiful china, others started life as a bottle, plate, vase, etc. Each piece has one thing in common. They are all broken. Tossed in the ocean, they have experienced rough waters, storms, and rough sand. All of which has smoothed and re-shaped the piece of glass into a treasured item. We are also like the treasured piece of sea glass. Broken, we have experienced storms, rough waters and heartbreak. We all have stories, but no two stories or lives are alike. We are also treasured in God's hands. Paul shares in verse 12 that everything that has happened to him has helped to spread the Good News. Our stories can also be used to point others to God&#

Leviticus 1:3(NIV) "If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, you are to offer a male without defect.  You must present it at the entrance to the tent of meeting so that it will be acceptable to the Lord."  Thank you God for not placing me in times where burnt offerings from the herd is necessary.  I love every animal from the smallest squirrel to the biggest elephant.  I would have a very hard time with this.  But, when I read this verse in a devotion this morning, it took me on a whole different spiritual direction.  Let me explain...years ago, probably more than ten, twelve years ago we had an older couple that were visiting our Sunday school class (which at the time we were in a marriage class)  They were the cutest older couple you could ever imagine.  But what has stuck with me for the past twelve or so years is the advice that the husband shared with all of us younger couples.  The couple had been married well over 50 years.  He shared their entire story whi