All is Forgiven

Grab some coffee....

I have been on a personal journey of faith for a several years now and have really started to share more of it with you here on my blog.  

Some of you embrace it and some don't .  

That is okay with me.  

Some of you are of the same faith as me, and some are not.  

That is okay with me too. 

It is more about the heart...

and we all have one.

More than we may realize, we are all in the same boat.  Some of us have paddles, some of us have life jackets and some of us don't.  A few stand at the head of the boat and scream "I am the king of the world" and some of us are hanging our heads over the railing throwing up from all of the waves.  Thing is, we are all in this together and we all go through similar things.

I hope that by me being authentic and transparent here, it will help someone elses boat ride along the way.  Just call me "Julie McCoy"...your cruise director because I am glad you are here.

Okay, so as you know, I am really sarcastic at times, and equally, if not more, dorkey.   Here is some good news I found out about that on page 137 of the book "Only You Can Be You"

I am self-conscience about many things (not as many as I used to be) and don't give a crap about other things (see, I told you)

I have always reminded you that I am open minded, share what I believe and create based on it.  I strive to walk the walk and talk the talk but I am human and dang it, I stumble and sometimes fall.

We all do.

THANKS ALOT ADAM (okay, and Eve!)

I have to admit, I have fallen hard.

No..not right now, in the past.

The thing is, I get back up, figure it out, confess it, ask for forgiveness (He will forgive you too, you just gotta ask) and then keep going.  I am continually and constantly learning who I am, what I am supposed to be doing and sharing it...through the creative abilities that God has given me..

and I am so glad you are still here.

With the completion of the "Only You Can Be You" study last week I was a little "okay, what is next..now what" and happily found the answer with the new series  Pastor Rick started this week called "Creating a Positive ID" 

whew.

So the big question was "Do you know who you are" and well, since I just finished learning and being reminded that "I am me" from "Only You Can Be You" (say that 5 times fast) I knew I was on the right track (or is it tract?)

and here was the phrase that stuck me like a thorn on a rose bush...10 words that reminded me of something.

"I am a product of my past..NOT a prisoner"

and it reminded me that I was holding my own self hostage.

Duh.

You see, I realized that I was unconsciously torturing myself because I had not fully forgiven myself. Maybe a little, but not completely and it does not work that way.

You either do or you don't...not kinda.

well, how can I not forgive myself when God has already done so..

done.

gone.

forgiven.

surrendered.

I think I am starting to mature.

and I am glad you are here with me on this journey.

Comments

[Sami Jo]

Amen! Bold looks good on you dear sister. <3 Loved this post and you are exactly right. Forgiving yourself is a HUGE step in the right direction and how dare we not forgive ourselves when He sent his son who DIED for us when we were still sinners.

[Debbie Schulte]

Thankful for our identity in Christ. And thankful for you, Stephanie! Thank you so much for sharing your journey! You're a great cruise director ;)

[Melissa Parks]

Great post! Thanks for reminding me (again!) that God is bigger than anything I face and I just gotta get out of His way. Love your heart and the fact that you share it.

[cherie]

The other day I was struck by the Lord that I am trying to put my new God given robe on over my old dirty clothing. He showed me that I needed to take off this old outfit, let go of what defined me in the past and walk in the Glory of His clothing today. It was a hopeful moment of prayer although to be honest I am not quite sure how to go about that. He also asked me to allow my art work to glorify Him...something along those lines. I am certain they go hand in hand in some way. lol. Again today your post has hit a beautiful chord. Thank you for that. Blessings to you!

[terri d]

Really liked this post and it was a big reminder to me that I am Me... just the way God made me and to try to be something different says I'm not pleased with his creation. I also am always trying to make sure I'm accepted by others by thinking I have to be who they want me to be. I will be rereading this often!

[Jane Lazenby]

Stephanie, I love that I have found you online! I love your creativity and how you inspire others by your words. I love how my heart gets a bit excited when I see you have posted on facebook about a new blog you have written. I so wish I was closer to where you are so I could create with you in some of your classes or even go to your Bible Studies where you go.These last books sound wonderful. I will be getting one to have and read myself... Even though we do not know each other and may never meet, it is fun to follow you and take your online classes and to get a small glimpse into your heart! have a great day!!
Love, Jane

[Christine www.acornapron.blogspot.com]

Thank you for sharing it's exactly what I need to read right now. What is it your reading?

[Jen Randall]

Oh my gosh!! I just wrote, " I am me" on the bottom of my journal page that I was just working before checking my Reader. Lol!! Such a wonderful post. I love your art, reading your blog, and your heart for God. Love it!

[Janine]

Stephanie
I found your blog several weeks ago and have been sifting through all the archives. I love your work, have taken a few online classes.
I share your strength in your faith but I would truly love to see more of your art and how you accomplish it.
I especially love the tags you paint...
Have a fabulous weekend!!!

[Linda Crowe]

I love this post. Thank you. It is exactly what I needed at this moment in time. You are an inspiration.

[rho]

I happened onto your blog through along way around other blogs...so glad I came here today....needed to see this inspiration from you! I am traveling a new road in my life and needed to get off it and find another path....thank you again!
rho

[Stephanie Ackerman]

Welcome Rho...happy that you found me and prayers to you for a happy new path!!! Please feel free to email me... homegrown1(at)att(dot)net

[Pam]

So glad that I went back through some of your posts that I have missed to find this one. What a beautiful message, and one that many need to hear, including myself. I, too, am on a journey getting closer to God and all I can say is how HAPPY I have been. Thank you for being brave enough to share your faith