Would You Be Washed Whiter Than White?

          The snow covers the brown earth and making it appear clean.  
              The blood of Jesus actually washes away all our sins 
              and makes our souls whiter that the whitest snow.
                             Jesus takes our twisted lives
              and turns them into something absolutely beautiful.

Original sin muddied the water that we are all bathed in. No matter how hard we try, we make mistakes, we sin. The blood of the Lamb washes away that mud, those mistakes, that sin.

How can blood wash anything clean?

When I first heard about blood washing us clean, I turned my nose up. Yuk. Who wants to be bloody? Not me.

When I read about the Old Testament priests killing sacrificial animals and sprinkling the blood. My nose again turned up. Yuk.

Somewhere along the line, it dawned on my brain that the sacrifice of those animals took away the sins of the Israelites.

It the Old Testament, people repeatedly had to pay for all the sins they continued to commit.

Jesus, the Lamb paid for my sins once and for all.

I used to think that St. Peter would meet me at the pearly gates when I died and that he would weigh my good deeds against my bad.

                         Cemetery located near Saranac Lake, NY.           
            When eternity comes for you, how will you measure up?
                  I could never be good enough on my own.
              Only the blood of Jesus can pay my way to heaven.
                                      How about you?

I came to realize that I could never be good enough to make up for all the sins I commit and continue to commit day after day. I could never possibly pay my debt.

However, the Perfect Lamb, who never committed even one sin, sacrificed His precious life for everything I ever did or ever will do.

He died for me - and for you.

He offers a free pass to bliss for eternity.

He loves us so much that He holds out His wonderful hand and asks “Would you be washed whiter than white? Will you join me in paradise for eternity with all your sins forever forgiven, buried, never to be heard from ever again? I paid the debt that you owe. Come join me, My love for you is limitless.”

Will you take His hand?

       View of Lake Colby from Adirondack Medical Center window
                where my husband was recently in-patient.
         Just as the setting sun and the cloud formations reflected on the lake                                     create a magnificent image,
                       so too does God's love reflected in us 
             create something beautiful beyond our imagination.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 

 1 Peter 1:18-19


Update:
Many thanks for all your prayers.  My husband's total knee replacement surgery was a success.  He is still in lots of pain and had to be re-admitted to "iron out" a couple of issues but he is well on his way to recovery and much better mobility than before surgery.  His readmission to the hospital is the reason that this blog is late.  My apologies.  I do appreciate your understanding and faithfulness in following my blog.

                   Another view of that sunset from Tim's hospital room.

May God bless you greatly, my friends for all you do for His honor and glory.

In light of all the horrific events that are taking place in the world, I challenge you to sow at least 7 acts of kindness each day.  (Why 7?  7 is the perfect number!)  If we each counter hate with our love, the world has to be affected in a positive manner.
And pray like your eternal life depends on it because it truly does and so does the eternal life of everyone you know!

                  We were blessed with a wonderful view of Lake Colby.

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen unless otherwise noted-          

     used with permission.
All bible reference from the NIV
     unless otherwise noted.

If you are interested,
    you can click on the Blog Archive
    dates on the top right side of this post
    to connect to previous blog posts.

I would love to hear from you either 

    on the comment section of this blog post
    or through my email.
    debbieamcewen@gmail.com
I post every other Saturday.
The next post will be December 9, 2017.

                         And yet another beautiful sunset on Lake Colby.
                              In the midst of any adversity,
   God always gives us reason to give thanks and praise His most holy name.

Do You Ever Feel Discouraged?

                           Have you ever noticed that the sunsets 

                           broken by clouds are the most beautiful?

                                  When times are at their worst,

             Jesus takes our pain, our problems and turns them around.

              He truly makes us beautiful, if we just allow Him to do so.

                 

Stressed?
Down in the dumps?
Overwhelmed?
Broken?
Like you messed up your life?

Fall down on your knees and look up.
Jesus is calling to you,
He says “Take My Hand, I’ll help you.
I’ll take your broken life and make you
   and your life beautiful.
I love you more than you can imagine.
I have loved you from before the beginning of time.
I know you are hurting.
I feel your pain.
My heart hurts so much when you are hurting.”

Jesus says Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29

Open your Bible and visit the church of your choice.
Get to know the One who paid for your sins
   with His life.
Put your life in His hands.
Tell Him you are sorry for all you ever did wrong.
He dying to forgive you
   and He will every single time you ask Him.

Life will continue to give you problems, difficulties, stress and turmoil but when you follow our Gentle Lord and Master, you will have peace in your soul, in your core.

When you turn to Him,
   Jesus will be with you every step of the way.
He will take your hand and walk with you
   through the rough patches of your life.

He will even carry you when you can’t walk anymore.

You will feel peace that defies the world’s logic.
You will learn the true meaning of the word JOY.
And you will never be discouraged again.
Because, with Jesus at your side, you are never alone.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Dear Friends:

I just finished writing this last night and then read about the shooting at the Walmart in Colorado.  My heart was broken.  I hurt so much for all the victims and the perpetrators who are hurting so much that they feel they must strike out.  We have had way too many tragedies this year.  One tragedy is too many but there have been so many more. 
What can we do?

We can be extra kind to everyone we have any contact with, especially the ones who may not behave like they "deserve it."  They just may need it the most and our act of kindness just might prevent them from doing something that they shouldn't.

Love with abandon.  Sew the seeds of your love and kindness.  And pray, pray, pray. You will make a mighty difference whether or not you ever see the results.

I would be grateful if you would pray for my husband, Tim who is having knee replacement surgery on Tuesday Nov. 7, 2017.  Thank you!

May you be mightily blessed, my friend.

Knapps Station Church will have their
Annual Bazaar
Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017
9 am to 3 pm
There will be a food sale
and a donation white elephant sale.

All photos taken by Debbie and Tim McEwen unless otherwise noted-          

     used with permission.
All bible reference from the NIV
     unless otherwise noted.

If you are interested,
    you can click on the Blog Archive
    dates on the top right side of this post
    to connect to previous blog posts.

I would love to hear from you either 

    on the comment section of this blog post
    or through my email.
    debbieamcewen@gmail.com
I post every other Saturday.
The next post will be November 18, 2017.

           Jesus is the light that will bring hope and peace for tomorrow. 

                       Turn to Him and be blessed, my friend.

P.S.  Have you noticed how much I love sunsets?             God has given me so many beautiful ones.                       Through these beautiful sunsets, 

    He gives me great hope for my tomorrows 

                  - and yours too!