The Good, The Bad, and the Grace of God by Jep & Jessica Robertson

This selection is the story of two well known stars of reality television and all the details you don't see on the small screen. Written from the perspective only they can give, their own, they share stories from childhood through how they met and the struggles they experienced along the way. They also share how their faith in Christ played a role in their lives and made them who they are today.

I appreciated the honesty shared by Jep and Jessica throughout the book, even when the truth was not "pretty." Their transparency in sharing their testimony is inspirational and encouraging. There were things about them I never would have imagined just from watching Duck Dynasty. Their story is a reminder that what you see in someone's life is not necessarily what they have been through and you should never assume someone's life has been easy based on what you see in their current situation. I recommend this selection if you want to see how a couple can work through issues in their marriage and not just survive, but thrive.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sometimes You Lose to Gain

My dad had part of his leg amputated this week. I know this doesn't directly concern me, yet I've had to deal with my share of emotions surrounding this change in his life. Over the last several years he has had 8 surgeries on the same leg due to blood clots and other issues. We visited him a couple weeks ago for his birthday and he said there would be no more surgeries if the problem arose again. He knew amputation was the next option. Several days after we left, his leg began hurting again. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I've had to deal with a roller coaster of emotions. The biggest being the knowledge my dad will never "walk" me down the aisle. My husband and I were married in January, but are planning a ceremony and reception for the fall. My dad mentioned several times how he wanted to walk me down the aisle. That is no longer possible. In fact, based on the date we have picked out and the rehab time for him, he may not be able to be there at all.

Then there is the change in how I see my dad. I know as our parents get older, how they are and how we think of them doesn't always align. My dad has always been one of the strongest (and most stubborn) people I've ever known. He was a Marine. And not just any Marine. He's a 20 year, served in Vietnam driving a tank and earned a Purple Heart Marine. For him to admit he's in extreme pain means he is in a LOT of pain.

Today I received a picture of my dad's new leg...or lack of. I asked how he was handling the change and I was told, "It doesn't hurt anymore." This brought tears as I thought of how true this is for much of our life. In order to find healing, sometimes we have to lose, or cut, something off. The pain of keeping something, or even someone, can be so great the only way to not be in pain is to be willing to let go. It may not be something as extreme as a limb. Perhaps it's a friendship. Or a job. Sometimes it's letting go of a dream or pursuit if the pursuit is causing pain and misery. What once was good, is no longer good, but infected and if not treated or removed could bring death.

Lately I've been feeling God has been telling me it is time to let go of some things in my life that at one time were good and useful, but now bring stress and pain to my life. While they may not bring a physical death, if I continue to hold on to them, they could bring a spiritual and emotional death. Hearing the statement from my dad of how, "It doesn't hurt anymore," has confirmed it is time to let go of certain things. Instead of stressing over the, "But what about this...." type of questions I've been asking God, I know it is time to trust Him again. There are changes happening that don't make sense to me, and yet I know they are from God. The peace is found only in the losing.

Have you had to let go of something in order to find healing? Is there something in your life causing pain and sickness and God is telling you it's time to let it go. I pray He gives you peace to trust Him and let go. Even though it may cause a limp, it's worth not living in pain anymore.

"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? 

I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." 

Isaiah 43:18-19

I've set up a Tupperware fundraiser for my Dad. 40% of all purchases will be donated to help him in remodeling the bathroom in his home. You can visit http://www.tupperware.com/?fundraiser=55d649b7a0da73531f7bae74 to shop the fundraiser. 

Truly Repentant

For most of my life I thought I was repentant for the sin in my life. However, as I look back I am realizing what I felt was not true repentance, but rather regret. By definition, regret means to feel sad or disappointed over something that has happened or been done. When conviction comes into our lives we can realize the wrongs we have committed and feel sadness over those things. Perhaps it is even regret over the consequences of our sin. No sin comes without a consequence. Many nonbelievers argue Christianity because it is a "mean God giving us a bunch of rules." Yet the guidelines we are given are there to protect us. Just as we tell our children to not touch a stove burner when it is hot, God tells us what to avoid in order to keep us from harm. Think of how you feel when your child disobeys you and ends up getting hurt. You feel bad for them, but you also think, "that is why I told you not to do that. I didn't want to see you hurt." I imagine God has similar thoughts towards us.

When we are truly repentant, we not only feel bad because we touched the stove, but we realize we never need to touch the stove again. Not only do we not feel the need, but our hearts change to where we no longer have someone telling us not to do it, but our hearts change so we no longer WANT any part of sin. Many times in my life I thought I was repenting, and yet anytime the opportunity arose, I was willing to make the same choices again. Recently the opportunity came again and I had a decision to make. Would I choose as I have in the past or would I trust God to give me the strength to say no. Can I tell you, it was not as easy as you might think. I literally cried out to God for His strength to do the right thing! Just as Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." In order to avoid the temptation in front of me, I had to seek Him as my refuge and rely on Him to be my strength. It was absolutely nothing of my own will that allowed me to say no to the sin I was being offered. I even cried and yelled at God. He knows my heart, He knows my weakness, and He knew that unless He showed up, I would make the same mistakes again.

Please know I'm not sharing any of this to brag about my own strength. However, this was a real victory for me and I know it was ONLY by God's grace and strength that this battle was won. I know there will be more battles to come. Because of the direction I'm moving in my life I have placed a target on my back for satan. If you do not feel satan attacking you, then it is a pretty good indication of how much you are doing for God. If you are not a threat to satan, he has no use of you.

I never want to be like the audience addressed in the book of Romans.

"Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"

God's love and mercy is not a license to do what we want and simply apologize after we have pursued our own way. It is His love that leads us to repentance to change. If my continual sin is despising His name, then it is not something I want to do. His patience and love for me causes me to want to live a life pleasing to Him. I am trusting His ways over my own. If you are living a life of remorse rather than one of true repentance, then I pray for a heart revelation for you today. Know that God will always provide a way out of sin for you. It may be you need to end certain relationships or friendships in your life. If your friends cause you to stumble, then it is better to be alone than keep company who will prevent you from stepping into God's complete and total will for your life. I am in no way saying it is easy. Too many times we hear it explained as if it is easy. Satan is a real enemy who will always attack us where he knows we are weakest. Take it one day at a time and celebrate even the little victories over him!