1. I've been married for a little over 8 months now and I still catch myself staring at my rings...especially on Sundays. The lights at ECBC are amazing...Bradley always catches me looking down at my ring and moving my hand around to catch the light...he of course loves that I love my rings. Let me tell you a little story about my engagement ring. Bradley & I started dating in August 2009 and in October he started talking to my best friend about what I'd want in a ring. Chafin and Bradley are similar--both very detailed and great at keeping secrets! She did great, I had no idea and she didn't have to ask too many questions...naturally girls talk about these things and I had known for quite a while that I wanted to marry Mr. Bradley Mishue...rings were on my mind. After several months of looking, Bradley found the perfect ring and only wasted a few days before he had it on my hand! I knew he wouldn't date me long, but gracious was I surprised on December 18th! After he proposed, Bradley explained that my ring had a center diamond with six prongs to remind us that Christ (6 letters) is the center of our relationship. He went on to say that it is simple, yet so beautiful--just like the gospel. The gospel is simple, Christ bore the wrath of all of our sins, so that we may have eternal life--what could be more beautiful than that! We don't deserve this and yet he FREEly offers the gift of eternal life to all those who believe. Thank you Jesus for paving the way for me and thank you Bradley for putting a ring on my finger to remind me of my sweet Savior.
2. After church, we went to lunch with a few couples. During lunch I felt so blessed--blessed to live near some of my closest friends, to be able to walk through the same stages of life together, and to be a part of a wonderful body of believers. As life goes on and more changes occur, I'm learning just how important it is to have people in our life to push us to the cross.
3. Bradley & I went for a quick run around our neighborhood before the superbowl party. As we were running, I kept saying Hebrews 12:1-2 over in my head, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us RUN with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." I don't run consistently, but when I do...I love it! I always feel so FREE. Today as I was running, I felt as though (just as in the verse above) every sin that I had committed or evil thought I had that day was just falling to the side and disappearing under the blood of Jesus. My mind was so clear to repent and really think of all the ways I had fallen short. It was so FREEing to feel like I was literally running the race with endurance, laying aside all the weight and sin I was holding in, and looking to Jesus--the sweet author and perfecter of my faith!
Those are beautiful random thoughts! All centered around the wonder of grace in Jesus. Sweet, Amanda.
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