November 5, 2009 • 10:29 pm
“It happens so regularly that it’s predictable.
The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
I’ve tried everything and nothing helps.
I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does.
He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.”
Romans 7:21-25, the Message
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
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November 4, 2009 • 4:10 pm
On 11.2.09, the Manor boys threw a benefit concert to raise support for me to go on the World Race.
They managed to raise $2,656 by the end of the night.
I don’t deserve these people. They are far too good to me.
But here’s a quick recap of that wonderful night:
[this last picture is of the wonderful photographer who took all of these pictures. thanks, sammy]
Best.Birthday.Ever.
Thanks, guys. You truly are family to me.
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November 1, 2009 • 11:23 am
I’m fighting sin
with a strength that isn’t mine.
And Jesus is winning.
Praise the Lord,
Oh, my soul.
some call me Mary. You can just call me honest.
the message link explains it all.
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October 30, 2009 • 7:06 pm
this puppy’s name is Daisy. I’m in love. She’ll be a member of the Cottage household within a few weeks.
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October 28, 2009 • 4:29 pm
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October 25, 2009 • 8:29 am
“My sin has a direct effect on those i love. I do not get to sin in isolation. It always has collateral damage.”
(Matt Chandler)
i just keep clinging to the fact that one day, He will make all things new.
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October 24, 2009 • 12:23 am
i’m not going to give up on you.
even if you fight me.
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October 21, 2009 • 10:27 am
To the Enemy
[ satan.]
Leave my church family alone. You can’t have them.
You’ve already lost. You lost a huge battle the day they met Jesus. And you never will win again.
They have the Holy Spirit in them. [2 Cor. 5:5] That means Jesus wins.
Always.
He promised.
His Truth is stronger than your lies.
And also, I have Jesus in me.
I’m walking with them so that when it seems too dark in their world, Jesus can use me to shed His light.
So what I’m saying is…give it up.
Jesus is stronger. He wins. And we’re fighting in Him
Toni
p.s.
My Father is going to make everything right one day. And I can’t wait until you get what you deserve.
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October 20, 2009 • 9:33 am
Without Thy sweet mercy, I could not live here. Sin would reduce me to utter despair, But through Thy free goodness, my spirit’s revived
And He that first made me still keeps me alive.
Thy mercy is more than a match for my heart,
Which wonders to feel its own hardness depart.
Dissolved by Thy goodness, I fall to the ground
And weep for the praise of the mercy I’ve found.
Hallelujah.
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October 15, 2009 • 7:02 pm
You are Truth.
But sometimes, I feel like I can’t trust You
I hate that about me.
Father, heal me of my unbelief.
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