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Monday, December 27, 2010
Trying So Hard
7:22 PM | 
Posted by
Tonya
There are songs that hit you, smack in the face! This is one for me. My present church doesn't do "altar calls", but my previous one did, and I miss it. But I digress....
This song is such a TRUTH of every Christian on the planet today. One of the reasons I love Casting Crowns, their songs are always about some issue, real issue, that Christians deal with daily.
My favorite line: "I'm trying so hard....to stop trying so hard. Just let You be who You are, Lord, who You are in me." Powerful words.
"Altar and the Door" by Casting Crowns
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
What I Deserve
I accuse my son of being a "hard learner". He struggles, it seems with the same disobedience over and over. I tend to lose "sympathy" with is mourning over his discipline as it should, at least to me, not be a "shock" as to his punishment. I feel as if he is going to keep doing this same thing over and over, knowing it is wrong and there will be a punishment, that he is "getting what he deserves".
A few weeks ago, I got pulled over by a State Trooper. I knew immediately that it was for talking on my cell phone. I wish I could tell you that this is my first ticket for this issue, it isn't. It is my THIRD! Mind you, my third over a few years, but still not a good thing.
I didn't argue with the officer. How could I? I was guilty. I ended up losing the ticket and had to call the court to get another one mailed to me. I pleaded "guilty" on the ticket and mailed it in and awaited my monetary fate.
A week or so later, it came back and was $135! WHEW! It was due by the 21st of this month. With Christmas, and two major issues with my car that needed to be taken care of right away, I was without the money when the due date came.
I was pretty nervous as I called the court to beg them for an extension. I had a hope that they would at LEAST give me a week, or even to the first of January. A friendly voice came on the phone and I explained that my ticket was due, and that I did not have enough, what could I do? She asked, "When do you think you CAN have the money?"
I told her by the first week of January. She replied that she would change the due date for January 12th. Tears came to my eyes as I told the woman that it was more than merciful. I also told her that she had given me a great blessing for Christmas. She laughed and said she was glad.
When I got off the phone, a realization came to me that I did NOT get what I deserved. If I had been in charge, I would have said:
This is your third offense! Not only are you going to have to pay it ON TIME, I am adding more so that you will remember to NOT break this law again. I see I need to be more HARSH with YOU, because you can NOT seem to learn this lesson.
But that is not what I got. I got grace and mercy. And it wasn't like these things came from some godly institution! I thanked God for showing me His love. I thanked Him for being such an awesome example to me, for OBVIOUSLY, I lack in this area.
So not only will I look at the next "struggle" with my son's "hard learning", but will look at other areas in my life where I am not showing grace and mercy to someone.
Thank you Father for being such a good Father to me. Help me to reflect Your love in my parenting.
A few weeks ago, I got pulled over by a State Trooper. I knew immediately that it was for talking on my cell phone. I wish I could tell you that this is my first ticket for this issue, it isn't. It is my THIRD! Mind you, my third over a few years, but still not a good thing.
I didn't argue with the officer. How could I? I was guilty. I ended up losing the ticket and had to call the court to get another one mailed to me. I pleaded "guilty" on the ticket and mailed it in and awaited my monetary fate.
A week or so later, it came back and was $135! WHEW! It was due by the 21st of this month. With Christmas, and two major issues with my car that needed to be taken care of right away, I was without the money when the due date came.
I was pretty nervous as I called the court to beg them for an extension. I had a hope that they would at LEAST give me a week, or even to the first of January. A friendly voice came on the phone and I explained that my ticket was due, and that I did not have enough, what could I do? She asked, "When do you think you CAN have the money?"
I told her by the first week of January. She replied that she would change the due date for January 12th. Tears came to my eyes as I told the woman that it was more than merciful. I also told her that she had given me a great blessing for Christmas. She laughed and said she was glad.
When I got off the phone, a realization came to me that I did NOT get what I deserved. If I had been in charge, I would have said:
This is your third offense! Not only are you going to have to pay it ON TIME, I am adding more so that you will remember to NOT break this law again. I see I need to be more HARSH with YOU, because you can NOT seem to learn this lesson.
But that is not what I got. I got grace and mercy. And it wasn't like these things came from some godly institution! I thanked God for showing me His love. I thanked Him for being such an awesome example to me, for OBVIOUSLY, I lack in this area.
So not only will I look at the next "struggle" with my son's "hard learning", but will look at other areas in my life where I am not showing grace and mercy to someone.
Thank you Father for being such a good Father to me. Help me to reflect Your love in my parenting.
Labels:
Caramel Pull-Apart Wreath a.k.a Monkey Bread
Looking for a delicious treat to give to someone for Christmas? Or something tasty to bring to a party or family gathering? I have just the recipe for you!
It is so delicious and easy to make. We did NOT use the Pillsbury baking ingredients. We went to Aldi's and got biscuits for $.39 a tube, or whatever the term is for what they come in. We were able to make three of them to share. We also didn't do the ribbon. They were delicious cold or heated back up. We will be adding this to our recipe collection for holiday treats!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Teen Thursday -Mirror
The Teens have their own blog now! Our Generation Seeking Him. Every author is a teen seeking God and wanting to encourage other teens while sharing their experiences as Christians. So I thought that I would post part of one of their posts here every week.
This post was written by Shelby for "Daughter of the King". It is in the "Eve's Peeps" blog for the girls.
Mirror
The reason why I drew this picture, was because some girls, when they look in the mirror, they see the small things at a bigger scale. God see's you as a princess, and loves you, even if you have a pimple, glasses, braces or whatever. He loves you for you. The world doesn't care about your heart, only what you look like. God cares about what's on the inside, and to Him, that's beautiful.
This is from Jenny Lucado's devotional, ' Redefining Beautiful'
Some days I like him. Most days I hate him. But I do have to admit, he's honest. He'll always tell me if I have food in my teeth or a booger in my nose. He isn't afraid to let me know if a certain shirt is too tight or if a color doesn't complement my skin. I appreciate the honesty, but he is deceiving all the same. Deceiving because anytime he tells me, " Just get this cute shirt and feel better about yourself" or " Just lose five pounds and be forever happy," it doesn't work. I'm never good enough for him.
I try not to hang out with him too much, or else I can easily fall into his trap of discouragement - " Jenna, I see that cellulite back there. Your skin is looking pretty oily these days. Those teeth could use come whitening!" I try to block out his lies that tell me I'm not good enough, that I'm not beautiful, but it's hard.
I'm sure you've met him. He tends to pop up in all sorts of places: bathrooms, cars, department stores, gyms. And I'm sure you've felt some of these insecurities when standing in front of him.
His name?
To find out his name, click HERE
Monday, March 29, 2010
Prayerful Tuesday
Prayerful Tuesday
"The Grace of Knowing"
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
Lord, Lately I need a softer heart, a less judgmental mind, a more open spirit. I sense your leading when I am with other people, yet my very human tendencies stop me from doing what you require of me. Please give me a compassionate eyes that see only the need and beauty in people. May my thoughts turn to how You wish for me to interact with someone rather than how I want to take control of the situation.
Remind me, Lord, that justice and mercy are the cornerstones of my faith. Let me pass along these gifts to other people so that my humility becomes the source of my responses to Your children.
( from "One-Minute Prayers from the Bible)
Friday, March 26, 2010
Devotional Friday - "As Different As Night And Day"
"As Different As Night And Day" by Pastor Rick Klueg from The Baptist Church of Northville
for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;
I once worked third shift , and I never really got used to it. My mind and body could just not adjust to working at night and sleeping during daylight. I would come home, sleep for a couple hours, and then wake up and not be able to get back to sleep. As you can imagine, this pattern did not make for a healthy lifestyle! Even though modern technology has given us excellent artificial light, it is still most natural to be active during the daytime and passive at night. The Lord Jesus drew a spiritual application from this reality, telling us, As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work .What does it mean, then, to be sons of light and sons of day?
The concept of light is used in the Bible as a metaphor of both intellectual and moral perfections. Daytime is the normal time to be active because that is when we can see clearly enough to work. Daylight enables us to have a clear knowledge of our surroundings. Likewise, a person who has God in his life is aware of the spiritual realities necessary for salvation and godliness. He is aware of the true God, he knows the Bible to be His Word, He sees his own guilt, and knows about the salvation that comes through the cross of Christ. To be sons of light, then, means to have a clear knowledge of such important and necessary divine truths. (Cf. John 3:20-21; Acts 26:18).
Light also implies moral purity. The Bible describes the believer’s transformed life as a matter of light: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) (Ephesians 5:8-9). In a passage calling believers to turn away from sin, the apostle John teaches us that God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. Since God is perfectly pure, we are to walk in the light, as he is in the light (1 John 1:5,7).
Notice that today’s verse says of Christians that we are all sons of light and sons of day. The distinction between the Christian and the unsaved is as different as night and day. When God saved us, He made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6). It is up to us, now, to make sure that this spiritual reality is increasingly evident in our lives, as we walk in true knowledge and holiness.
Biblical Doctrine: Soteriology – Salvation brings with it an ever-increasing degree of true knowledge and holiness.
My Responsibility: Live as a son of the light!
Question: How does this all relate to the fact that the Lord Jesus called believers the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)?
Prayer: I pray that the day might dawn and the morning star rise in my heart! (2 Peter 1:19).
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Teen Thursday - We Need To Be Content
The Teens have their own blog now! Our Generation Seeking Him. Every author is a teen seeking God and wanting to encourage other teens while sharing their experiences as Christians. So I thought that I would post part of one of their posts here every week. Don't worry about missing Shelby, she is one of the authors!
This post was written by Krystl for "During 'Home School 101'", which is about being a Christian home schooled teen.
We Need To Be Content
Have you ever wondered why God has you as a home schooler?
Do you ever wish sometimes that you could just be a normal kid and go to school like everyone else?
One thing I've definitely been going through as a home schooler is I always wished that I could go to school. I always want to know why God has me in this position. I would always ask, "God why do you have me as a home schooler? Wouldnt it be better if I went to school so I could witness to people about you?"
to read the rest of this great post click here.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Truth Wednesday - Adversity
Truth Wednesday
Adversity
Psalm 119:67 "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but no I keep Your word."
Charles Stanley shares these thoughts on this:
Believers have a choice about how they will respond to life's tempests. either they can cast blame while becoming resentful and bitter, or they can turn to the Lord and ask, "What is Your purpose?" God wants to use adversity to draw us to Himself. If we respond to ti in faith, out affliction becomes a bridge to a deeper relationship with Him.
I must be "truthful" and tell you that this is very hard for me to do. I KNOW what I am suppose to do, but my flesh more times than not gets the best of me.
Three years ago, my mother, who has emphysema, was put on a ventilator, after so many days, it was time to put a trach in as she was not weening off the machine fast enough. They wheeled her down to the OR. Within a minute, the speaker system announced "Code Blue, Code Blue OR Room 4". Her nurse came to get me and we went to the OR. They revived her. And then five minutes later I heard the same announcement. The OR nurse brought me to the OR room door, in case I wanted to say "good bye".
I was pregnant, and alone, as it was the worst snow storm that winter, and our whole county as shut down! I remember praying , on me knees the OR waiting room bathroom, "Oh God, not now. How will I survive? (I am an only child) I am not ready yet."
I could have screamed at God and shook my fist at Him. I didn't. Those moments I KNEW He was with me, in control, carrying me. I felt His presence. He sent people to me, to aid me. Nurses who sat with me, friends who talked with me and prayed with me. I did not feel bitterness or resentment.
That was the worst time of my life, the hardest adversity for me.
Members of my family do not speak to me because I told the "truth" about their behavior. I was recently excluded from a baby shower because of it. I am struggling with resentment and bitterness. Trying very hard to not let that seed grow in my heart.
How "important" was the baby shower compared to the possibility of losing my mom?
Is it the same for all Christians? To me, logically, funny I know since my logic and God's are NOT the same, I should have had the resentment over my mother instead. The "larger" of the two incidents.
Oh, what makes us tick?!
What about you? What situations do you find resentment and bitterness grow in you, instead of letting it be used to grow closer to the Lord?
Side note: My mother did not die that night. She was 98 pounds, at that time, and they performed CPR on her twice. She survived with not ONE broken rib! No lasting brain damage! God's hand was all over her that night...and me.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Prayerful Tuesday
Prayerful Tuesday
"Shying Away from Greatness"
"Because your sins are so many and your hostility so great, the prophet is considered a fool, the inspired man a maniac." Hosea 9:7
I want to express myslf, Lord I want to be free of all inhibitions, negative self-talk, and the fear of how other people view me. How many times have I squelched something that is of You because I did not want to be viewed as a maniac, a fool? I believe You speak to us in a language that somtimes is wild and out-of-the-box. After all, You created the world beyond the box that we have created for ouseleves.
Let me fly high ith a sense of song and creation. Give me the courage to be inspired. Encourage in me the blossoming of more ideas, more adventures, and more life.
(from the "One-Minute Prayers from the Bible")
Please share your prayer requests, you can do them anonymously, or leave them on the Fan Page on Facebook. Let's be prayer warriors for each other today!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Music For The Heart Monday
Music For The Heart Monday
I love MercyMe and Bart Millard's voice. The first time I heard this, I loved it. I always loved the song, but the way he does it is awesome. I hope you enjoy.
This song is so wonderful, and I always imagine being in a room with all of these people, and we are all singing this, lifting our voices in praise to our Father. How awesome would that be?
Give me those "eagle's wings"!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Soulful Sunday - "Lies Women Believe" About Themselves Part 2
Soulful Sunday - "Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
About Themselves Part 2 - " I Need To Learn To Love Myself"
"You need to love yourself" is the world's prescription for those who are plagued with a sense of worthlessness. As with much deception, the lies represented in advertisements are not the polar opposite of the Truth; rather, they are distortions of the Truth.
According to God's Word, the Truth is that we were created in the image of God, that He loves us, and that we are precious to Him. However, we do not bestow that worth on ourselves. Nor do we experience the fullness of God's love by telling ourselves how lovable we are.
To the contrary, Jesus taught that it is in losing our lives that we find our lives. The message of self-love put people on a lonely, one-way path to misery.
How often have we heard someone say, "I've never liked myself," or "She just can't love herself"? According to the Scripture, the Truth is that we do love ourselves --immensely. When Jesus tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves, the point is not that we need to learn to love ourselves so that we can love others. Jesus is saying we need to give others the same attention and care we naturally give ourselves.
The fact is, we do not hate ourselves, nor do we need to learn to love ourselves. We need to learn to deny ourselves, so we can do that which comes naturally - to truly love God and others. Our problem isn't so much a "poor self-image" as it is a "poor God-image".
Monday, March 15, 2010
Music For The Heart Monday
Music For The Heart Monday
This week on "Lies Women Believe" it talked about the lie of not being worthy enough for God. That we believe the negative so much more easily and even when the positives out way them, we still tend to believe them over the good. My daughter introduced me to this song, because, I AM one of those women! This song is just totally "freeing". I hope that it will help any of you who struggle with this same lie.
I have been listening to the new Casting Crowns CD, "Until The Whole World Hears", and this is one of my favorites. Listen to it, close your eyes and lift your praise up!
Where is your life?
What could be better than knowing "I AM"?
Soulful Sunday - "Lies Women Believe" About Themselves Part 1
Soulful Sunday - "Lies Women Believe" About Themselves - "I Am Not Worth Anything"
Over 49% of the woman surveyed for this book, have believed this lie.
Listen to what others have said:
"Feeling inferior has been a lifelong struggle. Many times it has caused me to withdraw from relationships, even though I am a people person and outgoing."
"I feel the need to have constant reassurance from those around me of my value because I feel worthless! If people knew me, they would agree."
"Because of the hurt in my marriage, I felt that I was useless and that nobody, not even God, could love me. I just didn't measure up, and since I have always felt that I had to be perfect to be loved, then obviously God would not love me either."
"I was told as a child that I was worthless as tits on a bear. I soon believed that I was. I still have trouble with i this at times. I believed that i would never be anybody in this world because that is what I heard when I was growing up. People saw me as a retarded person who didn't know anything. At the that time I believed it. I used to lock myself up and wouldn't want to do anything with anybody. I have believed all of my life that I would never have any good friends or family and that I would rot away with the suffering and pain that I went thought most of my life."
"The problem is that our view of ourselves and out sense of self worth are often determined by the input and opinions of others. What we believe about ourselves determines how we live. If we believe and act on lies, we will end up in bondage."
"For the longest time I thought I was not worth anything. Even after I was saved, I thought I was equal to pond scum. This threw me into a depression. I began to isolate myself, and as a result, was not living the life of joy that God had intended for me."
"'I am not worth anything' is a lie I believed. I have always struggled with this lie and with a constant "need" for the approval of others. It got to the point of being maddening ---trying to please everyone, trying to have the appearance of what I thought I should look like."
"I find that women today are desperately seeking affirmation; they are driven to gain the approval of others. It's as if they were trying to balance the scales of the negative input they have recieved from others. But, in most cases, no number of positive "strokes" can out weight those negative, hurtful expressions that have led them to believe they are worthless. No amout of affirmation is enough.
There is a wonderful verse in 1Peter that shows us how Jesus' sense of worth was determined, not by what others thought of Him - good or bad - by by the Truth as expressed by His heavenly Father: He was "rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him" (2:4). Jesus was rejected by men - those He had created for Himself, those He loved and for whom He laid down His life. But that is not what determined His value. He was chosen by God; that is what made Him precious; that is what determined His worth.
When God sent His only Son, Jesus, to this earth to bear your sin and mine on the cross, He put a price tag on on - He declared the value of our soul to be greater than the value of the whole world. Whose opinion are you going to accept? Believing a lie will put you in the bondage. Believing the Truth will set you free."
Some things to think about till next time:
Read Psalm 139:1-18. What do you learn from this psalm about God's heart and thoughts toward you?
Is there someone's whose affirmation you crave? Whose approval matters more to you than God's?
How has that longing for human acceptance affected your thoughts? Your emotions? Your behavior? Your relationships with others?
Read Romans 5:6-11. What makes it possible for us, as fallen sinners and enemies of God, to be accepted by God?
Lord, thank You for loving me so much. Thank You, for choosing me and saving me. thank you that through Christ I have been made acceptable to You and that I am Your treasured possession. Help me to think of myself as Your beloved daughter and to rejoice in the privilege of my relationship with You. Amen.
Prayerful Tuesday
Prayerful Tuesday
"Oh Lord, my God, I called to you for help and you healed me. O Lord, you brought me up from the grave; you spared me from going down into the pit." Psalm 30:2-3
As a flippant teenager I used to say, "Spare me" whenever I wanted to skip to something better. "Spare me the details" or "Spare me the boring lecture." It is funny how the meaning of those words changed after I experienced hardship. Spare me...it is no longer my sarcastic way to end a conversation. It is my frequent plea to You.
Lord, pull me from my despair and the depths of my self-pity. Place me on new heights so that I can stand tall and gain perspective once again of the life. You have given to me. Spare me from the fate of my own demise. Help me.
Please share your prayer requests, you can do them anonymously, or leave them on the Fan Page on Facebook. Let's be prayer warriors for each other today!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Share The Road Saturday
Share the Road Saturdays
As we walk with our Savior, there are so many things we encounter on the "road" of our lives, so let's "Share The Road" with each other.
Let's take this day, at "Christian, Can We Talk", to share your testimony, your praises for the week, a trial you are going through, or a trial you went through and how God brought you through it! If you have a question and you don't know the answer, post it here...maybe someone will have an answer for you. Maybe you want to see if you can "stump" us, post a question and see how many of us get it right! This will be totally open, share whatever you want whether you are looking to uplift someone, or needing to be uplifted!
Today I thought I would share a recipe I found. I was following a blog via Facebook and they posted across my wall a wonderful recipe or as she says a "yummy, quick meal idea."
I liked this recipe for 2 reasons:
1. she gives a great idea on freezing chicken
2. sounds delicious and easy especially for those Sunday dinners after church.
You can follow her blog via Blogspot.com or you can follow her via Facebook.
STUMP 'EM QUESTION
Who was called Belteshazzar?
FOOD 4 THOUGHT
Let's get YOU all involved. YOU answer the question:
How do you handle this situation?
You are talking to someone who is excited about God, possibly a new Christian. They are talking to you about sin. They say, "Yeah, we aren't suppose to sin, but..... at least we have a God that forgives. So I can just ask Him to forgive me each time I do. I mean, He is a loving God and I can just ask when I do, and I got a clean slate. So, it is almost like I can sin all I want, and God is loving and will forgive , so I am covered."
What do you say?
Friday, March 12, 2010
Devotional Friday - "Working Hard At Being Worthless"
Devotional Friday
"Working Hard At Being Worthless" by Pastor Rick Klueg from The Baptist Church of Northville
Working Hard At Being Worthless - Proverbs 16:27
A worthless man digs up evil,
While his words are like scorching fire.
While his words are like scorching fire.
Comments:
Perhaps one of the worst insults that might be given to a person is to call him worthless. Think of what it means when you hear it said of someone, “He/she is never going to amount to anything!” We are all created in God’s image, with a tremendous capacity to live a meaningful, productive life. This is why it means so much for people that their lives count for something. What a needless tragedy, then for any human life to amount to nothing. Worse yet to think that a person would work hard to end up a net negative, making the world a worse place instead of a better one!
Perhaps one of the worst insults that might be given to a person is to call him worthless. Think of what it means when you hear it said of someone, “He/she is never going to amount to anything!” We are all created in God’s image, with a tremendous capacity to live a meaningful, productive life. This is why it means so much for people that their lives count for something. What a needless tragedy, then for any human life to amount to nothing. Worse yet to think that a person would work hard to end up a net negative, making the world a worse place instead of a better one!
The Hebrew phrase translated a worthless man is literally a man of worthlessness. The term indicates something that is useless and unproductive, and is even detrimental to the general good. Unfortunately, there are some people who fit this description. The first thing this proverb says is that such a person digs up evil. The word for “digging” is used elsewhere in the Old Testament of people who dig pits to make traps for innocent victims (e.g. Psalm 57:6). What strikes me is that the worthless man goes through such effort to dredge up the negative and the nasty. That same effort could be used to dig up good things, in which case his life would amount to something positive.
This proverb zeroes in on one aspect of the life of a worthless man. He makes the world around him a worse place because his words are like scorching fire. This reminds us of the warning given in James 3:6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. Evil speech devastates the speaker and ruins his own life, while at the same time wreaking havoc on those around him.
This proverb is not just making an observation, it is issuing a warning and giving a challenge. It is a warning to watch out for people like this. There are people in this world who are digging for evil, and may well use whatever they dig up to pull you down. It is also a challenge to not be this way yourself. David makes the commitment in another Psalm, The deeds of faithless men [same word in the Hebrew, worthless men] I hate; they will not cling to me (Psalm 101:3). Do not be a worthless man, but make your life count for something good!
Biblical Doctrine: Anthropology – Each of us has been created in God’s image and placed in this world to “amount to something” good.My Responsibility: Amount to something good!
Question: Why do people invest so much effort to dig up evil?
Prayer: Lord, may I set before my eyes no unclean thing. Help me to hate the deeds of worthless men, that their deeds will not cling to me (cf. Psalm 101:3).
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Teen Thursday
The Teens have their own blog now! Our Generation Seeking Him. Every author is a teen seeking God and wanting to encourage other teens while sharing their experiences as Christians. So I thought that I would post part of one of their posts here every week. Don't worry about missing Shelby, she is one of the authors!
This post was put in the "Standing @ My Locker" section which is about Christian Teens in public school.
I have been in public school since kindergarten, so I really don't know any different than what goes on there, and the struggles that I face being a Christian growing up in a public school. But one thing that any Christian in a public school setting would say is that, IT IS NOT EASY!!! There are "giants" to face around every single corner. To some people, the way that we live as a Christian is just ridiculous. They just don't understand the entirety of growing up the way that we have.
So, what I'm going to start out with is a few questions, just to get you thinking about different aspects of being a Christian in public school....
Q. What do you want people to think about you?
A. For me I want people to know that I am a Christian. I don't care what they have to say about it, they can think what they want. I don't want them to think that I am ashamed of my faith... What good will that do in reaching out to them?
Q. Do you get discouraged by your peers and teachers?
A. For me, the majority of my peers and teachers do not share my faith. They just don't understand the things that I believe. But, then there are the few that I know are Christians, and I can talk to them if I start to feel discouraged. From experience I can say that it isn't fun to be "alone" in school. It can feel like you are the only one that is following God's way and you can reach the point where you are asking yourself why God is putting you through this. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense to us, but in the end God has a plan for us, and a reason that we are in a public school. As long as you stick to your faith and lay your life, struggles, and problems at God's feet, then you will pull through, and be an example for those around you.
"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders- he'll carry your load, He'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin." ~Psalm 55:22~
Q. Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in?
So, what I'm going to start out with is a few questions, just to get you thinking about different aspects of being a Christian in public school....
Q. What do you want people to think about you?
A. For me I want people to know that I am a Christian. I don't care what they have to say about it, they can think what they want. I don't want them to think that I am ashamed of my faith... What good will that do in reaching out to them?
Q. Do you get discouraged by your peers and teachers?
A. For me, the majority of my peers and teachers do not share my faith. They just don't understand the things that I believe. But, then there are the few that I know are Christians, and I can talk to them if I start to feel discouraged. From experience I can say that it isn't fun to be "alone" in school. It can feel like you are the only one that is following God's way and you can reach the point where you are asking yourself why God is putting you through this. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense to us, but in the end God has a plan for us, and a reason that we are in a public school. As long as you stick to your faith and lay your life, struggles, and problems at God's feet, then you will pull through, and be an example for those around you.
"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders- he'll carry your load, He'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin." ~Psalm 55:22~
Q. Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in?
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Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Truth Wednesday - Music
Truth Wednesday
"The Truth Project" is being put on hold for awhile, but Anne says she will be back. So until then, I thought we could do some "truth" searching of our own. I will pose a topic and we all can share the TRUTH we find in God's Word about the topic.
Topic: MUSIC
There has been some debate on Facebook about music and what is "appropriate" for Christians to listen to, and the music that Christian bands/singers put out.
I feel, one woman's opinion, that not ALL music is good for Christians to listen to. I also feel that there are GOOD songs, but that not ALL "good" songs glorify God. For example, "ABC" is a GOOD song, but it doesn't put out the salvation message or even mention God. I am NOT bothered so much by the genre of music as I am the lyrics of a song. If someone loves listening to Metallica and other heavy metal bands, and they get saved, what are they to listen to now? Do you think that person is really going to be satisfied with The Gaithers?
Music is a very powerful tool that can be used to reach so many people for Christ. It is also a very personal thing. I know, for me, music touches my soul and heart like nothing short of hearing God's voice or the laughter of my kids can. A song that worships and talks about God will give me goosebumps, tears, and an overwhelming heart to praise Him. So back to music being personal, to the person who loves heavy metal, you don't want them going back to secular music to satisfy his music needs. THAT is why I have no issues with the genre of music. To each is own there. BUT the songs should absolutely be clear that the purpose is to bring praise and salvation message or mentioning of God.
I have gotten a lesson in Christian music lately with finding out how many artists, CHRISTIAN artists, do not use the opportunities on their albums to do that. And what an opportunity they have! How many have come to know Jesus as Savior due to the opening of the eyes or heart by a song professing His saving grace and undying love for them?
I feel that Christians, have a God given order to bring as many people to Him as we can, to take every opportunity to do so. Ok, do Christian artists get excluded from this? Then I don't understand why a CHRISTIAN band or singer would rather record a song about bugs instead of one about God.
I have heard the argument "Well, they recorded it because it will go out to secular radio stations and more people will be exposed to the song. Then maybe they will want to hear more of their music and maybe buy the CD and then they will hear the songs about God."
I have some issues with this. There are too many "Maybe's" for me. MAYBE they will want to hear more from the artist, MAYBE they will buy the CD, and MAYBE they will bother to listen to the other songs on the CD. To me, and remember this is ONE woman's opinion, it is just a way for the artists to gain popularity. I know God gave them a talent to sing, then they need to use the talent that HE gave them to bring glory to HIM but sharing the salvation message and mentioning God's name, not bugs. If these "bug" songs were not coming from CHRISTIAN artists, we as Christians, would not think twice. Is the "bug" song bad....NO...does it have the salvation message or even mention God....NO...is it recorded by a Christian band/singer....YES. sigh
The one verse that popped into my head was Phillipians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
So share with me some verses about music. Tell me what you think about this topic. I look forward to finding some TRUTH with you.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Prayerful Tuesday
Prayerful Tuesday
Direct My Steps
"Lord, is this one of those times when any choice is okay with you, as long as I stay in Your ways and wisdom? Or is this really a fork in the road that has a blatant "of God" and "not of God" option? Forgive me for not having communication with You and learning to hear the discerning voice of Your Spirit.
Please direct my feet, my mouth, my heart so that I follow in the way that is right for me and for Your will. I pray as Saul did. Give me the right answer, Lord.
(from "One-Minute Prayers From The Bible") Please share your prayer requests, you can do them anonymously, or leave them on the Fan Page on Facebook. Let's be prayer warriors for each other today!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Music For The Heart Monday
Music For The Heart Monday
This song for me, is one of the most real songs about our walk with our Lord. It goes along with this week's post on "Lies Women Believe" About God - God Should Fix My Problems. No matter what we go through, God IS there, and He is holding us.
Here's one to get you praising God today. I don't know how you can hear this song and not feel like shouting out "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! He Reigns!"
Is Jesus everything to you?
"How quickly I forget I'm yours!"
Come and share your favorite video with us, you can leave it as a comment on this post, or leave it in a comment on the Fan Page on Facebook.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Soulful Sunday - "Lies Women Believe" About God part 6
Soulful Sunday - "Lies Women Believe" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
About God - Part 6
"God Should Fix My Problems"
There are two problems with this train of thought.
#1 - God is not some "cosmic genie who exists to please and serve us". What this lie does is "set us up for disillusionment and disappointment with God".
#2 - This lie "suggests that the goal in life is to be free from all problems". Face it, we live in a society of "fix it, and do it fast". Think of all the commercials you see, they target the "problems" and give "solutions" to them because, heaven forbid, you have to live a life with any "problems".
Many people look to Christianity as a "fix" for their problems. If I pray to God, he will fix my marriage, heal my friend of cancer, I will have friends, my kids will behave, my habits will be gone. And if these things do not happen, then God didn't "come through for me".
This is very deceptive and leaves many Christian women feeling frustrated and disappointed. Their thinking is if they "do" all the right things and live a good "Christian life", then there will be no problems. Wrong. Living a life of obedience does NOT guarantee a life of not problems or protects us from all problems. A life of obedience "does spare us from many consequences of a life lived apart from God and His ways".
Until Christ comes again and God makes a new heaven and a new earth, we are going to live in a sinful world. Our bodies are earthly ones and prone to disease and ultimately death.
But there is good news, God does not watch us from afar as we struggle. He is with us always. Psalm 46.1 tells us that God is " a very present help in trouble". How awesome is that? These "problems" we are going through is being used to help mold and make us more Christ-like.
We need to be more like Jesus, who
"learned obedience from what He suffered" Hebrews 5:8.
Some things to think about until next time:
Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. What kind of problems was Paul facing? What do you think his motivation was in asking for it to be removed? Do you think it was wrong to pray this way?
What difficulties are you facing today? Are there problems and trials in your life that you've asked God to remove and He has not?
Why might God sometimes choose to not fix or remove some problems? What greater goals might He have in mind?
What is the biggest problem you are facing right now? What do you think God may want to teach you through your current struggle?
If God never "fixed" that problem, how could He use this circumstance to change you to reveal His character through you?
Lord, I know that You want what is best for me. You desire to help me become mature. I understand that sometimes the only way I will grow is through pain. In the difficulties that I am facing today, Lord, I pray that You will grant me peace and patience to accept Your perfect will in my life. Amen
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