What the “code of elves” taught me about life…
I absolutely love the movie “Elf”. I can watch it over and over and still laugh, it’s just that kind of movie for me. We first saw it when Mackenzie was almost a year old. We bundled up and went to the theater to watch it, and she sat quietly the whole time, just taking it all in. Then, when it came out on DVD the next year, we bought it as a family gift.
This may seem kind of odd if you know us, because you probably know that we don’t do the whole “Santa” thing and never have. We’ve always taught the girls that Christmas is first and foremost the time we set aside to celebrate Christ’s birth. How He left the amazing surroundings of Heaven to come to this dirty planet and dwell with us. He became flesh and lived with us! I still can’t wrap my mind around the love that it takes for the God of the universe to live as a human and deal with everyday humanity! As Max Lucado talked about in one of his books, Jesus was sinless and perfect, but He still dealt with human issues. As a pre-teen, He dealt with that pesky change in his voice, as a teen, He probably had a few bouts of acne, you know, just everyday things! I also feel like Jesus had to have had a great sense of humor. He knew after all, that a merry heart is like good medicine! So that brings me to “Elf”. I could be in the worst mood and that movie just makes me smile. Even hearing a quote makes me smile, “I just like to smile, smiling’s my favorite!”.
Tonight while it was starting and Buddy is in elf school, the “code of elves” struck a chord. For those of you aren’t “Elf” aficionados, I’ll share it with you.
1. Treat every day like Christmas.
2. There’s room for everyone on the nice list.
3. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!
So #1 is fairly simple, or is it? Do we celebrate our King every day? Do we dwell in His presence and revel in the fact that He cared enough to come as a baby, born in a stable? In place of the soft clothes and cooshy diapers we put on our babies these days, do we remember that He was in fact, wrapped in pieces of cloth and laid in a feed trough? I don’t think you can get more humble than that…I mean, the King of Kings put aside all He had in Heaven and came here! He knew that He was born to die. Treating every day like Christmas isn’t about eating candy canes 365 days a year, checking your stocking every morning or getting/giving gifts! If we do it the right way, it’s about taking time to honor our Saviour with everything we do.
#2 couldn’t be more true! It’s not Santa’s nice list that I think of though, it’s God’s! There’s room for everyone in the Book of Life, if only they’d accept His free gift of grace! It’s more than doing good deeds to get on God’s “nice list”, it’s about believing that He is the Creator of the universe, that He sent His one and only Son to earth, to be born to a virgin, live a sinless life and then give His life to atone our sins. Past, present, future sins, they’re all covered by His blood! No matter what you’ve done or where you are in life, Jesus Christ longs to give you forgiveness and salvation that stems from His great love! There truly is room for everyone on the “nice list”!
And lastly, we come to #3. Our lives are a song that everyone around listens to, whether we want to admit it or not. When we live out the Gospel and the love of Christ, our song reaches hearts that may have been hardened and bitter for years! We can truly spread Christmas cheer (remember, treat every day like Christmas) by singing loud for all to hear! Our neighbors, co-workers, teachers and family are the obvious audience that hears our song, but far deeper than that, think of the cashier at the grocery store, the bank teller and the server at your favorite eatery. They may not be listening at first, but when they see His love shining through your life-song, they’ll see a difference! A difference that could bring them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ! What better gift can you give someone than a life that is blameless and running over with His love?
Thanks Buddy the Elf, you have given me inspiration this Christmas! During the remainder of 2009 and throughout 2010, I will try to treat every day like Christmas, remembering that God has room for ALL on His “nice list” (the ground is level at the foot of His Cross) and that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing (or living) loud for all to hear!
Merry Christmas to all of my friends! My prayer is that you too will learn a lesson from the elves!
I John 4:10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
just a ragamuffin (repost)
Friday, February 24, 2006
I'm just a Ragamuffin Current mood: refreshed Category: Religion and Philosophy
Ok, so since I've read all of the books to date from my fav authors, I'm gonna re-read an old favorite. I read it a LONG time ago, back when I first graduated high school, and I figured it would make a good re-run. For those of you who've never heard of this book, you probably aren't alone. It's not one that a lot of people know about, but I'd definately recommend it. Before he died in a tragic car accident, the singer/song writer Rich Mullins was an avid promoter of this book, which is what led me to read it. I love the way Rich poured his heart and soul into his music, and he seemed to be like a modern day David. Like he was so close to God, and it made me yearn to have that kind of relationship too.
This book talks about how we're just dirty, plain, every day ragamuffins that you'd see on Commercial street or the like that most people would turn their back on. In fact, even those with the best intentions slip up and turn away those who need them the most. But thru His grace, God see us as more than that. He see us as a precious gift, a treasure that just needs a little tender loving care. But in order to recieve that grace, we have to come to Him, and acknowledge that we need it. It's ALWAYS there. There is never a time that you could go to Him and He would turn you away. No matter how mucky, dirty or disease ridden you are. He loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way. He sees us all the same. Me, you, the prostitute, the meth cooker down the street, the orphaned child whose parents died of Aids in Africa and even Bill Gates or Sadaam Hussein. He loves us, and died for our sins. And this love is a free gift that is never ending! When everyone else in your life turns you away, HE IS THERE! When you're a ragamuffin to the rest of the world, your a treasure to God. Always remember this.
I'm just a Ragamuffin Current mood: refreshed Category: Religion and Philosophy
Ok, so since I've read all of the books to date from my fav authors, I'm gonna re-read an old favorite. I read it a LONG time ago, back when I first graduated high school, and I figured it would make a good re-run. For those of you who've never heard of this book, you probably aren't alone. It's not one that a lot of people know about, but I'd definately recommend it. Before he died in a tragic car accident, the singer/song writer Rich Mullins was an avid promoter of this book, which is what led me to read it. I love the way Rich poured his heart and soul into his music, and he seemed to be like a modern day David. Like he was so close to God, and it made me yearn to have that kind of relationship too.
This book talks about how we're just dirty, plain, every day ragamuffins that you'd see on Commercial street or the like that most people would turn their back on. In fact, even those with the best intentions slip up and turn away those who need them the most. But thru His grace, God see us as more than that. He see us as a precious gift, a treasure that just needs a little tender loving care. But in order to recieve that grace, we have to come to Him, and acknowledge that we need it. It's ALWAYS there. There is never a time that you could go to Him and He would turn you away. No matter how mucky, dirty or disease ridden you are. He loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way. He sees us all the same. Me, you, the prostitute, the meth cooker down the street, the orphaned child whose parents died of Aids in Africa and even Bill Gates or Sadaam Hussein. He loves us, and died for our sins. And this love is a free gift that is never ending! When everyone else in your life turns you away, HE IS THERE! When you're a ragamuffin to the rest of the world, your a treasure to God. Always remember this.
face transplant (repost)
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Face transplant Current mood: amused Category: Life
Ok, so the world's first ever face transplant recepient spoke to the press and public early this week. For those of you who don't read or watch the news, she had her face pretty much bitten off by a dog. The transplanted "face" was a circlular area from the nose, around the cheeks, and down to her chin. Now imagine, she'd been without all of that, or let's just say it was mostly mangled and not recognizible as a face for a while. Most people would even think she couldn't live like that, but she did.
So these doctors in Europe give this lady a new face, from a cadaver donor, and poof! She has a new lease on life. She has a nose, cheeks and a functioning mouth and lips again! Of course as with any transplant, she has to be on anti-rejection medication, since her body knows the "face" is not hers. Apparently she's doing well. So well in fact, that she's decided to go back to her old habit of smoking. Her doctors have warned her that this can make her body reject the precious gift that someone literally died so that she could have. The media made a HUGE ordeal about this, and the first thing I thought (along with most of the people who heard it I'm sure) was "What is this lady doing? She's got a new lease on life, and she's throwing it away by doing something that she knows can kill her or make her life miserable."
Right after I thought this, it was like God thumped me on my head and said, "Hello, that's what I did for you. I gave you a new life, and you keep on going back and doing things that you know will make you miserable, and keep you from healing the pains that I died to save you from."
So, thanks and kudos to the face transplant lady. Everytime I see or hear anything about you or any future odd transplant, I'll think of how my Saviour died for me, rose from the dead, and gave me, a sinner in the need of grace a "grace transplant". And it's there for me all of the time. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Face transplant Current mood: amused Category: Life
Ok, so the world's first ever face transplant recepient spoke to the press and public early this week. For those of you who don't read or watch the news, she had her face pretty much bitten off by a dog. The transplanted "face" was a circlular area from the nose, around the cheeks, and down to her chin. Now imagine, she'd been without all of that, or let's just say it was mostly mangled and not recognizible as a face for a while. Most people would even think she couldn't live like that, but she did.
So these doctors in Europe give this lady a new face, from a cadaver donor, and poof! She has a new lease on life. She has a nose, cheeks and a functioning mouth and lips again! Of course as with any transplant, she has to be on anti-rejection medication, since her body knows the "face" is not hers. Apparently she's doing well. So well in fact, that she's decided to go back to her old habit of smoking. Her doctors have warned her that this can make her body reject the precious gift that someone literally died so that she could have. The media made a HUGE ordeal about this, and the first thing I thought (along with most of the people who heard it I'm sure) was "What is this lady doing? She's got a new lease on life, and she's throwing it away by doing something that she knows can kill her or make her life miserable."
Right after I thought this, it was like God thumped me on my head and said, "Hello, that's what I did for you. I gave you a new life, and you keep on going back and doing things that you know will make you miserable, and keep you from healing the pains that I died to save you from."
So, thanks and kudos to the face transplant lady. Everytime I see or hear anything about you or any future odd transplant, I'll think of how my Saviour died for me, rose from the dead, and gave me, a sinner in the need of grace a "grace transplant". And it's there for me all of the time. 2 Corinthians 5:17
bubbles, mmmm! (repost)
Monday, April 10, 2006
Bubbles... mmm yummy! Current mood: content Category: Life
Why?
Why does my 19 month old delight in putting wierd things in her mouth? Like bugs, lids from water bottles, "smarties" wrappers, and most recently, bubble foam from when her big sister washed her hands!
Ok, so I'm striving to make my household a safer place by cutting out a lot of stuff that I know is bad for our bodies. Quaternium or polyquaternium as it is sometimes listed, is basically formaldehyde with a prettier name. Formaldehyde is of course what is used in enbalming dead bodies. But it's also used as a preservative in tons of cosmetic products, including hand soap. So at Wal-Mart the other day, I found a hand soap that didn't have it, which is really rare. But it does have triclosan, which is the "antibacterial" agent in most products. Maddie decided to taste it, and luckily it was just the bubble foam after Kenzie washed her hands, and not the soap itself. Either way, there was warning on the label stating to contact poison control if ingested. So, being the cautious mom I am, I called. The nice nurse from Cardinal Glennon in St. Louis who answered the call advised me that she might throw up, but other than that, she'd be ok if I had her drink milk to neutralize the chemicals. As I was talking to the nurse, Maddie coughed, and actually blew a soap bubble! I laughed so hard. I told the nurse, and she was cracking up too. Then she apollogized, but I told her it was ok. She needed a good laugh anyway after taking calls from frantic parents or baby-sitters.
So, long story short, Maddie is ok, but her breath smelled "lemony fresh" from the Softsoap. I'm sure that's not the last mystery object she'll put in her mouth. Honestly, how did all of us who were toddlers before the internet and poison control hotlines survive? I remember "eating" an entire necklace worth of seed beads, because I thought they were candy. Also, because it was my sister's necklace, I wanted to get even for taking my toy.
Kids really are innocent and blameless, they're just exploring their world. Maybe that's why Jesus loved being with them so much, and why we're told to come to Him like little children. If we're as trusting and innocent in thought as little kids are, we'll glean so much from our Saviour's teachings and love. I'm trying to not be so skeptical and just learn to bask in His love. Just like my girls run into my arms when they see me come into the room in the morning as they wake up, I want to be like that with my Heavenly Father. Letting Him wrap His arms around me and hold me like a dad holds his little girl.
Bubbles... mmm yummy! Current mood: content Category: Life
Why?
Why does my 19 month old delight in putting wierd things in her mouth? Like bugs, lids from water bottles, "smarties" wrappers, and most recently, bubble foam from when her big sister washed her hands!
Ok, so I'm striving to make my household a safer place by cutting out a lot of stuff that I know is bad for our bodies. Quaternium or polyquaternium as it is sometimes listed, is basically formaldehyde with a prettier name. Formaldehyde is of course what is used in enbalming dead bodies. But it's also used as a preservative in tons of cosmetic products, including hand soap. So at Wal-Mart the other day, I found a hand soap that didn't have it, which is really rare. But it does have triclosan, which is the "antibacterial" agent in most products. Maddie decided to taste it, and luckily it was just the bubble foam after Kenzie washed her hands, and not the soap itself. Either way, there was warning on the label stating to contact poison control if ingested. So, being the cautious mom I am, I called. The nice nurse from Cardinal Glennon in St. Louis who answered the call advised me that she might throw up, but other than that, she'd be ok if I had her drink milk to neutralize the chemicals. As I was talking to the nurse, Maddie coughed, and actually blew a soap bubble! I laughed so hard. I told the nurse, and she was cracking up too. Then she apollogized, but I told her it was ok. She needed a good laugh anyway after taking calls from frantic parents or baby-sitters.
So, long story short, Maddie is ok, but her breath smelled "lemony fresh" from the Softsoap. I'm sure that's not the last mystery object she'll put in her mouth. Honestly, how did all of us who were toddlers before the internet and poison control hotlines survive? I remember "eating" an entire necklace worth of seed beads, because I thought they were candy. Also, because it was my sister's necklace, I wanted to get even for taking my toy.
Kids really are innocent and blameless, they're just exploring their world. Maybe that's why Jesus loved being with them so much, and why we're told to come to Him like little children. If we're as trusting and innocent in thought as little kids are, we'll glean so much from our Saviour's teachings and love. I'm trying to not be so skeptical and just learn to bask in His love. Just like my girls run into my arms when they see me come into the room in the morning as they wake up, I want to be like that with my Heavenly Father. Letting Him wrap His arms around me and hold me like a dad holds his little girl.
my kids say some CRAZY things (repost)
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Kids sure say some CRAZY things... Current mood: giggly
Today is Maddie's 2nd birthday!!! When Kenzie turned 1, we started a tradition to go out to breakfast for our birthdays. We used to go to Scrambler's, but I'm a stickler when it comes to checking health inspections, and they had a few too many negative ones for my liking, so we went to Shoneys, which had done well on their last few inspections. I guess Thursday morning is "geriatric day" at the Shoney's on National. We got there, and besides my girls, we were the youngest people there by about 40 years. Anyway, we're sitting and trying to enjoy a birthday breakfast, and the smell of old people was pretty overwhelming. Mackenzie looked in the corner of the room, where 3 ladies were talking about their bargains from Big Lot's, and she says at the top of her lungs..."What are those old ladies doing Mama?". Michael and I looked at each other and tried not to laugh out loud. I just told her something lame like "They're talking about the good deals they got" and she was ok with that, but it was so hard not to laugh.
She also has a fascination with "blue hairs" who make their beautician use a full can of Aqua-Net to "set" their hair for a week. Luckily, her voice is a high enough pitch that most old people can't hear it, even if she's being loud. I guess it's out of the range of their hearing aids. Anyway, she's too funny. And she thinks every old man looks like her "Great-Daddy", which is Michael's grandpa, and makes sure that she points it out every time.
When I was little, I'm surprised my mom even took me out in public. Believe it or not, until I got glasses and started losing my teeth, I was a super cute kid. But cuteness didn't make up for my lack of tactfulness. I was observant to a fault, and spoke my mind without realizing how it would come across. For example, when I was 4, we went to Mississippi to visit my great aunt, who had HUGE legs. The term "cankles" didn't even cover it. She had a medical condition called elephantiasis, which caused her legs, from thighs to feet to be about the size of the average person's waist. I saw it when she took her blanket off of her lap, and said "Wow Aunt Connie, you got legs like an elephant!" I thought it was cool, my mom however, did not. She grabbed me up and swept me off to the hallway and explained that I shouldn't say mean things like that. I told her that I wasn't being mean, it was "really neat". She made me go apologize, but I still thought the whole way back how cool her legs looked, and that she could be in a book or something. Another time, around the age of 6 1/2, we'd gone down to the family cememetery in the deep southern part of Arkansas where my grandpa was buried to put flowers out. My Granny was with us, and like any kid, I was curious about the whole cemetery and death thing, so my mind just ran as we were driving. This was a little over a year since my grandpa had passed away, and I said "Mama, I wonder what Papaw looks like now. Do you think he's all shriveled up and stuff?". I never thought it could happen, but somehow, my mom's arm hyperextended and she slapped me in the mouth before she could even think of what she was doing. Again, I wasn't being rude, just saying exactly what I was thinking. I don't think Granny even heard me, but my mom sure did, and I learned really quick not to talk about how wierd dead people would look after a few months in the ground.
So now, I just have to pray that Maddie isn't as vocal with her thoughts as I was. She's too much like me in other ways, and I should have known that my mouth would catch up with me someday. Scary thought, a little payback in the form of a cute lil' girl. The Bible does say that we'll reap what we sow, and hopefully my seeds of having a "loose tongue" weren't planted too deeply.
The 2 best things I've heard kids say would have to be the following...
We were at the doctor's office one day, and this African American guy was in the waiting room, just trying to relax. On the other side of the waiting room was a mom with a little boy about 4 years old. His mom was not paying any attention to what he was doing, and he soon ran over and started talking to the guy. He was nice enough to the little boy, and then the little boy decided to stand up in the chair next to him. Admittedly, he was overdue for a haircut, and had a pretty good head of hair growing. The little boy touched it, and yelled "Hey mister, you got hair like a sponge!" Then he did that annoying little dance and made up song thing kids that age do, singing "Sponge hair, sponge hair, you got sponge hair!". I felt so bad for the guy, and the mom didn't even respond to it. It was horrible but funny at the same time.
The 2nd thing is pretty good too. I like to mow the yard. It sounds wierd to most people, but it's relaxing to just mow and at the same time enjoy the sights of what God's blessed us with. Anyway, I'd just gotten done mowing, and our neighbor's 6 year old daughter says "So are you mad at Mike?" I told her no, and then asked her why she thought that. She said, "Well, when my mom is mad at my dad, she goes to mow the lawn." So from that day on, when I see Debbie mowing, I know there's a little angst in the neighboring house.
I know this was forever long, but if you have young kids or one on the way, just remember this. Kids hear things that you don't think they're listening to, and will inevitably repeat it at the most akward moment. Be ready!
Kids learn by example, so guard your mouth, and remember that if it shouldn't be repeated, it probably shouldn't be said!
Kids sure say some CRAZY things... Current mood: giggly
Today is Maddie's 2nd birthday!!! When Kenzie turned 1, we started a tradition to go out to breakfast for our birthdays. We used to go to Scrambler's, but I'm a stickler when it comes to checking health inspections, and they had a few too many negative ones for my liking, so we went to Shoneys, which had done well on their last few inspections. I guess Thursday morning is "geriatric day" at the Shoney's on National. We got there, and besides my girls, we were the youngest people there by about 40 years. Anyway, we're sitting and trying to enjoy a birthday breakfast, and the smell of old people was pretty overwhelming. Mackenzie looked in the corner of the room, where 3 ladies were talking about their bargains from Big Lot's, and she says at the top of her lungs..."What are those old ladies doing Mama?". Michael and I looked at each other and tried not to laugh out loud. I just told her something lame like "They're talking about the good deals they got" and she was ok with that, but it was so hard not to laugh.
She also has a fascination with "blue hairs" who make their beautician use a full can of Aqua-Net to "set" their hair for a week. Luckily, her voice is a high enough pitch that most old people can't hear it, even if she's being loud. I guess it's out of the range of their hearing aids. Anyway, she's too funny. And she thinks every old man looks like her "Great-Daddy", which is Michael's grandpa, and makes sure that she points it out every time.
When I was little, I'm surprised my mom even took me out in public. Believe it or not, until I got glasses and started losing my teeth, I was a super cute kid. But cuteness didn't make up for my lack of tactfulness. I was observant to a fault, and spoke my mind without realizing how it would come across. For example, when I was 4, we went to Mississippi to visit my great aunt, who had HUGE legs. The term "cankles" didn't even cover it. She had a medical condition called elephantiasis, which caused her legs, from thighs to feet to be about the size of the average person's waist. I saw it when she took her blanket off of her lap, and said "Wow Aunt Connie, you got legs like an elephant!" I thought it was cool, my mom however, did not. She grabbed me up and swept me off to the hallway and explained that I shouldn't say mean things like that. I told her that I wasn't being mean, it was "really neat". She made me go apologize, but I still thought the whole way back how cool her legs looked, and that she could be in a book or something. Another time, around the age of 6 1/2, we'd gone down to the family cememetery in the deep southern part of Arkansas where my grandpa was buried to put flowers out. My Granny was with us, and like any kid, I was curious about the whole cemetery and death thing, so my mind just ran as we were driving. This was a little over a year since my grandpa had passed away, and I said "Mama, I wonder what Papaw looks like now. Do you think he's all shriveled up and stuff?". I never thought it could happen, but somehow, my mom's arm hyperextended and she slapped me in the mouth before she could even think of what she was doing. Again, I wasn't being rude, just saying exactly what I was thinking. I don't think Granny even heard me, but my mom sure did, and I learned really quick not to talk about how wierd dead people would look after a few months in the ground.
So now, I just have to pray that Maddie isn't as vocal with her thoughts as I was. She's too much like me in other ways, and I should have known that my mouth would catch up with me someday. Scary thought, a little payback in the form of a cute lil' girl. The Bible does say that we'll reap what we sow, and hopefully my seeds of having a "loose tongue" weren't planted too deeply.
The 2 best things I've heard kids say would have to be the following...
We were at the doctor's office one day, and this African American guy was in the waiting room, just trying to relax. On the other side of the waiting room was a mom with a little boy about 4 years old. His mom was not paying any attention to what he was doing, and he soon ran over and started talking to the guy. He was nice enough to the little boy, and then the little boy decided to stand up in the chair next to him. Admittedly, he was overdue for a haircut, and had a pretty good head of hair growing. The little boy touched it, and yelled "Hey mister, you got hair like a sponge!" Then he did that annoying little dance and made up song thing kids that age do, singing "Sponge hair, sponge hair, you got sponge hair!". I felt so bad for the guy, and the mom didn't even respond to it. It was horrible but funny at the same time.
The 2nd thing is pretty good too. I like to mow the yard. It sounds wierd to most people, but it's relaxing to just mow and at the same time enjoy the sights of what God's blessed us with. Anyway, I'd just gotten done mowing, and our neighbor's 6 year old daughter says "So are you mad at Mike?" I told her no, and then asked her why she thought that. She said, "Well, when my mom is mad at my dad, she goes to mow the lawn." So from that day on, when I see Debbie mowing, I know there's a little angst in the neighboring house.
I know this was forever long, but if you have young kids or one on the way, just remember this. Kids hear things that you don't think they're listening to, and will inevitably repeat it at the most akward moment. Be ready!
Kids learn by example, so guard your mouth, and remember that if it shouldn't be repeated, it probably shouldn't be said!
what would we do (repost)
So I was just making myself some coffee, and thinking that in a few days, the "anniversary" of the September 11th, 2001 tragedy will be upon us. I was making a mental note to remember to hang up our flag in respect of those who lost their lives Then, I thought of how even after 9 years, I still miss my dad, who passed away.& His death was expected, since he was very sick.But think of the daughters, sons, wives, moms and dads, and everyone who lost someone on that fateful day had absolutely no idea that when that person left for work, that they'd never see them again And for some people, the "never see them again" is true in the most literal sense.
The impact of the planes and explosions were so great that some of the bodies were just burned to nothing, or blown to shreds. I know that sounds a little graphic, but that's what happened. We tend to try to candy coat things here in America, make them easier to deal with. But for that random wife whose husband's remains are forever gone, it would be nearly impossible to grasp. Without seeing "remains", as this outer shell of our body is referred to, the human mind has a hard time comprehending that someone is truly gone
Closure is an important part of being able to grieve the way we need to. Even if you see a casket and your loved one or friend's body, closure can be hard to obtain. I still dream about my Dad, and half expect to see Mark or Adam walk into the sanctuary at church. I know they're in Heaven, but I still can picture them where I saw them the most. Wierd huh. Anyway, for people who never saw the body of the one they lost, a lot of them have said they still expect that person to walk thru the door, and apologize for being late, or for being gone so long The 9/11 tragedy is still very fresh in our minds, since we still see footage of it on the news, the movie industry makes movies about it, and of course the war is a huge reminder But the thing that pops into my head when I try to comprehend how these families deal with their loss is this.
What would we do if that would have happened even 20 years ago, when DNA testing was a thing of "the future". Or even farther back, 60 years ago during WW2, when men would be gone for months or years at a time and the wives and family back home didn't even know if the man in their lives was alive! The soldiers today have the advantage of the internet, so every once in a while, they can send an e-mail to family back home. But back then, the average wife may not get a letter for 6 months or more after it was written. No phone calls, just the hope that 2 men in uniform didn't show up at their door with a telegram letting them know that their husband or son was killed in action. I cannot comprehend how hard that would have been!
We're so dependent on technology. We all have our cell phones with us 99% of the time, and feel naked if we don't have it. We log onto the internet any time we want, check for new "myspace comments", and see news literally within minutes of when it happens. For that matter, we can flip on the news on the tv in our living room, or even while we're in the car and know what's going on in the world. But what would we do if that were all gone? We'd probably have nervous breakdowns!
We get too wrapped up in the happenings in the world, that we don't stop and remember that we have an amazing Saviour that promises eternal life, eternal love, and an escape from the insanity of this planet! We don't remember that our God is bigger than Al Qaida, Hezbollah, or any other terrorist group. He's bigger than George W., Tony Blair and Kofi Annan. He holds each of us in the palm of His hands, and just like a mother hen protects her babies under her wings when a predator comes, we can have the assurance of His salvation! He loves us more than we can ever comprehend, and offers new mercies each day. When you wake up, He's there. When you go to sleep, He's there! He promised that He will NEVER leave us! If we could share that message with the world, imagine how different life would be! When you went to the grocery store, the clerk would have a smile on her face and Jesus in her heart! When you call some random 800# for customer service, the person on the other end of the line would be so full of His joy, that it makes that bill you have to pay not seem so bad. And when you went to church, people would be happy to be there, not just filling the pew as their "duty". They would be in true worship mode, giving all praise and honor to the Lord. Wow, what a world it would be!
Ok, so I rambled a bit, but it was on my mind, and I had to share. I hope if you read this, it made you think of how good we have it. Not just with regular things, but in life as a child of God! Remember to be a light to this dark world, and that you truly are the only bit of Jesus some people will ever see.
The impact of the planes and explosions were so great that some of the bodies were just burned to nothing, or blown to shreds. I know that sounds a little graphic, but that's what happened. We tend to try to candy coat things here in America, make them easier to deal with. But for that random wife whose husband's remains are forever gone, it would be nearly impossible to grasp. Without seeing "remains", as this outer shell of our body is referred to, the human mind has a hard time comprehending that someone is truly gone
Closure is an important part of being able to grieve the way we need to. Even if you see a casket and your loved one or friend's body, closure can be hard to obtain. I still dream about my Dad, and half expect to see Mark or Adam walk into the sanctuary at church. I know they're in Heaven, but I still can picture them where I saw them the most. Wierd huh. Anyway, for people who never saw the body of the one they lost, a lot of them have said they still expect that person to walk thru the door, and apologize for being late, or for being gone so long The 9/11 tragedy is still very fresh in our minds, since we still see footage of it on the news, the movie industry makes movies about it, and of course the war is a huge reminder But the thing that pops into my head when I try to comprehend how these families deal with their loss is this.
What would we do if that would have happened even 20 years ago, when DNA testing was a thing of "the future". Or even farther back, 60 years ago during WW2, when men would be gone for months or years at a time and the wives and family back home didn't even know if the man in their lives was alive! The soldiers today have the advantage of the internet, so every once in a while, they can send an e-mail to family back home. But back then, the average wife may not get a letter for 6 months or more after it was written. No phone calls, just the hope that 2 men in uniform didn't show up at their door with a telegram letting them know that their husband or son was killed in action. I cannot comprehend how hard that would have been!
We're so dependent on technology. We all have our cell phones with us 99% of the time, and feel naked if we don't have it. We log onto the internet any time we want, check for new "myspace comments", and see news literally within minutes of when it happens. For that matter, we can flip on the news on the tv in our living room, or even while we're in the car and know what's going on in the world. But what would we do if that were all gone? We'd probably have nervous breakdowns!
We get too wrapped up in the happenings in the world, that we don't stop and remember that we have an amazing Saviour that promises eternal life, eternal love, and an escape from the insanity of this planet! We don't remember that our God is bigger than Al Qaida, Hezbollah, or any other terrorist group. He's bigger than George W., Tony Blair and Kofi Annan. He holds each of us in the palm of His hands, and just like a mother hen protects her babies under her wings when a predator comes, we can have the assurance of His salvation! He loves us more than we can ever comprehend, and offers new mercies each day. When you wake up, He's there. When you go to sleep, He's there! He promised that He will NEVER leave us! If we could share that message with the world, imagine how different life would be! When you went to the grocery store, the clerk would have a smile on her face and Jesus in her heart! When you call some random 800# for customer service, the person on the other end of the line would be so full of His joy, that it makes that bill you have to pay not seem so bad. And when you went to church, people would be happy to be there, not just filling the pew as their "duty". They would be in true worship mode, giving all praise and honor to the Lord. Wow, what a world it would be!
Ok, so I rambled a bit, but it was on my mind, and I had to share. I hope if you read this, it made you think of how good we have it. Not just with regular things, but in life as a child of God! Remember to be a light to this dark world, and that you truly are the only bit of Jesus some people will ever see.
protect me from your followers (repost)
I saw a car on my way home from the church on Saturday, and the bumper sticker said "God, protect me from your followers". At first, the "Baptist" in me was offended, and I'm pretty sure she kinda was going for that whole effect. But then, I thought of how she could be serious. Maybe she'd been hurt emotionally or physically by someone who called themselves a Christian. Maybe at church, in her Sunday School class, one of the girls said such mean things to her that she never wanted anything to do with a church or to be around a Christian again. Maybe she even saw the kids that were sitting in the same row at church on Sunday at the party on Friday and Saturday drinking, smoking, swearing and being sexually immoral, but proclaiming that they love Jesus and quoting Scripture during youth group. Maybe it was a parent or other relative, a co-worker, or neighbor who condemned her for the sin in her life, but didn't care to see the sin in their own. Maybe it was the husband who went to church on Easter and Christmas, smiling and telling the pastor how great his sermon was, but then beating his wife and kids in a drunken stupor the rest of the year.
We've all seen it, and for the most part, to some extent have lived it. Christ calls us to follow Him, and we do. But the way is narrow, and it's not gonna be easy. He never promised us loving Him would be easy, and that the Christian life is without sorrow, but He did say that He'd never leave us. As you go thru the week, try to remember that the world expects Christians to be "Christ-like", and that maybe wearing that outfit that looks so cute, but is a little questionable, make people question your beliefs? Is that bit of juicy gossip about someone at school or work going to taint someone's view of how Christians think or act? Or that song you've got playing on your I-Pod isn't "bad", but the other songs by that artist go against what God's word says. Guys, you may think that your friends realize "how guys are" and that it's ok to disrespect women and authority figures, but is that the reflection you want to show? Or even the adults who may be reading this, is that dirty joke you listened to at the office or the comment you made about a co-worker or your boss really showing His love thru you? Is that the "Jesus" you want to share?
My Jesus
Which Jesus do you follow?Which Jesus do you serve?If Ephesians says to imitate ChristThen why do you look so much like the world?Cause my Jesus bled and diedHe spent His time with thieves and liarsHe loved the poor and accosted the arrogantSo which one do you want to be?Blessed are the poor in spiritOr do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this landBlessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousnessOr do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sandCause my Jesus bled and died for my sinsHe spent His time with thieves and sluts and liarsHe loved the poor and accosted the richSo which one do you want to be?Who is this that you followThis picture of the American dreamIf Jesus was here would you walk right by on the other side or fall down and worship at His holy feetPretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexionIs how you see Him as He dies for Your sinsBut the Word says He was battered and scarredOr did you miss that partSometimes I doubt we'd recognize HimCause my Jesus bled and diedHe spent His time with thieves and the least of theseHe loved the poor and accosted the comfortableSo which one do you want to be?Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my churchThe blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpetBut He reaches for the hurting and despised the proudI think He'd prefer Beale St. to the stained glass crowdAnd I know that He can hear me if I cry out loudI want to be like my Jesus!I want to be like my Jesus!Not a posterchild for American prosperity, but like my JesusYou see I'm tired of living for success and popularityI want to be like my Jesus but I'm not sure what that means to be like You JesusCause You said to live like You, love like You but then You died for meCan I be like You Jesus?I want to be like my Jesus
We've all seen it, and for the most part, to some extent have lived it. Christ calls us to follow Him, and we do. But the way is narrow, and it's not gonna be easy. He never promised us loving Him would be easy, and that the Christian life is without sorrow, but He did say that He'd never leave us. As you go thru the week, try to remember that the world expects Christians to be "Christ-like", and that maybe wearing that outfit that looks so cute, but is a little questionable, make people question your beliefs? Is that bit of juicy gossip about someone at school or work going to taint someone's view of how Christians think or act? Or that song you've got playing on your I-Pod isn't "bad", but the other songs by that artist go against what God's word says. Guys, you may think that your friends realize "how guys are" and that it's ok to disrespect women and authority figures, but is that the reflection you want to show? Or even the adults who may be reading this, is that dirty joke you listened to at the office or the comment you made about a co-worker or your boss really showing His love thru you? Is that the "Jesus" you want to share?
My Jesus
Which Jesus do you follow?Which Jesus do you serve?If Ephesians says to imitate ChristThen why do you look so much like the world?Cause my Jesus bled and diedHe spent His time with thieves and liarsHe loved the poor and accosted the arrogantSo which one do you want to be?Blessed are the poor in spiritOr do we pray to be blessed with the wealth of this landBlessed are they that hunger and thirst for righteousnessOr do we ache for another taste of this world of shifting sandCause my Jesus bled and died for my sinsHe spent His time with thieves and sluts and liarsHe loved the poor and accosted the richSo which one do you want to be?Who is this that you followThis picture of the American dreamIf Jesus was here would you walk right by on the other side or fall down and worship at His holy feetPretty blue eyes and curly brown hair and a clear complexionIs how you see Him as He dies for Your sinsBut the Word says He was battered and scarredOr did you miss that partSometimes I doubt we'd recognize HimCause my Jesus bled and diedHe spent His time with thieves and the least of theseHe loved the poor and accosted the comfortableSo which one do you want to be?Cause my Jesus would never be accepted in my churchThe blood and dirt on His feet might stain the carpetBut He reaches for the hurting and despised the proudI think He'd prefer Beale St. to the stained glass crowdAnd I know that He can hear me if I cry out loudI want to be like my Jesus!I want to be like my Jesus!Not a posterchild for American prosperity, but like my JesusYou see I'm tired of living for success and popularityI want to be like my Jesus but I'm not sure what that means to be like You JesusCause You said to live like You, love like You but then You died for meCan I be like You Jesus?I want to be like my Jesus
mountain sprite coke (repost)
It's been a while since I posted a blog, so I thought I'd share some "Kenzisms". She's almost 4 years old, and like most kids that age, she says exactly what's on her mind. The innocence she posseses is amazing. There's no question that is too embarassing or silly for her to ask, no comment to blunt.
I do try to teach her not to be rude, but if she has a question about someone or something, I don't get upset with her. I just have to realize that she's a little girl who is exploring and learning about life.
On our way thru New Mexico, travelling to Arizona, Michael and I saw a mountain that looked like a giant breast. "Boob" is our word of choice, so I whispered to him that I thought it looked like a big boob. She didn't hear us, but as we got closer, she yelled out "Mommy, look at that mountain! It looks like a big boob!" We just cracked up. She also pointed out the fact that a lot of the men she saw between Texas and Arizona looked like "Handy Manny", a character on Disney's new show with the same title. Basically, he's a Hispanic handy man who can fix anything, and his tools talk and help him "fix it right". I had to explain to her that in the part of the U.S. that we're in, there are a lot of Hispanic people, and that they're not all carpenters/handy men. That was kind of a hard one for her, but I blame that on Disney, for giving kids a stereotype early on. She doesn't understand the whole race thing, she just knows that people are different colors, and some "sound funny". Our neighbors, an "African-American" family are "brown people" in her eyes. And Indian or Hispanic are of course "light brown". I don't want to make color or outward appearance an issue for her, so if she asks about someone, I just explain that God made everyone to look different, but on the inside we're all the same. We're all a little part of His huge masterpiece, a work of art that has no limits.
In teaching her this lesson, I've learned that I too need to see people thru God's eyes. I'll never be able to see the beauty in mankind that He does, but I'm trying. The thing about it is, we all need to do this. We need to take off the glasses of judgment, and put on the corrective lenses of Jesus Christ! While He was here on Earth, He literally became one of us. The pictures we see make Him a handsome man, with a chiseled jaw-line, and the body of a male model. I'm sure He wasn't an out of shape slob, because He worked hard with Joseph in the carpentry shop, and He didn't have Krispy Kremes before He went to the temple to learn from his rabbi. But the masses of people that followed Him weren't there because He was the Brad Pitt of His day, one of the "beautiful people" that our society obsesses over. They came because He looked beyond their faults. He didn't make hasty judgements upon seeing the crippled bodies, the mis-shapen features of the little child born with a birth defect or the Gentiles, who were lower than dogs by Jewish standards. He just loved them with a perfect love. One that we should strive for.
The title of this blog has a little story behind it. Mackenzie is trying to be so grown up, and wants what her Daddy has to drink when we go out. Obviously we're not going to let her drink Coca-Cola, but she can have Sprite. She started calling it "Sprite Coke". While we were on our trip, Michael got a Sierra Mist to drink. She was sad because he didn't get "Sprite Coke". I tried to explain to her that Sierra Mist is like Sprite, but she couldn't grasp that whole idea. So, since Sierra Mist has a mountain on the label, she decided that it was "Mountain Sprite Coke", and with mountains surrounding Tucson, she thought that's how they made their "Sprite Coke". It made her happy, so we went along with it. We stopped to get gas, and her Papa told her he'd get her a drink. She wanted "Mountain Sprite Coke", but they didn't have any, so he got her "Sprite Coke". She was so heartbroken. I told her that she was making Papa sad, because he bought her a drink, and that was all they had. He knew she'd be disappointed, but at that moment, when he saw there was not any Sierra Mist, he did what he could, and gave her Sprite. He could have just left the store without buying her anything, but he did what he could, and tried to make her happy. It makes me think of how we view life. We can have what we think is the best life, full of happiness and joy, but then something comes along that's a little better (or at least we think it is because someone told us it's better) and we just have to have it. We step it up to the next level, and then living the old way doesn't even seem like an option. After we get all bent out of shape, because we have to live the "old way", it hits us. If we'd never seen the newer stuff, we'd be happy with what God had blessed us with.
So the next time you see something newer, bigger, or better, ask yourself this. Will it make me happier? Will it make an impact on who I am in Christ? Jesus doesn't tell us that we can't have nice things, in fact, I think it makes Him smile when we are happy. But we don't have to use posessions to gain happiness. True happiness comes in the most basic form. Falling in love with Jesus, and treating others with the same love and compassion that He does. Do you really need "Mountain Sprite Coke" to make you happy? Or will the goodness of your first love, "Sprite Coke" be enough.
Psalm 106
1 Praise the Lord!
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. NLT
I do try to teach her not to be rude, but if she has a question about someone or something, I don't get upset with her. I just have to realize that she's a little girl who is exploring and learning about life.
On our way thru New Mexico, travelling to Arizona, Michael and I saw a mountain that looked like a giant breast. "Boob" is our word of choice, so I whispered to him that I thought it looked like a big boob. She didn't hear us, but as we got closer, she yelled out "Mommy, look at that mountain! It looks like a big boob!" We just cracked up. She also pointed out the fact that a lot of the men she saw between Texas and Arizona looked like "Handy Manny", a character on Disney's new show with the same title. Basically, he's a Hispanic handy man who can fix anything, and his tools talk and help him "fix it right". I had to explain to her that in the part of the U.S. that we're in, there are a lot of Hispanic people, and that they're not all carpenters/handy men. That was kind of a hard one for her, but I blame that on Disney, for giving kids a stereotype early on. She doesn't understand the whole race thing, she just knows that people are different colors, and some "sound funny". Our neighbors, an "African-American" family are "brown people" in her eyes. And Indian or Hispanic are of course "light brown". I don't want to make color or outward appearance an issue for her, so if she asks about someone, I just explain that God made everyone to look different, but on the inside we're all the same. We're all a little part of His huge masterpiece, a work of art that has no limits.
In teaching her this lesson, I've learned that I too need to see people thru God's eyes. I'll never be able to see the beauty in mankind that He does, but I'm trying. The thing about it is, we all need to do this. We need to take off the glasses of judgment, and put on the corrective lenses of Jesus Christ! While He was here on Earth, He literally became one of us. The pictures we see make Him a handsome man, with a chiseled jaw-line, and the body of a male model. I'm sure He wasn't an out of shape slob, because He worked hard with Joseph in the carpentry shop, and He didn't have Krispy Kremes before He went to the temple to learn from his rabbi. But the masses of people that followed Him weren't there because He was the Brad Pitt of His day, one of the "beautiful people" that our society obsesses over. They came because He looked beyond their faults. He didn't make hasty judgements upon seeing the crippled bodies, the mis-shapen features of the little child born with a birth defect or the Gentiles, who were lower than dogs by Jewish standards. He just loved them with a perfect love. One that we should strive for.
The title of this blog has a little story behind it. Mackenzie is trying to be so grown up, and wants what her Daddy has to drink when we go out. Obviously we're not going to let her drink Coca-Cola, but she can have Sprite. She started calling it "Sprite Coke". While we were on our trip, Michael got a Sierra Mist to drink. She was sad because he didn't get "Sprite Coke". I tried to explain to her that Sierra Mist is like Sprite, but she couldn't grasp that whole idea. So, since Sierra Mist has a mountain on the label, she decided that it was "Mountain Sprite Coke", and with mountains surrounding Tucson, she thought that's how they made their "Sprite Coke". It made her happy, so we went along with it. We stopped to get gas, and her Papa told her he'd get her a drink. She wanted "Mountain Sprite Coke", but they didn't have any, so he got her "Sprite Coke". She was so heartbroken. I told her that she was making Papa sad, because he bought her a drink, and that was all they had. He knew she'd be disappointed, but at that moment, when he saw there was not any Sierra Mist, he did what he could, and gave her Sprite. He could have just left the store without buying her anything, but he did what he could, and tried to make her happy. It makes me think of how we view life. We can have what we think is the best life, full of happiness and joy, but then something comes along that's a little better (or at least we think it is because someone told us it's better) and we just have to have it. We step it up to the next level, and then living the old way doesn't even seem like an option. After we get all bent out of shape, because we have to live the "old way", it hits us. If we'd never seen the newer stuff, we'd be happy with what God had blessed us with.
So the next time you see something newer, bigger, or better, ask yourself this. Will it make me happier? Will it make an impact on who I am in Christ? Jesus doesn't tell us that we can't have nice things, in fact, I think it makes Him smile when we are happy. But we don't have to use posessions to gain happiness. True happiness comes in the most basic form. Falling in love with Jesus, and treating others with the same love and compassion that He does. Do you really need "Mountain Sprite Coke" to make you happy? Or will the goodness of your first love, "Sprite Coke" be enough.
Psalm 106
1 Praise the Lord!
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. NLT
what is a Christian (repost)
What is a Christian? (according to Wikipedia) Current mood: contemplative Category: Religion and Philosophy
I just finished reading an article about the "E-word" (evangelical) being used too much, and losing it's meaning. Within the article, there was a link to Wikipedia for the word evangelical. I read it, then decided to do a search for the word Christian. Pretty simple huh?
If I were not a follower of Jesus Christ, and I read this, I don't even know what my feelings would be. The first part, not so bad. But as I read further down the page, I found the part about "Persecution by Christians". This in itself, no matter what else was said, would make me turn away from anything else I'd read. Here's an exerpt. First, the defination, second, the info about how the Christians have persecuted others. Hold onto your hats!
A Christian is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, referred to as the Christ. Christians believe Jesus to be the Son of God, who lived a life befitting that of the creator of the universe, free of sin and full of love, who at the end of his earthly life was crucified, and then on the third day, rose from the dead, and later ascended into heaven.
Christians believe that Jesus offers the only path to salvation, and that it is only possible because of him. Paul of Tarsus' Epistle to the Ephesians, a key work in early development of Christian doctrine, states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Christians believe that salvation cannot be earned, but can only come as a gift from God. Good works, however, are a result of living according to the Word of God.
Christians identify themselves as monotheistic, believing that there is one God. Most sects believe in a triune God made up of: Father (the Source, the Eternal Majesty); the Son (the eternal Logos or Word, incarnate as Jesus of Nazareth); and the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete or advocate). Today, it is estimated that there are around 2.1 billion Christians in the world making up 33% of the world population, with the largest Christian denomination being Roman Catholicism.[1]
[edit] Persecution by Christians
Main article: Historical persecution by Christians
Further information: Martyr#Persecution_among_Christians
Christians have also been perpetrators of persecution, which has been directed against members of other religions and against other Christians. Christian mobs, sometimes with government support, have destroyed pagan temples and oppressed adherents of paganism (such as the philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria, who was murdered by a Christian mob). Jewish communities have periodically suffered violence at Christian hands, often in the form of a Pogrom. Christian governments have suppressed or persecuted groups seen as heretical, later in cooperation with the Inquisition. Later denominational strife has sometimes escalated into religious wars. Witch hunts, carried out by secular authorities or popular mobs, were a frequent phenomenon in parts of early modern Europe and, to a lesser degree, North America. European Colonial efforts often placed emphasis on Christianity over indigenous religions.
I'm not sure how you feel about what has happened in the past, but after reading "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller, the whole idea of persecution by Christians breaks my heart. Think of how many people were affected by this. Not only personally, but the generations after them that the stories of persecution and death were passed on to. In his book, he talks about setting up a "confession" table at the campus of a university that for the most part is anything but Christian. Since I grew up in a Baptist church, the whole idea of confessing my sins to a man instead of going straight to our Creator with it is odd, but I think what he and his friends did was amazing. As these non-believers came to the table, expecting to have the Gospel shoved down their throat, Donald and his friends confessed and asked forgiveness for the horrible things that our Christian "forefathers" had done to those who didn't believe in Jesus Christ. They were slaughtered, tortured, driven from their homes, and so much more. Instead of coming to them in love, like Jesus did when He was here on earth, they had someone elses' beliefs forced upon them, and if they didn't readily accept it, they were treated worse than we could fathom. The only thing I could compare it to now is how a certain "religion" is killing thousands of innocent people because they won't accept the belief in a certain prophet or the writings that are supposed to be so peaceful (we know better than that now).
Honestly, after reading "Blue Like Jazz", the next time I encounter someone who has been hurt by a Christian, I'm just gonna lay it on the line, and apologize for the sins and the hate of those who have gone before me in the faith. I challenge you to think about the atrocities that the Christian movement before us forced upon so many innocent lives. It may not be a true "generational sin", that came thru our biological bloodlines, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, we should step up and ask those who have been hurt either directly or indirectly by Christians for forgiveness. You never know what kind of impact that could have on someone who's hurting.
Sorry for the rambling, but I felt like I should share this with whoever will read this. The whole thought behind this is that as Christians, we should be "followers of Christ", and be examples of His love and forgiveness.
I'd love to hear any stories you have about this kind of thing. I feel like the impact of taking ownership and responsibility for the hurt that has been dealt by our predecesors can make all the difference to someone who is without Christ, and truly make an eternal difference.
I just finished reading an article about the "E-word" (evangelical) being used too much, and losing it's meaning. Within the article, there was a link to Wikipedia for the word evangelical. I read it, then decided to do a search for the word Christian. Pretty simple huh?
If I were not a follower of Jesus Christ, and I read this, I don't even know what my feelings would be. The first part, not so bad. But as I read further down the page, I found the part about "Persecution by Christians". This in itself, no matter what else was said, would make me turn away from anything else I'd read. Here's an exerpt. First, the defination, second, the info about how the Christians have persecuted others. Hold onto your hats!
A Christian is a follower of Jesus of Nazareth, referred to as the Christ. Christians believe Jesus to be the Son of God, who lived a life befitting that of the creator of the universe, free of sin and full of love, who at the end of his earthly life was crucified, and then on the third day, rose from the dead, and later ascended into heaven.
Christians believe that Jesus offers the only path to salvation, and that it is only possible because of him. Paul of Tarsus' Epistle to the Ephesians, a key work in early development of Christian doctrine, states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Christians believe that salvation cannot be earned, but can only come as a gift from God. Good works, however, are a result of living according to the Word of God.
Christians identify themselves as monotheistic, believing that there is one God. Most sects believe in a triune God made up of: Father (the Source, the Eternal Majesty); the Son (the eternal Logos or Word, incarnate as Jesus of Nazareth); and the Holy Spirit (the Paraclete or advocate). Today, it is estimated that there are around 2.1 billion Christians in the world making up 33% of the world population, with the largest Christian denomination being Roman Catholicism.[1]
[edit] Persecution by Christians
Main article: Historical persecution by Christians
Further information: Martyr#Persecution_among_Christians
Christians have also been perpetrators of persecution, which has been directed against members of other religions and against other Christians. Christian mobs, sometimes with government support, have destroyed pagan temples and oppressed adherents of paganism (such as the philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria, who was murdered by a Christian mob). Jewish communities have periodically suffered violence at Christian hands, often in the form of a Pogrom. Christian governments have suppressed or persecuted groups seen as heretical, later in cooperation with the Inquisition. Later denominational strife has sometimes escalated into religious wars. Witch hunts, carried out by secular authorities or popular mobs, were a frequent phenomenon in parts of early modern Europe and, to a lesser degree, North America. European Colonial efforts often placed emphasis on Christianity over indigenous religions.
I'm not sure how you feel about what has happened in the past, but after reading "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller, the whole idea of persecution by Christians breaks my heart. Think of how many people were affected by this. Not only personally, but the generations after them that the stories of persecution and death were passed on to. In his book, he talks about setting up a "confession" table at the campus of a university that for the most part is anything but Christian. Since I grew up in a Baptist church, the whole idea of confessing my sins to a man instead of going straight to our Creator with it is odd, but I think what he and his friends did was amazing. As these non-believers came to the table, expecting to have the Gospel shoved down their throat, Donald and his friends confessed and asked forgiveness for the horrible things that our Christian "forefathers" had done to those who didn't believe in Jesus Christ. They were slaughtered, tortured, driven from their homes, and so much more. Instead of coming to them in love, like Jesus did when He was here on earth, they had someone elses' beliefs forced upon them, and if they didn't readily accept it, they were treated worse than we could fathom. The only thing I could compare it to now is how a certain "religion" is killing thousands of innocent people because they won't accept the belief in a certain prophet or the writings that are supposed to be so peaceful (we know better than that now).
Honestly, after reading "Blue Like Jazz", the next time I encounter someone who has been hurt by a Christian, I'm just gonna lay it on the line, and apologize for the sins and the hate of those who have gone before me in the faith. I challenge you to think about the atrocities that the Christian movement before us forced upon so many innocent lives. It may not be a true "generational sin", that came thru our biological bloodlines, but as brothers and sisters in Christ, we should step up and ask those who have been hurt either directly or indirectly by Christians for forgiveness. You never know what kind of impact that could have on someone who's hurting.
Sorry for the rambling, but I felt like I should share this with whoever will read this. The whole thought behind this is that as Christians, we should be "followers of Christ", and be examples of His love and forgiveness.
I'd love to hear any stories you have about this kind of thing. I feel like the impact of taking ownership and responsibility for the hurt that has been dealt by our predecesors can make all the difference to someone who is without Christ, and truly make an eternal difference.
compassion, even in loss (repost)
Last night, I read Matthew chapter 14. It was one of those nights that instead of having a specific topic or book to go by for my quiet time, I chose to just pick a chapter to read and just focus on it's message.
The beginning of this chapter tells of how Herod, blinded by pride, went against what his heart said. It was his birthday party, and Herodias's daughter performed a nice little dance that "greatly pleased him". He promised her anything she wanted, and so at her mom's urging, she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a tray. He didn't want to look bad in front of his guests, so he ordered that John be executed, and that his head be brought to this young lady.
After this, John's followers came for his body so that they could bury it, and then they went to let his cousin, Jesus, know what had happened. Matthew tells us that when Jesus heard this news, he went off by himself in a boat to a remote area. He obviously wanted to be alone, like most of us do when we are in the initial stages of grief and shock from losing a loved one. It doesn't tell us how long it was that He was alone, but it does say this... "But the crowds heard where He was headed and followed by land from many villages. A vast crowd was there as He stepped from the boat, and He had compassion on them and He healed their sick." (verses 13b-14), Now did you catch that? Jesus had just lost a man who was probably one of his best friends, someone He was so close to even thru childhood, and what did He do. First, He tried to have some quiet time, going somewhere that was isolated. When He came back to the shore, I'd think that He still had a heavy heart, and was grieving for His lost friend and cousin. He could have just stayed on the water a while longer, or when He saw the crowd, He could have sent them away. But He didn't. Here is where the test of true, deep compassion comes in. Even in His sadness and grief, He poured out compassion on this crowd. He healed the sick and shared His love with strangers. This crowd of people, needy and undeserving, there to be blessed or healed by our Saviour, when He was torn and broken by the loss of John, wanted Him to focus on them, not Himself.
How many times have we been a face in that crowd? Forgetting the needs of others and focusing on ourselves and making it all about us. That's just human nature. But instead of being part of the crowd, we should strive to be like Jesus. When we're having a bad day, we don't see the hurt around us. It's all about "me". How many times have we missed an opportunity to show compassion to someone, be it a friend or a complete stranger, because we were too wrapped up in our struggles. As Christians, we know that we can depend on God to carry us thru, and hold us in His loving arms. What about those who don't know Him? Where do they go? Who helps heal their hurts? Many times they turn to the rest of the world to help, but the only true healing comes from our amazing Father. Jesus cares for us all. The weak and strong, poor and rich, people of all colors, shapes, sizes and social standing. We're so quick to donate goods or money to help others, but when it really counts, when what people need is our selfless love and pure compassion, so that they can see Jesus thru us.
I know I've been using songs lately, but as I thought about writing this, the old hymn "Does Jesus Care". It was written so long ago, but the words should make us remember that no matter what any of us are going thru, we have a Saviour who cares for us, and we should be an example to those around us of how great His compassion and love really are.
Does Jesus Care?
Does Jesus care when my heart is painedToo deeply for mirth or song, (mirth means happiness or laughter)As the burdens press, and the cares distress,And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain:Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,His heart is touched with my grief;When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is darkWith a nameless dread and fear?As the daylight fades into deep night shades,Does He care enough to be near?
Does Jesus care when I've tried and failedTo resist some temptation strong;When for my deep grief there is no relief,Though my tears flow all the night long?
Does Jesus care when I've said "goodbye"To the dearest on earth to me,And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
I hope that the next time you see someone who is hurting, the compassion that Jesus shows us each day will shine thru you, and make a difference in their life. It only takes one person, acting as His light, to brighten a darkened life and make a difference that is eternal.
The beginning of this chapter tells of how Herod, blinded by pride, went against what his heart said. It was his birthday party, and Herodias's daughter performed a nice little dance that "greatly pleased him". He promised her anything she wanted, and so at her mom's urging, she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a tray. He didn't want to look bad in front of his guests, so he ordered that John be executed, and that his head be brought to this young lady.
After this, John's followers came for his body so that they could bury it, and then they went to let his cousin, Jesus, know what had happened. Matthew tells us that when Jesus heard this news, he went off by himself in a boat to a remote area. He obviously wanted to be alone, like most of us do when we are in the initial stages of grief and shock from losing a loved one. It doesn't tell us how long it was that He was alone, but it does say this... "But the crowds heard where He was headed and followed by land from many villages. A vast crowd was there as He stepped from the boat, and He had compassion on them and He healed their sick." (verses 13b-14), Now did you catch that? Jesus had just lost a man who was probably one of his best friends, someone He was so close to even thru childhood, and what did He do. First, He tried to have some quiet time, going somewhere that was isolated. When He came back to the shore, I'd think that He still had a heavy heart, and was grieving for His lost friend and cousin. He could have just stayed on the water a while longer, or when He saw the crowd, He could have sent them away. But He didn't. Here is where the test of true, deep compassion comes in. Even in His sadness and grief, He poured out compassion on this crowd. He healed the sick and shared His love with strangers. This crowd of people, needy and undeserving, there to be blessed or healed by our Saviour, when He was torn and broken by the loss of John, wanted Him to focus on them, not Himself.
How many times have we been a face in that crowd? Forgetting the needs of others and focusing on ourselves and making it all about us. That's just human nature. But instead of being part of the crowd, we should strive to be like Jesus. When we're having a bad day, we don't see the hurt around us. It's all about "me". How many times have we missed an opportunity to show compassion to someone, be it a friend or a complete stranger, because we were too wrapped up in our struggles. As Christians, we know that we can depend on God to carry us thru, and hold us in His loving arms. What about those who don't know Him? Where do they go? Who helps heal their hurts? Many times they turn to the rest of the world to help, but the only true healing comes from our amazing Father. Jesus cares for us all. The weak and strong, poor and rich, people of all colors, shapes, sizes and social standing. We're so quick to donate goods or money to help others, but when it really counts, when what people need is our selfless love and pure compassion, so that they can see Jesus thru us.
I know I've been using songs lately, but as I thought about writing this, the old hymn "Does Jesus Care". It was written so long ago, but the words should make us remember that no matter what any of us are going thru, we have a Saviour who cares for us, and we should be an example to those around us of how great His compassion and love really are.
Does Jesus Care?
Does Jesus care when my heart is painedToo deeply for mirth or song, (mirth means happiness or laughter)As the burdens press, and the cares distress,And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain:Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares,His heart is touched with my grief;When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,I know my Savior cares.
Does Jesus care when my way is darkWith a nameless dread and fear?As the daylight fades into deep night shades,Does He care enough to be near?
Does Jesus care when I've tried and failedTo resist some temptation strong;When for my deep grief there is no relief,Though my tears flow all the night long?
Does Jesus care when I've said "goodbye"To the dearest on earth to me,And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
I hope that the next time you see someone who is hurting, the compassion that Jesus shows us each day will shine thru you, and make a difference in their life. It only takes one person, acting as His light, to brighten a darkened life and make a difference that is eternal.
the blind horse
The Blind Horse Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell. Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see. Good friends are like this ....... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.
(I didn't write that, but it was too good to not share.)
(I didn't write that, but it was too good to not share.)
empty shoes (repost from myspace blog)
As I read an e-mail from my sister today concerning the Holocaust, I was reminded how blessed I am to be a part of this generation. I am young enough to have been told stories from people who lived thru WWII and are willing to share what they know and I am old enough to tell my daughters about what really happened (because I'm sure by the time they're in school, the "holocaust" will be a theory or something crazy like that). I've always been interested in history, mostly because I know that there is much to learn from those who went before me, but also to just imagine how life was for people in different eras.
From as far back as I could remember, I knew that my dad was a veteran. He never really talked about it, but one day on one of our random fishing trips, I asked him where all he had been. He went on to tell me a story that touched my young heart and I'll never forget the expression he had on his face as he told me. Even though he'd joined the Army after WWII came to a close, he was stationed in Germany and his company had to go to one of the concentration (death) camps. The main one he spoke of was Dachau. Before they even got to the camp, he could see a mountain of something in the distance. As they got closer, he still couldn't figure out what it was. When they finally entered the camp, he realized it was literally "a mountain of shoes". Shoes that had once been filled by people just like you and I. He said there were shoes of every size. The death camp guards and workers just tossed them into a giant pile as they gassed thousands of victims. Many of the victims were told they were going to take a shower but instead of a cleansing flow of water, they met the end of this life with a lethal flow of toxins. As a pre-teen, the background of that story wasn't something that I was really familiar with, I just remember my dad's face as he told me.
In 1993 I had the opportunity to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C.(please check out www.ushmm.org when you get a chance) as part of a 4-H trip. There were about 30 teens that were in our group, and sadly most of us were just excited about sight-seeing in such a cool town. That changed in a split second after entering the museum. There was "Daniel's Story", an exhibit that walked you thru the story of a young boy who was deported to Auschwitz with his family. I know that many of us were in tears as we left that part of the museum. We walked a little while farther, shaking our heads in disbelief at what we were seeing. I came upon something that made my heart break. There they were, the shoes my Daddy had told me about so many years ago. Behind a floor to ceiling piece of plexiglass, there were hundreds of shoes, along with pictures of where they'd come from. As we went even further into this enormous museum, there was video footage of the torture that Jewish people, especially those who were disabled to start with, were subjected to. Those with dwarfism or any deformity were experimented on and put thru horrible pain under the knives of "doctors". I get chills just thinking of the images I saw and that was so long ago. The prisoners who were "lucky" enough to be healthy when they were deported to the camp were made to work in horriffic conditions with little or nothing to eat. Disease was rampant and I have to wonder if it crossed the minds of some of the people that they'd rather just die of natural causes than to live like this. From the pictures and video footage I've seen, it was the closest thing to an earthly hell that one could imagine. I am saddened to think of all of those souls who never had a chance to hear the message of a risen Saviour before they died in those camps. The survivors never had a chance at a "normal" life after they were relocated. The prisoner number tattooed on their left arm was a constant reminder that they were hated. Our society as a whole today has no idea of how this affected the lives of the survivors.
We hear stories but can't wrap our minds around them even though we see the same type of scenerios played out in Rwanda, Bosnia and most recently Darfur and Iraq. The technology today spreads pictures and video of these violent acts so fast that I could find out about something at pretty much the same time as someone an hour away from where it occurred. The problems I see with this are that we only see what the media wants us to see, after they put their slant on it, and also that we see SO much of this chaos that we become numb. Completely desensitized to the pain, sorrow and death. Every person that is included in a report about a suicide bomber or roadside bomb is loved by God. He loved them before they were born and was waiting for them to realize His love and come to the point of salvation and a personal relationship with Him.
The next time you see a news report on tv or a magazine article about this subject, I challenge you to stop and take even just 10 seconds to pray for the survivors and their families and all of the people who are dealing with the situation. Pray for God to work in their lives and send a flood of His love out to them. Many of those lost souls are following false gods and religions and may have never had the chance to hear even the most simple presentation of the Gospel. Prayer truly does change things and lifting these lost sheep up to Him can make an eternal difference! It'll be hard for me to stay focused on this with so much going on in a house with 2 kids, but I'm going to try. I have pictures in my photo section of the shoes my dad was talking about (I found them online). Check them out, it'll change your outlook on things.
From as far back as I could remember, I knew that my dad was a veteran. He never really talked about it, but one day on one of our random fishing trips, I asked him where all he had been. He went on to tell me a story that touched my young heart and I'll never forget the expression he had on his face as he told me. Even though he'd joined the Army after WWII came to a close, he was stationed in Germany and his company had to go to one of the concentration (death) camps. The main one he spoke of was Dachau. Before they even got to the camp, he could see a mountain of something in the distance. As they got closer, he still couldn't figure out what it was. When they finally entered the camp, he realized it was literally "a mountain of shoes". Shoes that had once been filled by people just like you and I. He said there were shoes of every size. The death camp guards and workers just tossed them into a giant pile as they gassed thousands of victims. Many of the victims were told they were going to take a shower but instead of a cleansing flow of water, they met the end of this life with a lethal flow of toxins. As a pre-teen, the background of that story wasn't something that I was really familiar with, I just remember my dad's face as he told me.
In 1993 I had the opportunity to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C.(please check out www.ushmm.org when you get a chance) as part of a 4-H trip. There were about 30 teens that were in our group, and sadly most of us were just excited about sight-seeing in such a cool town. That changed in a split second after entering the museum. There was "Daniel's Story", an exhibit that walked you thru the story of a young boy who was deported to Auschwitz with his family. I know that many of us were in tears as we left that part of the museum. We walked a little while farther, shaking our heads in disbelief at what we were seeing. I came upon something that made my heart break. There they were, the shoes my Daddy had told me about so many years ago. Behind a floor to ceiling piece of plexiglass, there were hundreds of shoes, along with pictures of where they'd come from. As we went even further into this enormous museum, there was video footage of the torture that Jewish people, especially those who were disabled to start with, were subjected to. Those with dwarfism or any deformity were experimented on and put thru horrible pain under the knives of "doctors". I get chills just thinking of the images I saw and that was so long ago. The prisoners who were "lucky" enough to be healthy when they were deported to the camp were made to work in horriffic conditions with little or nothing to eat. Disease was rampant and I have to wonder if it crossed the minds of some of the people that they'd rather just die of natural causes than to live like this. From the pictures and video footage I've seen, it was the closest thing to an earthly hell that one could imagine. I am saddened to think of all of those souls who never had a chance to hear the message of a risen Saviour before they died in those camps. The survivors never had a chance at a "normal" life after they were relocated. The prisoner number tattooed on their left arm was a constant reminder that they were hated. Our society as a whole today has no idea of how this affected the lives of the survivors.
We hear stories but can't wrap our minds around them even though we see the same type of scenerios played out in Rwanda, Bosnia and most recently Darfur and Iraq. The technology today spreads pictures and video of these violent acts so fast that I could find out about something at pretty much the same time as someone an hour away from where it occurred. The problems I see with this are that we only see what the media wants us to see, after they put their slant on it, and also that we see SO much of this chaos that we become numb. Completely desensitized to the pain, sorrow and death. Every person that is included in a report about a suicide bomber or roadside bomb is loved by God. He loved them before they were born and was waiting for them to realize His love and come to the point of salvation and a personal relationship with Him.
The next time you see a news report on tv or a magazine article about this subject, I challenge you to stop and take even just 10 seconds to pray for the survivors and their families and all of the people who are dealing with the situation. Pray for God to work in their lives and send a flood of His love out to them. Many of those lost souls are following false gods and religions and may have never had the chance to hear even the most simple presentation of the Gospel. Prayer truly does change things and lifting these lost sheep up to Him can make an eternal difference! It'll be hard for me to stay focused on this with so much going on in a house with 2 kids, but I'm going to try. I have pictures in my photo section of the shoes my dad was talking about (I found them online). Check them out, it'll change your outlook on things.
the saddest thing about going to Hell
The Saddest Thing About Going to Hell Do you know what the saddest thing about going to hell is? It is not the fact that you will live eternally with very wicked people (Revelation 21:8), It isn't the fact you will be eternally separated from those you love (Luke 16), nor is it the eternal darkness you will always be in (Jude 13), it isn't the fact of eternity without God-that is to say eternal death- (Revelation 20:13-14), it isn't the unspeakable sorrow (Matthew 13), the eternal buring remorse and memory (Luke 16), the unsatisfied cravings (Luke 16) where your tongue will be scorched, but there will not even be one drop of water to quench it, nor is it the eternal despair and hopelessness (Matthew 25:41 and 46), it is not even the flames that will be burning you forever (Matthew 13:41-42 and 49-50), and finally it is not the sounds of the wailing and gnashing of teeth or the sound of skin worms as they eat at your flesh (Mark 9 and Matthew 13). Do you want to know what the saddest thing about Hell is?..It is realizing that you didn't have to go there.1 Tim. 1:15 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.; 2 Pet. 3:9 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,[a] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.John 3:16-18 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.The Bible says"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;" Hebrews 2:3 May be you have never asked Christ to be Lord of your life. If not, and you want to please say this prayer believing in your heart who Jesus says He is and ask Him to come and be the Lord and Savior of your life. Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and unless you save me I am lost forever. I thank you for dying for me at Calvary. I come to you now, Lord the best way I know how, and ask you to save me. I now receive you as my Savior. In Jesus Christ Name, Amen.(Just to clarify, this blog was originally posted by my good friend Greg Baskin, pastor of Osage Mills Baptist Fellowship in NW Arkansas. It was so good, I wanted to make sure more people read it. If you have any questions about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, please let me know. If I don't have the answer, I will find out for you. No matter where you are in life, please know that having Jesus Christ as your Saviour is the MOST important thing!)
it's God's job (repost from myspace)
Ok, so not everyone will know why I'm posting this, but a select few will. The message is true for all, but in my personal life, I'm seeing this type of thing happen between 2 people and it breaks my heart for the one who is on the recieving end. So, from the wisdom and insight of Max Lucado, here ya' go.
"Wait for the Lord, and He will make things right." Proverbs 20:22
Some of you are in the courtroom. The courtroom of complaint. Some of you are rehashing the same hurt every chance you get with anyone who will listen.
For you, I have this question. Who made you God? I don't mean to be cocky, but why are you doing His work for Him?
"Vengeance is Mine" God declared. "I will repay" (Hebrews 10:30 NKJV).
Judgement is God's job. To assume otherwise is to assume that God can't do it.
Revenge is irreverent...To forvice someone is to desplay reverence. Forgiveness is not saying that the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is faithful and He will do what is right.
~When God Whispers Your Name~
It's bad enough to hold a grudge and keep replaying it in your own mind, but when you tell others, it makes them think of the other person in a bad way as well. As a new resident of my little town, I want to get to know people for who they are, not what someone else thinks of them. If you're gonna tell me something, I'd prefer to hear it based on this old addage from my mom...
"Is it true, is it needful, is it kind?"
If it doesn't go along with this, I rather someone not even waste their breath to tell me. Having grown up in a small Southern town, I know how tempting it is to spill the beans about what you heard at the beauty shop or what gossip was shared as a "prayer request" by the little old lady at church. There's hurt all around us. Maybe someone said something to you that burned you to the core. Maybe you're the victim of someone else's gossip and it came back to you or it could be that an event happened that you just can't seem to shake. I beg you, give it to God. Let Him handle it. As a Christian, go to His word and see what it says about how you should proceed and go from there. If you have an issue with someone, try to work it out. Don't spread the negativity and try to make yourself feel better by putting someone down! If you can't work it out on your own with that person, seek Godly counsel and meet with the person and your pastor/counsel.
None of us are perfect, we're just sinners saved by His grace. We all slip, we all have times of weakness, but remember this... "His strength is perfect when our strength is gone. He'll carry us when we can't carry on. Raised in His power, the weak become strong.". If you need help getting thru a sticky situation, lean on Him! Don't let something hold you back from the awesome relationship that God wants to have with you. If there is bitterness or a judgmental spirit in your heart, you can't be where you need to be in your walk with the Saviour.
Now I'll hop down off of my soapbox and get some laundry done :)
"Wait for the Lord, and He will make things right." Proverbs 20:22
Some of you are in the courtroom. The courtroom of complaint. Some of you are rehashing the same hurt every chance you get with anyone who will listen.
For you, I have this question. Who made you God? I don't mean to be cocky, but why are you doing His work for Him?
"Vengeance is Mine" God declared. "I will repay" (Hebrews 10:30 NKJV).
Judgement is God's job. To assume otherwise is to assume that God can't do it.
Revenge is irreverent...To forvice someone is to desplay reverence. Forgiveness is not saying that the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is faithful and He will do what is right.
~When God Whispers Your Name~
It's bad enough to hold a grudge and keep replaying it in your own mind, but when you tell others, it makes them think of the other person in a bad way as well. As a new resident of my little town, I want to get to know people for who they are, not what someone else thinks of them. If you're gonna tell me something, I'd prefer to hear it based on this old addage from my mom...
"Is it true, is it needful, is it kind?"
If it doesn't go along with this, I rather someone not even waste their breath to tell me. Having grown up in a small Southern town, I know how tempting it is to spill the beans about what you heard at the beauty shop or what gossip was shared as a "prayer request" by the little old lady at church. There's hurt all around us. Maybe someone said something to you that burned you to the core. Maybe you're the victim of someone else's gossip and it came back to you or it could be that an event happened that you just can't seem to shake. I beg you, give it to God. Let Him handle it. As a Christian, go to His word and see what it says about how you should proceed and go from there. If you have an issue with someone, try to work it out. Don't spread the negativity and try to make yourself feel better by putting someone down! If you can't work it out on your own with that person, seek Godly counsel and meet with the person and your pastor/counsel.
None of us are perfect, we're just sinners saved by His grace. We all slip, we all have times of weakness, but remember this... "His strength is perfect when our strength is gone. He'll carry us when we can't carry on. Raised in His power, the weak become strong.". If you need help getting thru a sticky situation, lean on Him! Don't let something hold you back from the awesome relationship that God wants to have with you. If there is bitterness or a judgmental spirit in your heart, you can't be where you need to be in your walk with the Saviour.
Now I'll hop down off of my soapbox and get some laundry done :)
it's time to celebrate (old blog repost)
Just in case you missed my "status" update, last night, my 5 year old daughter Mackenzie accepted the gift of eternal life! She was praying along and then just out of the blue, she said something to this effect..."Jesus, I know that I'm not good enough by myself to get to Heaven, because I sin and sin can't come into Heaven. I believe that you died for my sin but you didn't stay dead, you came back to life so that I could live forever.Would you please forgive me for the bad things I have done and make my heart all clean? I want to be with you forever and tell people about you".
I was blown away by her approach and how bold she was as she prayed. Over the past few months, she's been talking about salvation a lot, but knowing how easily kids can be "talked" into "asking Jesus into their heart" without having a real understanding of the true sacrifice that Christ made for us and the gift of grace, I didn't push it. I just kept praying for her and letting her know that if she ever wanted to talk about it or had questions, that Michael and I would help her with them. From the time she was about 3 and she asked about where people went if they didn't "love Jesus" when they died. I was honest and let her know that no matter how good the person is, if they didn't accept the free gift of grace, they would go to hell. She of course, she then proceeded to tell a few people fairly bluntly "If you don't love Jesus, you've gotta go to hell". Out of the mouths of babes...she didn't care who she could offend.
The past 7-8 months or so, she's been thanking Him for dying on the cross for her sins and for the rest of the world, and praying for people she knows that haven't accepted Christ or are sick. Such sweet prayers they are, if you could only hear them! She prays for her kindergarten teacher to sleep good and have a good day teaching, for her friends and even her Papa and Nana's salvation.
I always thought that the day she was physically born was amazing, but it's so much more awesome knowing that she has made the ultimate choice in life, to follow our Saviour! She didn't waste any time either, she was telling friends at school about getting saved and get this... when I picked her up, she said "Mom, there was a 1st grader I was talking to and I asked her if she knows the Lord and then I told her my AWANA verses (John 3:16 and 1 John 4:14) so that she would know about Jesus too!" The fact that she is stepping out already and sharing her faith is so encouraging! I'm gonna head to bed now. Listening to the debate made my brain tired :)
I was blown away by her approach and how bold she was as she prayed. Over the past few months, she's been talking about salvation a lot, but knowing how easily kids can be "talked" into "asking Jesus into their heart" without having a real understanding of the true sacrifice that Christ made for us and the gift of grace, I didn't push it. I just kept praying for her and letting her know that if she ever wanted to talk about it or had questions, that Michael and I would help her with them. From the time she was about 3 and she asked about where people went if they didn't "love Jesus" when they died. I was honest and let her know that no matter how good the person is, if they didn't accept the free gift of grace, they would go to hell. She of course, she then proceeded to tell a few people fairly bluntly "If you don't love Jesus, you've gotta go to hell". Out of the mouths of babes...she didn't care who she could offend.
The past 7-8 months or so, she's been thanking Him for dying on the cross for her sins and for the rest of the world, and praying for people she knows that haven't accepted Christ or are sick. Such sweet prayers they are, if you could only hear them! She prays for her kindergarten teacher to sleep good and have a good day teaching, for her friends and even her Papa and Nana's salvation.
I always thought that the day she was physically born was amazing, but it's so much more awesome knowing that she has made the ultimate choice in life, to follow our Saviour! She didn't waste any time either, she was telling friends at school about getting saved and get this... when I picked her up, she said "Mom, there was a 1st grader I was talking to and I asked her if she knows the Lord and then I told her my AWANA verses (John 3:16 and 1 John 4:14) so that she would know about Jesus too!" The fact that she is stepping out already and sharing her faith is so encouraging! I'm gonna head to bed now. Listening to the debate made my brain tired :)
4 questions...
I was raised in church, so pretty much every story that you'd learn in Sunday School, I learned from an early age. I understood that salvation was a free gift, and that although God never WANTS us to go to hell, if we don't accept His free gift, that is our destination. At the age of 6, I asked my mom to tell me how to accept this free gift. We were huddled down in the hallway under a mattress because there was a tornado on it's way to our area. I was scared and thought that I may die, and I knew that unless I did something, I could miss out on God's gift of eternal life. I prayed along with my mom and then a few weeks later, I was baptized. I was so short that I had to stand on a metal chair to see over the baptistry walls. I don't doubt that a young child can accept Christ as their Saviour, but I now realize that it can't just stop there. I'm not saying that I didn't continue to learn about the Bible, but I didn't learn about the character of God and His awesome attributes. It wasn't until I was an adult that I learned how important it is to know God, not just know about Him. When you know about someone, you may be able to quote every statistic or fact about their life, but when you KNOW them, you gain so much more prospective. As you grow in your walk with God, He reveals Himself in such amazing ways! A cloudy day that most people don't even pay attention to can be a reminder of His goodness, a rainbow can remind of His promises and the sight of a newborn baby a reminder of the new life only He can give.
As a parent, I have been trying to teach my girls how important it is to say thank you. We even have to say thank you when someone gives us a gift we don't really like, because the giver put thought and effort into giving it to us. That's hard for a 4 year old, especially one as vocal and unfiltered as Maddie. Sometimes thing come up in our lives that don't make sense. We thank Him when things are going well, but His love never changes and all too many times we forget to thank Him for that unchanging and never-ending love. If you're a mom or dad, aunt or uncle, grandparent or if you don't have kids yet, please remember to take time to teach even the youngest people in your lives about the awesome love of our King! He gave so much for us, and even the dirtiest, smelliest little kid needs not only our love, but the love of our Father. We are His hands and feet, and when we see how much He has done for us, we should be letting the abundance of His goodness and love pour out into our community.
Below I've copied/pasted a simple way to tell kids about how they can have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. It seems so simple , yet there are so many who don't know! Please take time to talk to the youngsters in your life about how great God really is. As you share point 3 with them, please emphasize the fact that salvation isn't just a way to avoid hell, but it's a way to have the greatest love, the love of our Father, in their lives forever.
Kids, we're all in deep trouble and some of us don't even know it.
The Bible tells us in Romans that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
God hates sin. He is perfect and He wants us to be perfect.
He is so holy that somebody has to pay for our sins.
God loves us so much that He gave us a way out of our punishment.
He sent His Son Jesus to pay the penalty for the sins of everyone who believes.
Jesus never sinned, and He died on the cross for us.
We know that God was satisfied with Jesus' sacrifice because God raised Him from the grave.
Jesus is in heaven now, getting ready to come back some day.
If we want to escape our punishment we have to believe in Jesus and follow Him.
We have to give up and turn away from our sins.
Jesus will help us do that. Believing and following Jesus does more than help us escape punishment.
Jesus wants to be our friend and He makes our life right now pretty special.
He also promises that when we die, we will go to be with Him in heaven forever.
Grown-ups call that eternal life.
If you want to be saved from sin, you don't need to wait. You can pray to Jesus right now:
Dear Lord Jesus: I know that I am a sinner and I believe that you died to pay the penalty for my sins. Thank you for taking my punishment. Please come into my heart and help me to live for you. Amen.
You can learn more about Jesus and how to live for Him by talking to someone else who is saved and by going to a good church or Sunday School.
As a parent, I have been trying to teach my girls how important it is to say thank you. We even have to say thank you when someone gives us a gift we don't really like, because the giver put thought and effort into giving it to us. That's hard for a 4 year old, especially one as vocal and unfiltered as Maddie. Sometimes thing come up in our lives that don't make sense. We thank Him when things are going well, but His love never changes and all too many times we forget to thank Him for that unchanging and never-ending love. If you're a mom or dad, aunt or uncle, grandparent or if you don't have kids yet, please remember to take time to teach even the youngest people in your lives about the awesome love of our King! He gave so much for us, and even the dirtiest, smelliest little kid needs not only our love, but the love of our Father. We are His hands and feet, and when we see how much He has done for us, we should be letting the abundance of His goodness and love pour out into our community.
Below I've copied/pasted a simple way to tell kids about how they can have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. It seems so simple , yet there are so many who don't know! Please take time to talk to the youngsters in your life about how great God really is. As you share point 3 with them, please emphasize the fact that salvation isn't just a way to avoid hell, but it's a way to have the greatest love, the love of our Father, in their lives forever.
Kids, we're all in deep trouble and some of us don't even know it.
The Bible tells us in Romans that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
God hates sin. He is perfect and He wants us to be perfect.
He is so holy that somebody has to pay for our sins.
God loves us so much that He gave us a way out of our punishment.
He sent His Son Jesus to pay the penalty for the sins of everyone who believes.
Jesus never sinned, and He died on the cross for us.
We know that God was satisfied with Jesus' sacrifice because God raised Him from the grave.
Jesus is in heaven now, getting ready to come back some day.
If we want to escape our punishment we have to believe in Jesus and follow Him.
We have to give up and turn away from our sins.
Jesus will help us do that. Believing and following Jesus does more than help us escape punishment.
Jesus wants to be our friend and He makes our life right now pretty special.
He also promises that when we die, we will go to be with Him in heaven forever.
Grown-ups call that eternal life.
If you want to be saved from sin, you don't need to wait. You can pray to Jesus right now:
Dear Lord Jesus: I know that I am a sinner and I believe that you died to pay the penalty for my sins. Thank you for taking my punishment. Please come into my heart and help me to live for you. Amen.
You can learn more about Jesus and how to live for Him by talking to someone else who is saved and by going to a good church or Sunday School.
so you wanna be a rock star...
This is an older blog from my myspace account but I wanted to share it. I'll be posting others that meant something to me, so bear with the multiple blogs today.
So You Wanna Be A Rock Star
by Keith Green
For as long as be could remember, Keith Green's greatest dream was to be a musical success. After be gave his life to Jesus, however, he felt the need to surrender those dreams and aspirations by laying down his music...perhaps never to perform publicly again.
Ironically, when sometime later he felt God release him to pick up his music again, he soon had a recording contract and his first album soared straight to the top of the Contemporary Christian Music charts.
The following message was birthed out of Keith's encounters with those who approached him, usually after a concert, to ask how they too could "make it big" in Christian music.
Today, so many people ask me if I can tell them how they can start or enter into a music ministry. At concerts I get countless questions about this, and I also get lots of letters and even some long-distance phone calls from many people who feel they are only "called" into the music "ministry." One day I began to ask myself why so few have ever asked me how to become a missionary, or even a local street preacher, or how to disciple a new believer. It seems everyone would prefer the "bright lights" of what they think a music ministry would be, rather than the mud and obscurity of the mission field, or the streets of the ghetto, or even the true spiritual sweetness of just being a nobody whom the Lord uses mightily in small "everyday" ways.
Are You Willing?
My answer to their question is almost always the same. "Are you willing to never play music again? Are you willing to be a nothing? Are you willing to go anywhere and do anything for Christ? Are you willing to stay right where you are and let the Lord do great things through you, though no one may seem to notice at all?" They all seem to answer each of these questions with a quick "yes!" But I really doubt if they know what their answer entails.
Star Struck
My dearest family in Jesus...why are we so star struck? Why do we idolize Christian singers and speakers? We go from glorifying musicians in the world, to glorifying Christian musicians. It's all idolatry! Can't you see that? It's true that there are many men and women of God who are greatly anointed to call down the Spirit of God on His people and the unsaved. But Satan is getting a great victory as we seem to worship these ministers on tapes and records, and clamor to get their autographs in churches and concert halls from coast to coast.
Can't you see that you are hurting these ministers? They try desperately to tell you that they don't deserve to be praised, and because of this you squeal with delight and praise them all the more. You're smothering them, making it almost impossible for them to see that it's really Jesus. They keep telling themselves that, but you keep telling them it's really them, crushing their humility and grieving the Spirit that is trying to keep their eyes on Jesus.
Ultimately, what we idolize we ourselves desire to become, sometimes with our whole heart. So a lot of people who want to become just like their favorite Gospel singer or minister, seek after it with the same fervor that the Lord demands we seek after Him! And again, we insult the Spirit of Grace and try to make a place for ourselves, rather than a place for Jesus.
A Thankless Job
How come no one idolizes or praises the missionaries who give up everything and live in poverty, endangering their lives and families with every danger that the "American dream" has almost completely eliminated? How come no one lifts up and exalts the ghetto and prison ministers who can never take up an offering, because if they did they would either laugh or cry at what they'd receive?
How come?
Because (1) we're taught from very early on that comfort is our goal and security… and (2) that we should always seek for a lot of people to like us. Who lives less comfortably and has had less friends and supporters than the selfless missionaries who have suffered untimely, premature deaths trying to conquer souls and nations for the whole glory of God? Do you really believe we're living in the very last times? Then why do you spend more money on Gospel records and concerts than you give to organizations that feed the poor, or to missionaries out in the field?
There are ministries all over the world where "penniless" people are being saved and transformed. They are broken people who have promise and qualities, but just need someone to bring them God's light during the times when their lives seem so completely hopeless.
I repent of ever having recorded one single song, and ever having performed one concert, if my music, and more importantly, my life has not provoked you into Godly jealousy (Romans 11:11) or to sell out more completely to Jesus!
Quit trying to make "gods" out of music ministers, and quit desiring to become like them. The Lord commands you, "Deny yourself take up your cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). My piano is not my cross, it is my tool. I'd never play it again if God would show me a more effective tool in my life for proclaiming His Gospel.[God gives us each our own unique tools. But we may never use them if we become more interested in someone else's. Seek God, ask Him for His plan for ministry (true, God glorifying ministry) in your life.]
Conclusion
To finish, let me say that the only music minister to whom the Lord will say, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant," is the one whose life proves what their lyrics are saying, and to whom music is the least important part of their life. Glorifying the only worthy One has to be a minister's most important goal!
Let's all repent of the idolatry in our hearts and our desires for a comfortable, rewarding life when, really, the Bible tells us we are just passing through as strangers and pilgrims in this world (Hebrews 11:13), for our reward is in heaven. Let's not forget that our due service to the Lord is "... not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake"(Phil. 1:29).
Amen. Let us die graciously together and endure to the end like brave soldiers who give their lives, without hesitation, for our noble and glorious King of Light.
+++++My father in law has been converting some of his old records to mp3's and sent me some of the files to listen to the "Jesus music" that he was into in the 70's. The music on some may sound odd to us now, but the lyrics are still so relevant. I put my favorite quotes in red, and I hope they speak to you as well. The article above is from www.lastdaysministries.org and I'd encourage you to go and read more about Keith Green. +++++
So You Wanna Be A Rock Star
by Keith Green
For as long as be could remember, Keith Green's greatest dream was to be a musical success. After be gave his life to Jesus, however, he felt the need to surrender those dreams and aspirations by laying down his music...perhaps never to perform publicly again.
Ironically, when sometime later he felt God release him to pick up his music again, he soon had a recording contract and his first album soared straight to the top of the Contemporary Christian Music charts.
The following message was birthed out of Keith's encounters with those who approached him, usually after a concert, to ask how they too could "make it big" in Christian music.
Today, so many people ask me if I can tell them how they can start or enter into a music ministry. At concerts I get countless questions about this, and I also get lots of letters and even some long-distance phone calls from many people who feel they are only "called" into the music "ministry." One day I began to ask myself why so few have ever asked me how to become a missionary, or even a local street preacher, or how to disciple a new believer. It seems everyone would prefer the "bright lights" of what they think a music ministry would be, rather than the mud and obscurity of the mission field, or the streets of the ghetto, or even the true spiritual sweetness of just being a nobody whom the Lord uses mightily in small "everyday" ways.
Are You Willing?
My answer to their question is almost always the same. "Are you willing to never play music again? Are you willing to be a nothing? Are you willing to go anywhere and do anything for Christ? Are you willing to stay right where you are and let the Lord do great things through you, though no one may seem to notice at all?" They all seem to answer each of these questions with a quick "yes!" But I really doubt if they know what their answer entails.
Star Struck
My dearest family in Jesus...why are we so star struck? Why do we idolize Christian singers and speakers? We go from glorifying musicians in the world, to glorifying Christian musicians. It's all idolatry! Can't you see that? It's true that there are many men and women of God who are greatly anointed to call down the Spirit of God on His people and the unsaved. But Satan is getting a great victory as we seem to worship these ministers on tapes and records, and clamor to get their autographs in churches and concert halls from coast to coast.
Can't you see that you are hurting these ministers? They try desperately to tell you that they don't deserve to be praised, and because of this you squeal with delight and praise them all the more. You're smothering them, making it almost impossible for them to see that it's really Jesus. They keep telling themselves that, but you keep telling them it's really them, crushing their humility and grieving the Spirit that is trying to keep their eyes on Jesus.
Ultimately, what we idolize we ourselves desire to become, sometimes with our whole heart. So a lot of people who want to become just like their favorite Gospel singer or minister, seek after it with the same fervor that the Lord demands we seek after Him! And again, we insult the Spirit of Grace and try to make a place for ourselves, rather than a place for Jesus.
A Thankless Job
How come no one idolizes or praises the missionaries who give up everything and live in poverty, endangering their lives and families with every danger that the "American dream" has almost completely eliminated? How come no one lifts up and exalts the ghetto and prison ministers who can never take up an offering, because if they did they would either laugh or cry at what they'd receive?
How come?
Because (1) we're taught from very early on that comfort is our goal and security… and (2) that we should always seek for a lot of people to like us. Who lives less comfortably and has had less friends and supporters than the selfless missionaries who have suffered untimely, premature deaths trying to conquer souls and nations for the whole glory of God? Do you really believe we're living in the very last times? Then why do you spend more money on Gospel records and concerts than you give to organizations that feed the poor, or to missionaries out in the field?
There are ministries all over the world where "penniless" people are being saved and transformed. They are broken people who have promise and qualities, but just need someone to bring them God's light during the times when their lives seem so completely hopeless.
I repent of ever having recorded one single song, and ever having performed one concert, if my music, and more importantly, my life has not provoked you into Godly jealousy (Romans 11:11) or to sell out more completely to Jesus!
Quit trying to make "gods" out of music ministers, and quit desiring to become like them. The Lord commands you, "Deny yourself take up your cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). My piano is not my cross, it is my tool. I'd never play it again if God would show me a more effective tool in my life for proclaiming His Gospel.[God gives us each our own unique tools. But we may never use them if we become more interested in someone else's. Seek God, ask Him for His plan for ministry (true, God glorifying ministry) in your life.]
Conclusion
To finish, let me say that the only music minister to whom the Lord will say, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant," is the one whose life proves what their lyrics are saying, and to whom music is the least important part of their life. Glorifying the only worthy One has to be a minister's most important goal!
Let's all repent of the idolatry in our hearts and our desires for a comfortable, rewarding life when, really, the Bible tells us we are just passing through as strangers and pilgrims in this world (Hebrews 11:13), for our reward is in heaven. Let's not forget that our due service to the Lord is "... not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake"(Phil. 1:29).
Amen. Let us die graciously together and endure to the end like brave soldiers who give their lives, without hesitation, for our noble and glorious King of Light.
+++++My father in law has been converting some of his old records to mp3's and sent me some of the files to listen to the "Jesus music" that he was into in the 70's. The music on some may sound odd to us now, but the lyrics are still so relevant. I put my favorite quotes in red, and I hope they speak to you as well. The article above is from www.lastdaysministries.org and I'd encourage you to go and read more about Keith Green. +++++
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
13 million per year...
I just read an article that truly breaks my heart. As a family, we pray for the country of China and it's people. The Gospel message is not freely spoken there, and those who do believe in Jesus Christ are persecuted harshly for their beliefs, sometimes even killed. With the news that 13 million abortions are performed in China each year, it is even more reason for us to pray for the love of God to break through the barriers that their government has built. America is by no means innocent of murdering our own young, at the rate of over 1 million in the last year, but at least for now we have our religious freedoms. With the way things are going now, we cannot count on that always being the case. Please friends, take a moment during your quiet time or when you see something that reminds you, to pray for China!
13 million abortions in China each year
Thu, Jul 30, 2009 (Reuters) — Some 13 million abortions are carried out in China each year, in part because there is little education about contraception or disease for the rising numbers of young people who are having sex, state media said on Thursday.
Fewer than one in three callers to a Shanghai hotline knew how to avoid pregnancy, and only one in five were informed about venereal disease, the official China Daily quoted a survey by the city's 411 Army Hospital saying.
"Sex is no longer considered taboo among young people today, and they believe they can learn everything they need from the Internet. But it doesn't mean they have developed a proper understanding or attitude toward it," the paper quoted hospital gynecologist Yu Dongyan saying.
Until the 1990s, doctors asked for women's marital status at abortion clinics, which were part of the family planning system that limited urban couples to one child.
Now, government data shows that nearly two thirds of women who have abortions are between 20 and 29, and most are single, the paper said.
Birth control information is mainly given to young couples.
Some single women may also be driven to seek abortions because under current laws unmarried mothers cannot get a "hukou" or household registration card for their child.
Without one it is extremely hard for Chinese citizens to get access to education, healthcare and other public services. China also sells about 10 million abortion pills a year, and there are many other abortions performed in unregistered clinics, the paper quoted Wu Shangchun, a division director at the National Population and Family Planning Commission, as saying.
In the United States, by contrast, which has a population less than one-quarter that of China, official figures from the Center for Disease Control show there were 820,000 abortions performed in 2005, excluding California, Louisiana and New Hampshire for which no figures were provided.
Sun Xiaohong from the education department of Shanghai's family planning authority said it was difficult to promote sex education in schools because some teachers and parents thought it would encourage teenagers to become sexually active.
Ordinary web users in China will be banned from surfing sex-related medical and research websites from July, amid an Internet crackdown on pornographic online content, that threatens to make information about sexual health even harder to access.
13 million abortions in China each year
Thu, Jul 30, 2009 (Reuters) — Some 13 million abortions are carried out in China each year, in part because there is little education about contraception or disease for the rising numbers of young people who are having sex, state media said on Thursday.
Fewer than one in three callers to a Shanghai hotline knew how to avoid pregnancy, and only one in five were informed about venereal disease, the official China Daily quoted a survey by the city's 411 Army Hospital saying.
"Sex is no longer considered taboo among young people today, and they believe they can learn everything they need from the Internet. But it doesn't mean they have developed a proper understanding or attitude toward it," the paper quoted hospital gynecologist Yu Dongyan saying.
Until the 1990s, doctors asked for women's marital status at abortion clinics, which were part of the family planning system that limited urban couples to one child.
Now, government data shows that nearly two thirds of women who have abortions are between 20 and 29, and most are single, the paper said.
Birth control information is mainly given to young couples.
Some single women may also be driven to seek abortions because under current laws unmarried mothers cannot get a "hukou" or household registration card for their child.
Without one it is extremely hard for Chinese citizens to get access to education, healthcare and other public services. China also sells about 10 million abortion pills a year, and there are many other abortions performed in unregistered clinics, the paper quoted Wu Shangchun, a division director at the National Population and Family Planning Commission, as saying.
In the United States, by contrast, which has a population less than one-quarter that of China, official figures from the Center for Disease Control show there were 820,000 abortions performed in 2005, excluding California, Louisiana and New Hampshire for which no figures were provided.
Sun Xiaohong from the education department of Shanghai's family planning authority said it was difficult to promote sex education in schools because some teachers and parents thought it would encourage teenagers to become sexually active.
Ordinary web users in China will be banned from surfing sex-related medical and research websites from July, amid an Internet crackdown on pornographic online content, that threatens to make information about sexual health even harder to access.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
What this world needs
I am not much a "radio" gal, I prefer to listen to my favorite bands. Anyway, Michael just got some speakers to hook up to the HTPC and we were listening to Casting Crowns. The lyrics really caught my attention and I wanted to share, just in case you'd never heard/read them. This phrase in particular is SO relevant in today's churches, especially the super conservative ones. They expect people's "dress code" to change the moment they walk into the church building, but what they don't realize is that AFTER their hearts are changed by Him, then they will see that modesty is important. And as an FYI, if you know me, you know that I choose very modest clothing, yet I still wear pants and don't see anything in the Word that tells me that I should only wear skirts or culottes. I'm not bashing you if you feel that way, but I don't think you should shove that belief down someone's throat or judge them for not thinking the way you do. Anyhoo, here's the quote I love... "Have we become so blind that we can't see God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt."
Here is the remainder of the song...
What this world needs
Is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind
Another two bit politician peddling lies
Another three ring circus society
What this world needs
Is not another sign waving super saint that's better than you
Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth
Another prophet in an Armani suit
CHORUS:What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them in their time of need
A Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love
That's what this world needs
What this world needs
Is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can't see
God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt
What this world needsIs for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
Blending in so well that people can't see the difference
And it's the difference that sets the world free
Jesus is our Savior, that's what this world needs
Father's arms around you, that's what this world needs
That's what this world needs
Here is the remainder of the song...
What this world needs
Is not another one hit wonder with an axe to grind
Another two bit politician peddling lies
Another three ring circus society
What this world needs
Is not another sign waving super saint that's better than you
Another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth
Another prophet in an Armani suit
CHORUS:What this world needs is a Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love them in their time of need
A Savior who will rescue
A Spirit who will lead
A Father who will love
That's what this world needs
What this world needs
Is for us to care more about the inside than the outside
Have we become so blind that we can't see
God's gotta change her heart before He changes her shirt
What this world needsIs for us to stop hiding behind our relevance
Blending in so well that people can't see the difference
And it's the difference that sets the world free
Jesus is our Savior, that's what this world needs
Father's arms around you, that's what this world needs
That's what this world needs
Saturday, May 9, 2009
what are you?
I refuse to think that going to church and filling a pew is the most that God expects of me (or any of us for that matter). When my neighbors see me, I don't want them to wonder why in the world I would waste my time going to church when I live just like they do or worse. God desires a true relationship with us, the relationship that deep inside we all yearn for as well. People choose different paths to fill the God-shaped hole in their hearts, but there is only 1 way, thru the blood of Jesus Christ. Once that relationship is formed, it is our responsibility to continually seek His face and get to know Him. Will we stumble, yes. Will we fall short of what He expects, absolutely! (Romans 3:23) The question is, will you let your sin hold you down and pull others down along with you, or will you get back up and continue to grow?
How many times have our actions caused someone else to fall or question our Saviour's love? None of us are perfect, but as children of the King, our aim should be to bring people to the saving knowledge of His love. I'm all about reaching people where they are, after all, that's what Jesus did...but if we participate in sinful actions along with them, how are we going to reach them? Jesus reached out to the woman at the well, but He didn't sin with her! We can build a relationship with someone and show them His love without being involved in the things we know are wrong. That's like me saying "Well, Jessica is really into ____________ (fill in the blank with whatever random sinful action), so I just know I can reach her if I do it too!" Are we so easily fooled into believing that?!? My neighbor's drink LOTS of beer, but I don't find the need to drink right along with them so that I can tell them about Christ. The first time they offered me a drink (which was not long after we moved in) I politely declined and told them that we don't drink. I didn't break out my huge family Bible and tell them they were going to hell, and they didnt' offer me another drink. Shortly after that happened, I had the opportunity to talk to her about church and my faith, then she opened up to me and I was able to pray for her and her family. She knows that I continue to pray for her and has talked to me a few times, and just keep letting her know that she can't ever run too far from His love. But, just for consideration, let's say I did take her up on her offer and partied with her. Do you think she'd take me seriously when I got dressed up on Sunday morning and toted my family to Sunday School? I'm pretty sure the answer would be no. I've never told her that she is doing wrong because she knows that she's far away from where she once was with God. When I see another party going on, or see another 12 pack being carried into the house, I just ask Him to give me an opportunity to be His light to her. She knows I'm praying for her and that because I see "bad" behaviour continue, I won't give up on her, but I'll keep doing what my Father asks me to do.
Revelation 3:14-22 talks about the church in Laodicea, and how they'd allowed themselves to become complacent. They were letting these "everyday sins" could their view of what was really important. They allowed themselves to become satisfied with what the world offered and indifferent to what REAL faith was about. Jesus didn't die a horriffic death on the cross so that we could sit in our pews and sing hymns and doze off while the pastor preaches. He died to forgive our sins so that we could have an eternal home with Him, and He wants us to share that hope with others. Can we really share the true message of His hope when we're partying on Saturday night, hoping that our hangover headache doesn't make it too hard to focus and pretend we're listening in Sunday School? He came that we could have life...abundant life at that! We were never promised that the Christian life would be easy, but He did promise that He would NEVER leave us or forsake us. He's right there, walking alongside the 6 year old who just came to Him for salvation, with the 60 year old prayer warrior who you know you can count on to lift up your needs to our King. He's also with those who called upon His name and according to Scripture, are His own, but have turned away from Him and follow the world. All I can think of is how it must break His heart to see us wallowing in our sin and bringing other people into it with us! Every action, big or small, will be judged in the end. Whether you're "hot", your life bringing others to Him, "lukewarm", coming to church because you're expected to because it's just what people expect, or "cold" and running far from God, taking people along with you, people are watching you! Especially for those in ministry of any kind, you are an example to those you serve. Seeing you do things that go against Him, from breaking the speed limit, questionable pictures on your social media profile to drinking and smoking or having inappropriate relationships (sexual or emotional) all take away from the cause of Christ! I am not saying that I think I'm perfect, nowhere near it. I know that there are things that I need to change, like stewardship for example, but I'm willing to admit that I am flawed. I don't come to church on Sunday morning and have my faux halo on, then go live like I've never known what "is good and what the Lord requires of thee". I want people to know that God uses flawed and broken vessels, that He gives us beauty for ashes. God loves us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to leaves us that way. He wants us to grow and flourish in our walk with Him. He doesn't want us to be lukewarm, stagnant Christians! I've had several unsaved people tell me thru the years that they'd rather stay the way they were and be honest with themselves and those around them, than to claim to be Christians and then live in sin. How sad! It makes my heart ache to think of the number of souls who have an eternal life in torment and darkness because some Christian took their walk with Christ so lightly. I know that in my teenage years, I had a hard attitude toward "sinners" and foolishly thought that I was better than them and I think of them often. I wish I could go back in time and apologize to those I wronged and let them know that His grace is enough for all their needs. I would tell them that the ground truly is level at the foot of the cross, and that He longs to pour His mercy out on them. I was young and foolish then, but I've learned so much in these 33 years. I only wish that people around me would open their eyes and see the lukewarm attitudes that are ruining the outlook of those who are seeking to fill the void in their lives.
My prayer is that God would light a fire under all of us, a fire that won't go out until He returns. Young or old, it's your job to be the light...don't settle for the "casual Christian life". To close out this blog, here are the lyrics to a song that should be our prayers.
Casual Christian
It's more than a wish, more than a daydream
More than just a passing whim
Yes, I've said this all before
A thousand times or more
I don't wanna waste my life in chains of sin
CHORUS
I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be a casual Christian
I don't wanna live, I don't wanna live a lukewarm life
But I wanna light up the nightWith an everlasting light
I don't wanna live the casual Christian life
This life is filled with strong distractions
With pulls from the left one from the right
I've already made up my mind
Gonna leave this world behind
Gonna live my life a living sacrifice.
How many times have our actions caused someone else to fall or question our Saviour's love? None of us are perfect, but as children of the King, our aim should be to bring people to the saving knowledge of His love. I'm all about reaching people where they are, after all, that's what Jesus did...but if we participate in sinful actions along with them, how are we going to reach them? Jesus reached out to the woman at the well, but He didn't sin with her! We can build a relationship with someone and show them His love without being involved in the things we know are wrong. That's like me saying "Well, Jessica is really into ____________ (fill in the blank with whatever random sinful action), so I just know I can reach her if I do it too!" Are we so easily fooled into believing that?!? My neighbor's drink LOTS of beer, but I don't find the need to drink right along with them so that I can tell them about Christ. The first time they offered me a drink (which was not long after we moved in) I politely declined and told them that we don't drink. I didn't break out my huge family Bible and tell them they were going to hell, and they didnt' offer me another drink. Shortly after that happened, I had the opportunity to talk to her about church and my faith, then she opened up to me and I was able to pray for her and her family. She knows that I continue to pray for her and has talked to me a few times, and just keep letting her know that she can't ever run too far from His love. But, just for consideration, let's say I did take her up on her offer and partied with her. Do you think she'd take me seriously when I got dressed up on Sunday morning and toted my family to Sunday School? I'm pretty sure the answer would be no. I've never told her that she is doing wrong because she knows that she's far away from where she once was with God. When I see another party going on, or see another 12 pack being carried into the house, I just ask Him to give me an opportunity to be His light to her. She knows I'm praying for her and that because I see "bad" behaviour continue, I won't give up on her, but I'll keep doing what my Father asks me to do.
Revelation 3:14-22 talks about the church in Laodicea, and how they'd allowed themselves to become complacent. They were letting these "everyday sins" could their view of what was really important. They allowed themselves to become satisfied with what the world offered and indifferent to what REAL faith was about. Jesus didn't die a horriffic death on the cross so that we could sit in our pews and sing hymns and doze off while the pastor preaches. He died to forgive our sins so that we could have an eternal home with Him, and He wants us to share that hope with others. Can we really share the true message of His hope when we're partying on Saturday night, hoping that our hangover headache doesn't make it too hard to focus and pretend we're listening in Sunday School? He came that we could have life...abundant life at that! We were never promised that the Christian life would be easy, but He did promise that He would NEVER leave us or forsake us. He's right there, walking alongside the 6 year old who just came to Him for salvation, with the 60 year old prayer warrior who you know you can count on to lift up your needs to our King. He's also with those who called upon His name and according to Scripture, are His own, but have turned away from Him and follow the world. All I can think of is how it must break His heart to see us wallowing in our sin and bringing other people into it with us! Every action, big or small, will be judged in the end. Whether you're "hot", your life bringing others to Him, "lukewarm", coming to church because you're expected to because it's just what people expect, or "cold" and running far from God, taking people along with you, people are watching you! Especially for those in ministry of any kind, you are an example to those you serve. Seeing you do things that go against Him, from breaking the speed limit, questionable pictures on your social media profile to drinking and smoking or having inappropriate relationships (sexual or emotional) all take away from the cause of Christ! I am not saying that I think I'm perfect, nowhere near it. I know that there are things that I need to change, like stewardship for example, but I'm willing to admit that I am flawed. I don't come to church on Sunday morning and have my faux halo on, then go live like I've never known what "is good and what the Lord requires of thee". I want people to know that God uses flawed and broken vessels, that He gives us beauty for ashes. God loves us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to leaves us that way. He wants us to grow and flourish in our walk with Him. He doesn't want us to be lukewarm, stagnant Christians! I've had several unsaved people tell me thru the years that they'd rather stay the way they were and be honest with themselves and those around them, than to claim to be Christians and then live in sin. How sad! It makes my heart ache to think of the number of souls who have an eternal life in torment and darkness because some Christian took their walk with Christ so lightly. I know that in my teenage years, I had a hard attitude toward "sinners" and foolishly thought that I was better than them and I think of them often. I wish I could go back in time and apologize to those I wronged and let them know that His grace is enough for all their needs. I would tell them that the ground truly is level at the foot of the cross, and that He longs to pour His mercy out on them. I was young and foolish then, but I've learned so much in these 33 years. I only wish that people around me would open their eyes and see the lukewarm attitudes that are ruining the outlook of those who are seeking to fill the void in their lives.
My prayer is that God would light a fire under all of us, a fire that won't go out until He returns. Young or old, it's your job to be the light...don't settle for the "casual Christian life". To close out this blog, here are the lyrics to a song that should be our prayers.
Casual Christian
It's more than a wish, more than a daydream
More than just a passing whim
Yes, I've said this all before
A thousand times or more
I don't wanna waste my life in chains of sin
CHORUS
I don't wanna be, I don't wanna be a casual Christian
I don't wanna live, I don't wanna live a lukewarm life
But I wanna light up the nightWith an everlasting light
I don't wanna live the casual Christian life
This life is filled with strong distractions
With pulls from the left one from the right
I've already made up my mind
Gonna leave this world behind
Gonna live my life a living sacrifice.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Not just transformed, but continually growing...
Last fall, the girls and I were outside in the front yard enjoying the beautiful colors. Since most everything was turning shades of red, yellow or brown, this big green caterpillar caught our eyes. We had purchased a "bug house" at the beginning of summer because Maddie absolutely loves lightening bugs, so we grabbed it, threw an oak leaf in and carefully stuck "Morris" in his new home so we could learn more about him. I hopped onto Google (my go-to place for info) and found that he was the offspring of a pachysphinx moth and read what food he would want to eat. Michael was on a business trip, so we had a girls' sleep-over (aka sleeping in the living room) and Morris was in his new house on the table. About 3:00am, I heard him moving around and thought he was eating, because that's what he was doing when we found him. It turns out, he was busy all night long creating his cocoon. We waited and waited, hoping he would come out so that we could see the beautiful creation that God intended him to be. He even spent about a month in the hall closet so that he wouldn't be disturbed.
About 2 weeks ago, I took his house out and sat it on the shelf in the kitchen. Knowing that my little sister wouldn't want to see a "bug", I put the little house in my closet before we went on our trip to Arkansas. Today, Maddie was in my closet and grabbed the bug house. Little did we know that Morris had finished his transformation into a moth, and she quickly dropped it on the floor with a little squeal. You see, when he was a chubby little caterpillar, this house had plenty of room, but when he made his decision to start his journey to moth-hood, neither of us realized that staying in what we thought was the perfect place for him would cause him harm. He is a GIANT moth, or as Michael would say, he's a "Mothra". I'd say he's about the size of my hand or bigger but when he started out, he was the size of my index finger.
If we'd left him on his own to do what God intended for him, he would have snuggled up in a tree or bush somewhere, made his cocoon, survived the cold of winter and hatched out with the ability to stretch his wings and gain the strength he needed to fly. But we had other ideas, and now even though he went thru the physical transformation from caterpillar to moth, since he had such a relatively small space to do it in, he doesn't have the stamina to make it in the real world. We took him outside and cut open the netting on the bug house to release him, scooted him out onto the grass and he just fluttered a bit and sat there. All afternoon, we periodically checked on him. I needed to mow, so I moved him over to our big maple tree in the front yard so that he would have a little more camoflauge. As of sunset, he was still there, clinging to the maple, unable to fly because he didn't get to exercise his new-found wings. He is a beautiful moth, just what God made him to be, but I don't think he'll make it very far into his adult life. If he does survive, he will probably just stay in our yard. The big wings that give him his beauty are just a show. He doesn't know how to fly and I doubt he ever will. He was just walking around, exploring the green grass and the bark of the tree. God intended him to soar, and in our rush to "save" him, we ultimately held him back from his life as a healthy moth. Even though we enjoyed seeing him up close and how beautifully made he was, I couldn't help but think of how much we'd robbed him of.
II Corinthians 5:17 tells us "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" What an amazing verse! If we're in Christ, if we have a personal walk, that relationship that He gives, we are new people! Some versions say "new creature" or a "new creation". What better illustration of this verse is there in nature than the caterpillar. He give us the gift of His love and eternal life and makes us new, but we shouldn't just settle for being a new person. We have to build our spiritual strength by studying His Word, prayer, spending time with other Christians and sharing His love with others. We have so many great examples of how He wants us to grow from the New Testament. The men and women in the church who are more spiritually mature have such a great opportunity to share their knowledge with "baby Christians" around them. We shouldn't rely on the Sunday school teacher or pastor to feed us once a week and be able to make it thru the way that God wants us to! He doesn't want us to just survive, His desire is for us to thrive in our relationship with Him! What manner of love is this, that He would call us His sons and daughters. Think about it, the Creator of the universe, the King of kings, Lord of lords and the Saviour of our souls wants to call us His own! I can't even begin to wrap my mind around His goodness and love, yet He calls to me, to you, to everyone who has ever lived..."Accept My love and grace, be transformed and then My child, spread your wings and fly!" He is actively persuing you, wanting you to be transformed by His love and then, instead of just staying in that "new" state, He wants you to grow! He only made one of you, and He wants you to be the best "you" that you can be. Don't just settle for being sealed by His grace my friend, be the you that He intended. Run to Him, when troubles come your way, don't turn away. He is our Abba, our Father and it brings Him joy to see all of His own transforming into beautiful souls, sharing the message of His love and strengthening their earthly wings for eternal Heavenly heights. Oh the joy it must bring Him to see us follow the plan He has for us! On the same note, I know that it must bring sadness to His heart to see His children come to Him for salvation, become "new" and then just sit in their safe place, never growing and stretching themselves so that they can soar to heights never imagined. Also, i you have the opportunity to lead someone to the cross and they accept His grace, I implore you to make sure you're not doing anything to hold them back from maturing in Christ. When in doubt, remember Morris. Encourage growth, with growth comes fruit.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Daughters need fathers too...
This is such a great devotional and I wanted to share it with everyone. I hope you'll take it to heart and if you like it, you can go to www.crosswalk.com and sign up for daily devotionals that are sent to your e-mail. Hope everyone has an amazing week!
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
April 20Daughters Need Fathers, Too
Psalm 144:12Let our...daughters [be] as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace.
We read a lot today of the problems that occur when boys grow up without male role models. But did you know that a father is just as important in helping girls understand their sexual identities?
Boys are not the only ones who lack a sense of how a man should behave. Many young girls don't know, either, because they aren't exposed to healthy male-female relationships.
How do you give your daughter a healthy perspective of male-female relationships?
The most influential way is by how you treat her mother. As she sees you loving your wife, giving preference to her, giving to her in a sacrificial way, she will learn how a man should treat a woman.
Second, your daughter needs to know you love her. She needs to be assured of your protection and your guidance. She will feel a greater sense of self-esteem if she is assured of your love. Hug her. Kiss her. Appropriately express affection for her even as she matures and goes through adolescence.
Another important way you influence your daughter is through your spiritual guidance. She should be shaped by Scripture and by prayer to be "corner pillars fashioned as for a palace."
Corner...like her role, designed by God to be supportive yet essential to holding a home together.
Pillars...because her inner strength is derived from a confidence and faith in God.
Fashioned...as you guide her to have a soft heart, willing to be led by God's Spirit.
For a palace...because her inner beauty attracts others to Jesus as much as it makes her willing to follow a godly man.
I pray the next generation of women will be pillars of love, faith and commitment to the husbands, families and the communities that need them. Maybe, with godly fathers involved, millions of little girls will develop into women who will, in turn, build godly families.
Prayer:
That God will give you the wisdom to know how to begin influencing your daughters to become "corner pillars fashioned as for a palace."
Discuss: Evaluate together your involvement as a father in each of your daughters' lives. Prayerfully establish some goals for the upcoming year for each of these relationships.
by Dennis and Barbara Rainey
April 20Daughters Need Fathers, Too
Psalm 144:12Let our...daughters [be] as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace.
We read a lot today of the problems that occur when boys grow up without male role models. But did you know that a father is just as important in helping girls understand their sexual identities?
Boys are not the only ones who lack a sense of how a man should behave. Many young girls don't know, either, because they aren't exposed to healthy male-female relationships.
How do you give your daughter a healthy perspective of male-female relationships?
The most influential way is by how you treat her mother. As she sees you loving your wife, giving preference to her, giving to her in a sacrificial way, she will learn how a man should treat a woman.
Second, your daughter needs to know you love her. She needs to be assured of your protection and your guidance. She will feel a greater sense of self-esteem if she is assured of your love. Hug her. Kiss her. Appropriately express affection for her even as she matures and goes through adolescence.
Another important way you influence your daughter is through your spiritual guidance. She should be shaped by Scripture and by prayer to be "corner pillars fashioned as for a palace."
Corner...like her role, designed by God to be supportive yet essential to holding a home together.
Pillars...because her inner strength is derived from a confidence and faith in God.
Fashioned...as you guide her to have a soft heart, willing to be led by God's Spirit.
For a palace...because her inner beauty attracts others to Jesus as much as it makes her willing to follow a godly man.
I pray the next generation of women will be pillars of love, faith and commitment to the husbands, families and the communities that need them. Maybe, with godly fathers involved, millions of little girls will develop into women who will, in turn, build godly families.
Prayer:
That God will give you the wisdom to know how to begin influencing your daughters to become "corner pillars fashioned as for a palace."
Discuss: Evaluate together your involvement as a father in each of your daughters' lives. Prayerfully establish some goals for the upcoming year for each of these relationships.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
let's talk about...
Alrighty ya'll, here's another good one. It's a kind of "taboo" subject, so if you don't want to read about how Christians should view sex, then don't read any further. I found it to be a great read, but not everyone is willing to approach the subject matter. God gave this gift to us to enjoy in the bonds of marriage, and this deals with common thought patterns that most young people who were raised in a Christian home face. There is nothing raunchy or tacky in it, just words that God gave Betsy St. Amant to share with her readers.
Sex and the Christian Marriage Betsy St. Amant
I've been married for almost three years now, and finally, I no longer blush bright red when the word "sex" is mentioned out loud.It's more of a faint pink tinge.Growing up, sex wasn't talked about very much. Not at home, not with family, and certainly not in church! There, the very mention of the word would have turned ears to scarlet and had the deacons popping antacid pills. Sure, every year the youth group did a "True Love Waits" program, but we never got down to the real nitty-gritty. We dutifully signed cards and pledged to "wait for true love and marriage" - whatever that meant.Many Christian youth today are in the same rapidly sinking boat. They have plenty of questions, but not enough people willing to give answers. Or worse, the wrong kind of people are giving the wrong kind of answers. For those getting no answers, sex turns into "This Great Mystery." Lack of information inspires intrigue and sex becomes even more appealing. The lure of the unknown consumes the mind, and much like Eve, regret blooms after one taste of the forbidden fruit. How many young men and women could have been protected if they had just been told that sex was not some guilty pleasure denied them, but rather, a part of God's plan for their future marriage and well worth the wait? How many babies could have been saved if only these young girls had realized not just the negative consequences of sex outside marriage but the positive truth about sex within marriage?Silence Outside Marriage, Confusion Within After the wedding, one of the hardest things for young Christian couples to adjust to is the fact that sex is suddenly - okay! All the years of silence on the "forbidden topic," all the years of feeling guilty for asking questions, all the years of wondering and dreaming, all the years of thinking sex as a "four letter word," suddenly diminish. Sex is expected, allowed, and not only that, but -- gasp -- it's a part of God's plan!During their most formative years Christian teenagers, especially young girls, are often expected to push the topic of sex aside. The good girls are the ones that sign their pledge cards, sit on their hands when dying to ask questions, and polish their purity rings once a week.However, I think those years are equally hard if not harder for young men. Those who remain pure during the trying years of hormone overload get married and suddenly expect to experience everything they've seen on TV, read in books, or heard in the locker room at school. And why wouldn't they? It's all they know.Suddenly, we have two Christians who've done their best to remain pure but may be facing some challenges ahead. Because the mindset "sex is bad" has been drilled into the young woman's mind for as long as she can remember, she finds it hard to relate to her husband physically. This creates tension between the newlywed couple. The woman creates a false sense of guilt in her head, and the young man develops insecurity -- he misreads the situation and assumes something is wrong with him or thinks he is not appealing to his new wife. And what God has purposed for good between a husband and wife becomes distorted. The couples who failed to protect their purity may be facing even greater challenges. Flashbacks from the past, unmet expectations, and recurring guilt plague this couple. Soon distance forms between the man and woman as their pasts begin to consume much of their emotional energy. I firmly believe that nothing makes the Enemy happier than a loveless marriage. Which leaves only one option -- fighting back. Stand up for your marriage. Give your concerns, your guilt, your insecurities, your fears and your past to God. If you remained pure until your wedding day yet still struggle with your emotions and mindsets, pour out your heart to God. Ask Him to change your way of thinking to a mindset that will be honoring and pleasing to both Him and your husband. If you made a sexual mistake in your past, you can still move on. Confess to God, ask Him to forgive you, and make it right from here on out. It's never too late for a fresh start. God is a God of second chances. You have no excuse as to why you can't fight back and save your marriage from the Enemy's grasp. The Subtlety of the SerpentIf the above issues aren't a problem for you, and you consider your marriage to be on track physically and emotionally, there are still many danger signs to watch for. The old adage "Sex Sells" is unfortunately all too true. Sex remains dominant everywhere you look. Movies, television shows, sitcoms, novels, websites, advertisements, commercials...even the "family" channels on TV promote filth in disguise. Characters in both television programs and books sleep together before they're married and promote "casual sex." These shows are often humorous on a superficial level (hence their draw!) but they fail to show the emotional, and usually physical, consequences of such flippant choices.This is obviously an extremely dangerous situation, not only to our youth of today but to married couples everywhere. How can we save our spouse from temptation from such filth when it's everywhere? How can we protect our eyes and ears when it seems sex is plastered all over any form of entertainment? Are we supposed to never see movies? Never turn on the television set? Never pick up a novel? Never venture outside of our house?There are some precautions that are easy to take. For example:1. Before seeing a movie in theaters, I always check out this website: http://www.kidsinmind.com/. This site has a rating scale of 1-10 on sexuality, violence, and language. Not sure what number on the scale is suitable for you or your spouse? You can read on for a detailed account of each category. (2 religious profanity, 3 mild obscenities, 4 F-words, a woman wears a low-cut dress, etc.) This website archives movies back for literally decades if not older -- so you can check out not only movies currently released in theater, but old rentals, as well!2. Ladies, if you love reading romance novels but hate having to flip past the graphic love scenes -- switch over to Christian Fiction. Christian fiction is a growing genre and provides readers with a clean version of the same romance, adventure and escape they seek. Visit my blog for a list of fantastic Christian authors of whom I am a fan: http://www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com/.3. Turn off the TV! Some shows are still worth watching but to be honest, not that many. Spend that quality time with your spouse, instead. Take the dog for a walk together. Pretend to be kids again and go play in the neighborhood park. Work together on a goal or project -- update a room in the house, start your spring cleaning, cook a gourmet meal, etc. There are ways to protect your mind and your spouse's. Filth going in will eventually come out creating painful, lingering consequences. A wife doesn't want to wonder if her husband is comparing her to the partially or completely naked woman he saw on the big screen last night. A husband doesn't want to guess if his wife finds him as attractive as the buff, long-haired hero in the romance novel she devoured that afternoon. Allowing these insecurities in your spouse is not pleasing to God. As an act of love for both your Heavenly Father and your husband/wife, watch what you put into your mind. You might think it doesn't affect you, but it does. No one is immune to sin. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8. One of the enemy's greatest tricks is that of subtlety. You give an inch, he'll take a mile. But you can beat him at his own game -- with a lot of prayer and altering of your entertainment habits.Take these steps toward a healthier marriage today. Filter what you pour into your mind -- it'll eventually seep into your heart. Be sensitive to the emotional and physical needs of your spouse. And remember, within the constraints of marriage, sex is not a four letter word but a unique blessing from God. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." James 1: 17.This article was originally published on Crosswalk Marriage in March 2007
Sex and the Christian Marriage Betsy St. Amant
I've been married for almost three years now, and finally, I no longer blush bright red when the word "sex" is mentioned out loud.It's more of a faint pink tinge.Growing up, sex wasn't talked about very much. Not at home, not with family, and certainly not in church! There, the very mention of the word would have turned ears to scarlet and had the deacons popping antacid pills. Sure, every year the youth group did a "True Love Waits" program, but we never got down to the real nitty-gritty. We dutifully signed cards and pledged to "wait for true love and marriage" - whatever that meant.Many Christian youth today are in the same rapidly sinking boat. They have plenty of questions, but not enough people willing to give answers. Or worse, the wrong kind of people are giving the wrong kind of answers. For those getting no answers, sex turns into "This Great Mystery." Lack of information inspires intrigue and sex becomes even more appealing. The lure of the unknown consumes the mind, and much like Eve, regret blooms after one taste of the forbidden fruit. How many young men and women could have been protected if they had just been told that sex was not some guilty pleasure denied them, but rather, a part of God's plan for their future marriage and well worth the wait? How many babies could have been saved if only these young girls had realized not just the negative consequences of sex outside marriage but the positive truth about sex within marriage?Silence Outside Marriage, Confusion Within After the wedding, one of the hardest things for young Christian couples to adjust to is the fact that sex is suddenly - okay! All the years of silence on the "forbidden topic," all the years of feeling guilty for asking questions, all the years of wondering and dreaming, all the years of thinking sex as a "four letter word," suddenly diminish. Sex is expected, allowed, and not only that, but -- gasp -- it's a part of God's plan!During their most formative years Christian teenagers, especially young girls, are often expected to push the topic of sex aside. The good girls are the ones that sign their pledge cards, sit on their hands when dying to ask questions, and polish their purity rings once a week.However, I think those years are equally hard if not harder for young men. Those who remain pure during the trying years of hormone overload get married and suddenly expect to experience everything they've seen on TV, read in books, or heard in the locker room at school. And why wouldn't they? It's all they know.Suddenly, we have two Christians who've done their best to remain pure but may be facing some challenges ahead. Because the mindset "sex is bad" has been drilled into the young woman's mind for as long as she can remember, she finds it hard to relate to her husband physically. This creates tension between the newlywed couple. The woman creates a false sense of guilt in her head, and the young man develops insecurity -- he misreads the situation and assumes something is wrong with him or thinks he is not appealing to his new wife. And what God has purposed for good between a husband and wife becomes distorted. The couples who failed to protect their purity may be facing even greater challenges. Flashbacks from the past, unmet expectations, and recurring guilt plague this couple. Soon distance forms between the man and woman as their pasts begin to consume much of their emotional energy. I firmly believe that nothing makes the Enemy happier than a loveless marriage. Which leaves only one option -- fighting back. Stand up for your marriage. Give your concerns, your guilt, your insecurities, your fears and your past to God. If you remained pure until your wedding day yet still struggle with your emotions and mindsets, pour out your heart to God. Ask Him to change your way of thinking to a mindset that will be honoring and pleasing to both Him and your husband. If you made a sexual mistake in your past, you can still move on. Confess to God, ask Him to forgive you, and make it right from here on out. It's never too late for a fresh start. God is a God of second chances. You have no excuse as to why you can't fight back and save your marriage from the Enemy's grasp. The Subtlety of the SerpentIf the above issues aren't a problem for you, and you consider your marriage to be on track physically and emotionally, there are still many danger signs to watch for. The old adage "Sex Sells" is unfortunately all too true. Sex remains dominant everywhere you look. Movies, television shows, sitcoms, novels, websites, advertisements, commercials...even the "family" channels on TV promote filth in disguise. Characters in both television programs and books sleep together before they're married and promote "casual sex." These shows are often humorous on a superficial level (hence their draw!) but they fail to show the emotional, and usually physical, consequences of such flippant choices.This is obviously an extremely dangerous situation, not only to our youth of today but to married couples everywhere. How can we save our spouse from temptation from such filth when it's everywhere? How can we protect our eyes and ears when it seems sex is plastered all over any form of entertainment? Are we supposed to never see movies? Never turn on the television set? Never pick up a novel? Never venture outside of our house?There are some precautions that are easy to take. For example:1. Before seeing a movie in theaters, I always check out this website: http://www.kidsinmind.com/. This site has a rating scale of 1-10 on sexuality, violence, and language. Not sure what number on the scale is suitable for you or your spouse? You can read on for a detailed account of each category. (2 religious profanity, 3 mild obscenities, 4 F-words, a woman wears a low-cut dress, etc.) This website archives movies back for literally decades if not older -- so you can check out not only movies currently released in theater, but old rentals, as well!2. Ladies, if you love reading romance novels but hate having to flip past the graphic love scenes -- switch over to Christian Fiction. Christian fiction is a growing genre and provides readers with a clean version of the same romance, adventure and escape they seek. Visit my blog for a list of fantastic Christian authors of whom I am a fan: http://www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com/.3. Turn off the TV! Some shows are still worth watching but to be honest, not that many. Spend that quality time with your spouse, instead. Take the dog for a walk together. Pretend to be kids again and go play in the neighborhood park. Work together on a goal or project -- update a room in the house, start your spring cleaning, cook a gourmet meal, etc. There are ways to protect your mind and your spouse's. Filth going in will eventually come out creating painful, lingering consequences. A wife doesn't want to wonder if her husband is comparing her to the partially or completely naked woman he saw on the big screen last night. A husband doesn't want to guess if his wife finds him as attractive as the buff, long-haired hero in the romance novel she devoured that afternoon. Allowing these insecurities in your spouse is not pleasing to God. As an act of love for both your Heavenly Father and your husband/wife, watch what you put into your mind. You might think it doesn't affect you, but it does. No one is immune to sin. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8. One of the enemy's greatest tricks is that of subtlety. You give an inch, he'll take a mile. But you can beat him at his own game -- with a lot of prayer and altering of your entertainment habits.Take these steps toward a healthier marriage today. Filter what you pour into your mind -- it'll eventually seep into your heart. Be sensitive to the emotional and physical needs of your spouse. And remember, within the constraints of marriage, sex is not a four letter word but a unique blessing from God. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights..." James 1: 17.This article was originally published on Crosswalk Marriage in March 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
