So, I'd like to chat with you like the friends you are. I have a confession to make. Sometimes I think I'm a little crazy! Recently I felt God leading me to start an online Bible Study for women only. I love studying the Bible and teaching it, so that's not the crazy part. The thing is that all of the steps were not clearly laid out for me! He didn't give me many details, but I knew it was His plan.
It's a total leap of faith. I'm terrified and excited at the same time! Crazy, right? Maybe not.
Following God defies all logic sometimes. Faith is not logical. It doesn't inherently make sense to follow someone you can't see. But Hebrews 11:6 says it is necessary to please God to put our faith in Him implicitly. So maybe I'm not going crazy. Maybe I'm just growing...
Does faith make you feel a little "crazy" sometimes? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
A ruby is a beautiful and precious jewel. Each facet is uniquely known wholly by the Creator. When it is broken, it can only be restored by Him. "The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God." Psalm 51:17 "Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 3:15
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Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Looking Up
Throughout the last week or two, I've been studying the life of Job. I expected to be a bit depressed by studying the life of a man who lost everything. Remarkably, it's been one of the most uplifting times of the last two years. God is funny that way. I realized that the moaning and crying I've been doing through these rough patches is probably pretty normal.
I realize that maybe it's okay to ask God why sometimes. I also realized that there is light at the end of this tunnel and that all suffering has a purpose. God is shaping and molding me into the woman He wants me to be and preparing me for the next chapter. Timidly (at times) I'm following Him and stepping out of my comfortable place into the unknown. But, as Britt Nicole says, what do I have to lose?
At times it has hurt more than I thought I could handle. I've cried out to Him. I've yelled at Him. I've ignored Him. I've run back to Him. And guess what? Through it all, He's put up with me. He's still there. He can handle my temper tantrums, and He can handle yours too. What is God teaching you in your current trial?
I realize that maybe it's okay to ask God why sometimes. I also realized that there is light at the end of this tunnel and that all suffering has a purpose. God is shaping and molding me into the woman He wants me to be and preparing me for the next chapter. Timidly (at times) I'm following Him and stepping out of my comfortable place into the unknown. But, as Britt Nicole says, what do I have to lose?
At times it has hurt more than I thought I could handle. I've cried out to Him. I've yelled at Him. I've ignored Him. I've run back to Him. And guess what? Through it all, He's put up with me. He's still there. He can handle my temper tantrums, and He can handle yours too. What is God teaching you in your current trial?
Saturday, January 7, 2012
When Everything is Lost
Have you ever been angry with God? Have you ever blamed Him for your suffering or wondered if He was mad at you? I have. I admit it. Though trials are a part of life, they are never easy to endure. It is easy to feel abandoned, unloved and frustrated. I've been learning lessons from a man who was undeserving of suffering but found himself holding the short straw.
Job was a man who lost his wealth and his children. His body was covered in sores. His own wife turned on him, and his friends were useless during his troubles. Though he cried out to God for answers, he did not turn His back on God. He was honest in his request for explanations. He was even ready to die rather than continue to suffer.
Few of us have been through trials like Job, but some of us have. We have endured the loss of a spouse or a child. We have been assaulted by someone we trusted. We have been through a painful divorce or faced financial ruin. No matter what we've been through, God promises to walk with us through it and never leave us. (Deut. 31:6) Sometimes that promise may be the only encouragement you have in your storm. God gives us the strength to hold onto it. Rest in that tonight. I know I will.
Job was a man who lost his wealth and his children. His body was covered in sores. His own wife turned on him, and his friends were useless during his troubles. Though he cried out to God for answers, he did not turn His back on God. He was honest in his request for explanations. He was even ready to die rather than continue to suffer.
Few of us have been through trials like Job, but some of us have. We have endured the loss of a spouse or a child. We have been assaulted by someone we trusted. We have been through a painful divorce or faced financial ruin. No matter what we've been through, God promises to walk with us through it and never leave us. (Deut. 31:6) Sometimes that promise may be the only encouragement you have in your storm. God gives us the strength to hold onto it. Rest in that tonight. I know I will.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
When Lying is Okay
Is it ever okay to lie? The Ten Commandments (Ex. 20) prohibits lying on one another. The Bible calls Satan the "father of lies", and says that God hates lies. But I am wondering if there are some loopholes. Is it okay to lie if someone's life is at stake? Is it okay to lie when we are facing uncertainty? Is it okay to lie when the truth is inconvenient? What about lies by omission? Where do we draw the line? More importantly, where does God draw the line? Are our lines cohesive, or do they take divergent paths?
I am wondering what you think. I usually don't ask so many questions in one post, but I am pondering these things right now, and I like to ponder with someone. It helps. If you've lied recently, what was the reason? How did you justify it in your mind? Was it worth it, or did the consequences outweigh the expected gains?
I am wondering what you think. I usually don't ask so many questions in one post, but I am pondering these things right now, and I like to ponder with someone. It helps. If you've lied recently, what was the reason? How did you justify it in your mind? Was it worth it, or did the consequences outweigh the expected gains?
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Marriage is Outdated
Is it true? Could marriage be on the verge of extinction? Apparently Cameron Diaz feels that marriage is unimportant and old-fashioned.The divorce rate is high and continues to rise. Many choose simply to live together without marrying. Others procreate outside of marriage.
Does marriage still have value? Why or why not?
Fear of divorce seems to be enough to keep many from ever walking down the aisle. Why get married if it won't last anyway? I'm curious what you think? Is marriage simply a contract with no real meaning, or is marriage a beautiful covenant that can be a lifelong celebration?
Does marriage still have value? Why or why not?
Fear of divorce seems to be enough to keep many from ever walking down the aisle. Why get married if it won't last anyway? I'm curious what you think? Is marriage simply a contract with no real meaning, or is marriage a beautiful covenant that can be a lifelong celebration?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Unseen Advantage
He's humble, and he wins games. He doesn't get into trouble off the field. Yet, he's ridiculed and despised by sports writers and analysts everywhere. Why? Oh, he's a Christian. Why is Tim Tebow being persecuted for his faith?
I don't watch much football, but we've all heard about this guy who wasn't expected to win. Yet week after week he's been confounding the almighty sports "psychics" who think they know what's coming. Favor, anyone?
I feel convicted watching this quiet servant pray and give glory to God. Is my public faith obvious enough to draw ridicule, or have I been flying low under the radar? How about you? Has anyone "mistaken" you for a Christ-follower recently? Why or why not?
Monday, December 12, 2011
Virtual Beauty
Last week I stumbled into a mini firestorm. Apparently real women are not en vogue right now for modeling. The H&M clothing company has decided to use virtual models for swim suit and lingerie models. They've been criticized heavily for this choice. They were accused of "creating unrealistic physical ideals" by a Norwegian company in the ABC News article I read, while the company defends its position to simply show off the clothes.
What I'm trying to figure out is how this is any different from the live models that are usually used especially for these types of clothing? My body doesn't look like a swimsuit model's, and I have no illusions that it does. So if most women don't look like models, how is this affecting the self image of women any worse that live models? Help me out. Am I missing something. Real of virtual? Does it make a difference?
What I'm trying to figure out is how this is any different from the live models that are usually used especially for these types of clothing? My body doesn't look like a swimsuit model's, and I have no illusions that it does. So if most women don't look like models, how is this affecting the self image of women any worse that live models? Help me out. Am I missing something. Real of virtual? Does it make a difference?
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