Well, we've been in a "foreign land" now for 2 years. In a land not particularly of our choosing, but where God chose to send us nonetheless. Following a direction to simply, "Go". Go to school. Michael has finished up two years of his Master of Divinity degree. His emphasis is currently Biblical Counseling, but that may change, as he's presently leaning toward Expository Preaching. We've been serving in several ministry capacities, but still haven't found our "niche", and haven't received any further calling. After two years into this obedience thing, we were kind of expecting something by now. It's still embarrassing to answer the question, "So, what are you going to school for?" or "What are your plans after your graduate?" with the answer... "I don't really know yet."
We have learned more in the 2 years we've been here than ever in our lives. Even though Michael is the one officially enrolled in seminary, I get to learn right alongside him. He'll be the one getting a paper diploma at the end, but I get to enjoy all the knowledge without all the studying and tests! :) Not only are we receiving book knowledge, but the faith lessons are unimaginable. Watching God's provisions will never cease to amaze me. There are still plenty of things going on that I don't understand the reasoning behind, but I'm just leaving those things in God's capable hands.
The most amazing of His provisions come in the way of people that He places in our lives. People who come on the scene exactly at the moment we need them. People who share stores of things in their lives that encourage us at the exact moment we need to hear them. Friends who provide for us financially with words totally anointed by our Father. I want to tell you about one of those instances most recently that blessed me.
Michael and I had just had a discouraging conversation of not feeling our "calling" yet. There are times when God is silent and you feel He has forgotten where He's put you. You ask Him for direction and the only answer you get goes back to your original call. Nothing new. Can I be honest? That is SO frustrating! If nothing else through our journey, I'm gonna be honest. Following God's call is NOT easy, sometimes totally not fun, and as current culture has shown us...it's not safe! But IT'S GOOD! It was at this exact moment of discouragement, we received the most anointed note from a dear friend encouraging us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. She wrote, "Our ministry IS the journey. We tend to look too far ahead sometimes." How could this friend have known this was our struggle unless God prompted her to pray this and encourage us in this exact area?! God is so good!
That's probably the best lesson from 2 years of seminary. God is good. Even though He can be hard, He's good. Even though we don't understand, He's good. When I doubt Him and fail him, He's still good. And He still continuously shows me that this verse was written for me: "God directs the steps of the godly. He cares about every detail of their lives." Psalm 37:23
Every detail. All the time.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Jorge the Light
I'll never get tired of that feeling that washes over you when God shows up!
I pray over my daughter every day. Alex has had the hardest 2 years of any teenager I know. She has been plucked out of her comfortable life and plopped right into God's plan for our family which has been anything but comfortable. God is writing a beautiful testimony for her life that I'll let her share when she sees fit. But I'll share little snippets of it now and then. :)
She is in a public high school in a pretty big city. 1600 kids walk the halls daily. Since her first day of school I have emulated my cousin who has prayed this verse over her children:
Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Daily, I have prayed for her to shine so bright that others find Christ through her actions. Every day. But daily, she comes home defeated as if she's just fought the biggest, ugliest battle in history! She comes home tired and depressed. This morning, I was impressed to pray something different over her. I asked God instead of making her a light to shine all alone...may He lead her to other lights in her school. I asked Him to show her other believers to remind her that she's not alone, so they can shine even brighter together!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, " Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."
I prayed this prayer as I dropped her off, and drove home. I really didn't think anything of it as my day went by and I was engaged with a thousand other things! I noticed Alex was more chipper and energetic when I picked her up after school. Again...didn't think much of it. But after dinner this evening, she walks downstairs with her Bible in her hand. She had ask her dad to start discipling her and teaching her how to study her Bible. She then tells me that she met a new friend in class today, named Jorge. He is a Mexican kid who speaks broken English that she struggles to understand. But he asked her in class about the church she went to. He asked her to tell him about her church, and then he told her about his church. He then started quizzing her on Bible trivia. They talked about God until the teacher got upset with them for disrupting class.
As she was sharing this story with me, God showed up. Well, He had been there all along, but He finally showed up in my mind. I started crying, and Alex, who is quite used to her mom's emotional tears, rolled her eyes jokingly and asked why I was crying. I told her about my prayer for her this morning. My prayer for God to lead her to other lights in her school. Jorge the light. I'll take it!
Sometimes we pray things that we think are right to pray. There was nothing wrong with my prayer for God to make her a light. I believe He is doing that in His own way. But God impressed on me to ask Him for something MORE right for her...right now. I wonder if Jorge's mom was praying for him this morning, too. Praying that he might find another light today.
Psalm 37:23 "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He cares about every little detail of their lives." Every. little. detail.
I pray over my daughter every day. Alex has had the hardest 2 years of any teenager I know. She has been plucked out of her comfortable life and plopped right into God's plan for our family which has been anything but comfortable. God is writing a beautiful testimony for her life that I'll let her share when she sees fit. But I'll share little snippets of it now and then. :)
She is in a public high school in a pretty big city. 1600 kids walk the halls daily. Since her first day of school I have emulated my cousin who has prayed this verse over her children:
Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Daily, I have prayed for her to shine so bright that others find Christ through her actions. Every day. But daily, she comes home defeated as if she's just fought the biggest, ugliest battle in history! She comes home tired and depressed. This morning, I was impressed to pray something different over her. I asked God instead of making her a light to shine all alone...may He lead her to other lights in her school. I asked Him to show her other believers to remind her that she's not alone, so they can shine even brighter together!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, " Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; If either of them falls down, one can help the other up."
I prayed this prayer as I dropped her off, and drove home. I really didn't think anything of it as my day went by and I was engaged with a thousand other things! I noticed Alex was more chipper and energetic when I picked her up after school. Again...didn't think much of it. But after dinner this evening, she walks downstairs with her Bible in her hand. She had ask her dad to start discipling her and teaching her how to study her Bible. She then tells me that she met a new friend in class today, named Jorge. He is a Mexican kid who speaks broken English that she struggles to understand. But he asked her in class about the church she went to. He asked her to tell him about her church, and then he told her about his church. He then started quizzing her on Bible trivia. They talked about God until the teacher got upset with them for disrupting class.
As she was sharing this story with me, God showed up. Well, He had been there all along, but He finally showed up in my mind. I started crying, and Alex, who is quite used to her mom's emotional tears, rolled her eyes jokingly and asked why I was crying. I told her about my prayer for her this morning. My prayer for God to lead her to other lights in her school. Jorge the light. I'll take it!
Sometimes we pray things that we think are right to pray. There was nothing wrong with my prayer for God to make her a light. I believe He is doing that in His own way. But God impressed on me to ask Him for something MORE right for her...right now. I wonder if Jorge's mom was praying for him this morning, too. Praying that he might find another light today.
Psalm 37:23 "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He cares about every little detail of their lives." Every. little. detail.
Friday, January 2, 2015
New
Today I start my new year. Putting away the Christmas decorations of the month past. Putting fresh, new sheets on bedding. Washing laundry to make it fresh and clean after a great week of celebrations! Focusing on a new year and what I want to accomplish and change this year. As I contemplate all these things, God gives me the word "new" to focus on.
My day began thinking of my precious cousin, Schawn, who is currently living in a new body with our Savior in Heaven. She is in all new surroundings that would literally blow our minds just thinking of all the new sights and sounds she is experiencing! I have always been fascinated with Heaven and longed for the day I get to see it! I always get a little jealous of those who get to experience it before me. Morbid? No. That's where I'm created to live, so it's natural to feel a longing for it.
The word "new" is used numerous times in the Bible. The verse that resounds in my head today is Lamentations 3:22-23, "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS; his mercies are NEW every morning." I read a Desiring God commentary that stated God is not "old"; He is. We are not young or old; we are. It is a continuum of time on God's big timeline. Everything that is in existence now is because that is where God has placed it on the timeline to exist for His glory. Daily, He makes all things new because it is existing today for His glory. My cousin, who lost her mom, said she is just taking things "day by day". That's exactly how we are to live. God gives us the grace sufficient for one day. I exist for His glory today. Tomorrow is not promised to me, but if I am blessed with another day, it is a new day. One more day to proclaim the glory of God. One more day in which He will be with me, walking beside me, giving me strength to do the task He has called me to do...today.
I can't stop singing "It is Well With My Soul" today. The history of that great hymn goes something like this. Horatio Spafford was a wealthy man in Chicago who was financially ruined after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. He was moving overseas on business, but had to send his wife and four daughters ahead so he could finish up a business venture. Their ship collided with another sea vessel and sank instantly. His wife was saved alone. Horatio came to get his wife and while grieving the loss of his four daughters, he penned the words to this great hymn. "When peace like a river attendeth my soul. When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou has taught me to know. It is well, it is well, with my soul."
The people of the church he attend
ed and where he was an elder, decided that he and his wife must be living in great sin and these events were God's punishment on them, so they cast them from their church. Can you imagine that pain?! After starting a new family with his wife, their four year old son soon died from scarlett fever. Sorrows like sea billows roll is certainly right. But did they turn from God? No. They allowed the great pain in their life to be used by God to bring glory to His Kingdom.
In this new year, I want to use whatever God gives me to bring glory to His Kingdom. I want to live on His great timeline and not try to make it my own. Whatever happens, it is well with my soul.
Evan and I set up a mock recording studio this afternoon to honor my cousin's family and my family during this trying time of grief. My 12 year old is amazing at his computer, so we hope you enjoy this recording session we shared together as I worked through my own grief. It's all I have to offer to you...along with my prayers of comfort. I love you Caudles, Browns, Slacks, Carters, Spanglers, Stuhans, and Williamsons.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Obedience
Usually when God speaks to me, it's in a gentle voice. Kind of like, as a child, when your parent would gently ask you to clean your room or do a chore. At that point, you have a choice to obey or disobey. If you disobey, the voice your parent uses becomes a little more harsh and loud. And consequences soon follow. Know what I'm talking about?
Over a year ago, God told us to "Go." He said it in a gentle voice and we obeyed. Now I like to say that I'm "walking in obedience" because of that one act of obedience. Recently, God has been teaching me that it's not a one time thing, but more like every day. Acting obediently and rightly every. single. day.
I expect my children to obey every day. At the sound of your alarm clock, you wake up. Obedience. You get yourself dressed and out the door for school on time. Obedience. You respect the rules of our home. Obedience.
Why was I thinking God was any different a parent than I am?
Of course, He's the perfect Father. I, of course, am no where near the perfect child. I have been quite disobedient for over a year now. I've been a spoiled baby, is exactly what I've been. God has been telling me gently that I need to start taking care of my body. Treating it with more respect, keeping it healthy, feeding it properly, building strength instead of fat. I've given in to "stress" and given myself permission to eat foods that comforted me instead of foods that healed me. As God gently reminds me time and time again of His plans for me that are good, I am convicted of what I am doing to myself that is not good.
Obedience. My choice.
I was convicted a few weeks ago during church. Our amazing church is growing in number so we are currently in the process of building a larger building. Larger buildings require funds to build them. We've been talking about sacrificing things to be able to give to our church. Joyfully giving out of obedience, sacrifice, and knowing God will provide a way for us. My 12 year old son had been saving up money for a larger computer monitor. After his birthday he had enough money to be able to buy one that we found a great deal on for $60! He had his money in his pocket one Sunday because we were going to pick up the monitor that Sunday after church was over. Before service started, he said, "Mom, I need to talk to you about something." He said he was feeling God asking him for that $60 to give to the church instead of buying something he didn't really need, but just wanted. He wasn't sure what God could do with his measly $60, but his wise response to God was that he would definitely obey because he knew God would provide for him in His perfect timing. Yes, my 12 year old responded with such joyful obedience & with full trust that God would provide for him. No closed fists....just an open palm raised to Heaven.
If my 12 year old can obey like that, then much older momma can stop acting like a spoiled brat and obey with her health, knowing that God will provide a way for her out of her joyful sacrifice. Is it even the same concept? YES! God doesn't just want me to obey with my finances. He wants me to obey with my talents, my choices, my health, my service...everything!! Everything I do should be a reflection of His glory in me.
So, tomorrow...during the week of Thanksgiving, God has called me to be obedient in the most difficult way possible (at least for me). I will be starting a lifestyle change of portion control and exercise...did I mention over Thanksgiving? God seems to make the challenges not quite so easy. But He always provides a way for us to obey. He sent an old friend to help me through this process with a program and some accountability.
His plans for me are GOOD! What He will reveal after my step of obedience is something I cannot wait to see. My loving Father has told me to keep my hands out of the cookie jar, and I choose obedience. I choose sacrifice and joy.
Over a year ago, God told us to "Go." He said it in a gentle voice and we obeyed. Now I like to say that I'm "walking in obedience" because of that one act of obedience. Recently, God has been teaching me that it's not a one time thing, but more like every day. Acting obediently and rightly every. single. day.
I expect my children to obey every day. At the sound of your alarm clock, you wake up. Obedience. You get yourself dressed and out the door for school on time. Obedience. You respect the rules of our home. Obedience.
Why was I thinking God was any different a parent than I am?
Of course, He's the perfect Father. I, of course, am no where near the perfect child. I have been quite disobedient for over a year now. I've been a spoiled baby, is exactly what I've been. God has been telling me gently that I need to start taking care of my body. Treating it with more respect, keeping it healthy, feeding it properly, building strength instead of fat. I've given in to "stress" and given myself permission to eat foods that comforted me instead of foods that healed me. As God gently reminds me time and time again of His plans for me that are good, I am convicted of what I am doing to myself that is not good.
Obedience. My choice.
I was convicted a few weeks ago during church. Our amazing church is growing in number so we are currently in the process of building a larger building. Larger buildings require funds to build them. We've been talking about sacrificing things to be able to give to our church. Joyfully giving out of obedience, sacrifice, and knowing God will provide a way for us. My 12 year old son had been saving up money for a larger computer monitor. After his birthday he had enough money to be able to buy one that we found a great deal on for $60! He had his money in his pocket one Sunday because we were going to pick up the monitor that Sunday after church was over. Before service started, he said, "Mom, I need to talk to you about something." He said he was feeling God asking him for that $60 to give to the church instead of buying something he didn't really need, but just wanted. He wasn't sure what God could do with his measly $60, but his wise response to God was that he would definitely obey because he knew God would provide for him in His perfect timing. Yes, my 12 year old responded with such joyful obedience & with full trust that God would provide for him. No closed fists....just an open palm raised to Heaven.
If my 12 year old can obey like that, then much older momma can stop acting like a spoiled brat and obey with her health, knowing that God will provide a way for her out of her joyful sacrifice. Is it even the same concept? YES! God doesn't just want me to obey with my finances. He wants me to obey with my talents, my choices, my health, my service...everything!! Everything I do should be a reflection of His glory in me.
So, tomorrow...during the week of Thanksgiving, God has called me to be obedient in the most difficult way possible (at least for me). I will be starting a lifestyle change of portion control and exercise...did I mention over Thanksgiving? God seems to make the challenges not quite so easy. But He always provides a way for us to obey. He sent an old friend to help me through this process with a program and some accountability.
His plans for me are GOOD! What He will reveal after my step of obedience is something I cannot wait to see. My loving Father has told me to keep my hands out of the cookie jar, and I choose obedience. I choose sacrifice and joy.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Overwhelmed...again.
I think from now on I'll just title each blog entry as "Overwhelmed". While we've been at seminary, our mind has been blown at least once a week! God's provisions in this walk of our journey are truly AH-mazing!
I share things over and over again so that God will be glorified. I share our weaknesses, as embarrassing as they are, so that God can be glorified in our weakness. This one I'm going to share today may just possibly blow your mind as well. God truly is our Jehovah Jireh...the God who provides.
Michael had just returned from England. Three weeks of not working equals very little money in your bank account. We had a little saved up for a family trip to Arkansas to celebrate my momma's 70th birthday. Money or not, I would have found a way to get there to honor her on her special day! We spent a little over a week with family we haven't seen in over a year, and friends who pray for us and help support us along this crazy journey we are on. It was a week of refreshment, which we all desperately needed.
Long trips take money...a little more than we had. We ended up having to spend out of our savings, which is where Michael's book money is located...and classes start Monday! I had a 2 day drive home to praise God, to thank Him for our trip, and to ask for His provisions for a few needs our family had in the coming weeks. A few important needs we had on a zero bank account. I have learned to pray specifically for "needs". "Wants" occur occasionally, but God is honing us on what our "needs" really are. In my spirit, I felt at peace and felt God telling me just to wait until we get home and check the mail. For as I'm learning...He already had provisions set up long before I discovered I needed them.
About a year ago, we had closed out some credit cards, as we are trying to be obedient with waiting on God's provisions and not charging things we think we need right away. I have to admit, it's a little scary not to have that "safety net", even though it's not really a safety net. Know what I mean? Well, there on the table is an envelope from Bank of America. Michael opened it wondering what they could possibly want since we don't use them anymore. I'll quote exactly what the letter said...and I'll photograph it if you don't believe me.
"We have enclosed a check for you. We want you to know we appreciate your commitment to our country and pride ourselves on serving you. Based on a recent review of your account, we may not have provided you the level of service you deserve, and are providing you this check. There is nothing you need to do other than cash your check. Thank you for all you've done to serve and support our country."
$986.24
What credit card company reviews your account and feels they didn't give you the level of service you deserve and then gives money back to you?! And what about the timing of that? We sure needed that money RIGHT then! I can answer those questions with the simple answer...God. God is bigger, God is greater. Bigger than our looming financial needs, greater than any financial institution.
At present, our family is praying over a mission opportunity to Niger. The cost seems big, looming. Ebola on that continent seems scary and crazy for us to consider going. But God is bigger. God is greater. As soon as we commit, God will provide. After the check from Bank of America came in our time of need, Michael turned to me and said, "Are we done doubting yet?" Yes, Lord. In a thousand ways, Yes!
I share things over and over again so that God will be glorified. I share our weaknesses, as embarrassing as they are, so that God can be glorified in our weakness. This one I'm going to share today may just possibly blow your mind as well. God truly is our Jehovah Jireh...the God who provides.
Michael had just returned from England. Three weeks of not working equals very little money in your bank account. We had a little saved up for a family trip to Arkansas to celebrate my momma's 70th birthday. Money or not, I would have found a way to get there to honor her on her special day! We spent a little over a week with family we haven't seen in over a year, and friends who pray for us and help support us along this crazy journey we are on. It was a week of refreshment, which we all desperately needed.
Long trips take money...a little more than we had. We ended up having to spend out of our savings, which is where Michael's book money is located...and classes start Monday! I had a 2 day drive home to praise God, to thank Him for our trip, and to ask for His provisions for a few needs our family had in the coming weeks. A few important needs we had on a zero bank account. I have learned to pray specifically for "needs". "Wants" occur occasionally, but God is honing us on what our "needs" really are. In my spirit, I felt at peace and felt God telling me just to wait until we get home and check the mail. For as I'm learning...He already had provisions set up long before I discovered I needed them.
About a year ago, we had closed out some credit cards, as we are trying to be obedient with waiting on God's provisions and not charging things we think we need right away. I have to admit, it's a little scary not to have that "safety net", even though it's not really a safety net. Know what I mean? Well, there on the table is an envelope from Bank of America. Michael opened it wondering what they could possibly want since we don't use them anymore. I'll quote exactly what the letter said...and I'll photograph it if you don't believe me.
"We have enclosed a check for you. We want you to know we appreciate your commitment to our country and pride ourselves on serving you. Based on a recent review of your account, we may not have provided you the level of service you deserve, and are providing you this check. There is nothing you need to do other than cash your check. Thank you for all you've done to serve and support our country."
$986.24
What credit card company reviews your account and feels they didn't give you the level of service you deserve and then gives money back to you?! And what about the timing of that? We sure needed that money RIGHT then! I can answer those questions with the simple answer...God. God is bigger, God is greater. Bigger than our looming financial needs, greater than any financial institution.
At present, our family is praying over a mission opportunity to Niger. The cost seems big, looming. Ebola on that continent seems scary and crazy for us to consider going. But God is bigger. God is greater. As soon as we commit, God will provide. After the check from Bank of America came in our time of need, Michael turned to me and said, "Are we done doubting yet?" Yes, Lord. In a thousand ways, Yes!
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
July 14
I think I'll now forever remember this date. This picture was taken on that date. It was our last Sunday in our beloved Grand Forks, North Dakota. It was the day we were to say goodbye to friends who felt like family. Goodbye to our perfect house that we had remodeled exactly like we wanted. Good bye to the church who had launched us into ministry. All because God said, "Go."
I was reminded of the date this year on July 14. An overwhelming sadness lurched over me that day and I wasn't sure why. I was looking through pictures during my little pity party when I came across this picture and realized the date was July 14, 2013. We were all so happy then to follow God's Great Commission and GO! We considered it a journey. An adventure.
My life verse since about 2010 has been Psalm 37:23, "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." That verse has sustained me through A LOT! So, why did it surprise me that when I went to my devotion book, "Jesus Calling" (that I received for Christmas this year) on July 14 that this verse was there to sustain me through a day of mourning my past friendships.
All I can say is God is good. He has forever been good. He will forever BE good. Have we been through a year of hardship and sadness? Yes. But it's good. It's growth. It's obedience. God delights in every detail of my life.
I was reminded of the date this year on July 14. An overwhelming sadness lurched over me that day and I wasn't sure why. I was looking through pictures during my little pity party when I came across this picture and realized the date was July 14, 2013. We were all so happy then to follow God's Great Commission and GO! We considered it a journey. An adventure.
My life verse since about 2010 has been Psalm 37:23, "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." That verse has sustained me through A LOT! So, why did it surprise me that when I went to my devotion book, "Jesus Calling" (that I received for Christmas this year) on July 14 that this verse was there to sustain me through a day of mourning my past friendships.
All I can say is God is good. He has forever been good. He will forever BE good. Have we been through a year of hardship and sadness? Yes. But it's good. It's growth. It's obedience. God delights in every detail of my life.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
I have been offended...highly.
I am officially offended. It takes a lot to offend me, so this one must be big. In reference to the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court ruling, someone referred to Christians as the American Taliban. Seriously?
As a Christian, I am expected by others to never publicly give my opinions on homosexuality, on government, on abortion, and so forth, because my beliefs are considered by the culture as "offensive", as "bigotry", as phobias, as "hateful". Since that is the case, how is it okay for someone who believes different from me to refer to ME as the American Taliban? Do you know what the Taliban stood for? Do you know the evilness that abounds in their hearts?
Do you realize there will come a day in our country (it's already happening outside of our country) when Christians will be killed? Are you really okay with my death? Are you okay with Michael being beheaded for believing in and sharing Jesus with others? Are you okay with Alex and Evan being shot in the head because they choose not to denounce their Lord and Savior? Are you willing to kill ME because I believe contrary to you? When you spout anti-Christian hate speech, you are hurting me and my family.
My sister in law is gay. I love her deeply. I love her girlfriend. I do not spew anti-gay speech because I know that's a nail in her coffin. I have friends who have had abortions, so I don't go off the rails telling them they are going to hell because I realize they are a soul God loves and He is a great redeemer. I don't advocate for anyone to die because their beliefs are different from mine. If you are a Muslim, I don't pray for you to die because of your beliefs. You are still a soul God loves.
I believe our issue with such extreme polarization and hatefulness comes from the fact that on social media we can "say" whatever we want without seeing the repercussions of what we say. Would you say to my face that you feel I act like the Taliban? Would you say to my face that you hate me because of my beliefs?
To your face I would tell you I love you. I will pray for you, for God to reveal Himself to you in a miraculous way. And if you don't like hearing that to your face, then I'll pray for you privately and not post things that I know are detrimental to you.
I have so many friends who are all so different from me. I will never use words of hate to describe them. So please don't refer to me, a Christian, as a member of the Taliban simply because I have a belief system that is different from yours. I am proud to be a Christian. The Bible will always be my final authority. I am raising my kids to be pure, holy, and set apart, non-judgmental, and kind. I am forgiving and passionate. I have specific views on sex, raising kids, marriage, and family life. They are MY beliefs. I realize they are contrary to public opinion and they flow counter to the current culture. I'm okay with that. And I will die for them. Because if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. And I have earned the right to have MY beliefs because I sacrificed many years without my husband while he was off fighting for the freedoms we all enjoy.
I would expect you to stand for what you believe in as well. And I will fight for you if anyone ever tries to claim your life. So, yes, I'm offended. But, I'll be okay. God's got me. And He is truly the only thing that makes sense when the world has gone crazy!
My "different" friends...I pray for you all daily. I love reading your posts about your silly kids, your vacations, your jobs, and your pets. And I do read all your posts that are far different from what I believe. Just know that I'm reading and watching. You can offend me, but I hope your not okay with killing me. Even if you are...that's okay. Christ in me, the hope of glory!
Thank you for letting me speak freely.
As a Christian, I am expected by others to never publicly give my opinions on homosexuality, on government, on abortion, and so forth, because my beliefs are considered by the culture as "offensive", as "bigotry", as phobias, as "hateful". Since that is the case, how is it okay for someone who believes different from me to refer to ME as the American Taliban? Do you know what the Taliban stood for? Do you know the evilness that abounds in their hearts?
Do you realize there will come a day in our country (it's already happening outside of our country) when Christians will be killed? Are you really okay with my death? Are you okay with Michael being beheaded for believing in and sharing Jesus with others? Are you okay with Alex and Evan being shot in the head because they choose not to denounce their Lord and Savior? Are you willing to kill ME because I believe contrary to you? When you spout anti-Christian hate speech, you are hurting me and my family.
My sister in law is gay. I love her deeply. I love her girlfriend. I do not spew anti-gay speech because I know that's a nail in her coffin. I have friends who have had abortions, so I don't go off the rails telling them they are going to hell because I realize they are a soul God loves and He is a great redeemer. I don't advocate for anyone to die because their beliefs are different from mine. If you are a Muslim, I don't pray for you to die because of your beliefs. You are still a soul God loves.
I believe our issue with such extreme polarization and hatefulness comes from the fact that on social media we can "say" whatever we want without seeing the repercussions of what we say. Would you say to my face that you feel I act like the Taliban? Would you say to my face that you hate me because of my beliefs?
To your face I would tell you I love you. I will pray for you, for God to reveal Himself to you in a miraculous way. And if you don't like hearing that to your face, then I'll pray for you privately and not post things that I know are detrimental to you.
I have so many friends who are all so different from me. I will never use words of hate to describe them. So please don't refer to me, a Christian, as a member of the Taliban simply because I have a belief system that is different from yours. I am proud to be a Christian. The Bible will always be my final authority. I am raising my kids to be pure, holy, and set apart, non-judgmental, and kind. I am forgiving and passionate. I have specific views on sex, raising kids, marriage, and family life. They are MY beliefs. I realize they are contrary to public opinion and they flow counter to the current culture. I'm okay with that. And I will die for them. Because if you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. And I have earned the right to have MY beliefs because I sacrificed many years without my husband while he was off fighting for the freedoms we all enjoy.
I would expect you to stand for what you believe in as well. And I will fight for you if anyone ever tries to claim your life. So, yes, I'm offended. But, I'll be okay. God's got me. And He is truly the only thing that makes sense when the world has gone crazy!
My "different" friends...I pray for you all daily. I love reading your posts about your silly kids, your vacations, your jobs, and your pets. And I do read all your posts that are far different from what I believe. Just know that I'm reading and watching. You can offend me, but I hope your not okay with killing me. Even if you are...that's okay. Christ in me, the hope of glory!
Thank you for letting me speak freely.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)