Friday, May 7, 2010
Celebrated My Mother's Day Early
May 2, 2010
Being A Mommy
How could I ask for more today?! Today we celebrate “my” Mother’s Day! Yes, it is a week early. The thing is, God has totally come through..but of course!.. And how could I expect anything less?
Next weekend on May 7, 8 and 9, I have my reservation for my 3 day silent retreat. I am really looking forward to it. I don’t truly know what to expect.. the only sure thing I do expect is that I will be completely alone with God.. so for that I am very excited.
Lindsey, Brooke and Chase are being so gracious to celebrate me today instead of next weekend. Lindsey and Brooke already spent the morning making me Mother’s Day cards before we went to church. And this morning I woke up with the cutest, cuddliest baby boy in the world, wrapping his little arms around me.. stroking my face. He pulled my face to his with his little hands and kissed me so gently on the lips and said, “Mommy?” I said, “yes?” “When I grow up, I want to marry you.” Talk about a way to a mother’s heart. I said, “will you make a good husband?” He said, “yes, but today I want to go fishing with Daddy, Ok?” He is so funny to me.
After church service, we all had a very relaxing and fun time at Jason’s Deli. My family brings me so much joy on days like today.
Being A Mommy
How could I ask for more today?! Today we celebrate “my” Mother’s Day! Yes, it is a week early. The thing is, God has totally come through..but of course!.. And how could I expect anything less?
Next weekend on May 7, 8 and 9, I have my reservation for my 3 day silent retreat. I am really looking forward to it. I don’t truly know what to expect.. the only sure thing I do expect is that I will be completely alone with God.. so for that I am very excited.
Lindsey, Brooke and Chase are being so gracious to celebrate me today instead of next weekend. Lindsey and Brooke already spent the morning making me Mother’s Day cards before we went to church. And this morning I woke up with the cutest, cuddliest baby boy in the world, wrapping his little arms around me.. stroking my face. He pulled my face to his with his little hands and kissed me so gently on the lips and said, “Mommy?” I said, “yes?” “When I grow up, I want to marry you.” Talk about a way to a mother’s heart. I said, “will you make a good husband?” He said, “yes, but today I want to go fishing with Daddy, Ok?” He is so funny to me.
After church service, we all had a very relaxing and fun time at Jason’s Deli. My family brings me so much joy on days like today.
Then I got to spend the afternoon reading and writing. Then they surprised me with gifts. I just love them. So, I step out of my room and there is this cute note on the floor that says, "You are going to be srprisd!" Then i go to the kitchen and the three of them pop out from hiding saying, "surprise!" There on the table was a bowl of colorful paper flowers they handmade for me, more mother's day cards (INCLUDING a card from the dog) and a "gift bag" (actually a brown paper sack) with a small stuffed toy that belonged to Brooke, a dollar and a white rock. And if that wasn't enough!!! They even made a huge bowl of strawberry jello for me. This is one of the best Mother's day I've ever had. It's the first time they all worked together with their cute little minds to show mommy love. Wow. I'm blessed beyond measure!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
I Will Not Be Silent: Stirred Up To Speak My “Piece”
disclaimer to my silent solitude: sometimes the enemy thinks he can pull one over on you at just the right time..But I feel it safe to let this post out of the bag today! Take that, Satan!
I think there are many many things that grab my attention as very legitimate causes. The things that pull my heart strings the most are children without parents, children who are abused, and children who do not have their needs met. Some of the most heart wrenching circumstances involved children who have all of the above and live in a third world country. That is something I can barely even write about with out my eyes filling up with tears. And that is probably the most extreme case of a legitimate need. But I find myself burdened for even we as adults. Because hidden in almost all of us is a child who has been wounded by someone in their childhood…either emotionally, physically or sexually…an innocent victim left with scars to bare for life.
I give Jesus Christ the glory and credit for healing many of my own scars. I am also very thankful for His forgiveness when I may have acted out from my own hurts. Not that I have arrived by any means, but He has taught me the whys and the hows of my own failings. And because of the grace and forgiveness He lavishes me with, I too am able to extend forgiveness to those who have wounded me.
I say all this in advance because I do not want to be misunderstood about my response to this very hot topic. Recently, one of my favorite Christian artists who had disappeared for 8 years from the music scene came back. Not only has she come out of hiding, she also came out claiming to be in an 8 year same sex relationship. Shocking?! You bet.. Unbelievable? No, not really, considering we are all up against a very deceptive enemy. And when someone is being deceived they do not know it.. Hence, that’s why it is called deception. Not one of us is immune to the lies and temptations of Satan…Not one! However, what we choose to believe and act on is up to each of us.
I just need to get this off my chest.. I’ve never used that expression before but I think I really understand it.. It’s like when I heard this news and got the in depth details, I was knocked to the ground by a giant monster sitting on my chest! I tried to brush it off like the rest of the everyday news but it will not let go. I happen to be very burdened by this situation because of the potential it has to lead so many others astray!
When asked if she is still a Christian, her weak answer is that she is a “person of faith.” I want to make one thing very clear. I do not judge her, nor do I personally have any right to judge her. But I believe there is only ONE truth.. Jesus said, “..I am the truth.” He is the “word” and the word is God. His word is very clear on this subject as well as many others. I’m just sticking to this one for this purpose. The bottom line here is not whether homosexuality is sin or not a sin. That has already been answered in the bible. Notice the words, DO NOT BE DECIEVED.
“9Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,
10Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.” I Corinthians 6: 9,10.
None of these will share in the Kingdom of God.
“ 11And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God.
12Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power.” I Corinthians 6:11,12
The difference between someone who follows Jesus and someone who believes in Jesus is that a follower denies self at all costs and obeys Him and follows His truth. This is not to say that followers are perfect and never fall. It means that sin is not a way of life for a follower of Jesus Christ. And to address the issue of someone who simply believes in Jesus? Well, in the bible it says that even the demons believe in Him and they tremble. I think we can all agree that demons do not follow Jesus. A follower of Jesus may fall into temptation from time to time but does not justify their sin as a lifestyle. Let’s face it, none of us will never be perfect this side of heaven due to our human nature. Paul even makes reference to this pursuit in the New Testament.
“12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[d] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Phil. 3:12-14
I too believe that God will make it plain to anyone who keeps seeking Him.
“15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.” Phil. 3:15
Further, the salvation that Jesus so graciously gave to us does not give us a license to live a sinful lifestyle. Otherwise, His death on the cross was for nothing!
I am greatly disturbed by her choice because now she will have a mass of followers: people who already live alternative lifestyles, people who were questioning their sexuality and faith, and a mass group of very deceived Christians to support her choice to live in a life of sin. So not only is she leading this huge sector of society, she is being loved and supported by them to continue in her choice.
This now brings me back full circle to the deeper issue at hand. I can see how Satan can use the wounds of a person’s past against them and lure them by his lies. He is, after all, the father of lies.
All of this really stirs me to speak out the Truth! There are too many broken people out there that are being deceived and need to know that there is a true God who loves them. A God that can heal their wounds and set them FREE! And THIS is the cause I desire to have a platform to tell the world the truth on!!!
And, Jennifer Knapp, I have been where you are but somehow by God’s grace I was able to see the Light (that might have something to do with the prayer covering I have from many who love me). I still love you. and most importantly, God still loves you! I will not keep silent and just let Satan have his way…I will NOT give up the good fight.. I am in the trenches beside you.. praying for you. Jesus is the only truth.. and the Truth shall set you free!
I think there are many many things that grab my attention as very legitimate causes. The things that pull my heart strings the most are children without parents, children who are abused, and children who do not have their needs met. Some of the most heart wrenching circumstances involved children who have all of the above and live in a third world country. That is something I can barely even write about with out my eyes filling up with tears. And that is probably the most extreme case of a legitimate need. But I find myself burdened for even we as adults. Because hidden in almost all of us is a child who has been wounded by someone in their childhood…either emotionally, physically or sexually…an innocent victim left with scars to bare for life.
I give Jesus Christ the glory and credit for healing many of my own scars. I am also very thankful for His forgiveness when I may have acted out from my own hurts. Not that I have arrived by any means, but He has taught me the whys and the hows of my own failings. And because of the grace and forgiveness He lavishes me with, I too am able to extend forgiveness to those who have wounded me.
I say all this in advance because I do not want to be misunderstood about my response to this very hot topic. Recently, one of my favorite Christian artists who had disappeared for 8 years from the music scene came back. Not only has she come out of hiding, she also came out claiming to be in an 8 year same sex relationship. Shocking?! You bet.. Unbelievable? No, not really, considering we are all up against a very deceptive enemy. And when someone is being deceived they do not know it.. Hence, that’s why it is called deception. Not one of us is immune to the lies and temptations of Satan…Not one! However, what we choose to believe and act on is up to each of us.
I just need to get this off my chest.. I’ve never used that expression before but I think I really understand it.. It’s like when I heard this news and got the in depth details, I was knocked to the ground by a giant monster sitting on my chest! I tried to brush it off like the rest of the everyday news but it will not let go. I happen to be very burdened by this situation because of the potential it has to lead so many others astray!
When asked if she is still a Christian, her weak answer is that she is a “person of faith.” I want to make one thing very clear. I do not judge her, nor do I personally have any right to judge her. But I believe there is only ONE truth.. Jesus said, “..I am the truth.” He is the “word” and the word is God. His word is very clear on this subject as well as many others. I’m just sticking to this one for this purpose. The bottom line here is not whether homosexuality is sin or not a sin. That has already been answered in the bible. Notice the words, DO NOT BE DECIEVED.
“9Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived (misled): neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality,
10Nor cheats (swindlers and thieves), nor greedy graspers, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.” I Corinthians 6: 9,10.
None of these will share in the Kingdom of God.
“ 11And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God.
12Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power.” I Corinthians 6:11,12
The difference between someone who follows Jesus and someone who believes in Jesus is that a follower denies self at all costs and obeys Him and follows His truth. This is not to say that followers are perfect and never fall. It means that sin is not a way of life for a follower of Jesus Christ. And to address the issue of someone who simply believes in Jesus? Well, in the bible it says that even the demons believe in Him and they tremble. I think we can all agree that demons do not follow Jesus. A follower of Jesus may fall into temptation from time to time but does not justify their sin as a lifestyle. Let’s face it, none of us will never be perfect this side of heaven due to our human nature. Paul even makes reference to this pursuit in the New Testament.
“12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[d] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Phil. 3:12-14
I too believe that God will make it plain to anyone who keeps seeking Him.
“15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.” Phil. 3:15
Further, the salvation that Jesus so graciously gave to us does not give us a license to live a sinful lifestyle. Otherwise, His death on the cross was for nothing!
I am greatly disturbed by her choice because now she will have a mass of followers: people who already live alternative lifestyles, people who were questioning their sexuality and faith, and a mass group of very deceived Christians to support her choice to live in a life of sin. So not only is she leading this huge sector of society, she is being loved and supported by them to continue in her choice.
This now brings me back full circle to the deeper issue at hand. I can see how Satan can use the wounds of a person’s past against them and lure them by his lies. He is, after all, the father of lies.
All of this really stirs me to speak out the Truth! There are too many broken people out there that are being deceived and need to know that there is a true God who loves them. A God that can heal their wounds and set them FREE! And THIS is the cause I desire to have a platform to tell the world the truth on!!!
And, Jennifer Knapp, I have been where you are but somehow by God’s grace I was able to see the Light (that might have something to do with the prayer covering I have from many who love me). I still love you. and most importantly, God still loves you! I will not keep silent and just let Satan have his way…I will NOT give up the good fight.. I am in the trenches beside you.. praying for you. Jesus is the only truth.. and the Truth shall set you free!
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