Blessings

I'm uncertain as to how to sum up the last few months. I've basically written book reviews but nothing personal. The blog took a backseat to book reading, summer pursuits, and my physical problems.

I have been struggling since the first week of July with a motion feeling, akin to floating on a boat. It comes and goes, but it's mostly on all the time to one degree or another. Along with the floating sensation are constant headaches, which are an absolute puzzle to me. I have a headache all the time. Some of the time it's just a mild ache, and I hardly notice it's there. Other times it's a hard throbbing.

I've been getting adjustments at the chiropractor. I've seen my family doctor. Neither one knows exactly why I'm feeling this way. Oh, there are some medical test options I can choose from, but I don't love the options. I currently have an appointment with a specialist, but it's a month out and I'm not sure that it's the right direction for me. So I wait.

It's always been near impossible for me to proclaim God is good when I'm suffering. I believe in the sovereignty of God, but when it came down to saying those words while I'm grappling with feeling horrible and wanting my circumstance to change, I stop short of saying it.

I know the Lord is working something in me, though. He's changing me. He knows my great need to learn how to trust Him, to surrender to whatever He gives me. In my daily prayers I've been giving this physical problem over to Him, asking Him to help me be surrendered to His will. If I believe God's will is always for my good and His glory, then I should be able to say that having headaches and a floating-on-a-boat feeling is good for me. I don't want to bring shame to His name by responding with despair.

I've recently learned the song written by Laura Story called Blessings. It's currently my favorite song because it speaks of asking God to remove suffering or making circumstances better, but we don't realize that the hard things God brings are really His mercies toward us. Sometimes when I'm awake at 3:30 AM because my head is spinning, I will turn on this song and sing softly. And it's in those moments I know that God is changing me because I'm drawing nearer to Him.

Remembering...

As we contemplate the year that has passed on this final day of 2010, I wanted to revisit my first post of the year.  It was the most memorable for me because it was the pre-cursor to one of the heaviest trials of my life that was to begin for me within a month of writing it. 

What you don't know is that I had written this on January 2nd with tears, not knowing what was to come.  I just knew that what I was writing was weighty for me because I had to put my faith into action when the hard things came.  I couldn't write these things from my heart, only to take it all back in the face of adversity because I changed my mind. 

Because of God's grace, I have not changed my mind about what I've written, and I still face the trial.  The trial has changed from what it first was, but it continues.  Have I learned how to suffer well?  Not yet.  I need to keep working on it.

If you are willing to oblige me, let's revisit my thoughts of January 2, 2010.....

2010: A Year of Comfort or Trials?

As we readied to say goodbye to 2009 and ring in 2010, I read many Facebook statuses and heard people saying something like this:

I am ready to be done with 2009.  I hope 2010 is a lot better.  This was a bad year.

I sure can identify with that statement.  I was feeling the same way at the end of 2008, and I'm pretty sure I felt that way the year prior as well.  It seems there were plenty of hardships that seemed unbearable at times and just wanted to get past them. 

Yet I guess it really struck a cord with me this time as I heard it coming from so many people.  I understand what it's all about.  Unemployment has been widespread.  I have friends who have returned to school who are trying to juggle family with that new adjustment in the mix.  Some have lost loved ones to death.  The list of pressures and heartaches goes on and on.

What if we change our perspective, though?  What if we look at what God says about all of our struggles of 2009 and what they amount to?  Would our perspective change?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:3-9 (NKJV)

Do you see the problem with our perspective on trial?  The very things we are ready to escape by turning the page of a calendar are the things God has ordained for us to experience to grow our precious faith.  The apostle Paul calls it a faith that is "more precious than gold that perishes."  And to what end?  That I might bring praise and honor and glory to Jesus Christ. 

But I just want to be happy, you might be saying.  Yeah.  Me too.  Let's be honest, though.  Happiness is relative and passes quickly. 

The truth of it is, we have been called to suffering.  Let me say that again.  Christians have been called to suffering.  Are you cringing right now?  It's a hard truth, I know.  How can you read 1 Peter 1 and come to any other conclusion, though?  He says that these trials that grieve us will prove the genuineness of our faith.  They make it precious.  They make it valuable.  They make it real.

This truth is something I have had to learn in the last few years and something I continue to wrestle with because just like everyone else, I crave comfort, not trial.  The real question is, what am I living for?  Comfort, ease, everything going my way?  Or do I live for the Lord Jesus Christ, hope of heaven, eternal rewards, and a faith to call more precious than gold?

Whatever God has planned for your 2010, it's my prayer that you and I trust Him and cling to Him as our only Source of goodness.  When He gives you the dearest desires of your heart and unexpected joys, thank Him.  And when the suffering and hardship come, thank Him... because He loves you so much He wants to grow your faith.  Will you let Him?

God is good all the time.  All the time God is good.

• Subscribe to my blog by Email or Feed Reader
• Follow me on Twitter

   

True Womanhood: Part 7

This is the seventh installment of a series of posts I will be writing on the book Voices of the True Woman Movement: A Call to the Counter-Revolution by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  I received a complimentary copy from Revive Our Hearts ministry just for sharing my thoughts on each chapter.

Chapter 7: "God's Jewels" by Joni Eareckson Tada

I've reached my favorite chapter of the entire book, the chapter written by Joni.  The few things I've read of hers encourage me in the arena of suffering.  She never fails to bring me to tears.  If you don't know who Joni is, she is a quadriplegic of about 40 years and serves the Lord out of a lovely heart of humility.

As I write this entry, I am enduring a trial with my cat.  I know that might sound trivial to some, but it's been slightly chaotic at my house the last couple days and I have been at my wit's end at times.  Those of you who've been keeping up with me know that my cat has a urinary tract infection and has been struggling off and on for a couple weeks now.  Understand that to watch your animal suffer is a trial. 

Joni speaks of trials as God polishing His precious jewel.  Genuine jewels can take a good scrubbing to bring forth the gleam and beauty of the gem, and so can God's disciples, His jewels. 

Trial and adversity are the "scrubbings" our Lord gives us to bring forth His glory in our lives, to get rid of our impurities.  He's refining us like gold.  He's chiseling away those rough spots and fashioning us into beings that resemble the Lord Jesus.

So I've been pondering my own "scrubbing" while I go through this trouble with my cat, and I've thought about something that Joni said that has really struck me.  In order to be changed, I must learn to hate sin, and that's what the scrubbing is about.

Yes, to be made like Jesus is to become kind and gentle and thoughtful and compassionate, but first--if you really want to be like Christ--you must learn to hate sin.  To be like Jesus is to be made sinless.... God cares most, not about making us comfortable, but about teaching us to hate our transgression and to grow up spiritually--to love Him.  That's the purpose behind the toothbrush--the refining, the chipping, the polishing.

I believe this is what God has been desiring to teach me in the last couple weeks and for this season.  Everywhere I turn I keep hearing things about enduring suffering, learning obedience, and not despising the discipline of the Lord.  Discipline is good for me.  It's not that I've necessarily sinned and brought on a punishment in the discipline, but God knows the sinful thoughts and motives that reside in my heart and needs to draw them to the surface in order for me to recognize them and change.  Discipline will do that.

What is it that God is showing me through the pressures of my sick cat?  Well, it's very evident that I have an idol of wanting to be in control, and I am sooooo not in control in this situation.  It forces me to run to God because He IS in control.  It also creates a longing for Heaven because this disease is a result of our fallen world.  All creation suffers because of sin.  Maybe I'll live less for this world and more for Heaven in observing the brevity of life.  Those are just a few things that come to mind.

So the next time you're getting a good "scrubbing", remember that you're God's precious jewel, and He is preparing you to shine... like His Son.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NKJV)

 

• Subscribe to my blog by Email or Feed Reader
• Follow me on Twitter 

 

A Lesson in Trust

We had a bit of a scare in the last 14 hours.  Late yesterday afternoon our cat Teddy started acting strange, meowing strange, and then some sort of contraction thing started in his belly.  Never saw anything like it before.

His belly would contract, and he'd let out a groan.  He walked kind of low to the floor and looked thoroughly uncomfortable.

This is the part about having pets that's so hard.  If they're in pain, they can't tell you where it hurts, how bad, or what's going on.  It makes me feel helpless to watch them suffer.

Fear gripped my heart because I didn't know what was wrong or what to do.  I truly had to pray and give my cat to the Lord's care.  I knew that I was totally helpless, but God is fully in control and He cares about my cat.  I stirred a lot during the night, and then I'd pray and give my cat to the Lord again. 

We all made it through the night without any incident, and this morning I was encouraged to see Teddy looking normal again.  No more contractions, moaning or walking funny.  We'll watch him and see how he is throughout the day.

I know those who don't care for cats or pets in general may not be able to relate to my struggle, but I know that God uses anything in our lives to teach us and cause us to depend on Him.  Even a cat.

• Subscribe to my blog by Email or in a Feed Reader

A Story of Overwhelming Grace

Some of you have been asking about my key-note address at the luncheon last Saturday, and I thank those who were praying for me.  I thought I'd take a few minutes and let you know how it went.

The entire experience, from the time I accepted the speaking opportunity until this Sunday after church, was completely overwhelming.  When I was able to step back and finally process all of it, I saw God in it from start to finish.

You have to understand what has been going on in my life behind the scenes for months.  I'm going through a very difficult trial that is a total roller coaster ride of emotions.  In the midst of this, I was working to write notes on being grateful in all circumstances, especially in times of trial.  Talk about being put to the test.

One day I shared with a friend that it felt as if I had nothing to give.  I was feeling so spiritually and emotionally weak.  And then I followed up with the statement, "but I guess that's how it should be."  If I was strong and capable in the whole thing, then I wouldn't need God and it certainly wouldn't be His key-note address.  Little did I realize that I was about to experience God's grace like never before.

On Saturday I felt excited and positive, but as the morning wore on, the feeling turned to apprehension and nerves.  Lunch seemed to drag on.  I just wanted to start speaking.  The anticipation was almost more than I could bear. 

I kept thinking about all the people who said they were praying for me.  I knew I had some cheerleaders out there, and they were pulling for me.  I'm not sure anyone knew it, but I was near tears by the time the ladies were eating dessert.  I can honestly say that's the first time I didn't give a HOOT about cupcakes.  {giggling}

When it was just about time to return to the sanctuary for the speaking portion, one of the deacons who was there as part of the program asked if he could pray with me.  I was surprised but so grateful that someone was sensing the need.

I was introduced.  I walked to the podium.  I got my notes, Bible and materials situated, and then I began to talk.  And just like that, all the nerves melted away, and I spoke freely and boldly.

That in itself was enough for me.  For more than four weeks I had kept wondering how I was actually going to do this while bearing the heavy weight of my trial, but He poured His grace out on me and helped me every step of the way. 

Oh, but there's more.

One by one, ladies came to me and told me how God had used the things I said to convict them.  One lady said it had completed some thoughts for her that she had been just discussing earlier in the morning.  She added that, "God really knows what He's doing."  Other ladies said they really needed to hear what I had to say.

It was all God.  I know it was all Him because I truly felt like I had nothing to give as I compiled my notes.  I couldn't imagine what He would do with the words that I had written down.

I was overwhelmed, and all I could do was bow at His feet.  Thank You, Lord, for abundant grace.

• Subscribe to my blog by Email
• Subscribe to my blog in a Feed Reader
• Follow me on Twitter
• Join my BlogFrog Community discussions

Memory Monday: Romans 8:31-32

This week I will be focusing on memorizing Romans 8:31-32.  Verse 32 is for my First Place study, but I want to include verse 31 as well.  I need to be reminded that God is FOR me and gives me everything I need in Christ and because of Christ. 

I've felt much adversity in trials for the last few months, and they seem to keep piling up.  My tendency has been to start asking God why.  This scripture reminds me that He demonstrated His love for me when He gave His Son to die for my sin.  If that was the most extreme gift, how can I not believe that He will give me everything else I need to handle life's troubles?

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  Romans 8:31-32 (NKJV)

Have a good Monday.

If you'd like to link up with The Simple Wife for Memory Monday, head over to her blog.

The Valley

Dear Lord, I don't want to walk this way, through this dark valley.  I've never been this way before, and....I'm afraid.  The darkness is oppressive, so much that it hurts.  I can't see what's up ahead, Lord.  I can't see!

But... if this is the path You're taking, Lord, then I'll go with You.... because I want to be with You.  I need to be with You.  I have to be with You!

So I'll go Your way, Lord.  I'll walk beside You all the way.  Just... could You hold my hand a little tighter?  And please speak Your sweet words of comfort to me as we go.  You always seem to know just what to say.

We're going to be the closest of friends.  Aren't we, Lord?

2010: A Year of Comfort or Trials?

As we readied to say goodbye to 2009 and ring in 2010, I read many Facebook statuses and heard people saying something like this:

I am ready to be done with 2009.  I hope 2010 is a lot better.  This was a bad year.

I sure can identify with that statement.  I was feeling the same way at the end of 2008, and I'm pretty sure I felt that way the year prior as well.  It seems there were plenty of hardships that seemed unbearable at times and just wanted to get past them. 

Yet I guess it really struck a cord with me this time as I heard it coming from so many people.  I understand what it's all about.  Unemployment has been widespread.  I have friends who have returned to school who are trying to juggle family with that new adjustment in the mix.  Some have lost loved ones to death.  The list of pressures and heartaches goes on and on.

What if we change our perspective, though?  What if we look at what God says about all of our struggles of 2009 and what they amount to?  Would our perspective change?

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,  who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:3-9 (NKJV)

Do you see the problem with our perspective on trial?  The very things we are ready to escape by turning the page of a calendar are the things God has ordained for us to experience to grow our precious faith.  The apostle Paul calls it a faith that is "more precious than gold that perishes."  And to what end?  That I might bring praise and honor and glory to Jesus Christ. 

But I just want to be happy, you might be saying.  Yeah.  Me too.  Let's be honest, though.  Happiness is relative and passes quickly. 

The truth of it is, we have been called to suffering.  Let me say that again.  Christians have been called to suffering.  Are you cringing right now?  It's a hard truth, I know.  How can you read 1 Peter 1 and come to any other conclusion, though?  He says that these trials that grieve us will prove the genuineness of our faith.  They make it precious.  They make it valuable.  They make it real.

This truth is something I have had to learn in the last few years and something I continue to wrestle with because just like everyone else, I crave comfort, not trial.  The real question is, what am I living for?  Comfort, ease, everything going my way?  Or do I live for the Lord Jesus Christ, hope of heaven, eternal rewards, and a faith to call more precious than gold?

Whatever God has planned for your 2010, it's my prayer that you and I trust Him and cling to Him as our only Source of goodness.  When He gives you the dearest desires of your heart and unexpected joys, thank Him.  And when the suffering and hardship come, thank Him... because He loves you so much He wants to grow your faith.  Will you let Him?

God is good all the time.  All the time God is good.

Troubled

Life doesn't feel normal right now.  And I won't cover it up... I'm worrying.  A little.  I like routine... and well... normalness.

The only thing that really feels normal to me is work and my coffee.  Isn't that sad? 

My sleep patterns are off.  My food cravings are all over the place, and I'm entirely undisciplined.  I've been feeling troubled over some personal things. My husband has pneumonia.  I have felt headachey and blah off and on all week.  And one of our good friends was hospitalized yesterday because they discovered he had suffered a mini stroke.  Being in his early 40's, that was just a shocker.

It's really natural to look at the circumstances and feel discouraged.  I'm trying to remember that God loves me, so much that Christ laid down His life for me.  Why do I doubt that He knows what I need?

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  John 10:14-15 (ESV)

Through the Fire

This week I've been through the fires of testing and have experienced much suffering and anguish, but I've come through the other side by God's grace.

There's no need for me to explain the circumstance.  I just want to testify to the GREATNESS of our God.  He is bigger to me than He was a week ago.  God answers prayer!  He is sovereign and mighty, mysterious and unfathomable.  I cannot comprehend His ways.  But I know His goodness and faithfulness.  He is our hope.

Ephesians 3:20-21a  Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory...

To Him be the glory.

30 Days to Freedom

Tuesday, November 18.  It may seem like just another Tuesday to you, but this day marks a very important milestone in my life.  I've been on a journey to freedom.  Freedom of the open road.

Let me take you back to September 4th, the day of my car accident.  There was one small detail I left out of the story, which unfolded into crisis.  I learned just minutes after my fender bender that our insurance had lapsed four days prior because we never received our bill.  Completely unawares, I was driving without car insurance, which is against the law.  And warrants a ticket.

Three weeks later when I went to the city building to pay the fine, much to my displeasure I was informed that my license would be suspended for 90 days.  I repeat... 90 DAYS!  That's 3 months.  I was stunned!  Of course, my mind started racing, thinking about all the places I needed to go and wouldn't be able to.  I was a mess.

But life goes on.

It's been a benefit to live within 5-10 minutes of parents, friends, the church, and the grocery store.  My loved ones have been taking turns driving me to where I need to be.  It's been interesting, and that's about all I'll say about that. 

I've been tempted on more than one occasion to just hop in my car and drive.  I wouldn't care where.  I just want to DRIVE.  But jail is a pretty hefty deterrent.  I would not fare well behind bars.  So I submit to remaining a passenger until the appointed date.

What makes today special is that it marks the countdown of my 30 Days to Freedom.  On December 18th, everyone better move out of the way.  Liz will be back on the road and ready to burn rubber!

I think I might drive to Walmart.

Another Storm (Cont.)

I decided I better write at this moment while I have the will and the "voice".  It's just a thought for the day.

The Lord gave me Psalm 57:1 this morning, so I memorized it.  Hopefully, I will continue to go back to it often as I need the reminder, walking through the challenge I'm facing.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by. (NKJV)

I'm still in the storm, even calamities as they're described in this verse, but I think my heart is finally settling down.  At least I'm able to hear God's voice more clearly over the din of my wrong thoughts. 

I've been of the mind to protect myself from anyone or anything hurting me, and I go so quickly to that mode.  I'm finally relinquishing that to Him, though.  God says He will be my Protector, my Shield, my Defender, and I believe He will do that better for me than I can do it for myself.  So rather than be self-protective, I'm going to be prayerful.  It's something I had forgotten was the most important thing.

Another Storm

Life is hard and hasn't really been going the way I would've chosen for myself.  It's taken such unexpected twists and turns since sometime back in April.  Just when I think a storm is calming and the sun is peeking through, another storm begins to rage.

God helped me ride the previous storms.  He'll help me again, won't He?

Trials

I don't know how trials seem to come to your life, but mine seem to come in threes.  At least it seems that way.  And often one trial has a way of crossing into another, so that they are intertwined with each other.  One problem affecting the other.

I'm there.  I've been there for weeks. 

I've been quiet, but that doesn't mean I have nothing to say.  There's so much going on in my heart, and God is teaching me so much about Himself and my relationship with Him.  One of these days I may let it spill out before you, but not today.  And if you want to talk about the reality of discovering Liz, I am truly discovering this new person I'm becoming.  That old Liz is being purged.  The transformation that has taken place inside of me is an amazing discovery.  I don't know how evident it is on the outside, but knowing where my heart used to be and comparing it to where I am today, trust me when I say the change is amazing.  God is amazing.

That's not to say I've got it all together.  I've sinned in my trials.  God has been gracious to show me the sin quickly, though, and I've dealt with it.  But even that is a gift.  For God to show me my sin and my seeing it immediately, that alone shows me that something is changing in me.

God is good.

Much On My Mind

Hopefully, I will get back to my old self and post some upbeat stuff.  (I know you're dying to read more about deodorant and my nightly TV viewing.)  I have a lot on my plate right now, so to speak.  Things on my mind.  Enough to make it difficult to focus on an interesting topic.

My dog is experiencing lameness in her back leg, and she's limping a lot.  I'm taking her to the vet in the morning.  My husband happened to meet a Sheltie breeder yesterday, and he mentioned she's limping.  The breeder says not to worry because Shelties are known for that problem, and it will come and go.  I still can hardly stand to watch her pull her leg up and run around on three legs.  At least she's not whimpering.

I've also got that big appointment next Thursday.  You know the one.  Remember?  The colonoscopy?  I'm not really dreading the actual procedure anymore.  I'm now thinking about what they might find. 

Beyond that, I am going through a spiritual testing.  Not that either of those previous things I've mentioned aren't a spiritual test, but this one isn't about the physical.  It's entirely about spiritual warfare.  I spend much of my quiet time reading Psalm 27 and meditating on God's promises of His strength, protection, salvation and hope.  I want my mind to stay there, but it tends to wander.

And that's what's been on my mind...

Steven Curtis Chapman

I just wanted to share this Steven Curtis Chapman blog site with you.  They have a place for you to express condolences and a video posted of him and Maria washing dishes together a few months ago, and it is adorable.  I can imagine living in that house is a lot of fun.  It makes their trial seem so vivid when you contrast the laughter with the grief they're experiencing today.

I'm posting the video here because it's so precious.

What Am I Striving For?

This post comes directly on the heels of a night at church for our Missions Conference. I sat and listened to a man who works for a mission agency that ministers to pastors in Eastern Europe (Slavic nations). He told us about the persecution that continues to go on today. Christians being put in jail, interrogated, beaten...some killed...because Christians are viewed as a threat to their government.

I know what you're thinking. We need to pray that their persecution will end. Do you know that the Christian leaders in such countries question why Americans would pray for persecution to stop? They actually find the idea absurd because persecution is the only thing that has strengthened the church and has caused it to flourish, just as it did in the 1st century of the Church. What they ask to be prayed for is that God's grace would help them to endure such trials, not that they would end.

Isn't that a "wow" moment, to know that's how the persecuted Church would want me to pray? I cannot fathom all that they experience. In fact, I fear that I could never remain steadfast if standing in their place.

It makes me feel shame for what I am. How could I even stand shoulder to shoulder with one of those precious Believers, seeing where there faith took them and knowing my greatest trials these days revolve around whether or not I will stick to my diet or feeling sorry for myself because so-and-so hurt my feelings and making a choice to forgive them. I have been very mindful of a verse that my father preached on recently.

You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. Hebrews 12:4 (NKJV)

As Jesus was praying in Gethsemane the night before His crucifixion, He agonized so greatly over having to take the sin of the world upon Himself, that He sweat drops of blood. That is true agony. He hates sin that much. The eyes that cannot even look upon sin took all of its shame and wretchedness fully upon Himself. And Hebrews says we have not yet resisted sin to the point of sweating blood out of hatred for our sin. No, I'm very comfortable with my sin and find it's too hard to fight the battle and just give in. God's grace covers it anyway. Right? Wrong thinking. God calls us to holiness. He calls us to deny ourselves. He calls us to be living sacrifices. To strive against sin.

I fear I'll never grow too uncomfortable with my sin because of my culture. I'm surrounded by sensuality, and I'm sickened. As I came home, put on my comfy jammies and grabbed a snack, I decided to just flip on the TV for a few moments before I came to my computer. I only had to watch for 3 minutes, and my eyes and mind were assaulted by the wickedness and lies of our the American culture we are bombarded with constantly. First came a cell phone commercial with some hotshot lady in a (too)short skirt showing me how her life is so free and perfect because she's got just the right phone for all her needs. And I thought about the persecuted Christians on the other side of the globe, who are running for their lives, who have no home because their government would like to snuff them out. But the worst came with a commercial for one of the top-rated TV programs "Desperate-ly Wicked Housewives", in which a woman seductively stood there in her lingerie, among other suggestive clips. This was only a COMMERCIAL. This is the world I live in. Evil. Lustful. Materialistic. Sort of like a dog returning to its vomit. America loves her sin, and Christians wallow in it with her because they love it, too. Why aren't we different?

I want to be different. I want to strive against sin. I may not be facing persecution for my faith tomorrow, but I can deny myself and strive against sin.

Not Much To Say

Hey, guys. I'm not feeling real "wordy" today, so all I want to do is share a video with ya. I came across this at someone else's site a couple weeks ago, and I found myself drawn in by Sara Groves' song. It's been playing in my head quite a bit. It expresses some things I'm feeling right now, in fact, what I feel a lot of the time.

See ya tomorrow...