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Showing posts with label quotes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quotes. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Inspired by . . . how best to live



"Choices are always powerful. It does not matter that we rarely understand exactly what we are choosing. Perhaps that is precisely where the power lies: not in the choosing but in the learning how to best live with our choice." ~Christie Purifoy, Placemaker

*****

The older you get the more you tend to look back. You begin asking questions like: "How did I get here?", "Why?", and "What's next?"

The "how" may become clear even if the "why?" and the "what's next?" remain shrouded in the mist.

Stepping back through our memories brings us to the many crossroads of our choices. Even where those crossroads are deeply scarred by the trainwreck of someone else's choices; evidence remains of how we chose to pick up the pieces [or not] and move on.

There is nothing wrong with looking back. The bible is filled with admonishments to remember. The key is not to look back with bitterness and regret. Rather we look back with an eye of discernment. Seeking those divine moments when His hand was upon us; teaching, guiding, protecting. This knowledge is often given to us only through hindsight. 

For me, "learning how to best live with [my] choice[s]" is two-fold:

Change and Trust.

If I'm making choices that move me in the wrong direction, I need to change. We are body, mind, and spirit. Unhealthy choices equal a disconnect between these three elements.

Romans 12 teaches us how to correct and guard against this disconnect so that we can know the will of God and make choices that reflect His will and bring Him glory:
"Therefore, my friends, I implore you by God's mercy to offer your very selves to Him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for His acceptance, the worship offered by mind and heart. Conform no longer to the pattern of this present world, but be transformed by the renewal of your minds. Then you will be able to discern the will of God and to know that is good, acceptable, and perfect." Romans 12:1-2


At the same time, living with my choices means trusting that He who began a good work in me will bring it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus. That even when I make the wrong choices or am tossed about by the waves created by the boulders tossed by others, He is faithful.

There is no room for a victim mentality in Christ. The "whys" and the "what's next" are most clearly revealed when we embrace the freedom we have in Him. Looking back is just where we begin. We do not remain in the past.

Rather, we give thanks for the present and rejoice in the future.

For this is His will for us in Christ Jesus.
"Always be joyful; pray continually; give thanks for whatever happens; for this is what God wills for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess 5:16-18

Shalom,




Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 11:52



Texas is known for its unusual weather but even this forecast is a little ridiculous.



The temps have actually cooled again this week. We did have one, very warm day this past weekend and it was enough to encourage this little guy to stop and say hello!



I hope to see more of them soon! 

I haven't been able to confirm any nesting sites yet but there continues to be a lot of activity at the feeders and around the yard.



The gold-fronted woodpeckers love the peanut suet!

A flock of meadowlarks have been hanging around for the last week or so. Finally, finally, I was able to get some decent shots of these elusive, flighty birds!

These were taken in the brightness of the morning sun and were a bit challenging to edit but I think they came out fair enough. Best of all, you can see the bird's beautiful markings.






What are you seeing through your lens this week?


Have a wonder-filled week, friends!




Sharing inspiration here:
Nature Notes, Through My Lens, Bird D’pot,
Saturday’s Critters, Life thru the Lens,
Wild Bird Wednesday, Our World Tuesday,
Community Global, Photo Friday, Little Things Thursday

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Inspired by . . .  Winter's Discipline

"When the student is ready, the teacher appears."

I read this on someone's IG account the other day.  My friend wasn't talking about spiritual things but it made me wonder . . .

How many of us, who are waiting for Christ to reveal Himself or His plan for our lives, are still waiting simply because we are not ready to receive all that He has for us?

We like to think we are ready. 

I like to think I am ready.

But the truth is that most of God's purposes for us are realized through trials and suffering. 

Because His power is made perfect in our weakness.

And how many of us really signed on for that?



Well, ahem, we all did. Okay, I did. Maybe now you're not so sure?

Full disclosure:


God's word doesn't read like a modern day sales pitch or TV commercial. It doesn't tell us we are worth it, we deserve it, and everything is going to be perfect when we sign on.

Because, reality check, we're not, we don't, and it isn't.

Truth be told, much of our aversion to suffering has been propagated by the black box that is continuously feeding us these subtle lies about how our lives would be so much better if . . . Which eerily echoes: "Did God really say . . ."

But I digress.



God's word is pretty clear on what we can expect and what we must do.

The world will hate us. (John 15:18-19)

We will be persecuted. (Joh 15:20)

We will have trouble. (John 16:33)

We must deny ourselves and, day after day, take up our cross, and follow Christ. (Matt 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23)

Now before you start wondering why is it all worth it, let us remember two things:

One, suffering is not, in and of itself, good. It is the product of our fallen world. Two, this world is not our home. What we experience here is not our final reality.



God, in His infinite love for us, has determined to use suffering for good. But we have to be careful of our pride.
"To believe in suffering is pride: but to suffer, believing in God, is humility. For pride may tell us that we are strong enough to suffer, that suffering is good for us because we are good. Humility tells us that suffering is an evil which we must always expect to find in our lives because of the evil that is in ourselves. But faith also knows that the mercy of God is given to those who seek Him in suffering and that by His grace we can overcome evil with good. Suffering, then, becomes good by accident, by the good that it enables us to receive more abundantly from the mercy of God. It does not make us good by itself but enables us to make ourselves better than we are. Thus, what we consecrate to God in suffering is not our suffering but our selves." Thomas Merton
To truly follow Christ means to identify with Him in His suffering. His way ended in victory and light but we cannot forget how it began; in obscurity, a meager feeding trough. Or how He lived; the Son of man has no place to lay His head. (Luke 9:58)

Or how He died. 

The Passion that drove Him to the cross can only be realized in our own lives when we die to self. Completely.

It is only through this act of dying that we can live to bring forth fruit; by receiving the purpose and plan He has for our lives.
"Christ's love is so great, it must lift our minds above our little struggles - and any preoccupation with our own salvation - so that we can see the needs of others, and beyond that the greatness of God and His Creation." J. Heinrich Arnold
Here is where the discipline of winter may enter in. Forced to wait in the cold and dark, a bit uncomfortable, our sense of sight diminished. Perhaps now our spirit will be free to hear the One Who speaks quietly below the chaos of our lives.

Maybe the lack of sun and colorless days will bring on the hunger that is necessary for us to be thankful for any scrap of bread that may fall from His table. Perhaps, if we're made to wait long enough, we may finally come to the end of ourselves. To be willing to die to this life so that we may live for His.


I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Gal 2:20)

So I ask you, is the student ready?


Blessings,




Sharing inspiration here:
#TellHisStory, Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, #HeartEncouragement,
Thoughtful Thursdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments,
#DanceWithJesus; Imparting Grace

Friday, December 8, 2017

Inspired by . . . A Season in Scripture III


There is much more of the knowledge of God to be got by the gospel of Christ than could be got by the law of Moses; and, whereas then in Judah only was God known, now all shall know Him, (Heb_8:11). But that is knowledge falsely so called which sows discord among men; the right knowledge of God settles peace. ~ Matthew Henry




And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. (Isa 11:1-6)
Sitting in the early morning darkness of my home hope is stirred once more as I read the promise of this scripture. 

We see, as with other prophecies, that the Messiah comes from the stem of Jesse. The house and line of David. He is, in every way, qualified to do the work for which He was sent. He will be righteous in His judgment and the exercising of His power will be exact. He will bring peace and tranquility to all. Not only unity between men but safety and security for those who would have none.

As I sit pondering these truths I can't help but wonder why anyone would reject such a Savior. But then, I think most people first see a set of rules before they see redemption.

Don't fall into that trap, Beloved. Don't think you have to be a certain kind of person or follow a set of rules before God will accept you. He loves you as you are. Truly.

Give Him that part of you that snaps at the world before the third cup of coffee. Those selfish ambitions and secret loathings. Give Him the shame and the habits you just can't seem to stop. He judges rightly. But here's the best part: If you're found wanting the deal isn't off.

Whatever we lack, God provides. He cleanses, He redeems. Whatever is broken is mended, whatever is wrong is made right. Whatever pieces of you that have been picked apart and taken by others are remade by Him.

Only the One Who made you whole can remake you whole.

Don't believe the lies - go to the source. Open a bible and read His promises. Learn Who He really IS, not who the world wants you to believe Him to be.

Prepare your heart to receive Him. He is coming soon . . .


Shalom,






Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement
#DanceWithJesus

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Inspired by . . . a royal priesthood


But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1Pe 2:9)

Do you think of yourself as a priest?

I confess, I do not. A scribe, at the very least. And even that unbelievable privilege is one I am often ill-equipped to perform.

But if we are His, then we are priests because He has made us such.
And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth."  (Rev 5:9-10)
Understanding this role is a life-long journey. For me, it is just a glimmer, a shadow forming against a dark mirror. Perhaps you are further along.

Christie Purifoy in her beautiful and holy work, Roots & Sky, talks of "the work of keeping and caring." 

Holy work. 

Folding the laundry. Sweeping the floor. Taking time to be in relationships with others. 

The admonition from Colossians 3:23 that whatever work we do should be done as for the Lord, not for men. That is what makes these tasks holy work. Not the simple act performed, but the motivation, the engaging of thought combined with the simple, daily task. 

The turning of our minds from the secular to the sacred.

As we fold the laundry we think of the man or child the article will clothe. We pray for their well-being both physically and spiritually. As we sweep the floor we are thankful for the home that protects our family. We worship Him for His goodness to us.

At its heart, the priesthood is simply being a witness.

Whatever your current role in life, mom, dad, engineer, burger-flipper, caregiver, executive, unemployed, bedridden, you can fulfill the holy work of the priesthood by your witness.

It is not so much what we do but how we do it that matters.[click to tweet]
"This witness, in word and deed, in happiness and suffering, is always this: God is God, and He is love, and through Christ all can be redeemed. Everything, including our own hearts, can be made new.  Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory!" ~ Christie Purifoy, Roots & Sky, pg 157
 The turning of the mind from the secular to the sacred is not easy work. But it is kingdom work. And the benefits to ourselves and to those around us are eternal.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12:2)

Shalom, 




Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement
#DanceWithJesus

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Inspired by . . . the gold of His love

In her short story, The Two Caves, Elizabeth Goudge says of the man Jesus, "The child grew to be a man of great strength and vaster love and there was no experience known to men, joyous or appalling, peaceful or agonizing, through which he did not in some way pass, leaving the gold of his love at the heart of it to shine upon us as each in our turn we come to the happy or hard things of our life."

I love the thought of Jesus' love shining down on us with a golden light. 



Gold is mentioned over four hundred times in the Bible. The vast majority of those references are in the Old Testament, scriptures pertaining to the tabernacle and the temple. Gold was at the heart of God's dwelling place. 

Jesus is the heart of God. [click to tweet]

Gold is precious and pure. Incorruptible. 

Of course, the love of Jesus is all these things. But what did Goudge mean by the "gold of His love"? I can't know for sure, but here is what I think:

The very essence of His love is grace. [click to tweet]  Grace is what we need in every experience of life, whether joyous or appalling, peaceful or agonizing. 

His grace is sufficient. He is sufficient.

Christ alone.

I wonder, friend, are we allowing the gold of His love to shine on and through us as we face the hard things of life? the happy things?


Blessings,


Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement
#DanceWithJesus

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Inspired by . . . a new wreath

While much of the population was hunting for Easter eggs and posing for pictures in their pretty spring dresses and Easter bonnets we were . . . ah, painting our front door?

Yes, just hours before our guests were to arrive my Dreamer and I were in our best-worst clothes painting the front door of the cottage.


We'd known for awhile that the front door needed a new coat so why the last minute rush to reshade the portal?

I had made a new spring wreath.

The blemishes had been easy to ignore until we hung the new wreath in place. The beautiful new wreath didn't cover up the ugliness - it just enhanced it!

I may be stretching the analogy a bit here but I think our Christian walk can sometimes look like my ugly door covered with a pretty new wreath.

We slap a few good deeds over our sin and hope that it makes a difference. While it may help us to feel better for a time, scripture is very clear that we are not saved by works.
yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.  (Gal 2:16)
Legalistic responses and halfhearted obedience are like putting new wine in old wineskins or trying to cover an ugly door with a pretty wreath. If you are a believer who has died with Christ then you are also raised with Christ. 


We can't expect to succeed in putting off our worldly desires if we don't replace them with virtues that suit God's chosen and beloved people.

As Jerry Bridges says, "It is not enough to pray that God will enable us to deal with a volatile temper; we must also ask Him to help us put on compassion and kindness."

Just as our door needed a new coat of paint to match the pretty new wreath, we must put on, "compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience," (Col 3:12) if we want to be like Christ in His character.

If you're thinking, "Easier said than done." That's true. But don't forget it's not by our power that we will succeed, it's by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Php 1:6)
Even so, we have a part to play. 

First, make a commitment (and tell someone about your particular struggle or commitment if you need accountability). Secondly, like we talked about last week, be aware of the motives behind your actions, and finally, most importantly, as Bridges suggests in the quote above, PRAY!


Above all, even as we work to clothe ourselves with the virtues of Christ, may we remember that it is His blood and His blood alone that covers and cleanses us from sin.


Blessings,








Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement
#DanceWithJesus

Monday, May 22, 2017



You've probably heard one or more variation of the following story:

   A young woman is preparing a pot roast while her friend looks on. She cuts off both ends of the roast, prepares it and puts it in the pan. “Why do you cut off the ends?” her friend asks. “I don’t know,” she replies. “My mother always did it that way and I learned how to cook it from her.”
   Her friend’s question made her curious about her pot roast preparation. During her next visit home, she asked her mother, “How do you cook a pot roast?” Her mother proceeded to explain and added, “You cut off both ends, prepare it and put it in the pot and then in the oven.” “Why do you cut off the ends?” the daughter asked. Baffled, the mother offered, “That’s how my mother did it and I learned it from her!
   Her daughter’s inquiry made the mother think more about the pot roast preparation. When she next visited her mother in the nursing home, she asked, “Mom, how do you cook a pot roast?” The mother slowly answered, thinking between sentences. “Well, you prepare it with spices, cut off both ends and put it in the pot.” The mother asked, “But why do you cut off the ends?” The grandmother’s eyes sparkled as she remembered. “Well, the roasts were always bigger than the pot that we had back then. I had to cut off the ends to fit it into the pot!”
Do you ever think about why we do the things we do? What motivates and influences our actions and responses?

Certainly, there are many things that influence our actions and responses. Some things we've learned from our parents, as shown in the above story. Those with whom we spend our time, our culture, abuses, work experiences, all these things contribute to how we think and, ultimately, how we act.


Is it important to know and understand why we do the things we do? It is if we believe Proverbs 4:23.
Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. (Pro 4:23)
So what is the major influence in your life? Jerry Bridges, in his book The Discipline of Grace says, "There is no neutral sphere of influence. We are being influenced by the forces of sinful society or we are being influenced by the Word of God." [click to tweet]

Most of us fall somewhere in between these two points of influence. Your attitude toward the word of God and how often you read and study the word will determine how close you are to one point or the other.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. (Psa 1:1-2)
Let's assume our major influences have been good. We were taught as children to do good. Perhaps we even follow the moral code of the Bible. But what is our motivation to do good? Is it simply a habitual response to our influencers or a desire for the good opinion of others?

When we fail, are we distressed because we have dishonored God or is our response one of pride because our self-esteem is lowered in the sights of others? [click to tweet]


So what is the motivation behind our actions? Are we committed to a set of moral values or are we committed to God? George MacDonald suggests the following,
"Instead of asking yourself whether you believe or not, ask yourself whether you have this day done one thing because He said, Do it, or once abstained because He said, Do not do it. It is simply absurd to say you believe, or even want to believe in Him, if you do not anything He tells you."
We won't seek to please God with our actions or be aggrieved when we fail Him if we don't relate to Him as our heavenly Father. [click to tweet]

The apostle Paul urges us toward a commitment to God and holiness.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (Rom 12:1)

If this commitment to pursuing holiness seems overwhelming to you, remember, "A soldier unresolved to fight may be easily defeated."1 Remember, too, that God does not only ask us for this commitment, He provides us with the grace which enables us to do it.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Heb 13:20-21)

Taking a hard look at what motivates our actions gives us an honest perspective on where we are in our pursuit of holiness. Wherever you may find yourself, do not be discouraged. The pursuit of holiness is a life-long journey that is never fully realized this side of heaven.

And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Php 1:6)
Blessings,


1. Commentary by Stephen Charnock

Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement
#DanceWithJesus

Friday, May 5, 2017

Inspired by . . . weakness

The rhythms of my days have changed. I'm trying to embrace the changes, but most days I fail.

Weakness is a hard teacher. Her lessons are humility and patience. I thought I'd come farther along, but each day reveals my lack.


If God's power is made perfect in my weakness then I have to trust that there is a purpose in this season. Even though I can't see it now, He is perfect in all His ways and I must trust Him and this process.

I wonder if this cloak of darkness that covers me and fills my limbs with led isn't a gift? Is this how Christ felt as He walked ever closer to the cross? Can we really identify with Him in His sufferings? Maybe not fully, but I think it benefits us to try.

The JOY of the morning often comes after the weeping of the night. [click to tweet]

For how can we live to Christ if we do not first die to Him? This is the process of sanctification. May the hardships of this life mortify our sin and raise us to newness in life.

This is one of the lessons of Lent, I think. There is darkness, but it is not a hollow darkness devoid of hope and promise.

The sheer, raw beauty of the cross is that it is not the end.  It is the beginning and yet a fulfillment of a plan put into motion before the creation of the world.

So great is our Father's love for us.


*****************************************************

I wrote the words above several weeks ago now but, somehow, forgot and never went back to finish and hit publish.

I thought about discarding them all together but they still resonate strongly with me and, I think, are worth sharing.

There are a few things we all have in common in this life. The frailty of our human condition and the suffering that results is one of them.


There can be beauty in weakness. A purpose to our suffering. Scars can be badges of honor.

When God is glorified and our faith increases.

It's difficult when we're in the midst of a trial to step back and see what God is doing. We often don't have the emotional reserves or clarity of mind to do so. 

Amy shared a wonderful quote from Lilias Trotter's biography on her blog Velvet Ashes earlier this week:
“we do not need to come again and again to wring an unwilling answer out of our Father, but to search in His Word till He gives a promise which meets our case and then step out on it in the bare faith which believes that it receives.”
This, I think, is the one thing we need as we walk through the valley. Find the promise in His word that meets your need.[click to tweet] 


It's there. It is always there. Grab onto it with both hands of faith. Sit and wait with it, or step out over the cliff with it, whichever it may be that He is calling you to do.


Blessings,






Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement
#DanceWithJesus

Friday, February 17, 2017

Inspired by . . . living the Gospel

Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth is a friend of mine. At least I'd like to think that we would be friends if we ever meet in real life. As the driving force behind the True Woman Movement and Revive Our Hearts ministry Nancy has touched thousands of lives.

I've been enriched by her bible studies over the years, and convicted and encouraged by the message in her books. I was delighted when she found love in the autumn of her life. God has a way of equipping us for our ministry, amen? [click to tweet]



I was watching the trailer for her newly released book, Adorned, just the other day. It's a beautiful video, showing numerous scenes from her wedding day. A video not unlike the one my daughter-in-law had made for her own wedding last fall.

The voice-over to the video promotes Nancy's new book, which is based on Titus 2; the scripture focuses on older women mentoring younger women. This is the true essence of Nancy's heart.

Since I was watching the video on FB, when I finished watching I moved my cursor to react to the post and noticed that among the thousands who had reacted with like or love, even wow, one person had reacted with the angry face. 

Disappointed but not surprised, I know that Nancy's message of biblical based womanhood is not embraced by everyone. But I was curious as to what the viewer could have found in the video and message that made them angry. So I scanned the comments to see if they had commented as well.

Alas, my curiosity was not to be satisfied. Perhaps they clicked on the angry face in error? That is a hopeful possibility. However, during my scan of the comments I did find one among the many good wishes and excitement about the book that gave me pause:
"You would think she's the only person that ever had a Godly wedding."
There was one reply to this comment and it mirrored my own thoughts: "What gave you that impression?" 

I sensed that this person's question was sincere so I went back a couple of days later to see if any further discussion had occurred, however, as is typical of my experience with FB, I was unable to find the post.

The negative comment and the cloud of sadness enveloping it has stayed with me. The fact that I and thousands of others can watch Nancy's wedding video and feel nothing but joy for her newfound happiness while this lady's response clearly comes from a place of hurt is a stark reminder that we don't all view life through the same lens. We can't know what this woman has gone through, or is going through that would warrant such a comment.

This post was about as far as you can get from the political arena. Yet there it was, an angry, defensive, unwarranted attack. Fairly mild, but hurtful none-the-less.

Friends, I know many of you are weary of the battle. Believe me, I'm weary too. 


Some of you feel called to debate the political [and other] hot topic issues of our day. Called to speak out against every evil you see happening in our world. If that's your calling, I salute you. And I pray that the Holy Spirit will give you the power to speak His truth with grace in love.

But if you don't feel this way - - that's okay, too. The apostle Paul didn't stand up and preach a sermon about slavery or the other evils being perpetrated in his day. 

Instead, Paul preached the Gospel. He addressed the evil in the world by pointing people to the only Solution. To the only Source of redemption and change.

And that is what we are called to do.
I [Paul] charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2Ti 4:1-2)
And why is it so important that we "be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [our] ministry."? (2Ti 4:5)
[Because] the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. (2Ti 4:3-4)
That time may be here friends, but we must continue to preach the Gospel. But more than that - - we must live it.
"The gospel will not be heard and received by our culture, by our generation, by your children, by your neighbors, by the people in your workplace; the gospel will not be received if it cannot be seen in the lives of those of us who profess to believe it." ~Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
It's true that not everyone will be drawn to the Light of Christ in our lives. Not everyone will embrace the love we offer. In fact, openly living a life for Christ may open us up to more ridicule, contempt, and even persecution.

But there are those in darkness who ARE searching for the Light. There are those who WILL respond. As followers, we must try to be like-minded with Christ.

And if He is not willing that any should perish, then we shouldn't be either. [click to tweet]


Go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit. 
Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.* [click to tweet]

Shalom,

*attributed to St. Francis of Assisi




Sharing inspiration here:
Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory,
Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth,
Inspire Me Monday, RaRa Link Up, Intentional Tuesday,
#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments