While speaking with a friend last night, I commented in agreement that I would give my right arm to go back in time to 2007, which I believe was the best year of my life.
As soon as I said that, however, I began to think about the implications. When we get hurt, we automatically want to withdraw back into a crevice of time past when everything was ok. When we were safe and snug in the ignorance of things to come. When we were comfortable, content, and compliant.
The future is not so forgiving. We don't know what is to come. While that may not concern us in the pleasant times, it causes deep furrows on the brow of present strife. Unwanting to face the future, we choose to reside in the past. To retreat. To escape. To hide. And if Earth was all there was to look forward to, who could blame the aching heart that put and end to its pain by stealing its own beating?
But thank God, we know there is more to come. While we may see only the fog ahead in the Earth's orbit, we can know that beyond the fog there is no more pain or division or death. Knowing that, how can we desire to live in the past? It would never lead us to that glorious future. Paul writes in Philippians 3:13, "Brothers and sisters, I am not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead."
Hearts may be broken and dreams may be crushed, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes you may have to crawl forward. But never stop, never try to go back. The past is frozen as ice and the future is rushing toward us like a current.
"For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans to prosper and give you hope and a future." (Jer. 29:11)
A future.
So don't look back. What's done is done. So you're broken and bleeding. Wounds heal over time. Always keep putting that foot forward and racing to the goal. The best is yet to come.
Besides... If you give your right arm to return to the past, what left will you have to give when you return to the present?
Devotion
Luke 5:12-13
While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately the leprosy left him.
Now think about it. Jesus had unlimited power. With a single word, He healed people from a far distance. He spoke the universe into existence. But in this instance, he chose to heal the leper by touch. This man was a social outcast. Diseased, unclean, and forced into exile by Jewish law. To come near a leper, let alone touch one, was forbidden. But He had great compassion on the man, and gently, lovingly put His hand on him.
Think of how the man felt at that moment. He asked Christ for just one thing - to be healed so that he would no longer live in pain and loneliness, and so that he could get a life back. Jesus gave him that and then some. This was the very first time in years that he had been touched by another human being. Jesus met his physical need, but also saw past it, and met the strong desire inside of him for the long absent, loving touch of a friend.
God isn't some far off, mysterious being who answers our prayers at a distance. He doesn't care about only one aspect of our needs, but longs to meet all of our needs. He's right there, waiting for you to ask Him to cleanse you. He knows your every need, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and He's waiting for you to ask so that He can amaze you with His response. Let Him blow your mind.
-- Mandy Carroll
While He was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man covered with leprosy; and when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." And He stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing; be cleansed." And immediately the leprosy left him.
Now think about it. Jesus had unlimited power. With a single word, He healed people from a far distance. He spoke the universe into existence. But in this instance, he chose to heal the leper by touch. This man was a social outcast. Diseased, unclean, and forced into exile by Jewish law. To come near a leper, let alone touch one, was forbidden. But He had great compassion on the man, and gently, lovingly put His hand on him.
Think of how the man felt at that moment. He asked Christ for just one thing - to be healed so that he would no longer live in pain and loneliness, and so that he could get a life back. Jesus gave him that and then some. This was the very first time in years that he had been touched by another human being. Jesus met his physical need, but also saw past it, and met the strong desire inside of him for the long absent, loving touch of a friend.
God isn't some far off, mysterious being who answers our prayers at a distance. He doesn't care about only one aspect of our needs, but longs to meet all of our needs. He's right there, waiting for you to ask Him to cleanse you. He knows your every need, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, and He's waiting for you to ask so that He can amaze you with His response. Let Him blow your mind.
-- Mandy Carroll
Thoughts on a Poem I Hate
THE LIES THAT LIE
I see the hate and fear in your eyes
If only you would take a look and realize the lies that lie behind your eyes.
the holder of the scripture is the breeder of hate.
He fills you with the misinformation, falsification And fabrication.
you take the bait.
The hate spreads like a virus.
A neurological disease
I am now a demon to the world.
If only you would take A look and realize the lies that lie behind your faithful eyes.
He states "the holder of the scripture is the breeder of hate" when the bible constantly teaches love. Love is not the same as acceptance, because a christian doesn't condone a lifestyle doesn't mean we hate nonchristians. It says also "the hate spreads like a virus".....again i ask what HATE?? while i wanted to beat the author of the poem with a bible, i also wanted tot pray and weep for him. that someone is so oblivious to Christ's existence and better yet, his love. It makes me wish that i could open his eyes and show him Christ's glory. It also makes me wonder how christians portray themselves though. the question rings in my head "Is it maybe partly our fault?" could we really have some of that hate in us? Could we have gotton so rooted in religion that rather our hearts fill with love for the sinner, we are filled with condemnation and hate for the sin and the sinner both?
-- Sara Johnson
Note to Feminists
By Lacey Henderson
9/12/08
(Taken from an online community forum with permission and edited slightly for clarity and content.)
My dad had the crappiest paying job in town while he and my mom were raising SIX kids. He's also the hardest working man at the job and is the highest achieved skill-wise. He built machinery and other equipment for the plant (orange packing company) and he still got paid squat. He was supporting a wife and six kids, all under the age of 12 or so, as well as other things that require money-- car payments, rent on our broken down little house, etc.
He was a man supporting a huge financial need in his family. Six kids and a wife plus many more needs. And he still got paid nothing.
In my family's situation, his marital and family status had absolutely nothing to do with how much money he made. There were people working at the plant with no, or little, family to support and they made more than my dad did.
My dad is still with the same company, and the only reason his pay has increased was because he demanded to his bosses that it be so. And even though three of us six kids have moved out and are no longer dependent, he still is underpaid for his skill level and work performance.
Don't assume just because you're a single mom you're going to get paid less. I'm so sick of hearing women complain about "unfair wages." You want a higher raise? Get it. Boss wont give it to you? Get a different job and stop whining.
There's nothing I cant stand more than women who boast their feminist attitudes. "Extreme" or not, they are all insensitive to men and their God-given roles. Is it possible, just maybe that men are scorning feminists so much because they feel cheated out of their roles as providers and leaders?
What would happen if men started protesting because they felt like women thought they were idiots, big bumbling morons, incapable of emotions, insensitive to what women want, stupid and unintelligible, unable to capably lead anything? Oops, thats what feminist believe already.
Whatever happened to Ephesians 5?
22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
I don't know about you guys, but I think it says something about how women should be with their men. It is reflected with the role of Christ and His followers.
Only an idiot would take offense of this verse and let themselves be victimized by it.
No, this verse doesn't mean men can rule a woman and she has no say in anything. I quoted the rest before and I'll do it again.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body.
When feminists hear this, Christian or not, they become defensive, victimized, and whiney. It's these kind of people, the pick-and-choosers of God's Word, that have no business calling themselves "strong," "opinionated," and "intellectual."
Isn't it our job as Christ-followers to do just that? Follow His Word and commandments?
1 John 5:2-4
2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
I think He was onto something when He wrote that.
Something else I read about feminism in Christianity:
"It is feminism that fuels the murderous abortion industry. It is feminism that causes women to usurp authority over men in our churches, infesting our pulpits with doctrines of devils. It is feminism that causes women to dress immodestly, make pornography and sell their virtue.
Satan successfully deceived Eve into believing that she would be EMPOWERED by rebelling against God's Word. Likewise, feminists today have been deceived into believing that they are exercising their WOMEN'S RIGHTS by murdering their own precious little babies by abortion. What about God's rights? What about the baby's rights? What about the fathers rights? Feminism is selfish—causing women to do what's best for them—even if it costs them their marriage, their relationship with God and the life of their own child.
Satan uses reverse psychology to deceive women. The Devil actually convinces women that they are being "liberated" and "empowered" by disobeying God's Word. Just as Eve was deceived, so are feminists today utterly brainwashed. Wives who refuse to submit to an authoritative husband will never be pleasing to God. If you don't like your husband because he is controlling and authoritative, then you will absolutely hate God—because it's God's way or the highway!"
Feminists disgust me. They victimize themselves and cheat their men out of the roles given to them by God. All the while boasting of their godly lifestyle, their devotion to Him, and how strong they are spiritually.
I can't judge your faith. But how can you be claiming to love God and follow His plan if you are blatantly going against His natural design?
I know this isn't part of the discussion [in the topic], but another thing I may as well say while I'm throwing all this out there-- women are always complaining about how chivalry is dead. Why do you think that is? The feminist movement has caused guys to become insecure in being a gentleman, afraid of being rebuked or shot down for trying to help a lady with something heavy or by opening a door. How confused they must be nowadays, getting signals left and right that women "don't need their help, they can do whatever they want without a man" while at the same time constantly hearing crap such as "men disgust me; what happened to an old-fashioned gentleman?!"
Also, is it so bad to be a stay at home mom, a keeper of the home? Feminists have caused the high role as a mother and home keeper to be looked down upon. These few women that still stand up for God's calling to be a homemaker have become demeaned and looked upon as "lesser" or "weaker" because they aren't bringing home money and competing for the role of leader with their husbands. There are a few women I know, my mother, my sister, my sister-in-law, and a few rare others, who are the strongest women I know and probably ever will know, who, coincidentally, are mothers and home keepers.
You want to be a leader? Raise the next generation of the human race to bring people to Christ. You want to be empowered? I don't know if you guys have noticed, but men can't support another human being inside of them for 9 months. You want to be seen as hard-working? There's no harder job than to be a mother, and running a home at the same time.
Another thing that makes me so riled up about feminists: they aren't mothers anymore. They let other people raise their kids while they try to fulfill some need to be seen as an equal in everything to men. Then they go whining about how their kids don't do anything but play video games, watch TV, text, etc. Why do you think they do this? They didn't have a mom raising them, encouraging them to be creative, try different things, go outside, be something else besides a robot. Stop whining if you aren't going to do something about it.
I realize most of this isn't on topic of what you women define as a "feminist." And I wouldn't be surprised to see my post deleted come tomorrow. I just want to say though, if my post is deleted for saying "mean words" (gasp!), shouldn't this whole thread be deleted for being Biblically illiterate? It wouldn't be the first time truth is rejected by the people contradicting it.
I really don't care what label you guys put on me now, if you haven't done it already. I am riled up right now by this thread and other things pertaining to this, and I just decided to speak my mind on the subject. I really don't care anymore if I get banned, I'm done being silent when it comes to matters such as these.
Feminists, stop trying to be something you aren't. What's so bad about being a woman? I rather like it myself.
9/12/08
(Taken from an online community forum with permission and edited slightly for clarity and content.)
My dad had the crappiest paying job in town while he and my mom were raising SIX kids. He's also the hardest working man at the job and is the highest achieved skill-wise. He built machinery and other equipment for the plant (orange packing company) and he still got paid squat. He was supporting a wife and six kids, all under the age of 12 or so, as well as other things that require money-- car payments, rent on our broken down little house, etc.
He was a man supporting a huge financial need in his family. Six kids and a wife plus many more needs. And he still got paid nothing.
In my family's situation, his marital and family status had absolutely nothing to do with how much money he made. There were people working at the plant with no, or little, family to support and they made more than my dad did.
My dad is still with the same company, and the only reason his pay has increased was because he demanded to his bosses that it be so. And even though three of us six kids have moved out and are no longer dependent, he still is underpaid for his skill level and work performance.
Don't assume just because you're a single mom you're going to get paid less. I'm so sick of hearing women complain about "unfair wages." You want a higher raise? Get it. Boss wont give it to you? Get a different job and stop whining.
There's nothing I cant stand more than women who boast their feminist attitudes. "Extreme" or not, they are all insensitive to men and their God-given roles. Is it possible, just maybe that men are scorning feminists so much because they feel cheated out of their roles as providers and leaders?
What would happen if men started protesting because they felt like women thought they were idiots, big bumbling morons, incapable of emotions, insensitive to what women want, stupid and unintelligible, unable to capably lead anything? Oops, thats what feminist believe already.
Whatever happened to Ephesians 5?
22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
I don't know about you guys, but I think it says something about how women should be with their men. It is reflected with the role of Christ and His followers.
Only an idiot would take offense of this verse and let themselves be victimized by it.
No, this verse doesn't mean men can rule a woman and she has no say in anything. I quoted the rest before and I'll do it again.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body.
When feminists hear this, Christian or not, they become defensive, victimized, and whiney. It's these kind of people, the pick-and-choosers of God's Word, that have no business calling themselves "strong," "opinionated," and "intellectual."
Isn't it our job as Christ-followers to do just that? Follow His Word and commandments?
1 John 5:2-4
2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
1 John 14:15, 23-24
15 If you love me, you will obey what I command... 23 If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
I think He was onto something when He wrote that.
Something else I read about feminism in Christianity:
"It is feminism that fuels the murderous abortion industry. It is feminism that causes women to usurp authority over men in our churches, infesting our pulpits with doctrines of devils. It is feminism that causes women to dress immodestly, make pornography and sell their virtue.
Satan successfully deceived Eve into believing that she would be EMPOWERED by rebelling against God's Word. Likewise, feminists today have been deceived into believing that they are exercising their WOMEN'S RIGHTS by murdering their own precious little babies by abortion. What about God's rights? What about the baby's rights? What about the fathers rights? Feminism is selfish—causing women to do what's best for them—even if it costs them their marriage, their relationship with God and the life of their own child.
Satan uses reverse psychology to deceive women. The Devil actually convinces women that they are being "liberated" and "empowered" by disobeying God's Word. Just as Eve was deceived, so are feminists today utterly brainwashed. Wives who refuse to submit to an authoritative husband will never be pleasing to God. If you don't like your husband because he is controlling and authoritative, then you will absolutely hate God—because it's God's way or the highway!"
Feminists disgust me. They victimize themselves and cheat their men out of the roles given to them by God. All the while boasting of their godly lifestyle, their devotion to Him, and how strong they are spiritually.
I can't judge your faith. But how can you be claiming to love God and follow His plan if you are blatantly going against His natural design?
I know this isn't part of the discussion [in the topic], but another thing I may as well say while I'm throwing all this out there-- women are always complaining about how chivalry is dead. Why do you think that is? The feminist movement has caused guys to become insecure in being a gentleman, afraid of being rebuked or shot down for trying to help a lady with something heavy or by opening a door. How confused they must be nowadays, getting signals left and right that women "don't need their help, they can do whatever they want without a man" while at the same time constantly hearing crap such as "men disgust me; what happened to an old-fashioned gentleman?!"
Also, is it so bad to be a stay at home mom, a keeper of the home? Feminists have caused the high role as a mother and home keeper to be looked down upon. These few women that still stand up for God's calling to be a homemaker have become demeaned and looked upon as "lesser" or "weaker" because they aren't bringing home money and competing for the role of leader with their husbands. There are a few women I know, my mother, my sister, my sister-in-law, and a few rare others, who are the strongest women I know and probably ever will know, who, coincidentally, are mothers and home keepers.
You want to be a leader? Raise the next generation of the human race to bring people to Christ. You want to be empowered? I don't know if you guys have noticed, but men can't support another human being inside of them for 9 months. You want to be seen as hard-working? There's no harder job than to be a mother, and running a home at the same time.
Another thing that makes me so riled up about feminists: they aren't mothers anymore. They let other people raise their kids while they try to fulfill some need to be seen as an equal in everything to men. Then they go whining about how their kids don't do anything but play video games, watch TV, text, etc. Why do you think they do this? They didn't have a mom raising them, encouraging them to be creative, try different things, go outside, be something else besides a robot. Stop whining if you aren't going to do something about it.
I realize most of this isn't on topic of what you women define as a "feminist." And I wouldn't be surprised to see my post deleted come tomorrow. I just want to say though, if my post is deleted for saying "mean words" (gasp!), shouldn't this whole thread be deleted for being Biblically illiterate? It wouldn't be the first time truth is rejected by the people contradicting it.
I really don't care what label you guys put on me now, if you haven't done it already. I am riled up right now by this thread and other things pertaining to this, and I just decided to speak my mind on the subject. I really don't care anymore if I get banned, I'm done being silent when it comes to matters such as these.
Feminists, stop trying to be something you aren't. What's so bad about being a woman? I rather like it myself.
Lacey Henderson
visit Lacey online
visit Lacey online
Random Encounters of the Christian Kind #2
Math class.
The entrance to the gates of Hell itself.
Or, at least, I think so.
Anyway, it was in that rotten dungeon that I found yet another random brother where I didn't expect one. When the clock finally inched to the coveted 10:50 mark and we were released from our tri-weekly torture, a guy who sat a row to my left and a seat back caught my attention when he said:
"Hey, is that a 'pray for China' band? I thought my church was the only one that did that."
You can imagine that my happy meter went from low to high.
Suddenly, math class doesnt seem so close to Hell.
Thanks, bud.
Steph
9/10/08
The entrance to the gates of Hell itself.
Or, at least, I think so.
Anyway, it was in that rotten dungeon that I found yet another random brother where I didn't expect one. When the clock finally inched to the coveted 10:50 mark and we were released from our tri-weekly torture, a guy who sat a row to my left and a seat back caught my attention when he said:
"Hey, is that a 'pray for China' band? I thought my church was the only one that did that."
You can imagine that my happy meter went from low to high.
Suddenly, math class doesnt seem so close to Hell.
Thanks, bud.
Steph
9/10/08
Resources on Sarah Palin
Everyone has seen John McCain's spunky choice for Vice President. But at the end of the day, who IS Gov. Sarah Palin? I've compiled several reliable sources to help you sift through the media.
Still, as always, I believe in providing BOTH sides of the story and letting the reader decide. So I give you this source:
I'd like to hear opinions on that last one, especially since there is a definite lapse in credibility imbedded somewhere within it. Can you find it?
Cheers,
Steph
9/07/08
Random Encounters of the Christian Kind #1
A few days ago while I was wandering around campus, I happened to notice a guy sitting on one of our many staircases. There wasn't anything special about him, except for the sign that he had set up beside him.
"Need prayer? I will pray for you."
A little prayer booth right in the middle of my campus. It brought such a delight to my heart.
Of course, being me, I had to go thank him. We talked for a little while and I found out that he was a representative of the local Church of Christ student group. Such desire to reach out to the campus is not often seen in the other groups.
So rock on, buddy.
"Need prayer? I will pray for you."
A little prayer booth right in the middle of my campus. It brought such a delight to my heart.
Of course, being me, I had to go thank him. We talked for a little while and I found out that he was a representative of the local Church of Christ student group. Such desire to reach out to the campus is not often seen in the other groups.
So rock on, buddy.
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