O Heavenly Father,
Today's world is a bit harder than it used to be. I've been growing older and much more is consuming me. The work is proving itself more strenuous and the days are growing longer. But I know that You're still on Your thrown, Dear Father. O Mighty Warrior, Those people are getting meaner. That law is being passed in the people's favor. This world is growing colder, and humanity is becoming angrier. But I know that You are still fighting for our hearts, El-Shaddai. O Precious Lover, Their confidence is wearing thin. You see, they are trying to find meaning in mere men. They know not of the God who wants to know them. But I know that You are still seeking to be their desire, Jehovah-Elohim. And O Sweet Jesus, My friends are getting sadder. They don't understand how someone so far away can hear them. Sometimes I just want to scream, "He's THE Answer!" And I don't want to leave this Earth without them knowing that they have a father who won't leave them. But I know that You hold them in Your Great Hands, Our Savior. Maybe one day this world will see That doing life on their own isn't what it's cracked up to be. Maybe one day they'll understand How not only happy, but joyful, they can be with You in command. And maybe one day we'll see each other in Heaven, We'll cry tears of joy and laugh all the same. Because Jesus is worth all of the pain here on Earth, And His grace abounds and gives life in future worlds. ~Alexa M.
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He saw her sitting on a street corner with her legs tucked under her skirt and long, dark hair piled atop her head.
She was watching her world, looking for an entertaining chase, maybe a place to call home for the night. As his sight met hers, he stopped, riveted by her presence. Red lipstick stained her face and black-rimmed eyes looked back at him with a flicker of dull dissatisfaction before turning away. He approached her anyhow and introduced himself before sitting down next to the beautiful woman with the dark hair and began to ask her questions about her life. As the sun set, he looked out toward the horizon and saw that he could not imagine a life without her in it. He had heard of her problems, of her affairs with the townsmen and her hatred towards her people, yet even with all of the wrongs in her life, he still had not met anyone so lovely as she. A few months later, they confessed their love for one another and married. Though none looked like the other, they had three children, whom they loved and attended to dearly. However, problems soon began to arise. She started calling him "from work" with the excuse of having more to do. He heard whispers while walking down the street and saw fingers pointed in his direction. When the news came from a friend that his wife had been with other men, he was devastated. Broken-hearted, he found her on the street and brought her home. He gave her a choice, him or them, and in reply she packed her things and walked out the door without a single word as to say goodbye. He worked diligently to make ends meet to raise his children and give them a life to live with content. Soon, word began to spread around the city like wildfire. When he heard that his wife was to be sold to another man a few towns over, he gathered all he had earned and travelled quickly to make it to her auction on time. The sphere-shaped room was full of sour-smelling pigs who hollered loudly and fidgeted around while waiting for the auctioneer to proceed with biddings. He stood in darkness towards the back of the room and watched as his wife stood chained to a post in the middle of the enclosure. Her tear-stained cheeks and posture of defeat made his heart hurt in a way that he had not yet know to exist. Men started throwing numbers. A mallet began being hit against the post. One very large sum of money was bid from the man missing teeth in the second row and the room became quiet. "CAN I GET ANOTHER BID?", yelled the burly auctioneer. Silence. "ONE...TWO...." "Fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley!", he cried. She lifted her head, and her eyes began to search the crowd looking for the voice that had yelled the outrageous amount of money in exchange for her life. The crowd parted and towards the light walked a familiar sillhouette with eyes aged from worry. He released her from her chains, and carried her home. He reminded her of why she fell in love with him and she put in effort to love him back. She worked to be a better wife and mother. She began cooking and cleaning and building the reputation of a proper townswoman. A few months later though, she started running more errands. She returned home in the early hours of morning and left just before sunrise. He waited for the day that she would return to them, and it didn't come. One lonesome afternoon many years later, he took a stroll and decided to turn down a street he hadn't walked in a long time. And with a breath taken in awe, his eyes met the gaze of the stunning creation that sit before him with long dark hair pulled atop her head and legs tucked underneath her body. Only this time, instead a look of boredom, a small smirk tugged at the lips of the one whom is heart had always desired. She asked for his hand and got up from the ground, brushed off her skirt, and stood on tip-toe to whisper softly in his ear, "It's always been you, hasn't it?" They walked away hand-in-hand to live together for the remainder of their lives. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is a sort-of modern day rendition of the story of Hosea and his prostitute-wife named Gomer. It's a magnificent reflection of God's constant pursuit of Israel, His people. This being my favorite book of the Bible (I'm a sucker for a good love story), tells of love despite rejection and gives a depiction of God's love lived out through an imperfect human. This story is His pursuit of you. “If the love of man can be so deep, how unfathomable must be the love of God.” ~Dean Farrar 50 Shades of Grey. This controversial topic of the present is being whispered in every street-corner amongst Christians, teenagers, old ladies, and even youngsters.
I'm not one to write about litigious subjects, but I feel that this is such a huge issue in the lives of young people, that it needs to be discussed by someone with an adolescent mind who is whole-heartedly pursuing the love of Jesus Christ. A lot of my friends have been talking about going to see the movie 50 Shades of Grey, or have read the book and when I ask them what their reason is for reading/watching it, most of them explained that their hopes to see it were of mere curiosity. They heard all of the talk and they wanted to discover for themselves what the book is really about. Their defense for reading it is this: 50 Shades is simply Twilight fan fiction with a bit of a twist, and that the sexual intercourse throughout the entire book is nothing new to them. They say that Christian Grey in no way abuses or degrades his partner Ana, because she does consent to take part in whatever "sexual needs" he may or may not have. Is it right, or is it wrong? (Not just 50 Shades of Grey-- but ALL erotic fiction) And should adolescents be allowed access to it? So, to start with..... what is erotica? erotica 1.literature or art dealing with sexual love. (dictionary.com) 84% of erotic fiction is read/invested in by females. The majority of purchases in the U.S. are made by women in the South, and most of them are between the ages of 30 and 54. (https://www.rwa.org/p/cm/ld/fid=582) --I know plenty of high school girls who have both read the book and seen the movie. And I know plenty of girls who read erotica consistently. So what's wrong with it and why do they read it so much? I've come to the realization that erotica for women is very correspondent to that of pornography for men (that is in no way implying that women don't view porn and men don't read erotica). Both erotica and pornography have extremely similar meanings-- they each are visual representations of sexuality and in what pornography's definition says, "obscenity". And they're each a sin. Instead of fulfilling visual desires, erotica satisfies emotional ones. The appetite to read sexually patent literature isn't all about the sexual intercourse itself, it's about how the female character feels during it-- worthy, desired, and wanted. And it's easier to read about the fairytale happy-ending than enduring the heartbreak of reality. In today's world, for teenage girls especially, self-worth isn't found easily. Whether it be obsessing over weight, personality, pretty face, popularity, or the future, it isn't easy to wake up every morning feeling beautiful and valuable. Especially if there isn't a boy in the picture to "fix all of those problems" (which is a completely faulty assumption that the other person should fix our problems, but I see it on a daily basis.). And now we let ourselves believe that if we love him just a little harder, that maybe he'll treat us better and fall in love with us (because that's what happens in the books, right???). And we let men believe that it's okay to do that to us so long as they do fall in love with us. Instead of letting sex be the wedding gift that God so perfectly orchestrated it to be, we ruin it by adding degrading tactics to "make it better". Did you know that humanity fell because Adam and Eve took advantage of a blessing in hopes of "making it better"? Do you see the resemblance? Instead of placing our confidence in Jesus, women as a whole are placing it in fictional characters who play out the roles that the authors compose themselves. Here's a little secret..... when a writer writes, anything they write, has truth that they personally believe in between the lines. So E.L. James is allowing you into her world as she integrates her own personal desires with her fictional book. "Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked when it comes, for The Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught." Proverbs 3:25-26. I know what it's like to feel lonely. And I know what it feels like to feel ugly, and to not think I measure up to anything. I've experienced the consequences of pain and suffering due to pornography and erotic fiction, and you know what? Jesus set me free. He carried me out of the pits of depression and shame and my plea to die, He gave me grace when I deserved to be eternally separated from Him, and He will save you too. He'll be the one there with you at 3 in the morning when you're crying and all alone, He'll be with you when you're walking down the hallway by yourself, He'll be with you when those girls are snickering behind your back, and he'll be with you when that girl calls you ugly to your face. All you have to do is reach out to Him. You don't have to remain imprisoned in the chains of sin and destruction. Psalm 118:5 says, "Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free." Romans 6:22 says, "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." And this isn't Christianity alone's issue, this is humanity's issue. Because a 2011 survey conducted by the National Institute of Justice reported that nearly 1 in 5 women in the U.S. have been sexually assaulted. 1 in 4 have claimed to have been beaten by a domestic partner. So out of 16,507 women, 4,127 have been beaten by their equal counterpart. And this kind of behavior is written about in books, endorsed even. When one spends money on erotic abusive fiction, pornography, and the likes, one is encouraging the abuse and belittlement of women. And telling society that you like it by adding one more person to the list of 100 million other people who have read it. So why is erotic fiction and pornography legal for minors? I know for a fact that they wreck lives, because at one time, they had wrecked my own. Why are we allowed to hide behind computers looking at possible slaves and most likely abused women being forced to expose themselves? AND WHY WORLD ARE WE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT IT?! Why don't we educate our children on the dangers of sex trafficking and domestic violence by keeping them in a bubble assuming that they themselves aren't addicted to it? My parents trusted me, I wasn't a bad kid. But they say curiosity killed the cat, and my own curiosity led me down a path of sin that wrecked relationships, esteem, and all thoughts of there possibly being a God. It gave me a temptation that still continues to this day, and I have to consistently die to myself and lay myself down at the feet of Jesus to get through each day to overcome it. Secrets are one of Satan's ways to steal, kill, and destroy. And regarding my life, he almost won. Almost. But he didn't. Because my God is the ultimate champion. He's my lover. And pursuer. And defender. He is Almighty. And He never loses. 1 Peter 3:15-18 says, "15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit." Pornography and erotica are death traps for all people. But I plead with you to check up on your child's history, and deleted history. It doesn't disappear. It might just save your child's life. And if you're the one stuck in the addiction that leaves you without air, please talk to a trusted adult about it. I know you might think they're going to disown you, but they love you. They won't leave you alone and they won't let you fight by yourself. And neither will Jesus. Footprints Also Known As "I Had a Dream" One night I dreamed a dream. I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord. When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand. There was only one set of footprints. I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma. "Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me." He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Margaret Fishback Powers, 1964 --That's exactly what I think of as I begin to write a new entry. This is a blank white space that will soon be filled with words that I pray people will find meaningful and relatable. How can I use the talents God has given me to bless other people and glorify Him? "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 4:10-11 I find it awe-inspiring to just sit & watch people do what they love. To hear my cousin sing in front of crowds. In her mind, it's just God and her. There isn't a room filled with people who are watching her mouth move. She's praising Jesus, crowds aren't that important. Getting to see my Sunday school teachers spewing wisdom and encouragement into my class' minds because they've been where we are and they know how hard it is and they want us to encounter the love that Jesus has for us daily just like they do. I love to watch my friend draw. She isn't even aware of her abilities, yet the sketch-pad she carries around with her everywhere she goes just screams of the talent that God has blessed her with. Observing my dad's devotion towards serving others. Whatever needs fixin' or putting up or tearing down, he's on it. And he doesn't do it for recognition. He serves because it needs to be done, and not just half-heartedly completed, but it needs to be done by someone who's willing to put everything he has into it. Because Jesus gave everything He had, my dad is eager to do the same. --And my mom is the best encourager. She listens when talked to, shares wisdom when asked, and gives the best hugs when necessary. She is the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman and a blessing to all who are graced by her presence. Everyone has a gift. A talent. An aptitude for greatness. Do you know what yours is? Because you have surely been blessed with one. If you don't know, ask God to reveal it to you. Because you, you are important. You are blessed with a capability, a strength, that The God of the Universe gave you. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 I sat sobbing silently in the house of my family's friends as we were praying fervently for our church, our people, and our country. We prayed a few different prayers throughout the night, but the first one that we were asked to pray was one that I hadn't ever really thought about praying before. "God, what do you think of me?" I was actually pretty scared to ask this question, because the couple that had come to talk about their 3-year stay in Israel, said that if you ask Him, He'll answer. Did I really want to know what God thought of me? My entire life, I've cared so much about who other people believed I was. And never once did I think to ask God. You are so much more than the labels you think people put on you. You are made of more than the hurt that is your past. You are more than the difficulty of the present. You can't see the fact that people are inspired by you. By your imperfections, the small things that you do to try and make this life a little easier for the people around you. People see that your smile lights up the room and they see that you are different, and they see the that your love for others runs deeper than the ocean. They see your love for Christ in the the very simple acts of kindness that you choose to give. But you don't. You feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Like you're about to cave. You wonder when you're going to start living, when you can begin to truly do what God has called you to do. You feel the need to start a revolution, to be someone that people look up to. If only you could do something huge, something that would change the lives of mass amounts of people. You just want to do something right. Yet God never said that you are going to do huge things for His kingdom. He never said that you are going to "succeed" in life and He most certainly never said that life was going to be easier after you started following Him. He did however, say that He would help carry some of the burden. He said that He will love you despite your flaws, the ones you try so hard to cover up, but occasionally find their way to the surface of your life. Life isn't supposed to be a piece of cake, it is going to be hard. As a believer in Christ, you aren't going to feel like you have a place in this world, you aren't going to feel comfortable living life everyday. This isn't the place you can call home. You're here for a visit, the uncomfortable one that makes you feel antsy and ready to leave. But you have to stay. There is so much to do. You don't have time to sit around wondering how the rest of your life will play out. You don't have time to dwell on the fact that in everything you do, you are going to feel weary. If you don't have butterflies, you aren't doing it right. People need to hear about Jesus. They need to know that there is someone out there who loved them enough to die for them, even though they screw up and don't deserve life. You don't need to worry about your future. Or your past. You are doing something monumentous in the lives of the people around you. God has placed you exactly where you are, and with good reason. Where you are right now, that is your mission field. He might call you to do something bigger in the future, but right now, He's asking you to seek Him and strive to be like Him in the work that surrounds you. Your school. Your work. Your church. Your home. Be an Abraham. You are in fact, in a foreign country. God has asked you to put everything on the line, to trust Him, and to walk with Him. Do things that ARE out of your comfort zone. Go out of your way to make people feel appreciated, to let them know that they aren't alone in the long walk before they arrive home. Smile. Be kind, not so other people will notice, but just because Jesus was kind. You weren't promised a tomorrow. So live like there isn't one. Love like you've never loved before. Don't sit around wondering when life will get easier, it won't. Stop sitting around. Eternity is a long time, show people that eternity with Jesus is far greater than eternity in Hell. You were bought for a price. Glorify God with your actions. Stop worrying about what other people think of you. You are different, people are going to treat you that way. Love them even more for it. Matthew 7:13-14 "Go in through the narrow gate. The gate to destruction is wide, and the road that leads there is easy to follow. A lot of people go through this gate. But the gate to life is very narrow. The road that leads there is so hard to follow that few people find it." |
noteThank you for allowing me to share my journey with Christ with you. I am not always right, and I do not hold all of the world's answers, but my prayer is that you will find some peace in knowing that we're on this journey together- and that Jesus is guiding us home. Archives
September 2018
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