between happiness and holiness.

The Lord has said: "These people praise me with their words, but they never really think about me. They worship me by repeating rules made up by humans. So once again I will do things that shock and amaze them, and I will destroy the wisdom of those who claim to know and understand.”

Isaiah 29:13-14

have you ever been given advice by a fellow christian that, although makes it common sense, doesn’t feel right in your spirit?

for instance, they sees you in a situation that is painful…maybe a job that is extremely stressful or a relationship that isn’t ideal.  The common sense solution would be to get out as fast as possible and not look back. The world says that happiness should be placed at the top of our priority list, so anything that doesn’t make you happy should be thrown out the window.

along the same line, I think that sometimes I get tempted to associate God’s will with happiness.. so the natural line of thinking would be to assume that if something doesn’t make you happy, it isn’t in God’s will.  the problem with that is that God never said that happiness was the most important thing.. instead of happiness, holiness should be at the top of our priority list. 

and look at what the Bible says about our journey to holiness, the refining process:

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.”

James 1:2-3

I think a lot times, we skip over the last part of that verse :) I’m guilty! but isn’t it encouraging to know that even when things are hard, God is using it as part of his plan, to refine us into who he wants us to be? he truly does work all things together for the good of those who trust in Him.

just a thought :) have a great night!

extROCKate hate.

 

 

• WHEN: 
• Feb. 7th, 6pm-10pm
• WHERE:
• iCoffee in Summerfield/Greensboro (corner of 150 and Lake Brandt)  (click for directions)
• WHAT:
• a benefit concert to support the World Vision project to raise awareness and combat the sexual exploitation of children around the world.
• there will be an opportunity to make donations and a portion of the proceeds from all coffee sold will go to the cause.
• WHO: 
• Acoustic Artists from 6-9pm: (click to hear music)
• David Wilson, Jr.
• Meryl Angelicola
• Phil Wagoner (RITK)
• Joshua Ling
• Bands from 9pm-on
• Rich Little Poor Kids
• WHY:
• An estimated 2 million children are enslaved in the global commercial sex trade. Most are girls, but a significant number are boys.
• What are the manifestations of child sexual exploitation?
• Prostitution
• Sex tourism
• Child pornography
• Trafficking and sale of children for sexual purposes
• Sexual abuse of girls or boys by family and community members
• Forced marriage
• In countries such as Lithuania, children as young as 11 are sold into prostitution.   Children are taken from children’s homes as young as 10 years old and forced to make pornographic movies. 
• In Asia and Europe, children as young as 13 are sold as mail order brides.
• everyday, children are raped and abused by people they once trusted, adults who are supposed to care for their well being.
• World Vision has started an initiative to fight the sexual exploitation of children by lobbying government organizations to tighten laws and make consequences more severe.
• we can make a difference!

repunzel.

brokenness embodied, the pain was so real.
screaming to be heard,
but she wouldn’t let herself feel.
instead she constructed a wall made of stone,
content in her prison, she made it her home
those who loved her saw her tears
but she wouldn’t let them care,
for fear of admitting the pain was really there

Rupunzel, Rupunzel, let down your hair
I've come to save you from your prison of fears
to hide the cracks, you've adorned every wall 
but your prison's on fire,
wont be long until it falls

the dragons in her past were ripping her apart,
trampling without mercy
on her already broken heart
up high on her throne,
she thought she had the world fooled
but soon her pain became their pain too
the enemy set fire to the kingdoms that she made
cant you see you are a princess
and deserve to be saved?

Rupunzel, Rupunzel, let down your hair
I've come to save you from your prison of fears
to hide the cracks, you've adorned every wall
but your prison's on fire,
wont be long until it falls

I wrote this with someone in mind… but I think God is trying to send me the same message :) funny how that works, huh?  the only thing between where I am now and and where I want to be is my ability to admit I can’t do it on my own.

 

pushed to the limit.

I consider myself a pretty optimistic person.  In fact, pretty optimistic might be an understatement.  Have you ever met someone who occasionally makes you want to throw up because of their sunshine and rainbows approach to life?… hehe, there is a teeny tiny possibility I could be one of those people… :).

There have been very few times in my life where things got so bad, so confusing, that I really struggled to find the light at the end of the tunnel…and I think it’s officially safe to say that this is one of those times. 

I’m pretty sure I’ve thought to myself: “well, at least it can’t get any worse than this” about 10 times in the last 6 months…and guess what? it definitely got worse. 

Now, brace yourself, because I am about to bring out my eternal optimism here.  I am slowly realizing that the light at the end of the tunnel is that I don’t have to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Ok, I promise this makes sense. 

I’m going to break out the Holy Book to explain myself here:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
       and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways         acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.                 Psalms 3:5-6

Can I just tell you what a relief it is to not have to lean on my own, narrow minded understanding of things? oh my goodness gracious.  Not only that, but God has promised us:

…I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future Jeremiah 29:11.

The truth in God’s promise does not depend on our ability to be optimistic or to understand how our current situation is working for our good.  His promises stand true and faithful on their own.

I do believe I am going to work on transitioning from a having a sunshine and rainbows outlook, to having more of a faith in God’s goodness kind of approach :)