Speak Up!

Ever since I read The Purpose Driven Life, the idea that we need to speak up for God in other's times of despair has really been on my heart.  This idea is almost radical to me, because so many times we are told to "mind our own business" and "leave well enough alone."  Well, this is wrong and God calls us to speak up for Christ.  Proverbs 31:9 says, "Speak up and judge fairly."

The Bible tells us that we should not simply look the other way and hope it goes away on its own.  We should bring it out in the open and deal with it (1 Corinthians 5:3-4).  If we know people who have lost God's truth, we should not write them off.  In fact, we should go after them and get them back (James 5:19).  Losing God's truth is easy to do because Satan is alive and active.  Satan is clever and he knows how to make us believe his lies.  If we see this happening, we need to go to the person - not "mind our own business."  It is our business, because if one part of the body suffers, then all the other parts suffer with it (I Corinthians 12:26).

We do this because of love and with love.  Our strong love for each other will prove to the world that we are His disciples (John 13:35).  We are called to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13).   We are told that "whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it.  Never tell your neighbor to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now" (Proverbs 3:27-28).  We are to "share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2).  Someone in despair should have the devotion of his friends (Job 6:14).

And finally, this means we must step out of our precious little comfort zone and be bold.  There will be times that people get mad at us or take it the wrong way.  But the Bible tells us, "In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery" (Proverbs 28:23) and that "An honest answer is a sign of true friendship" (Proverbs 24:26).

No wonder people complain about not "feeling" and "hearing" God.  He's probably trying to speak through us and we're to afraid to open our mouths.  We are supposed to be BOLD in Christ and STAND UP and SPEAK UP for Him!

Live for God

Lately I’ve been thinking about what it means to live 100% for God. The Bible says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will have salvation (Romans 10:9). But, confessing that Jesus is Lord is more than just speaking it. The word “lord” in a feudal society meant the one who provided for and protected his people. Those living under feudalism were expected to work for their lord (i.e. be in the military or manage the land), because without him, they would have nothing. The people completely depended on their lord.

In fact, even Satan has said that Jesus is Lord (Luke 4) and he fell from Heaven (Luke 10:18). To confirm this, the Bible says in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who cries out Lord, Lord, shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” So, confessing that Jesus is Lord is more than speaking – it is completely depending on and completely living for our God.

I can think of maybe 2 people that model what living 100% for God means. TWO people! And I am not one of them. It literally makes me sick to think that God’s own children are making excuses about their love for Him. I know tons of people – good people - that believe in God and follow Romans 10:9 – but they don’t live for God. They don’t eat, pray, walk, sleep, and work for God. God has told us that He’d rather us be hot or cold, but because we are lukewarm, he would rather spew us from his mouth (Revelations 3:15-16). He would rather vomit than have us live the way we live – half-hearted, only 60-70% living for Him.

The Bible says to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), praise Him from sunrise to sunset (Psalm 113:3), worship Him continually (Psalm 34:1). It says, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Again, it says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). Make your bed for God. Study for your exam for God. Brush your teeth and praise God. Cook dinner, grocery shop, wash clothes, walk to the car as an offering to God. This isn’t a pray in the shower, pray before bed, sing praise songs in the car kind of relationship – it is a button your shirt, tie your shoe, and sneeze for God kind of relationship. Everything is about Him. Nothing is about us. It is ALL ABOUT HIM. That is how I think God wants us to be living – 100%, all the time, for Him.

I want to be like this. I want to do this. I want to be on fire for God ALL the time – every single second of every single day. Every breath that I breathe and every blink that I have – ALL THE TIME – 100%. I started by making my bed for God this morning. And now I told you, so I can’t change my mind.

How Great Is Our God

This morning, our pastor shared a video clip from a message given by Louie Giglio.  In all seriousness and honesty - it has changed and rejuvenated my faith.  Please, please, please, take the time to watch it.  It's long, but every second is worth it.  I just have to share it with you, its on my heart so heavy.  It is entertaining, funny, but more than anything, so moving.  It will touch your heart!  I was going to give a summary, but Louie says it so well, I would never be able to give it justice.  Please watch it.



Click here to see the following parts:
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Move over Emily Post

While I was searching for the correct way to address invitations, I came across many suggestions for proper etiquette.  It got me thinking, "Boy is our society rude," and I live in the south!

So, here is my list of etiquette guidelines that I think everyone should know and follow:

• Always hold the door for someone who is less than 3 steps away.
• The person closest to the door on an elevator exits first.  If you are not getting off and someone behind you is, step to the side so they can exit easily.
• On the bus, if an elderly person, pregant woman, or small child is standing, kindly offer him/her your seat, especially if you are a man.  If a seat becomes open, a man should let a woman get first dibs.
• Be aware of personal space on the bus, or in any tight public area.  Yes, that includes your 100 lb. bookbag.
• When two people walking towards each other are carrying umbrellas, the taller person should raise his/her umbrella to avoid bumping into the other walker's umbrella.
• It is not proper for a person to answer a phone call in the middle of a conversation or meal.  If the call is very important, politely excuse yourself, answer quickly, and return as soon as possible to the conversation or meal.
• Cover your mouth for goodness sake.
• Men need not to open the door, pull out a chair, or pay for every meal... but it sure is nice when they do.

That's all for now.

What's wrong with being "just" a woman?

In a discussion about gender in my religion class today, I was appalled by people’s views on women in religion. But before I start my rant, please know that though UNC is a liberal university, I think that many people here are “bandwagon” liberals. I think that many people here are afraid to speak out against the grain, which I find SO interesting since everyone thinks that being “liberal” is going against the grain. Anyhooo….

It is no secret that I want to get married young, build a home, and have children. I want to be a wife, a mother, a nurturer, and a homemaker. My priority will not be my career, though I plan to have one as a teacher. And that is okay. Sure, I go to a prestigious university and plan to graduate with a masters degree in 2011 and while I will be proud of my accomplishments, they won’t define me. I want to enter a covenant of marriage, and dare I say it, submit to my husband out of love and respect – just as the church does to Christ. What’s that? “Submit?” you ask, “but that’s not PC!” (Oh the horror! – insert sarcasm)

Why yes, I believe in submitting to my husband out of love and respect, because on the other side of the equation, he will honor me with his sacrifices out of love and respect. Oh, what? It’s mutual? YEAH! Have you read all of Ephesians 5? The rest of it says:

“Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.. Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. Man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one.” verses 25, 28, 31

So, my husband will make sacrifices for me out of love and respect, just as Christ does for the church. My husband will love me as he loves himself because we shall be one. Not 2 unequal parts of a whole – but one whole. We will love, honor, and respect each other – it’s a mutual thing!

Sorry, I got a bit off track there… but back to original rant…

Did you know there is such a thing as a “politically correct” bible? There is! All the places that once said Father (as in “Our father in Heaven”) have been changed to either Father-Mother or God. All the places that said “Son of Man,” now say “the Human One.” Even though I want to laugh at such ridiculousness, it really frustrates me. Seriously? Women and men are different! We were both made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and we are both fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). God didn’t just create men and women with different parts and of different names without a reason. It was intentional. It is okay to be different from men – men aren’t better than women, therefore, being different from men doesn’t make women any less better.

So, get over your need to be politically correct lest you offend someone. The sheer fact that you think that when something is not politically correct it might offend women, is offensive in itself.

Fireproof

This weekend I watched Fireproof with Parker & his parents. It is SO, SO, SO good! It was made by the same church that made Facing the Giants. If you're not familiar with these movies, they were made by an awesome church and they rocked the charts of Hollywood, you should check them out. Fireproof is about a fireman named Caleb Holt (played by Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains anyone?), the only professional, established actor in the whole movie) who fights to save his marriage after his dad gives him a book called The Love Dare. While it certainly has a Christian basis, I think it's a good movie for anyone to watch. I think everyone who has thought about getting married, is getting married, or has gotten married should watch this! It's so good! It just might make my Top 5 list! Maybe even my Top 3!

There is also some great websites for the movie and for "Fireproofing your Marriage." They have resources for married, remarried, dating, and engaged couples! Even if your relationship isn't on the rocks, they have really good resources for just strengthening your love. My favorite is The Love Dare - it's the book Caleb's dad gives him in the movie, and it is sold in stores. You can look at a sample here (at the bottom). Oh gosh guys - it's so good! Seriously, check it out.

The movie plays on the fireman analogy, saying things like "Never leave your partner behind" and "Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes, you will be able to withstand it." It also talks about marriage as a covenant instead of a contract. I think this movie is more relevant to society than Facing the Giants - 1 of 2 marriages end in divorce! Definitely, definitely watch it!

I thought I'd include a movie trailor to get you interested! Don't forget to pause the music at the bottom of my blog! Enjoy!

What Is Grace?

Okay, so I chose my blog name, "Grace Like Rain," because I feel that God's grace, like rain, truly falls down on me all the time!

So what is grace? Grace is the free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God. In other words, grace is receiving something good that you don't deserve (Mercy on the other hand is not receiving something bad that you do deserve – mercy & grace go hand in hand).

So I was thinking about the concept of grace and I came across a passage in Ephesians – (Eph. 2:1-9). It says:

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from ourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ok, so paraphrase: I was once “dead” from my transgressions when I was following the ways of the world – and some people are still “working for the world.” All of us have worked for the world at some time or another when we were succumbing to our sinful urges. BUT (here’s a big but), God (who is so forgiving and loves us so much) made us alive again! In fact, He brought us on His team to show the incomparable riches of His grace (that’s right – incomparable!!!) He sacrificed Jesus for us! It is by His grace that we’ve become alive again through our faith!

AND God’s grace is sufficient – there’s no fine print at the bottom – He said so himself in II Corinthians 12:9!

Man, I don’t know about ya’ll but I feel pretty unworthy of such a gift. I mean, God really loves us a lot! His grace awakens me all the time to who and whose I am…