Friday, July 27, 2012

Why I Plan to Eat Mor Chikin!


Before I start getting e-mails and comments that “God loves everyone” and “it’s not our place to judge” let me make a few clear statements.  God does love everyone and only God has the right to judge anyone – I’ll agree with that much.  However, if you are supporting gays/homosexuality and/or living that lifestyle yourself, then I’m not judging you.  You have made that statement and there’s no room left for “careful consideration in forming an opinion” which is what judging means.  So I’m not judging you but I am disagreeing with you and your lifestyle.  And yes God (and I) loves you even in your sinful state just as I am loved in mine. 

However, God’s love is only part of the story.  While society may say that it’s a freedom of choice God says otherwise.  He did NOT create anyone to love the same sex in that way.  Each and every time the Bible mentions marriage it is between a husband and a wife.   

It was meant to be that way when God first formed man: 
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Gen. 2:24). 
It was meant to be that way under grace:
Jesus said, “But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female.  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife.  And they twain shall be one flesh; so they are no more twain, but one flesh.”  (Mark 10:6-8) 

It was meant to be that way in the new church.  Paul speaks of how unrighteous, unnatural, and wicked (Paul’s divinely inspired words not mine) homosexuality is:

“And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them order to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,”  (Rom. 1:27-29)

So before sending an e-mail or posting a comment I simply ask that you listen not to what society says or even I say but search God’s Word and His will for your life for He will never lead you astray.

I could quote several more scriptures on the sanctity of marriage but that’s not the purpose of this blog post.  My blog is all about priorities and keeping life simple the way God created it to be and this morning I had one of those “wake up and smell what’s really going on” moments. I was having my morning devotion when my husband came out to tell me that he had just seen on the news where Gay Rights groups were boycotting Chic-Fil-A and some of the larger cities were trying to keep them from opening up new restaurants because of the stand they’d taken against homosexuality.  (Note to self: Remember to ask Curt to NOT disrupt my morning peaceful time with statements that disturb me such as this!) 

So my actual purpose in writing this blog is to ask you (and myself) as Christians to consider the businesses that we are supporting and giving our money. 

There’s a vote coming up soon in our neighboring county for them to become wet.  The majority of the county is Christians.  I heard a preacher last week say that the only way it would pass is if Christians gave in and did not stand for what the Bible said. 
Maybe I’m completely naïve but I still feel that the majority of American are Christians.  However, we’re passive Christians and if we continue to sit and let others take a stand against what we believe in and do nothing then we certainly will not be the majority for much longer.  NOW is the time to take a stand.
That may mean some changes in our lifestyles.  That may mean going a little further to another restaurant, gas station, retail store, etc.  That may mean giving up some of the foods or products we love.  That may mean paying a little more out of our pocket.  However, I personally feel it’s sacrifices we can’t afford NOT to make. 

I’m proud of the stand Chic-Fil-A, Kirk Cameron and others are making.  Not just against this issue but against others too.  It’s not just a lifestyle I want for myself but for my children and grandchildren also.  The only way they’re going to have the choice to stand is if I make the choice to stand now. 

So inclusion, I say “Eat Mor Chikin”!  Mike Huckabee has declared August 1st Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day but I say eat there as much as you can! 
Where will you be eating or should I say – Who will you be supporting this weekend and in the weeks to come?


Thursday, July 19, 2012

He Restores My Soul Even When I Least Expect It


He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Psalm 23:3-4

First of all, yes I am still alive although there have been moments I've wondered myself.  And I now interrupt this blog hiatus to share a little from my Good Morning Girls group and how God works in my life everyday!


We've been studying Proverbs 31 and I've had mixed feelings about it.

Just to be honest there are mornings I've woken up with a terrible attitude dreading opening my Bible to see what area I'm totally slacking in now.

Then there have been those mornings I've realized what it's all about-not me but Him.  I can't do it but He can.  He didn't create me to be perfect but to trust in Him to work through me for in my weaknesses He shines even brighter. Which leads me to today...


I woke up this morning grabbed my Bible, GMG notebook and cup of coffee and headed to the porch.  I was the first one to post on our GMG Facebook page and here's a shortened version of my post:

Good morning girls! Great scripture this morning!!   I got so much out of the first 4 words "He restoreth my soul".   I thought about my friend Brittni and how she does such a good job at restoring old furniture.   She finds pieces that others no longer want and some even consider trash and cleans them up, adds a fresh coat of paint, new fixtures and then they are as good as new. Some may have even been used for a different purpose than intended (like a dresser for an entertainment stand) but it works and works well. 



I'm thankful that when I feel "all used up", that I've given all I have to give, and don't know anything else to do or how I can go any further (especially when striving to be the Proverbs 31... woman) I know where to get restored!  Sometimes it's a good cleaning up, sometimes it's a fresh look/different perspective and sometimes it's just strength to carry on but whatever I need-He's it!   

 Thought I'd share some notes on these two verses from a Bible study on Psalm 23:

 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake"

 Often when sheep eat the grass they are very lazy and will just lie around causing a gas to form in their stomach and blows them up to a point it can even come up in their throat and suffocate them. The shepherd must get the sheep up and moving to restore their life. Often when we get lazy or discouraged we must depend on God "restore our soul" and get us moving in the right direction. 


 "he leadeth me"-If a sheep wandered from the fold the shepherd left the fold and would find it. When he did he would break one of it's legs and carry it back so he would not stray again. Once back in the fold, the shepherd would bandage the leg and carefully watch over the sheep until he recovered. God does the same with us. Even when we stray and don't follow his leadership he disciplines us yet still continues to watch over and care for us.

 "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and staff they comfort me."

 The shepherd used the rod for protection to fight off bear, wolves, etc and the staff for comfort and pulling the sheep back into the fold.

About 5 minutes after I posted I received a notification that our leader, Abby, had posted. Here's the beginning of her post:


Good morning girls! I hope I read the right verses! I read Proverbs 24:3-4....

The next thing I do is pull back out my GMG notebook and checked what I'd read.  It clearly said Proverbs 24:3-4 not Psalms 23:3-4.  How could I have been that off?  This was my comment under Abby's:

Ok-you were right!! I was totally on the wrong scripture and didn't even realize it until I read your post! I would apologize but I guess the Lord knew what I needed this morning! :)

And Abby's:


I needed what you said too! I like it when He takes over! :)


I'm thankful God's still in control even when we think we have it all planned out. He knows exactly what we need and will restore us even when we least expect it!


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