My way or God's way?

"Th3r3 i5 @ w@y th@t s33m3th ri9ht unt0 @ m@n, but th3 3nd th3r30f @re th3 w@y5 of d3@th."
-Pr0v3rb5 16:25

Reading this verse always gives me a handful of thoughts. First of all, EVERYONE has an opinion. You have yours...I have mine. Some of us are really good at making our beliefs seem rational, even in light of the scriptures. However, when we study the scriptures, it's important to bear in mind that we are reading to know what God wants us to do, not what we want to do for God. In other words, most of us have our minds fixed about how a Christian should live, we say to ourselves 'this is okay, that's okay, this is not okay...', etc.

But is what's okay for one Christian not okay for another?

Is God's Word different for everyone?

So many questions truly makes this a tough topic to tackle. According to Proverbs 16:25, following my own advice could be a death trap. For example, let's say I like Rock music, which I don't, but if I did, I might say something like, "Rock music is okay...as long as it's Christian." See? Here I'm rationalizing and trying to make Rock music okay. Rock is the devil's music...there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

What about abortion? There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

What about homosexuality? There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

What about divorce? There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Three Things to remember:

-We're not always right...but God is.

-Don't judge others if they don't believe like you do, (even if you know they're out-rightly doing wrong, think about what Jesus did, He hates sin, but loves the sinner)

-Don't follow God through convenience, but through conviction

Be blessed my friends. :)

P.S. I encourage you to leave comments, please be respectful!

American Heritage

I was Trash and so were You!

When a Christian brother falls in his spiritual walk with God, why is it that other believers like to trample on him?

I think I know why. We have inherited a Pharisee attitude. "I'm a Christian, I'm good, you're not."
Here's an illustration my dad often uses: when a chick is wounded the other chicks will come and peck at the wound. Hmmmm...sound familiar? If a fellow Christian brother falls into some kind of sin (no matter how big) does it make it right for us to peck at the wound?
My point? Christians need to remember what Jesus did!! FORGIVE! FORGIVE! FORGIVE! (I'm saying that to myself too!) Good nights! If I whacked myself in the face every time I didn't want to forgive, I'd look like a purple plum!
It's so easy for us to look at other Christians and throw stones at them for their mistakes, but when we are the ones who have fallen? It seems like our motto anymore is: When you fall down, stay down. But when I fall down, you pick me up.
>:/
This is very sad and very prevalent.
I've heard it a thousand times over, 'I'm not perfect, just forgiven.' How so very true this is! Imagine how sweet it would be to the eyes of our Lord if He beheld His children nurturing one another's wounds instead of backstabbing.

I have only one thing to say to all my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, (especially church leaders); "We all make mistakes, we've all been forgiven, and we all should learn to forgive!"

(Ephesians 4:32)

More Bitter Than Death

Dear Chloe,

Hey girl! How’s life?

Well things are going good here. Making new discoveries everyday, I am. I’ve found out another one of the devil’s clever schemes. (So astute he is, bah-humbug)

Remember those cute bikinis we wore at the pool. Oh yeah, and remember those shirts with low v-neck collars, short shorts, mini-skirts, and skinny jeans we used to wear to the mall. Yeah, those cute things we used to wear to catch guys’ attention. Well, I found out it’s all part of an evil plot to make us look like worthless animals built only for man’s pleasure.

I was so stupid to think that those things were just the style of the day. Oh, we turned some heads all right, probably the heads of all those guys who’s only purpose in life seems to be going to bed with every girl they bite into. Well, you know what happens when you get involved with a guy like that, he’ll leave you in the street like every other girl he’s met. Don’t think you can change him because only God can do that.

Oh Chloe, you are my best friend and I only want you to have the best…that means even the best guy. But if we intend on luring in the right guy we need the right kind of bait…and I learned that sexiness is NOT the answer.

You know Solomon? He was like only the wisest king that ever lived. Well anyway, he described a ‘woman whose heart is snares and nets’ as ‘more bitter than death’. ‘MORE BITTER THAN DEATH?!’ Yeah really, I want to smell of a decomposing carcass! Give me a break! So cover up girl, because one day a very rare catch will come your way, a man who does not notice your body but notices your endearing service to God. You will catch a man who will treat you as the treasure of his heart instead of a bedtime toy. LYLAS!

~Your BFF~

Lizzie

P.S. We need to go shopping sometime! ;)

Ecclesiastes 7:26, Proverbs 31:30-31, 1 Timothy 2:9,

Life is Simple.

There are times when my heart is laughing, my soul is singing, and I hear church bells ringing!
It's during those times I'm standing on a mountain with joy so great I'm springing like a fountain! Oh, the joy I have to know that I am more than a conqueror through HIM that loved us!! But, sadly enough, I'm not always at the peak of 'happiness'. Always, beneath a mountain there is a valley.Many times our journey through this valley fills us with doubt and questions. We can't decide whether God is truly there, and if He is, then why is he letting me go through this? Sometimes we just can't figure out what to do with ourselves. We're not sure how to handle difficult situations. Some people think the answer is in counseling, drugs, alcohol, or even suicide. There have been times when I have fallen into the trap of asking, why is life so complicated? There are too many things to remember and too many people to please. But then I remember it all boils down to one thing...pleasing God. Once that's been established in your mind most of your doubts and questions fade as the answers take their place.
Should I wear this dress that's gonna make me look sexy? (Would it please God?)
Should I date this guy? (Would it please God?)
Should I go to church or stay with my family? (Would it please God?)
Anyway, I think I've clarified my point. In any decision you make ask yourself...would it please God? If all we cared about was pleasing God, then we wouldn't worry about fitting in, getting rich, being famous, getting a boyfriend, etc. All we would care about is what God wants us to do.
I don't know what my future holds, I can only see what's going on today. I pray with all my heart that I can at least look 1/10 of what Jesus was like. It is a great challenge for me and for all of us. It only takes ONE to stand up and say, 'I want to please God.' Will you be the one?
Hebrews 12:2, 1 Peter 2:20-22, Romans 12:1-2, Joshua 1:8-9

Life is simple. Please God.

The BIG 18

What does 18 mean to you? Does it mean you'll finally be free to live on your own? Do what you want?
Sometimes I wonder if God ever looks down on us from His throne in heaven and says to Himself, “I wish she would just grow up.” Grow up? Like how, in what way? You mean get a job, pay bills, wear make-up, get a license, and get my own place like a grown up? Primarily, people associate 18 year-olds as adults, but does maturity really depend on a number? I guess it does from a ‘legal’ standpoint. You ‘legally’ become an adult when you turn 18, but does that mean you’re ready to get out there and conquer the world? Maturity comes from realizing that we are immature and realizing, not that we have grown up but that we still need to grow up. The word mature means fully developed in character and powers. How can any teenager be fully developed in character and powers when they haven’t even lived half their life yet (assuming they live to be 100)? I just wonder how many more happy 18-year-olds there would be if they had waited on God. God has a special plan and purpose for your life. The question is; are you going to be patient enough to follow Him (even if it means you have to stay home at 18). God promises that if we wait on Him, He will make us ‘...to mount up with wings as eagles…’ (Isaiah 40:31). Who doesn’t want to fly? Our problem, many times, is that we think we can spread our wings and take to the skies before we are ready. Remember, maturity (growth) does NOT depend on a number, but on a fully developed character (1 Peter 2:2, 1 Timothy 4:12). I don’t know about the rest of you, but I want to be a woman of character. I want to be a G.A.G.O.H. ~ Girl After God’s Own Heart ~

Still Breathing!!

Hey G.A.G.O.H. readers!!
Did you miss me? I think I've had a very severe case of writer's block (or is it blogger's block?) Anywho, these past few months have been a pretty rough ride for my family and I. I spent about a month in the hospital with a horrible infection called cryptococcus. It was God alone who brought me through this terrible ordeal, I thank God I'm still breathing. I have decided to write a letter of thanks to God:

Dear Heavenly Father,
I can't, in all honesty, even begin to thank you enough for sending your Son Jesus to die for me; yet here I am, thanking you for saving my life....again. Who can know why you do the things you do, Lord? I know, your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. Lord, I'm so glad you are in control. When I lay in the hospital bed, so far from reality, my mind couldn't grasp that I even existed...you were the only One that was real to me. My mom told me that I took her hand and demanded that she pinch me. "Pinch me!" I cried. "I have to know if this is real!"
The infection was affecting my mind, somedays I couldn't even speak, but Lord I knew you were there. I only wished I could have touched you and wrapped my arms around you tightly like I would a teddy bear. I told my parents I wanted to go home...home to heaven. Lord, I wanted you to carry me home. My state of mind scared me so, I thought everything was a dream...or maybe it was a nightmare. Lord, I thank you for being with me. I thank you for all the many people who prayed for me. Thank you for the air I breath to this day. You brought me through and I know you will carry me the rest of my journey here. I don't care what anyone says, only a fool would say you are not real. I just want the world to know that my God is AWESOME, they must know it, because God, you worked a miracle in me...I'm still breathing!!
Amen

Tidbits of God's Word

Hey G.A.G.O.H. readers! Just thought I'd post a few pictures along with some verses. Please take a few minutes and enjoy!! God bless you!!

162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
~Psalm 119:162~

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
~Proverbs 3:5-6~

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
~Psalm 139:14

3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
~Jeremiah 33:3~

3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
~Psalm 113:3~

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
~John 15:5~

(Can you guess what this is?)

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
~Psalm 139:17~

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
~Jeremiah 29:11~