This peaked my interested because 1. It's always nice to know of believers in an industry that can be anything but Heavenly, fighting the good fight. But 2. is the title and the character that is assumed from the title "Christian". See there is an instant categorization that this title brings. The potential for those to adore and the potential for those to hate.
Let's be honest. We can all sometimes stroll in the mindset that as a "Christian" we are doing pretty well. We have a pretty "blessed" life and we have been doing good things.
So as I scrolled through the list to read the various quotes and info about each celeb, I felt my brow furrow in confussion or disapproval in those who were on this click bait list. My thoughts went to judgement and Bias as I saw various celebrities who "claimed" to be christians and all the sudden I sat there in shock of myself in that judgement call that I had no right to make nor am called to be making. As a servant of Jesus Christ I am called first and foremost to LOVE.
"How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take that speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You Hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."- Luke 6:42
Here's my point. With all the agreeing and disagreeing currently happening all around us, I see highlighted more and more a particular understanding on what it means to love one another. with a conditional sense.
It IS possible to love unconditionally while not agreeing with someones views. Plain and simple. We as humans are flawed and it is so hard to actually do this in light of all the flaws and disagreements or views of so many around us, but it is possible. None of us are neither high or lower in ranking than anyone else. We are all broken, we are all sin filled.
We all have the ability to love and be loved.
The only difference between me and these celebrities is truly the lime lighting they are in alongside the cameras where as we simply can fly under the radar and make assumptions of people we don't even know.
So I challenge you to walk in those who's shoes are seemingly more or less comfy than our own, seemingly less clean or seemingly spotless.
We all need to be saved from ourselves. Why not let Jesus do what he came to do?
While my husband is neck deep in reading/studying on average 20 chapters a week of nursing textbooks and labs, I have been struggling to finish a short chapter book on the truths that are The Auto Biography of George Muller and his devotion to serving orphans in 1800's Bristol.
There are a few things I would like to admit here:
1. Social Media is something I struggle with often and am continually being sobered to this reality.
2. Reading has never been my nitch. I have struggled with it longer than I can remember and if I could read at a faster pace, I'm sure I would enjoy it more.
3. By the time I sit down to open a book, I am passed out because I am so tired. How???
4. I often struggle to retain information from text because I am very much a hand on experiential learner.
This book, however, has been very convicting. Not in a sense that I feel like I should be pursuing building and running a house for 700 orphans but very much feel as though I had not been pursuing seeking the Lords wisdom and leaning on his will and his will alone for mine and Austin's life.
All this to say in the midst of seeking continual support financially as we have gone down to a single income while Austin devotes his time and efforts to getting his nursing degree these next 2 years, I have felt panicked that it has fallen on my shoulders to provide when in reality it is indeed GOD who is the provider.
Through out George's life he never approached or even ASKED ANYONE to give money or provide for him but would continually go to the LORD with his needs and it has been astounding to see what glory and testimony the Lord brought through this mans life that God truly is living and breathing among us! He prompts us and those around us! He is so delighted and proud of the service we, his children, bring to cultivate and bring Heaven to earth.
But why has it taken me sooooooooo loooooong to only literally get to chapter 22 of this only 237 page book? Because I have felt a little bit stuck. Don't read me wrong. I feel much fulfillment and joy from what I have been actively serving with Solid Rock Outdoor Ministries! I am also not saying that God is calling me away from this ministry and serving full time!
A team from SROM praying over a fellow teammate.
That has been made very clear to me through this transition of working remotely from Riverton while Austin is in school. The support both within the ministry and far from my support team has been incredibly encouraging.
I have felt a bit stuck because I feel like God wants me to take a further step out in faith physically in my continual journey of building this temple he has given me for the Holy Spirit. It has been almost a year since I have begun from scratch and have been rather ginger in recovering and seeking correction for my neck and back. It has been a continual 1 step forward 2 steps back down the lader of growth and improvement.
I am dealing with lazy addictions to processed sugar and social media that have shown to be much harder to kick than I ever imagined. I've done research! Both these items are as addictive as COCAINE!
My point being that I have been seeking the Lord not only for his provisions and healing over my body, but also direction on how I can best glorify HIM through this recover process and grow a continual public testimony to his provisions in my life to help as many on this earth both next door and with neighbors around the world. I want so badly for the Lord to use me more and more as he continual sharpens and refines me!
I keep coming back to a life poored out entirely for him and the constant surrender and laying down or lifting these physical or financial burdens to him daily.
Needless to say this is still a huge area of prayer for me and yes the conversation that my husband and I had over dinner last night about reading, very much, provoked deeper thought and processing on the current season of my life and what I am conversing with the Lord of how to best step out and trust in in provision and strength.
It says in the bible that all possesions should be sold and that it is worthless. It is so easy to read this passage and feel inspired and empowered by this practice. Or perhaps a bit terrifying to think about what you would be needing to sacrifice...
"Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. then come, follow me."- Mark 10:21 (NIV)
Many may interperet this verse as literally need to sell everything. And perhaps this is the truth for some in the midst of an awakening or epifany. However for me it is continually humbling in a way that I sometimes feel like I get tired of being humbled in. Which clearly means I need further humility in the subject of possesions and money.
Let me flash back to when I left California and began my trek with my personal belongings in a rented Toyota FJ. my life packed into a car yet again, driving toward the unknown. A thought that crossed through my mind was this, "What if I got robbed and kicked out of my rented car and this person drove away with the car and everything in it?" I thought to myself that if I were ballsy enough I would beg this person to atleast let me keep my road bike. That they could have everything, but please just let me keep this bike.
Why?
1. At least I wouldn't be stranded...
2. It's my road bike! I have ridden across the country on it twice and down the coast of California! There is so much sentiment to it and it is literally the most valuable thing I own and possess because of the memories and my love for cycling!
Both of these reasons I now look back on and am continually reminded and humbled that it literally doesn't matter. The only thing that does is Jesus. If you have Jesus, you know that Jesus has you and litterally no posession on this earth could ever weight enough to move the scale in it's favor and have as much worth.
My co-worker, Tim, told me the other day that he accidentally lost his brand new Feathered Friends sleeping back he had just purchased at the beginning of the summer because he was unloading his car and it must have rolled underneath his car. The bag dissapeared... He felt foolish for loosing this rather costly, lovely possession BUT he followed the greivence by saying "It's OK. It's just a thing."
Right you are Tim and if I haven't thanked you for that reminder already, thank you!
I see the verse above as a few reminders. That we should not look to our posessions for value and acceptance but we should look to the one who saved us from ourselves and still does daily. It is OK to have earthly things but do not hold to them tightly as if they were the end all be all. The end all be all is Christ Jesus. If something is lost or if you feel pushed to give it away, do so.
"What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ." -Philippians 3:8 (ESV)
Love. Is. The. Greatest.
It is good to love and steward the things God has blessed us with in our lives from possessions to people. But it is far more important to love people well as exemplified by Jesus Himself. And to let go of the things that don't matter.
It is the end of ourselves that can be so hard to overcome. In a sense it feels like failure when we come to the end of ourselves. But this is all that Jesus wants. Yes... It is not about a sense of pride and knowing I can make it on my own but instead the humility and the continual surrender to the understanding, acceptance, hope and JOY that we gain in knowing that we don't need to do it by ourselves and all that we make of this life is meaningless in comparison to the glory of eternity.
I am reminded constantly that I am merely just here to help. I struggle in this many time, DAILY. I struggle in the flesh of wishing I could be that continual thing... Comfortable. Financially comfortable. Comfortable in my own skin, comfortable in my competencies of what I do day to day. Comfortable in social situations and comfortable in acceptance of things I can not and should not control.
It is through these frustrations and bashful unpacking that I continually repeat this process of coming to the end of myself. Humbly red cheeked looking back up at His glory and asking for forgiveness in these stumbling s over needs, wants and "thinking I needs".
As our apartment isn't even slightly packed, and we transition in a somewhat constant unknown. I have realized more and more how unsteady I feel and this scares me. Not just in the unknown of what these next two years will look like but a constant coming to the end of myself to where God begins to proceed where he had previously paused on working on certain areas of me. In trusting, in humility. in reminding me of where my true treasure is.
If I'm honest I do struggle very much with the truth and promises of eternity when there is so much shinny and cool status' to be had and rank of experiences had and cool factors of who's doing the coolest what and how many likes they have on their feed because of it.
But what is the point if there is no depth in 2D photographs, filters and nonsense?
I am reminded and at times get very excited about eternity, but then these shinny things distract and pull me away from keeping my eyes on the crown. I begin to veer away from the direction and influences I should follow in order to run the race and finish well. And as much as I hate to admit it, I sit in the bitterness of what isn't mine that honestly will not matter in the end Versus what I already posses and am completely oblivious to, which is "the way, the truth and the life."- John 14:6
In many way we come to many ends of ourselves over and over and over again. and in each of these comings, His grace is sufficient and although we may be embarrassed in our stumbling s, He himself is so proud of and overflowing with love for us that we have come to the ends of ourselves over and over to allow him to take the wheel again and to grow us, and wash us of our sheepishness.
It is at the end of ourselves that we become least distracted and the most observant of His presence and peace.
I had another dream that I was best friends with Sporty Spice last night...
Perhaps it's because I follow her on Social Media or perhaps it's because I simply just can't get past my love for 90's nostalgia. I am just continually fascinated with where they came from, their peak of career as The Spice Girls and how each of them have grown and expanded individually.
And I can't help but be continually curious as to how English culture compared to American culture is so different. Each of them are married except for Mel C. All 5 seem perfectly content in growing families pursuit of other careers in fashion and radio as well as content with their spouses.
There is a more personal theme in English culture that I happen to envy. There is still a sense of privacy, it seems, that is respected and people are just people. They are inspiring people... But just people.
I dreamed that I looked back at my Dad as I was walking away with Mel C and the girls to go spend some time catching up and he didn't recognize them and I laughed and asked him if he remembered standing in a crowd of people at my first ever concert looking through binoculars to see the tiny specs that were the Spice Girls on stage during The Spice World Tour. He was still perplexed and then that scene faded.
I'm not sure why I've had such laid back dreams about simply hanging out and being friends with them. It's just a fact that I truly wish I could sit down with them and get to know them genuinely. Not as a fan... Just a friend.
I don't care if you judge me... I don't care if you think it's stupid. Within the changing fame of their career there was struggle, anger, distress, depression and heartbreak. But through it there was joy, there was positive impact in the ripple effect of their peak. And that ripple effect continues to inspire, impact and grow our culture. Check out this pretty amazing Documentary: Giving You Everything
They've taught me a lot of things and as I continue to type, feeling like this post is a lost cause because perhaps no one will take me seriously... I truly am thankful that we as human beings have the opportunity to impact and be impacted by those around us near and far.
Imagine if the influences in our lives positive or negative had never existed. Imagine in influences didn't exist period! I honestly can't... Can you? Even Jesus himself has influenced us while he walked this earth and continues to influence our daily lives.
He calls us to be a positive influence and example for all to witness. What an incredible opportunity and what an incredible journey to know that in a crazy, out there kind of way but the influnce of the Spice Girls brought me to exactly where I am today. That and many other influences.
I often wonder if there was any moment... Any moment at all in my life that had been different, what my life at this very moment would be like, look like.
Some may believe that smaller moments don't impact the course of a life but I happen to remember the moment on one of my bike tours across country that I realized I should make the decision to return to California and work another season. I also remember that people in that season taught me a lot and if I hadn't committed to pursuing continuing the work God had for me in California I would not have pursued SROM. And if I didn't pursue SROM, I may never have moved to Wyoming. If I never moved to Wyoming, perhaps, I never would have met my Husband.
...Drastic, I know...
Just take a look at your life and think about where you are, where you came from and your dreaming of where you're headed... There is influence and impact everywhere.
Perhaps one amazing day I will have the opportunity to sit down and chat with the girls like it's a typical day... a reunion. That'd be neat.
I simply can't recall how this thought began to enter my brain. Perhaps it was the news of some random celebrity getting a 3.9 billion dollar divorce or randomly thinking about the movie "Now & Then" that became one of my favorite movies after I had seen it for the first time at Marissa's house back in, like, 5th grade.
There were many iconic scenes from this movie and too many favorite lines to quote but I do remember one scene in particular that, at the time, I had felt like I was apart of the gang more than ever. At that age I felt like I was Samantha. Take a look at this scene I've posted below... All the way to the end.
"In 10 years half the population will be divorced"
"I find that hard to believe"
But the truth is that now since the 70's and 90's divorce rates have gone up.
My life entirely aside I had ,until recently, thought that America's divorce rate was the highest in the world. Simply because it always seemed to be the latest trending subjects in social media and always talked about in our culture. However, I decided to see if I could track down some numbers. These probably aren't the most recent considering this article that I'm citing was published in 2014, BUT, The numbers and facts are blowing my mind. Bringing me to realize that America actually is doing better in some ways percentage wise.
For instance, out of the world rankings for divorce rates we are actually at #10 at a percentage of 53%...#10!
9. France-55% 8. Cuba- 56%- "Cubans are entitled to apply to the government to have costs of their wedding and honeymoon covered. With little to worry about other than actually finding a spouse, it's no wonder so many are getting married" 7. Estonia-58% 6. Luxemburg-60%-"Grounds for divorce in the country require that both parties are above the age of 21 and that they have been married for at least two years." (Yeah! Make them work through it!) 5. Spain-61%-"Catholicism has become more of a cultural identity rather than a religious practice, so Spaniards have no qualms about moving towards a more secular approach." 4. Czeck Republic-66%-"Grounds for divorce in the country are fairly straightforward: a fundamental breakdown of relations must be proven for the courts to dissolve a marriage." 3. Hungary-67% 2.Portugal-68% 1. Belgium-71%- "...divorce levels have been climbing, with the decline of the church cited as a key factor in these figures."
Each country has a specific way of determining whether a divorce is really necessary.
Now I am not here to step onto a soap box and rant about how people should try harder at being married or have more grace, compassion or seek deeper wisdom before even stepping into marriage.
If I'm honest I would have LOVED for my parents to have stayed together. But under specific circumstances, I am very thankful they are divorced. These details I will not go into. However I am also so thankful that they got married in the first place. It was apart of Gods plan so that my brother and I could be brought to this earth intertwined with both my Dad and my Mom.
It is true that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Knitted in our Mothers womb just as my best friends little ones are currently being knitted by my living God.
Truth: I don't always understand or choose to accept why my parents or anyone elses parents get divorced. But I have learned to accept it and respect that even if it seems like failure to witnesses or even those who are divorcing, there is truth and compassion, grace and forgiveness in Jesus.
Why.
Because Jesus wept for so many. He doesn't hold grudges and He DOES forgive as long as we are are seeking his forgiveness, humbly. Divorce is not an unforgivable sin. It's not. "And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." -Matthew12:31
Truthfully I see more and more that we can't comprehend the grace and mercy that Jesus offers us because we hold onto these humanly flawed failings.
I was that typical child who at times blamed themselves for this season that my family was in. But I have learned more and more that it truthfully is not meant to be blame shifted, but instead, be accepted that it can't and wont be fixed... But instead healing can occure, and strength gain be brought back... Just... Like... Getting a knee replacement. Sure we don't want to do the deed but sometimes things just fail. We are human. But with the opportunity to heal with the help of a new season, healing and strength take hold.
The importance here is to push just a bit hard each time to bring yourself out of the possible rut or emotional exhaustion you may experience along the way in your time of healing. Getting out of the ordinary and simply getting yourself moving even if it feels like your progress is minimal. The more consistant, the more you progress and begin to feel the freedom and the liberation of the healing that God brings and His mercies that are new daily!
Take a moment to praise Him even in the hardest of seasons and I can guarantee that he will BLESS that acknowledgement and continue to nudge you up those hills, mountains and seemingly cliff sides just as his pointer finger was clearly on the back of my bike saddle while riding those physical passes across the entire United States.
Original Photo Cred: alphabent.com/%23recumbents, Photo edits: DOH
The more I spend time at the University's Gym, the more I am convinced that there are even seperate sub generations within the millennial generation. Where as the Baby Boomers are majority incompetent to technology (my Mom still has a flip phone and she is so content). But through this unknown art, there is strength I have realized older individuals hold. That is social intention.
What?
I personally have sought to disconnect myself from my cell phone as much as possible. I chose to ask for and iPod for Christmas so that I can have my music and music alone during my workouts. In my opinion it helps immensely with discipline and distraction.
While I look around the gym to these younger birds, I have noticed more and more that there is more thumb conditioning through scrolling and texting. I witness a lot of sitting and staring at a screen in the hand.
Friends working out together who say few words to each other between sets and cardio because they are too busy looking at what's trending on Twitter.
Those intentional, vulnerable conversations existing less and less. Again Vanity wins all as sweats are barely broken and posts are put up. #hittingthegymhard #workhard #puttinginthehours #gymselfie
...The same reactions are deterred only slightly when the majority of young girls who are flaunting themselves and lifting weights that are not a healthy weight to be lifted at their skill level and strength. All for a guy who does it often. These girls ooze their flirty interest in hopes that affection would be shown back... But lets face it, guys are oblivious.
Again intentions skewed and false expectations set for each other.
We must own what we pursue and for truth not for misleading circumstances. These are things that I've learned for myself over the last 10 years. But I feel it is something that I have always gravitated more toward. The passion and desire to better maintain my body instead of being distracted by social interactions. Because of this I have tried more and more to follow the baby boomers in social intention.
I see more and more round about ways of complimenting and pursuing. Instead of a verbal compliment, there is more "likes" needed in order to feel like it's worth something. Instead of a physical conversation we ignore the call so that we can text instead.
I'm not mad. I'm simply stating truth in what I'm witnessing. It brings me back to the rings on my finger and the present that I live in while very much hoping that my daily focus during my morning work outs have some type of rubbing off effect and example on these "youth" who share my generation just barely.
I can only hope.
I hope that people, including myself, would look at real things instead of through a screen and filter. I pray that the bondage of these hand held devices would be broken and that the importance of face to face connection and communication is so much more important than needing to hashtag your food and spend an entire date on your phone!
