In Support of Marriage--One Man, One Woman

 There is neither Jew nor Greek, 

there is neither slave nor free, 

there is no male and female, 

for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

Galatians 3:28 NIV

Hello Precious Girlfriends!

My post today is going to be a little different than usual. The photo below started me writing a Facebook post this morning that turned into a full page! So I decided to share it here as well because I think the issue is important. So here it is:

As it is written:

“There is no one righteous, not even one,

  there is no one who understands;
    there is no one who seeks God^.

 All have turned away,
    they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
    not even one.”

Romans 3:10-12

I have to say that other than myself, only five of my Facebook friends in my news feed have changed their profile picture for the reason the funny graphic above refers. Three changed one way and two the other way. So I guess including mine, it is 3-3. I think that accurately reflects the split in this country, which I project will also be reflected in the split among the Supreme Court Justices. I am sure others will disagree and say their news feed definitely is swayed heavily one way, showing support for changing the definition of marriage by law in the US. 

Well, to that I would reply with a quote from one of my friends. "Why do we Christians remain silent on this issue?" I do not know why most Christians do, but I believe for myself, it is because I do love and care about other people. As Christians, we do not change our profile picture, or if we do we are very careful what to put there, because we do not want to hurt or offend the people in our lives whom we love but who disagree with us on these types of issues. Funny thing, however, those same people whom we love DID change their profile picture and do not seem concerned about offending us. So why are we so sensitive?

The sensitivity comes from Christians in America being labeled "haters" and "discriminators" and "bigots" for believing in a value system that honors God (and His statement on the nature of human union, or marriage, which is one man and one woman.) What a misconception that has been allowed to exist and spread!! I do not hate anyone; I do not discriminate. I act and interact out of love, respect, and faith in God. I simply believe in preserving the institution of God's statement about marriage. Regarding that institution of marriage, God also states that the marriage shall be free from adultery. Am I a "hater", "discriminator", or "bigot" for believing that God's statement on adultery should also be preserved and honored? I do not think so.

The truth is we have all sinned and fallen short of God's standard in one way or another. We are all in need of mercy. The point is to recognize that fact and address it with the Lord. I am not "judging" anyone by a different standard than I "judge" myself. I simply have different sin than others have. I do not expect them to condone my sin anymore than they should expect me to condone their sin. We should all support and encourage one another, in love and forgiveness, such as that we have been given ourselves by God. 

But the truth is we have to hold one another accountable to God's standard while on this earth. Accountability is not synonymous with judging. The first is motivated by the desire to see the other person move toward a positive outcome, and the latter is motivated by the desire for our own definition of justice, not God's. Yet, accountability sometimes hurts. Being told you are not living right with God stings and shocks the soul, as it should. The response to that stinging is crucial. PRIDE will harden the heart and defend the sin. HUMILITY will soften the heart and acknowledge the sin. One way or the other, that sin will be dealt with, and the sinner is in complete control of the way--heaven or hell. Eternally with God or eternally separated from Him. Pride closes the door; humility opens it. But God will allow you to choose. 

So in the end, yes, this all comes down to choice--and I choose Heaven. I choose to support a society that honors that path. My desire is for all of us to unite in Heaven. I need you to help me get there as much as you need me. This desire is not "hate" but "love". This desire is not "discrimination" but "inclusion". This desire is not "bigotry" and "closed-mindedness" but is "fairness" and "broad-mindedness".  

Although I changed my profile picture (see above), I really do not like this kind of behavior on Facebook because it promotes an "us" vs "them" attitude; we are in this life together, each of with our own sin, and that is actually what unifies us. Maybe every Facebook user should take a deep look into themselves and for one week change their profile picture to state their own sin--now that would be constructive and hopefully productive!

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. Romans 3:22-25(a) NIV
 
Blessings to ALL of my Girlfriends!

Happy Father's Day Weekend

  "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Happy Father's Day weekend, Girlfriends!

Whether your earthly father is living or passed on, I pray you will honor his life before the Lord this Sunday. 

Fathers seem to battle for recognition behind the mamas of the world! History proves my claim: After hearing a sermon about Mother's Day in 1909, a young woman from Spokane, who was being raised along with five other siblings by her widowed, Civil War veteran father, decided that he too should have a day of honor. She spoke to her pastor about the idea and began promoting Father's Day; however, the road to official recognition was long and tumultuous, culminating in 1972 when President Nixon signed the law recognizing the third Sunday in June as Father's Day.

Why is it so difficult for many people to adore and celebrate their father? I mean, picking out that card takes forever compared to the one for mom: every card seems like it was written just for mom, but I have to read ten times as many Hallmarks to find the one that fits dad. And then I settle on the "funny" vs. the "sentimental" and I am not even sure why. 

I asked my daughter the question I just posed above. Her response provided some insight from a teen perspective, yet I believe has universal truth in it. Basically, her answer included today's key verse. Dad is the one who is a continuous source of strength, emboldening children to show courage and to conquer fear. He is the hidden force behind each battle fought, and as a child, we look to dad expecting not only to find him present but also rock solid and prepared to charge forward should we need back-up. In contrast, we look to mom for arms to hold us and a shoulder upon which to weep, for comfort and care, even when she includes encouragement, inspiration, or advice into her nurturing. 

Leaning on dad and expecting his presence should not diminish our ability nor desire to thank and praise him. Yet somehow we often interpret dad's strength as a wall against weakness, and we associate weakness with passion and emotional expression. Hence the difficulty in choosing that appropriate and meaningful Hallmark card over the humorous or light-hearted sentimental one.

And then God steps in...our Father in heaven...our ultimate example of what it means to be a dad. And what does He have to say about all of this? Girlfriends, be encouraged, because the pinnacle source of strength, encouragement, guidance, defense, and rock-solid love says go ahead--glorify me! Honor me! Thank me! Remember me in all your days on earth! God is not embarrassed by our songs of praise and admiration; He is not diminished in His authority or power because we call out to be held by Him, to be loved by Jesus, or to be adored in His eyes. Actually, He instructs us to do so, and also makes statements about those who choose NOT to praise the Lord:

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Romans 1:21 NLT

Ladies, your heavenly Father wants your gratitutde and worship, and He wants you to extend the same to your earthly fathers. Do not hold back--strength does not preclude affection, adoration, or thanksgiving. Shower dad with love. And praise God as well.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1 NIV

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 NIV

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Hebrews 13:15

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Proverbs 23:22

So if you haven't yet, go ahead and send that sappy, sweet, sentimental card that pronounces your deepest emotions and love for your dad. Or buy both if you cannot resist a laugh as well! I think dad will appreciate either one. If your father is no longer with you, maybe buy him a card and write it all down anyhow. Finally, ladies, I know for some of you I am speaking Greek...your relationship with your father is so broken and unrelated to anything I have written today. I pray for you to come to Jesus with that pain. Lay your hurt at His feet and ask for healing and restoration. But also know that although sin has overtaken your earthly relationship, your Father in heaven is perfect, loving, and kind, and He waits with open arms for you. He loves you with every ounce of strength in His being, because God is love. Go to Him!

Have a blessed and beautiful weekend, wherever you are!

Mom's Perfect Day

 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

 patience, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; 

against such things there is no law. 

Galatians 5:22-23

Greetings Girlfriends! This is a very special weekend as we approach the celebration of motherhood!

The Contest

While exercising my motherly skills this morning, aka folding the kids' laundry, I heard the DJ on KLOVE read an entry aloud from their contest called "Mom's Perfect Day." A woman had written that her perfect day would include a visit to Scotland to research her family history for the three books she is writing. Mindlessly placing shirts on hangers as I listened, I marveled that a mother with children at home could write one, let alone three, books. I began to envision her trip to Scotland, with rolling green hills, highland dancers, and bagpipes. As I sorted socks, I wondered about my own "perfect day."  

In an instant, the laundry room faded, and I was relaxing on a private, white sandy beach with my husband in the middle of a clear blue ocean. Our fully furnished villa was stocked with fresh fruit and fine chocolates for me and Diet Mt Dew and pizza for him. No phones; no internet, just island music floating through the air, a serene backdrop to our light conversation, as we gazed lovingly into each other's eyes, reminiscing and laughing carelessly. 

Ding! Ding! A text message alert. Back to reality. I set aside my search for a missing green sock and picked up my phone. My daughter wrote: "I have to give a speech at graduation!" A smile spread across my face and excitement for her welled up inside my heart. All visions of sun, sand, and romance were washed away by the pride I felt for my third child, who four years ago would have passed out on the spot if she had been told she had to speak in front of a group of five people, let alone five hundred people! Suddenly I realized that I have already experienced "the perfect day"... more times than I can even remember. 

My Perfect Day(s)

Today's key verse from Galatians 5 reveals to us the fruit of the Spirit, which grows in a Christ-centered life. I can see the seeds of this fruit sprouting in my life because God chose perfect days to plant them in my heart.

Love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 

Perfect Day #1: The day I met my husband. Our marriage has led me to accept Christ's unconditional love and to grant that same unconditional love to my spouse. I cannot imagine my life without him. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Joy. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:11 NLT

Perfect Day #2: The day of the birth of each one of my children. Motherhood has unveiled the joy of Lord in every single moment.  I am honored to instill in my children the joy of knowing Christ as Savior and of living a life of love, seeking truth, granting mercy, respecting justice, and basking in His grace. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

Peace. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Perfect Day #3: The day I celebrate Easter, year after year after year. Standing at the foot of the cross, having meditated for days and weeks upon Christ's sacrifice and physical suffering--His forgiveness in the midst of torture--I am filled with peace because He has overcome. Christ conquered death and all sin, fear, restlessness, and disharmony. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 

Patience. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15

Perfect Day #4: Each day I taught in a classroom, led a girl scout meeting, mentored student leaders in FCA, or coached a youth sports team. God has blessed me with multiple opportunities to model His patience, love, and provision to youth across this nation. In return, I have developed trust and endurance to calmly withstand the trials and tests of this life, including my daughter's serious injury last summer. But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25 

Kindness. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Act 20:35b NKJV 

Perfect Day #5: The day a co-worker gave me a huge box of baby clothes for my first child because she knew how little I could afford; the days military spouses prepared us meals after coming home from the hospital; the days the mailman delivered cards and packages from our parents while we lived thousands of miles away; and the days friends came to my rescue while my husband was deployed or traveling. The Lord is truly rich in kindness, placing caring, compassionate, and giving people in my family's life. As the scripture says, He gives generously to the needy; his kindness lasts forever. 2 Corinthians 9:9 

Goodness. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

Perfect Day #6: The day I was born. My parents have loved me and my sister out of the goodness of their hearts, showered us with good gifts, disciplined us with good intentions, demonstrated goodness by their actions toward others, and continue to uplift us and praise us for our goodness. God, our eternal Father, will one day call us all home, and I pray my family will dwell eternally together in His goodness. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3

Faithfulness. For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Perfect Day #7: Moving Day, all twenty of them! From infancy to middle age, I have moved with faith in God's plan. In each new location God has shown His steadfast faithfulness, providing affordable housing, safe communities, access to quality education, opportunity for spiritual growth, and amazing lifetime friendships. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good. Psalm 52:9 

Gentleness. To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:2

Perfect Day #8: The day I met my best girlfriend, Linda. On this earth, she is my role model. Her core ingredients are: humbleness, gentleness, kindness, goodness, giving, loving, sharing, believing, praying, trusting, and devotion to Jesus Christ. The frosting on top is that she is also fun, adventurous, talented, beautiful, a great mother, and most of all, willing to hang around people like me! Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Self-Control.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV

Perfect Day #9: The days I spend in peaceful meditation, surrounded by the beauty of God's creation. Sometimes this day is on a beach, or hiking a wooded-path, or admiring the brilliance of a sunrise or sunset from my back deck. Whether alone or in the company of others, God has impressed upon me the need to focus upon Jesus Christ as the center of my life, taking time to be still and know His power and presence. These times of refreshment and devotion strengthen me for the battle of the flesh and will that permeates all of my imperfect days! We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

 My Prayer for You

Girlfriends, my prayer for you this weekend is that you will celebrate and honor motherhood--thanking God for the mother who birthed you. If you too are a mom, I pray your children will esteem and praise you for your sacrifices to them. May the fruit of spirit sweeten your soul as you watch it grow. Please, do not wait for a radio contest to recognize and enjoy God's perfection in your ordinary days. His will for you is good and holy!

Love to All!

P.S. If any of you do happen to win an exotic vacation and need some company, or are unable to go, well, hey, I am available for travel! A girl can still dream, can't she????

Trust Him Always

 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, 

for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Oh, my dear girlfriends, every day for the past week I have thought about you as I opened my web browser. Whenever the Girlfriend Moments homepage popped up, I envisioned your faces! I longed to write to you, but my heart was also pulled in another direction: to my child!

The reason for my writing drought has not been a dry pen! Rather, I have been immersed in a flood of memories, spending the last ten days sorting through print and digital photos. You see, I have a senior in high school graduating in a month. She is my third child, mind you, but I am finally in a position in life to create a slideshow for her party. This task initially seemed simple, but I forgot who I am. Nothing I undertake is "easy" because naturally I expect detail and perfection! Oh, yes, and I have four children, so the quantity of material through which I must sort is monumental. But fear not, my head is above water, and I am swimming for the finish line!

During this endeavor, God and I had quite a few conversations. Do you find that God revisits you frequently in different fashions with a point He wants to drive home? This happens to me all the time.

Girlfriends, the last time I wrote I spoke about trust. Well, today, after this long break, I am back to the same issue. Trusting God; trusting other people. Trusting myself.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  Psalm 56:3

This morning, my second child messaged us that two girls from her college died from a house fire caused by a laptop on a bed. The smoke detector in the house they rented did not have a battery in it. My heart aches for their families, friends, and the college community. My mind cries out to God....why? My thoughts race to my own children. Fear creeps in and a sense of panic squeezes with each breath I take. I want to gather them in, hold them, and never let them go. But, alas, not one of them is present with me. 

But I have trusted in your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. Psalm 13:5

I ask God repeatedly to protect each child. I hear God replying. Trust me. I read Psalm 13:5 again. Whatever my fear in this life, I can rejoice in His salvation. God saves our children. Parents do not save them. Firemen do not save them. Their faith in God alone offers true safety and salvation. Do I trust Him? If so, while continually loving them, I will release my grip and watch as they soar. He lifts them up on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). And when the time comes, He will carry them to His eternal home where we will meet again in joy and jubilation.  

There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place. Deuteronomy 1:31

Do I trust Him?

...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

As fearful as I may get at times like these when tragedy strikes near home, and as grim as reality appears when two young girls die in a fire that was preventable, I stand on the Rock of my salvation. With the knowledge that I imparted to my children the love of God and the pathway to His saving grace, I entrust their futures to Him. I cannot add to their lives by worrying. (Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Luke 12:25) Instead, I choose to trust and to enjoy each moment of this life together.

Girlfriends, my prayer for you today is pregnant with thoughts of personal safety, loved ones' safety, relationships fulfilled, and salvation. May God place a hedge of protection around you and your beloved families/friends. May He nudge you to take precautions and check your surroundings. I also pray you will reach out today to those people dear to your hearts--your parents, your children, your siblings, whomever--and profess with your mouth your love and appreciation for them.

But most of all, ladies, I pray that you turn to Jesus Christ as your eternal Savior and Protector. Only He can be trusted for safety and eternal life. Ask Him into your heart. Thank Him. And finally, share the Lord with those people in your sphere of influence. Let no ear within distance of your voice go without hearing His Message today. God alone saves, but you can be the megaphone in His Hand announcing the Word and preparing the way, for who among us knows our day?

God Bless, my friends, and please know how much I love and appreciate each one of you!