I’d pretty much sworn off guest posting. It’s a lot of extra work and it feels like no one really reads them. When I go to someone’s blog honestly I go to read what they have to say. So when I was asked recently to write something for Tiffani’s Word-Women Wednesday’s I was surprised at how quickly I said YES. There has been something on my heart for a long time now and it just seemed a good fit.
I’ve just been saddened lately. It seems that everywhere I look sin has become the norm…accepted, applauded even. At church a few weeks ago our pastor showed a youtube video of a middle eastern leader proclaiming his love for the Lord. He was boldly declaring that Jesus was the way, the only way and that he was willing to die for his faith. Recently he did die. He gave his life to proclaim his faith.
As I watched that video anger started to build in me. This man actually died for standing apart, for declaring what’s right and we can’t even chance a cold shoulder or risk losing a blog follower for fear of rejection. We’ve become afraid to speak truth. We’ve become gray. Where’s the black and white?? I want absolutes. I want to boldly declare my faith and not care if someone agrees with me or not. It’s not a popularity contest. We do have enemies. The enemy is out to steal, kill and destroy. Are you willing to pick a side and defend what the Bible says? Do you know even know which side of the fence you are on in this monotone world?? There are sides. This is a fallen world. When I actually stand before him someday (and we ALL will) I want him to say well done thou good and faithful servant. I know I’m not perfect. I’m so very flawed just like those disciples, but with all my heart I hope to hear those words. The Apostle Paul said it best in 2 Timothy 4…
Becky Strahle
www.farmgirlpaints.blogspot.com
www.etsy.com/shop/farmgirlpaints
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ending with this…this is a charge from His word I feel…how about you. Time to examine my heart.
Lord of immortality, before whom angels bow and archangels veil their faces, enable me to serve Thee with reverence and godly fear. Thou who art Spirit and requirest truth in the inward parts, help me to worship Thee in spirit and in truth. Thou who art righteous, let me not harbour sin in my heart, or indulge a worldly temper, or seek satisfaction in things that perish.
I hasten towards an hour when earthly pursuits and possessions will appear vain, when it will be indifferent whether I have been rich or poor, successful or disappointed, admired or despised. But it will be of eternal moment that I have mourned for sin, hungered and thirsted after righteousness, loved the Lord Jesus in sincerity, gloried in His cross. May these objects engross my chief solicitude! Produce in me those principles and dispositions that make Thy service perfect freedom.
Expel from my mind all sinful fear and shame, so that with firmness and courage I may confess the Redeemer before men, go forth with Him hearing His reproach, be zealous with His knowledge, be filled with His wisdom, walk with His circumspection, ask counsel of Him in all things, repair to the Scriptures for His orders, stay my mind on His peace, knowing that nothing can befall me without His permission, appointment and administration.
.. from puritan prayers
Please share a button and linkup the exact URL. I will leave the linkup open until 3/25/2011 11:59 PM and as we visit today let’s think upon the words shared by Becki and from those who have faithfully run the race and won by standing firm in their faith. May we seek to emulate them. I love you all and a deep thank you to Becki for her bravery and sharing her own struggle and desire to stand firm and follow Him in a country that is much like 2 Timothy. May our hearts break to be the carriers of living seed to all who are hurting.
Came over from Becky's… What an adorable blog this is!
Amen to this post, Becky! I'm so sick of political correctness and relativism. We must stand for Truth!
Excellent, Becky! I applaud you for sharing your heart here. I am a black and white girl, and see no gray in many areas. Holiness has lost it's importance, and it just that, so important. There are so many scriptures…be in the world, not of. Abstain from all appearances of evil. Be holy as He is holy. And while we cannot attain it in and through ourselves, Christ has made it so that we can. Those who make sin out to be less than it is are doing such a disservice to others, and while they live as self proclaimed free spirits, they are in the deepest bondage yet. So…amen, sister, amen!
Thanks for laying it down in such a truthful way, Becks. I always read what you've got to say. And I'm more excited than ever to talk to you IN PERSON.
xo
Dying for his faith. That is commitment. How honorable.
I think you express your thoughts very well, and I agree with you that we are set apart and we should act as such. But more than act, we must have a heart that overflows with His love for the people of this world.
my prayer is that i continue to be saddened by what saddens HIm.
i do not want to be tolerant of the sin, yet i want to be able to love the sinner.
beautiful blog, it's my first visit
my prayer is that i continue to be saddened by what saddens HIm.
i do not want to be tolerant of the sin, yet i want to be able to love the sinner.
beautiful blog, it's my first visit
Very well said!!!Thank You for sharing your beautiful heart!!!:O)~ Isabel
i came over from becky's blog to read her guest post and am so glad i did…i'm really enjoying reading your blog and finding it uplifting…now a follower and i linked up a post…i didn't see a specific subject for the the linky, so i hope mine is relevant.
blessings,
alison
stuff and nonsense
Hi Tiffini…Thanks again for letting me share my heart on your blog. It was an honor.
Thank you for standing apart, Becky. And for the boldness in your faith. We women want to be liked so much, we lose sight of our walk with Jesus and being like Him.
Wonderful Post
I read it several times agreeing with everything you said
Grateful to have found you today
xo
Pam
I'm so glad you took the extra time to guest post today, Becky. Your passion for truth is contagious. Thanks for stepping out and being bold with your heart!
Blessings,
Linsey
oh becky, how well said! it is just how i have been feeling recently. it culminated last thursday when i had a new wheelchair delivered. the gentleman who delivered it was so nice taking the time to show me exactly how to take the wheelchair apart to easily get it into the car by myself. he rejoiced with me as i wheeled around the house so easily. this wheelchair is a different design then i have ever had before and it takes corners great. he asked if i wanted him to take my old wheelchair or if i had something in mind to do with it. i said i was going to donate it to joni and friends. that they take any wheelchair they can get, refurbish them, and then take them to third world countries where they hand them out with a bible. these people a lot of them children would spend there lives in one spot otherwise because wheelchairs just aren't available. he got quite excited and asked me to send him the contact information as he had a whole load of wheelchairs just sitting back at the company and handed me his business card. but then as he was leaving he said something sad that i hear from Christians quite a bit. "you know the way things are these days it's scary. it's like revelations is coming to pass." well i looked at him and said, what's to be scared of if you're a Christian? wouldn't it be glorious to see the sky roll back as a scroll and see our Lord and Savior coming through. he looked at me and said, "i never thought of it that way, but your right there is nothing to be scared of." that's another area where Christians tend to be of the world.
Becky,
I love your writing…just beautiful as always it shows your heart and I love that about you!!!
I think the "p-c-ness"
of our country has eroded
the firm beliefs that the
majority of citizens used
to espouse….Much as was
predicted in 2 Timothy.
Thank you for being a true
Christian solider and taking
the risk to remind us of
what is good and pure and
right.
Love you, friend.
xx Suzanne
AMEN! I have also seen some serious sinning going on lately with Christian bloggers attacking one another. That is the fastest way for me to stop reading and I have. I don't understand that at all. I have no problem saying what I believe and I have had family unfriend me on Facebook. Oh well. It makes me sad but I won't hide who I am. What really hurt was seeing that one family member who unfriended me, is friends with my molester. I had to pray HARD for that to not trigger me into depression. Thank you for being BOLD.
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
This a great and challenging post Becky. I believe that there are a lot of areas in the world and in my dealings with people where the world is shades of grey. Especially as I am not always the best judge of black/white. At least I am not unbiased. But the Bible is not a grey area for me. When in doubt, I seek scripture and declare it. The Bible is far more reliable than I am. It is risky, emotionally. And it is risky to be real about who I am including where I fail. I love what you said here. "It just means that we do as he taught us in his word and know what we believe as believers." That's the sticky point. I have to do what I say, before I say it, or I will not be believed. No saltiness. No tang. I want to be loved and accepted, but not without being tangy. And taste has to be experienced not just described. I have to live tangy not just talk tangy.
Beautiful words Becky! I think many of us feel this same way – I appreciate you putting it out on the table for conversation today. It definitely makes me think that I need to be more vocal about my thoughts!
Have a GREAT time with your sweet chicks this week!!
Thanks for the encouraging message Becki.
Michele
Becki what is th exact reference from 2 Tim? What version did you take this from? Thanks.