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How Do You Measure Your Worth

Posted on July 5, 2009 by auburnchick

This morning, I watched the men’s Wimbledon finals.  Did you happen to catch it?  If not, you missed one of the most amazing finals match ever!

Roger Federer and Andy Roddick went at it for over four hours!  Back and forth they went.  I’ll admit that I was surprised that Roddick played so well, forcing the match into a fifth set.  The rules state that there is no tie breaker in the fifth set, so the duo played…and played…and played.  The fifth set lasted longer than the women’s final match!

In the end, Federer won, putting a 16-14 end to the final set.

My heart broke as the camera zoomed in on Roddick’s face during the trophy ceremony.  His eyes were bloodshot…tears already spilled and more to come.  Disappointment was etched on his young face.

My heart hurt for him.

If you’ve never watched one of these finals, you should know that each player is interviewed on the court during the awards presentation.  Roddick spoke first…commenting on how much he wants his name on the wall (referring to a wall that is home to all of the names of Wimbledon champions).  You could see that this is one of his greatest desires.

In his moment of loss, he seemed to have forgotten how far he had already traveled.

I’ve thought about those sad eyes throughout the afternoon, and I can’t help but wonder why so many people measure their worth by the world’s standards.

So many seek after THE trophy…THE championship…THE perfect GPA…THE prestigious job title.

Why do we hinge our worth on the attainment of temporary things?

Sure, I know…it can feel like validation for a job well done. As the mom of a competitive soccer player, I am fully aware of the time and sacrifice an athlete puts into the game.

But what happens when you don’t reach your goal?  Does that mean that you didn’t try your hardest?  Does it mean you’re a failure or that you’re worth less than the ones who got what they wanted?

I wish I could tell Andy Roddick that he is a child of God, created in His image.  He doesn’t need his name etched on a wall to be considered a champion.  He used his talent to the best of his ability and, in doing so, brought glory to God.

Most of us will never be famous, rich, or “in charge.”  However, if we have repented of our sins, acknowledged Christ’s redemptive work on the cross, and walked with the Lord, in the end we will hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I don’t know about you, but this is how I measure my worth.

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What About the “Ordinary” People

Posted on June 26, 2009 by auburnchick

This has been an active week for the media, hasn’t it?  First, we learned about the break-up of Jon and Kate.  As the week progressed, we were saddened to hear about the passing of Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson.

The media coverage has been incredible…not at all unexpected, though.  This seems to be the norm.

Yes, I’m saddened by this week’s events.  My heart hurts for Jon and Kate, as it does for any couple going through a divorce (I ran into a friend this week who told me she and her husband were separated), and I can’t help but be concerned for the family and friends of those who passed away.

And yet, there’s a part of me that is frustrated.

This post means no disrespect to any person in particular…just to get that out of the way.  You know how I am.  I am a compassionate person.  I genuinely hurt when I hear of others’ trials.

However, I tend to be practical.

What I don’t understand is why we are infatuated with famous people.  Why do their ups and downs make the news…and stay in the news?  Entire broadcasts are devoted to such events, and the public watches.

I am concerned with the way the public elevates these people…even to the point of worship.

And yet, you don’t often hear about your average Joe or Sue.  Joe might not be famous, but maybe he spends one weekend a month making sandwiches for the homeless.  Maybe he is a simple man. living a quiet existence, helping out wherever he sees a need.

What about Sue, a woman who stays home, volunteers in her church and childrens’ schools and remains devoted to her husband throughout her life.  Maybe you know a Sue who struggles to balance the demands of a family and a job, or maybe Sue is a single, unemployed woman who does all she can just to get through each day.

Sure, these people may not do anything spectacular…according to the world’s standards.  They may not invent new dance moves, sing a song that people know word-for-word, or, basically, live their lives in front of the cameras.  But still, they make a difference to those around them.  Their lives touch other non-famous people’s lives.

How do we decide that certain people are more news-worthy and allow the ordinary people to remain obscure, scarcely getting mention when they stay married, separate, or pass on?

I guess I’m feeling a bit disillusioned.  I’ll admit…I’ve sometimes gotten caught up in the frenzy.  I remember when Princess Diana died.  My eyes were glued to the television for weeks, and an overwhelming sadness enveloped my heart.

But, even during that time, I wondered, as I did yesterday after hearing about MJ and FF’s passings…did they walk with God?

Am I the only person wondering this?  Am I the only person who, upon hearing about the passing of a person asks myself this question?

Because, people, this is the only thing that really matters in the end.

Does it really matter what famous and “ordinary” people do in their lives if, at the end, they didn’t have a relationship with the Lord?

As I watched the news this morning, I kept hearing about the “spirituality” of one of the people who passed away.

Ugh.  I cannot stand that word.  It can be all-encompassing and inclusive.  Ultimately, it is actually exclusive if it doesn’t refer to the One and Only God of the Universe.

I’m sorry.  I know I stepped onto my soapbox today.  I certainly haven’t meant to sound preachy.  I guess I just get frustrated because I think we tend to get our priorities way out of whack.  What the world considers important is not important to God.

Will I watch special tributes on TV?  Probably not, although I will remember Michael Jackson’s dance moves as I am a child of the 80’s and grew up trying to figure out how to do the moonwalk.

Frankly, I choose to quietly celebrate the lives of those I know…the mom who has a disabled child and defied the doctors’ advice to abort.  Her faith in God is strong, and she and her family live out this faith daily.  I will celebrate the life of a woman who followed God’s command to help those persecuted avoid detection…risking her own life in the process (this was Corrie ten Boom). After being miraculously freed from a concentration camp, Corrie ten Boom founded a home for others, like her, who had been held against their will and needed a place to heal.  She even had the opportunity to meet one of her tormentors face-to-face and forgave him on the spot.  What an inspiration to me!

In my opinion, these are the real celebrities.

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Evolution of a Housewife

Posted on June 22, 2009 by auburnchick

Being unemployed this summer has been an interesting experience.

Oh, to be sure, I’m totally enjoying staying up late and sleeping in, although the flip side is that I have no idea how I’m going to pay some of my bills this month.

But, other than my sleep patterns and income changing, another strange thing is happening lately.

I find myself actually, gulp, enjoying housework!

I’ve been thinking about this lately and wondered how it happened.

The Mr. and I have been married almost 20 years.  I don’t remember especially liking housework at the start of our marriage.  I had to work full-time from the get-go…supporting us while he finished school and job-hunted after.

We decided to start our family early in the game, so working full-time and being a mom definitely did not contribute any love towards chores.  The Mr. and I made a deal when Rooster was born.  If I changed all of the diapers, the Mr. would cook.

You’d have to be a dummy not to, in the words of an enthusiastic Deal or No Deal audience, “Take the deal!”

I still had to clean up after…a chore I loathed after bathing children and getting them ready for bed.

Even after I started staying home full-time, I don’t recall a time when I “enjoyed” housework.  Maybe it was because I could never seem to get caught up.  Maybe it was because I never had help.

As the kids have gotten older, they’ve been able (and expected) to contribute.  They do everything from washing dishes to laundering their own clothes.  They scrub their tub, scoop dog poop, and iron clothes.

When I enrolled in college courses, I found myself with less time to clean the house, and the kids picked up the load exponentially.

In the process, I grew a wee bit lazy.

The yard and house went to pot because, although the kids tried, they were cutting corners.

The last couple of months, things have slowly changed.

The kids’ schedules have picked up substantially.  They are often out of the house…spending a lot of time with the church’s youth group, attending school functions (the last month of school), and basically just being teens.

The week they were gone to camp, I had to do everything.  You remember my “done” lists.

As I typed those lists, something began growing in my heart.  It was pride in a job well-done.  My yard, although not green and certainly not weed-free, is properly “groomed,” so-to-speak.  The house is dusted, vacuumed, and sort-of neat.  Not that it would pass the white glove test, but it’s so much better than it was.

Somehow, through the last work-free month, I’ve begun to enjoy the responsibilities entrusted to me.

I can’t help but wonder if it’s God working this inside of my heart.

I have, after all, been reading some fantastic blogs…True Woman and girltalk.  These blogs talk about Biblical womanhood.  They stress that women are to live their lives in a way to goes in the opposite direction of what the world puts out there.  We are to be our husbands’ helpers…an image that the media portrays as old-fashioned.  This post really plucked my heart and has given me pause.  I encourage you to take a few minutes to read it.  This link will take you to a series on Biblical womanhood on the same blog.

I’ve been convicted about the way I have often treated the Mr.  I’ve had hissy-fits…frustrated that he doesn’t help.  And, to be fair, he probably should a wee bit more than he does.  But it’s not right of me to insist on my way or else.  I shouldn’t be complaining about being asked to help him.  I’ve often looked at his requests as laziness on his part…something I just have no tolerance for.

And yet, God calls me to be the Mr.’s helper.  That was a vow I made when I said, “I do.”  Rather than feel resentful, I should be thankful that God has given me such wonderful opportunities to serve.  Serving my family models the way we are to serve God and imitates the ultimate model of servitude…Christ’s service to sinners.  Remember the story of Him washing His disciples’ feet?

Yeah.  Humbling and convicting.

True change comes about slowly…especially when you are the stubborn student that I am.  Onward I plod…one precept at a time…

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

Ups and Downs

Posted on June 16, 2009 by auburnchick

The last couple of days have been full of ups and downs.

I’ve been very stressed because I just discovered that my last two unemployment payments were not put in my account.  Apparently the fact that my substitute teacher jobs have stopped for the summer put a red flag on my claim, and the powers-that-be are “reviewing” my case.  Sure would have liked to know that a month ago!

Meanwhile, I’d been happily playing house, keeping my eyes open for a job, under the assumption that I would still be receiving help with my bills.

Until I checked my bank account.

Crunch time.

I’ve revamped my resume and upped my efforts to find something.  It’s extremely frustrating because I do not want to accept a job that I might have to quit if I am blessed to find a teaching position.  I’m loyal in that way.  However, there is no guarantee that I’ll find a teaching job.

In addition, the kids and I have been arguing fiercely…over typical teenage issues.

I need my life to be organized.  Anyone who has ever seen my workspace knows that I thrive in an ordered environment.

This morning, before I got out of bed, I cried out to the Lord for help.  Lately, I have felt very convicted about the way I’ve handled money in the past.  The Mr. and I have not exactly been role models for frugal living.  We’re paying the price now.

Confessing this sin before God, I pleaded for His forgiveness and His guidance.

God is so GOOD!

He is so FAITHFUL!

In my mail today, I received two unexpected items.  One of them was a pay stub from my school district.  When I saw it, I couldn’t help but wonder why they were sending me something that had $0.00 on it.  What a waste of paper.

I opened it and discovered a nice little sum typed into the last box…my final wages for the school year…totally unexpected.  I thought I had already received my last check.

I was on the phone with a friend when I opened it, and my voice choked up as I told her what I was looking at.

Wow!

God’s graciousness did not end there.

I spied a brown padded envelope.  The sender was Rebecca, my blogging buddy.

I don’t remember what led me to start reading her blog.  Maybe I googled Christian blogs.  It only took one reading before I was hooked.  Her posts are heart-felt, joyous, and alive with energy.  We quickly became friends, commenting frequently on each other’s posts.

She took me up on my recent devotional book giveaway.  She will be using it as a resource for the teens she mentors at her church’s youth group.  A couple of days ago, she sent me an email letting me know that the money for shipping (the only money I had requested) was on the way.

So, although I wasn’t suprised to see her name on the return address, my interest was piqued because…who mails money in a large padded envelope?

I eagerly tore into it and exclaimed in joy as I pulled out this…

Happy Feet - Color 15

I immediately envisioned footies!!!  And my favorite color too…blue!!!

I quickly wound it up…

Her’s was a simple gesture that brought a huge smile to my face.  The words inside the card brought more tears to my eyes.

People can poo-poo technology and all of the bad stuff it’s brought.  For me, the world has become a much smaller place.  Homebodies like myself need to be able to reach out and connect with others in whatever way possible.

Now, I realize that God did not solve all of my problems today.  But He did make His presence known in a very tangible manner.

These weren’t coincidences.

God, my loving Father, knew that I needed something to fuel hope in my heart.  I feel rejuvinated.  I feel like I matter…I’m not just one out of the billions of people in this world.  He loves me enough to say, “Hello, AuburnChick.  I see you, and here’s a hug to let you know that you are not alone.”

God is so GOOD!

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

A Week Without the Kids

Posted on June 8, 2009 by auburnchick

I’m in a bit of a fog today.

It could be due to the fact that I just saw the kids off at the church…bright and early this morning.  They are headed to camp and won’t return until Sunday evening.  Because they are “leaders,” they had the privilege leaving two days early for a side trip to a lake.  They worked hard last week and deserve it.

Watching them pack during the last couple of days made me a little sad.  More so because I know that next summer, Chicky will be packing for a trip that will last for much longer than a week.

Ahhh, but the look of eagerness in their eyes far overshadowed my sadness.  They were almost bouncing in their seats as we drove the short distance to the church.

I delayed leaving them but finally asked each of them for one last hug.  Chicky grudgingly obliged.

And then I left, looking back to see Rooster’s big bag of Funyuns sitting by the curb, waiting to accompany him to his seat on the bus.  The Funyuns are a tradition.  I always buy a bag of snack-bagged Funyuns for his trips so that he can share with the others.  Everyone has come to expect them.

Still, my heart was a wee bit heavy.  I don’t know why, but even though the kids are older now, and they’ve been away from home several times, I still feel sad when they aren’t near.  It’s not a control issue, although Chicky thinks it is.

Nope.  There’s simply a contentment when your loved ones are under the same roof.

When I got home, the Mr. was still asleep.  I played around on the computer for a bit and decided to go back to bed as well.  Might as well make the most of the quiet!

Now I’m up again and trying to decide what to do with myself.

I don’t know what I’m going to do this week, but you can be sure that I will be knitting.  Look at my latest project, started a couple of evenings ago…

Leyburn Socks

Leyburn Socks

I’m using this yarn…purchased recently…

Rio de la Plata

Rio de la Plata

My goal:  to finish this pair before they come home.

Lofty?

Perhaps.

I’ve also going to work in the yard, watering my flowers faithfully.  I wonder how much taller my sunflowers will be when the kids get home.  They, like the kids, seem to grow a little every day.  Here’s their progress so far:

It should be a good week…for all of us.

I will be praying that God will use this time to draw us all nearer to Him.  I know that I am often guilty of focusing on the tangible things in my life…people and material items…rather than keeping God at the center of my attention.

Edited to add:  Today’s Revive Our Hearts program dealt with just this issue!  Here’s the link for the website.  Or, click the link below to download the audio version (you’ll be hooked after listening to Nancy Leigh DeMoss):

Revive Our Hearts: God Comes First

I am praying that the kids will grow in their desire to have a deep fellowship with God.  When they eventually leave home for the last time, He is the one possession I want them to carry with them throughout the lives, whereever they may venture off to.

Filed under: children, Christian, Knitting | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

Anybody Want a Book?

Posted on June 4, 2009 by auburnchick

The kids and I recently started using a new book for devotions.  As a result, I have two books just sitting around my house…unused.

We only went through about half of the Total Devotion book.  We stopped using it because it is geared toward younger children, and my children were beyond the lessons.

We thoroughly enjoyed Daily Grace for Teens.

Both books are in terrific condition.  The only thing I did was write the dates that we read each devotion at the top of each page.  That was to help me keep my place.

The books are free for the taking…first-come, first-served.  The only thing I ask is that you pay the shipping, which can be done media mail to save the most money.

It’s a small investment with big dividends…time with your children learning life-lessons.

If interested, just post a comment, and I’ll send you an email.

Filed under: children, Christian | Tagged: , , , | 4 Comments »

Gardening, the AuburnChick Way

Posted on June 2, 2009 by auburnchick

And before you say anything, no, I’m not so addicted to my computer that I feel the need to take it everywhere with me.

Yesterday evening, I innocently went outside to water my flowers.  However, I got distracted (go figure) by the weeds in the yard.  So, I sat down to pull a few.

Pulling weeds is a bit like eating potato chips.  You can’t stop at one.

When I realized that I would be there for a while, I decided to get the computer and listen to Revive Our Hearts.  I’m catching up on last week’s broadcasts.

I’m so glad I didn’t skip them because she’s been talking with Randy Alcorn.  He began Eternal Perspective Ministries, which focuses on the message that Christians are to be focused on our eternal home.  Everything we do should be geared toward furthering God’s Word.  He stresses that there is joy in giving…whether it is financially or in some other manner.  He challenges us to ascribe to the fact that this is not our home.  We’re here temporarily, but we should be laying up treasures in heaven.

I encourage you to listen to this broadcast from Revive Our Hearts.  My jaw literally dropped.  His personal testimony is an incredible witness to how God provides…in the most dire of circumstances.  His financial principles are Biblically-based and are quite contrary to the things the world puts emphasis on.

It was good listening and kept my thoughts off of the mundane task of pulling weeds.

Afterward, I went around watering my new plants.  They are coming along nicely.  Look at my up-and-coming sunflowers:

I’m sparing you photos of the other flower beds.  Trust me…the sunflowers are progressing along nicely there as well.

I never realized that plants like water so much!!

Maybe that’s why I’ve been so unsuccessful in my previous attempts at gardening!

Filed under: Christian, This-n-That | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a comment »

Overcoming Obstacles

Posted on May 31, 2009 by auburnchick

I strongly encourage you to watch the following video:

This inspirational young man is Nick Vujicic.  He is a follower of Christ and is quick to give God the glory for the opportunities he’s had to share his testimony to others despite (and because of) his physical challenges.

We watched this video at church this morning.  It was used to illustrate the point that no matter what life throws at us, we can find our hope in God.

I felt a sense of shame at the way I allow myself to be brought down by various things in my life…nothing near as dramatic as what this young man has had to deal with.

I also felt inspired as I watched him get back up…with much effort…to stand up proudly.   I’m sure there were times when he didn’t have the will to do anything.  He could have easily given up and allowed others to do things for him.

But, leaning on God’s strength, Nick persevered, grew stronger and more daring, and laughed in life’s face as he cleared each hurdle.

Truly inspiring.

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Serving Others

Posted on May 24, 2009 by auburnchick

We had a fabulous message, given by our youth pastor, at church this morning.

His message was about serving others.  The text for his message came from John 13:1-17…

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.[a]

2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

The pastor told stories of the ways that people in the church have and are currently serving.  My heart was especially touched when he spoke of the many times the youth have worked on service projects.  Rooster spent a good portion of last summer volunteering for such activities.

The congregation was challenged to serve when it sees a need and not not to wait for someone else to do it.  That’s what Jesus did when He washed the disciples’ feet.  The washing of the feet was a chore relegated to the lowest servant in a household.  If anything, it should have been Jesus who reclined back and got the royal treatment, yet He humbled himself to take care of others.  His was a selfless act…a precursor to what was to come.

As I reflected on the message while driving home, I thought about those in my life who serve so generously.  My online friends, Nancy and Rebecca were the first to come to mind.

Nancy knits endlessly for charity.  I have often been humbled by her generosity and realize that my itsy-bitsy contributions pale in comparison to her’s.  Rebecca works tirelessly with the youth in her church.  When you see the pictures she posts on her blog of some of their get-togethers, you’ll notice that she always has a smile on her face, as do the kids around her.

These two ladies serve as wonderful examples for me.  How much more can I give of myself?  How can I stretch myself?  Am I willing to open up my arms to embrace those in need around me?

God has blessed me beyond what I deserve.  It’s only fitting that I share what He has given.  You never know…perhaps a heart will be touched and another life will be joined with Christ’s.

The following is one of the songs we sang today.  The title is “How Great is Our God.”  Every time I hear it, my heart swells with love and appreciation for Who God is.  He is more than I can ever put into words.  He is everything.  I owe Him everything but can pay back nothing.  Perhaps in giving to others, I can at least say thank you.


VERSE(1):
The splendor of a King,
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

VERSE(2):
Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

CHORUS(2)
Name above all names
You are Worthy of all praise
and My heart will sing how great
Is our God
(x2)

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , , , | 3 Comments »

What Do You Really Believe?

Posted on May 11, 2009 by auburnchick

I’ve been playing catch-up with my email.  I mean, I receive mail on my phone thanks to the handy-dandy data plan I pay an arm and a leg for but of which I was fully appreciative of this past weekend as I used the GPS to navigate around Jacksonville.  So, I’m not really missing out on important messages.

Because I’m not working today, I thought it would be a good idea to take a peek at the inbox on my computer.  I’ve put off reading a few things, including reminders for bills.

Yeah, I know…I’m just delaying the inevitable, but hey, it’s fun to live in ignorance for a while.

Anyhow, I had quite a few Way of the Master newsletters to read.  I prefer to read these on the computer because videos are always embedded in them…videos I do not want to miss.  I sometimes share them on my blog.

Today I watched a very poignant video.  It’s one that we can all identify with.  First, some background, and then the good stuff.

When I moved to north Florida from, as I like to call it, “Little New York,” (i.e. south Florida), I could hardly contain my excitement.  I knew that I would finally be surrounded by other active Christians.  When we looked at houses, I was touched by the crosses and Bibles clearly visible.

Over the last six years since we’ve moved back, I’ve discovered that there are just as many lost people here as there were down south.

Huh?

Oh, a lot more people attend church regularly here.  I mean, this is the Bible Belt.  BUT, merely attending church does not mean that one is a follower of Christ (as my Wednesday night Bible study leader is fond of calling Christians).  As I’ve had conversations with people, I’ve learned not to assume that they understand exactly what being “saved” entails.

Following Jesus means first recognizing yourself in need of a Savior.  It’s a humbling experience as you discover your status as a sinner, condemned to Hell.  But what a wonderful first step!  And then to understand that someone already paid the price for your sins!

Wow!

But a warning should be inserted here.  This decision should not come as the culmination of some emotional frenzy experienced at a revival or whatnot.  You have to understand the decision you’re making.

Last Wednesday night, my Bible study leader shared how, at the tender age of 18, as a new arrival at college and away from a Jewish home where organized religion was not practiced, she began attending church and started examining her heart, giving serious consideration to the life change she was about to make.

Huh?  As I sat there, my jaw slowly dropped open, and my eyes grew wide.  That an 18 year old would be so mature as to do that kind of thinking.  I was not that mature at that age.

As we studied Luke 14, we read a parable about a builder taking into account the cost to erect a tower, and a king understanding the foe he was about to do battle with and the cost to his troops.

My leader’s testimony gave me pause.  What about my own “conversion.”  Was it real?  I’m not so sure, but I do know that in the time since then (especially in the last few years), my relationship with God has deepened, and I have, in fact, had a real conversion…one not based on emotion but one of humbleness, gratefulness, and purpose.

Take a look at this video.  Does it sound like you?  Do you encounter people like this?  How do you handle it?

Filed under: Christian | Tagged: , , | Leave a comment »

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