The Gospel--a video by Eric Ludy
This is what I am learning.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Straight Talk with AA
Cursing. Clubbing. Cleavage. Alcohol. Christian.
One of these things is not like the others...right? Well, according to what I'm seeing...I'm not so sure.
"Don't judge."
"Stop being so critical."
"That's legalism."
"I'm not weak in that area; it's not a stumbling block for me."
"The Bible doesn't say it's wrong."
May I ask...
Why are we bragging about the fine brand of alcohol we drank?
Why are we (ladies) taking seductive pictures of ourselves showing only what our husbands should see?
Why are we grinding in a mini skirt on Saturday and raising our hands in praise on Sunday?
Why are we using curse words with our reasoning being alleged relevance?
Why are we so caught up with ourselves and so stuck on proving how awesome and "FREE" our lives are? WAKE UP. This is bondage, folks, not freedom.
On the altar of "artsy," "cool," "intellectual," and just plain "it doesn't matter" we are sacrificing the freedom for which Christ died.
Read this:
Wow. This scripture hit me. Bam. No, legalism is not the answer...CHRIST is. And if we are living a Holy Spirit-led life, our freedom is CHRIST, not alcoholic consumption. It's the motive that matters. Where is your heart, dear reader? May we look at everything in our lives and analyze it not on the basis of, "Is this okay?" but "Will this glorify the sweet Savior?" And analysis isn't even always the answer. Many times, I have no clue what to do, but I am learning to surrender to the Holy Spirit. Do I mess up? Oh, yeah. But He is here, and I am so completely humbled. Oh, may we not mock Him or put Him in a box.
Oh, let us be consumed by Him. And then...perhaps all this other stuff wouldn't be such a big deal, because we'd be too busy about His will and Kindom work to worry about making our selfish, sinful lives look polished and Christian.
On a personal note:
I write this because I love the body of Christ and want us to live a full life in Christ, not because I think I have it "all together." I know I don't.
Prayer Request:
We all have issues, right? I do. But what if you have young lives looking to you for answers and stability? Then what? Well, then you look to YOUR stability, and ultimately their stability. His name is Jesus. Every morning I remind myself why I'm here, and surrender it to Jesus. Do I do it perfectly? No way. But I do love my students with a real love that I pray points them continually to the true Love, Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your prayers.
with love, AA
One of these things is not like the others...right? Well, according to what I'm seeing...I'm not so sure.
"Don't judge."
"Stop being so critical."
"That's legalism."
"I'm not weak in that area; it's not a stumbling block for me."
"The Bible doesn't say it's wrong."
May I ask...
Why are we bragging about the fine brand of alcohol we drank?
Why are we (ladies) taking seductive pictures of ourselves showing only what our husbands should see?
Why are we grinding in a mini skirt on Saturday and raising our hands in praise on Sunday?
Why are we using curse words with our reasoning being alleged relevance?
Why are we so caught up with ourselves and so stuck on proving how awesome and "FREE" our lives are? WAKE UP. This is bondage, folks, not freedom.
On the altar of "artsy," "cool," "intellectual," and just plain "it doesn't matter" we are sacrificing the freedom for which Christ died.
Read this:
13 "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[a] 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[b] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 2021[c] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:13-26
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[b] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 2021[c] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:13-26
Wow. This scripture hit me. Bam. No, legalism is not the answer...CHRIST is. And if we are living a Holy Spirit-led life, our freedom is CHRIST, not alcoholic consumption. It's the motive that matters. Where is your heart, dear reader? May we look at everything in our lives and analyze it not on the basis of, "Is this okay?" but "Will this glorify the sweet Savior?" And analysis isn't even always the answer. Many times, I have no clue what to do, but I am learning to surrender to the Holy Spirit. Do I mess up? Oh, yeah. But He is here, and I am so completely humbled. Oh, may we not mock Him or put Him in a box.
Oh, let us be consumed by Him. And then...perhaps all this other stuff wouldn't be such a big deal, because we'd be too busy about His will and Kindom work to worry about making our selfish, sinful lives look polished and Christian.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1
On a personal note:
I write this because I love the body of Christ and want us to live a full life in Christ, not because I think I have it "all together." I know I don't.
Prayer Request:
We all have issues, right? I do. But what if you have young lives looking to you for answers and stability? Then what? Well, then you look to YOUR stability, and ultimately their stability. His name is Jesus. Every morning I remind myself why I'm here, and surrender it to Jesus. Do I do it perfectly? No way. But I do love my students with a real love that I pray points them continually to the true Love, Jesus Christ.
Thank you for your prayers.
with love, AA
Thursday, September 1, 2011
"Fight the frump!"
There was a time in my life when I was a cutesy college gal, leaning on my handsome, godly beau. There was a time I could wear whatever I wanted, and I was told every day how cute I was.
Now I am a teacher, wearing skirts past the knees with professional tops, hair pulled back, no bright nailpolish, no hippie sling bag, no TOMS, or green chucks. My job is marvelous, but in this role I have struggled in my personal life. Who am I? Me. I used to think about myself a lot, and desired for people to cater to my plans and whims. The gentlemen at Bryan College were great about getting the doors, carrying things, etc...my brothers and dad, too. But now I am the carrier, the door opener, the one people depend on. And I love it and am thankful for it, however, sometimes I forget that I am still a young woman, and that I shouldn't despise my femininity, but, like everything else, offer it back to Christ, for His glory.
Today I heard these statements:
"Miss, I thought I saw you last night...but the girl who looked just like you was with four guys, so I knew it couldn't be you."
(During a girls dress code/modesty chat)
"My mom said that she wants to dress like you, but that my dad would hate it."
Am I an utter frump?! AH! Internally I scream and want to curl up and hide away. No. So, here is a letter to me from me:
Dear Audrey Ann,
You need to let it go. Don't be afraid anymore. Weight and wardrobe do not define you, and besides, you can alter those as needed. It's for Prince Jesus. Everything. All of it. Breathe, girl.
My sister, Abby, always says, "Fight the frump!" We can be stylish and modest. The focus must be Christ. If I get caught up in all the legalities, I become no better than the pharisees. May I wear clothing that I wouldn't be ashamed to meet Him in, because He's with me, anyway. And I can always lean on Him, cutesy or not. Hallelujah.
Now I am a teacher, wearing skirts past the knees with professional tops, hair pulled back, no bright nailpolish, no hippie sling bag, no TOMS, or green chucks. My job is marvelous, but in this role I have struggled in my personal life. Who am I? Me. I used to think about myself a lot, and desired for people to cater to my plans and whims. The gentlemen at Bryan College were great about getting the doors, carrying things, etc...my brothers and dad, too. But now I am the carrier, the door opener, the one people depend on. And I love it and am thankful for it, however, sometimes I forget that I am still a young woman, and that I shouldn't despise my femininity, but, like everything else, offer it back to Christ, for His glory.
Today I heard these statements:
"Miss, I thought I saw you last night...but the girl who looked just like you was with four guys, so I knew it couldn't be you."
(During a girls dress code/modesty chat)
"My mom said that she wants to dress like you, but that my dad would hate it."
Am I an utter frump?! AH! Internally I scream and want to curl up and hide away. No. So, here is a letter to me from me:
Dear Audrey Ann,
You need to let it go. Don't be afraid anymore. Weight and wardrobe do not define you, and besides, you can alter those as needed. It's for Prince Jesus. Everything. All of it. Breathe, girl.
My sister, Abby, always says, "Fight the frump!" We can be stylish and modest. The focus must be Christ. If I get caught up in all the legalities, I become no better than the pharisees. May I wear clothing that I wouldn't be ashamed to meet Him in, because He's with me, anyway. And I can always lean on Him, cutesy or not. Hallelujah.
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