My Biggest Struggle as a Christian

I've been thinking lately about what my biggest struggle as a Christian is.  As basic as this sounds, I figure it might be forgiving others as well as myself.  It is nothing I am proud of by any means, but I think the first step to correcting the issue is recognizing what the issue actually is. 

I don't know that scritpure states we must forgive ourself, or maybe allow ourselves to be forgiven, but I think that if we don't forgive ourselves we can not truly forgive others or allow God to have complete control over our lives. 

There are so many things that I have done wrong in my life, some I have forgiven myself for and allowed myself to be forgiven for as well as learned the lesson and moved on.  There are many that I still need to allow myself to be forgiven for as well. 

I have many people whom I need to forgive.  It seems that as soon as I think I have truly forgiven the person for whatever it may have been but then the scene comes up again and I need to start all over again.  Sometimes it gets quite frustrating.  I feel that I take one step forward and two steps back at many times. 

There are quite a few people whom I need to ask forgiveness from.  That is not something I am good at, I was not taught to ask for forgiveness.  I was taught to apologize, but not to ask for forgiveness.  It is something of a relatively new concept to me that I am still trying to get myself in the habit of doing.  Although I am sure it will come with time. 

I know everyone has their struggles, but sometimes it's hard to remember that I'm not alone.  That others have struggles as well, no matter how well they can hide them, and that God is always with me, guiding me and teaching me what it is He has for me to learn.

Blessings in Christ,

 

Giving to God

One of my favorite radio stations to listen while at work started their spring pledge drive last Tuesday.  They are a Christian radio station and they have decided not to have sponsors advertise so that those sponsors cannot tell them what to speak of and what kind of music to play on their station.  They are listener supported, hence, the pledge drive. 

The DJs keep urging people to "give ".  To give "sacraficially", to give like little children -- giving in faith, comparing donating to their radio station to the story of the Good Samaritan in the Bible as well as the story when Jesus healed the 10 lepers and only 1 followed Him.  They continually said that God will bless those who give 10-fold.  They asked listeners to give in faith that God would take care of their needs while the DJs of the radio station would sit in front of their computers and monitor how much was being donated.  That didn't make sense to me...  

I'm sure some people think of this as part of their tithe. 

I got to wondering, for those who may be like me and not be a member of a church, or have a church that I attend regularly.  How do you give back to God?  I have in the past donated to food banks and considered that part of my tithe.  But recently I haven't found a cause which I feel led to give to.  Would a radio station be considered an acceptable way to give to God?  If not, how would you follow the command to give 10% back to God?  This is something I have struggled with knowing what to do on...

Blessings in Christ,

Easter

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter celebration tomorrow!  Such a wonderful thought to realize that those who believe are saved because of what was done for us. 

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Blessings in Christ,

 

Sharing God with Children

My younger cousins are starting to get older now, the oldest will be 5 in about 3 weeks.  She is mighty curious and always asking questions.  Not only does she ask the questions but she wants in depth answers, not just the short ones we sometimes give children.  For a year now she has asked about my veil, "what is it?", "why do you wear it?". 

My dilema is that I know her parents do not believe and have told me before "we are not religious".  How much do I tell her? 

In other subjects, her mom is quite open with her.  My cousin asked what cremation was and her mom answered it.  I wasn't about to be the one who told a 4 year old about cremation...luckily her mom was there! 

But anyway, I digress.  I have told her what it is called, a veil.  But I have side-stepped the question of why I wear it in the past.  If she were to ask me again in the future now I would tell her it is something I believe in.  But I know then there would be "why do you believe in it?". 

Do I tell her why, saying it's in the Bible...which will only bring more questions?  Or I do brush it off? 

I would also love to be able to take her to Church with me one Sunday, but obviously that is up to her parents and I do not see them agreeing to that at this point at least. 

I think if it were not my little cousin, I would have no problem answering her questions because I do it all the time anyway.  But I do not want to step on my family's toes. 

Blessings in Christ,

 

Prayer Request

I don't often have prayer requests, but this little girl could use all the prayers we can offer.

A friend's daughter was burned pretty badly last night.  She is at the closest children's hopsital which I am sure will do a wonderful job of treating her.  But we all know that God is the ultimate healer.  I am not sure the exact level of burns she received and I haven't heard anything today about how she's doing.  But, if you would, please pray for her and the family as well as for her doctors.  I know the family would appreciate all the prayers people can offer. 

Thank you.

Blessings in Christ,

Five Fingers of Prayer

I found this in "The Vendor", it does not say who originally wrote this, but I loved it and felt the need to share it with you!

1. Your thumb is nearest to you.  So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you, your family, your friends and your close associates.  They are the easiest to remember.  To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger.  Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal.  This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers.  They need support and wisdom in point others in the right direction.  Keep them in your prayers.  It is also better to pray for these people than to use this finger to point at them judgementally.  Yes, they make mistakes, but remember they are mere humans.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger.  It reminds us of our leaders.  Pray for the President, leaders in business and industry, and our administrators; these people shape our nation and guide public opinion.  They need God's guidance.  Sometimes it seems we live in days where nobody cares about God's leadership, but remember, even when people don't care, God is still in charge.

4. The fourth finger is next.  Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify.  It shoudl remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble, or in pain.  They need our prayers day and night.  You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our litle finger, the smallest finger of all.  Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others.  As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you."  Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.

By the time you have prayers for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective so that you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.  Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed in which to lie.

Blessings in Christ,

 

Sharing God's Word

Matthew 4:17-19:

And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

This is just one place in the Bible where we are told to go spread the word of Jesus and His teachings to others.  But to what extent?  Do we have to in order to enter heaven?

I do not feel like I have to verbally tell people about God.  I feel that the way I dress and act carries more weight than any words I could say.  That doesn't mean to say that if someone asks me a question I won't answer it.  Sure, I will give it by best to answer, but I will not walk up to someone and start a conversation about God and try to share The Word with them.  Maybe that is not the right way to do things, but to me, the best way to turn people towards God is not by talking to them but rather by showing them. 
Isn't the phrase "a picture is worth 1000 words"?  If I can live a Godly life, then I believe that will be more beneficial to others than all the words that I could say to them. 

Blessings in Christ,