I know it has been FOREVER since I posted last. I didn't want to be a blogger that went days without writing anything, but I guess I have become one :) When I first started blogging, several things came to mind, but I haven't had any of those "thoughts" lately. I am sharing my testimony at church in a couple of weeks, and I have been praying a lot about it. It is so out of my element to stand up in front of a crowd and talk about myself and life, but I know the Lord has led me to do it. I feel good about it, but I am nervous. I just want to get my point across, and above all, I want to give Him the glory.
I am encouraged in the smallest of ways and last night, I was encouraged by something that was said on TV! I enjoy TV, probably because during the day I am unable to watch anything that doesn't involve singing the ABCs, Cedarmont Kids, or Elmo :) I refer to the shows I enjoy as "my shows" and I have one on every night but Friday! I record them and watch them usually much later than they actually air, but it is still one of my favorite past times. Anyway, last night, I was watching Dancing with the Stars, and Sherri Shepherd was voted off. I don't know much about her, but I have read that she is a Christian. I have read a lot of other questionable things about her, but I have to remember that our Lord is the Lord of second chances and I believe that with all my heart! She speaks publicly as her growth as a Christian and definitely seems to be a very positive person. It was very obvious that she was broken about being voted off of the show. She really did a good job so I was a bit surprised. After they announced her as the one who was leaving, she said something that really stuck out to me.... she said something like this....
"The thing that scares you the most and makes you say, "I don't know if I can do it" or "I'm scared," run toward it in full force because it is so amazing on the other side.
We all have things that scare us, and it definitely isn't easy to face your fears, much less run toward them. How many times have you done something that you never thought you could? It makes you feel very good! When she said what she did, I thought about my testimony because it is something that definitely scares me, but because I know I am being led to do it, I am ok. I also thought about sharing my faith to others. That scares me too even though when I think about it really hard, that is so dumb! I'm sure it is because of the fear of rejection or not having the right words to say. I am sure most of you can also agree. However, like Sherri said, we must run toward these opportunities. In fact, they may be our last opportunity to share the Lord with others. I have been very burdened about this lately and all I can think about is how people that I love and care about may be in hell one day because I didn't share the Lord with them. Yes, it is one thing to live a life glorifying God and that is very important, but it is a completely different thing to have a conversation with someone about it.
Two other things definitely go together with this discussion. Your testimony and daily life must reflect that which you are trying to share with someone. If you are a person who lives differently during the week than on Sunday, someone who gossips or curses, someone who disrespects their parents, someone who continually has ailments and complaints, someone who worries (I struggle with this, but I need to show others that I have faith!).....then, someone may not want what you have. I wouldn't! No one is perfect, but we must strive for our lives to be the a bible for others to read. This is very important so I encourage us all to think about this the next time you make plans for the weekend or simply get frustrated in the line of a store or if someone doesn't drive fast enough after the light turns green. Anyone could be watching. This refers to the following verses:
1 Corinithians 8:9, "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak."
Luke 17:1-4, He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come ! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be on your guard ! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. "And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him."
Wow, how about that? It's obvious that God takes this seriously. Have you been a stumbling block....everyone has at one point, but it should be our goal as Christians not to be. It isn't easy, but a command. Timmy and I were just talking about this the other day. I don't drink and I absolutely despise cursing and movies that include nasty talking. Regarding drinking, I don't judge those that do because I realize it is a personal conviction, but if I were to drink, I know I could be a stumbling block to others. This is besides the fact that nothing good comes from it....in my opinion. If you think about that statement enough, you would also agree with me. Same thing with bad movies.....If it is a movie (or anything for that matter) that you wouldn't want Jesus to be sitting next to you during, you probably shouldn't be watching it, no matter how popular it is. I am not writing this to degrade anyone or make someone feel bad. I am just as much speaking to myself because I struggle with these things every day. I was just recently reminded how I need to take this more seriously in my life. I also want to encourage others to be burdened to live a life for Christ. Yes, we will always have times that we fail, but God knows your intentions and He will see and bless your efforts.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Ponder these thoughts as you finish it out. Let's take a stand for what is right and have personal revivals on our lips and in our hearts.
Alana, loved these blogs, enjoyed them so much. I agree with the cursing and bad movies, my personal feelings are that I wish there were a law agianst them. I am a worrier, I wish I wern't. I loved the one about your dad, I grew up with him, I know that he loved you and would be very proud of you. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDelete