Wednesday, October 31, 2012

How Can We Get Back to Galatians 1:10?

Howdy, my friends!!!  What a blessed morning it is here at our home.  Nothing spectacular in particular, but I'm just so thankful to be alive, healthy, in my home, spending the day with my son, and drinking in God's Word!


This morning I picked up my Bible off of the side table in the living room.  I had left it yesterday, opened to the first chapter of Galatians, in which I had re-read a bit of chapter 1 and was reflecting on verse 1:10.


For do I now persuade men, or God?  or do I seek to please men?  for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.  
Galatians 1:10 (KJV)


Upon reading this again on this beautiful fall morning, my mind turned immediately to the Amish.  Let's be honest, I am sure that most of us have thought of the Amish as "backwards" or "too old-fashioned" or "weird."  While I don't share this opinion (I'm sure when I was younger I thought they were a bit odd, though), it's very easy to fall into this mentality.


You see, we live IN the world, and when we live IN the world, we can become so tainted and not even know it!  I don't claim to be an expert of the Amish (or Mennonite) community, but I do know that they seem to adhere to not conforming to the pattern of this world (Romans 12:2).


What are WE doing as Christians to NOT conform to the pattern of this world?  While I'm not suggesting you sell all you own and go live in an Amish community, I challenge you as  Christian to re-examine your life, and to get into the Word daily.  This goes especially for me!  


As we get deeper into our relationship with the Lord, He will give us the answers.  He will convict our hearts and show us the right way.  We must take off the blinders (in the form of Facebook, TV, idleness--anything that takes too much time away from Him and doesn't let our mind rest-- for a while and rest in Him.  I promise you...He does speak to your heart if you open up to Him and listen!  And what a blessing that will be!


It's too easy to get trapped into doing what others are doing.  And it may not even be really that bad in our eyes.  Our friends may want to go do a particular activity, and we end up going...and it's something as simple as going to see a movie.  Deep inside, it's a movie that isn't really that bad, but yet we feel uncomfortable.  Have you ever felt that way?  Don't give in!  If you feel bad or wrong for participating, this could be God convicting your heart.  Listen!  Obey!  


It's also very easy to let our children participate in events or things that their friends are doing, because we are guilted into it.  But are we giving our children His best?


How about you?  Do you find it hard to live in this world as a follower of Christ?  Do you have any ideas on how to keep focused on Him and not on the things of this world?  Do you please man or God?  

You are Loved By Him,


Saturday, October 27, 2012

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Happy Birthday, Evan!!!

Today we celebrated Evan's 7th Birthday!!  Yesterday, we had his birthday party here at our house, and gathered with friends and family to celebrate and have fun.

We also had a bittersweet day of saying goodbye to Grandma Richey, Josh's grandmother, who went Home with Jesus today.  

Evan got to meet Grandma Richey for the first time almost three weeks ago.  She had battled cancer for over a decade, and at 85 years of age, little more could be done for her than to make her comfortable.  Josh helped his mother move her here to San Antonio just shy of three weeks ago, into a nursing home.  October 3rd, Evan got to meet her for the very first time after talking about her and praying for her often.  

Though Grandma was weak looking and could not walk and could only lie down in her bed, Evan didn't care.  He hugged and kissed her and laughed, smiled, spoke with her.  She would smile and just laugh at his silliness!  She didn't mind at all that he was sort of all over the place and excited. 

They talked about Curious George and the characters from the animated series that comes on PBS Kids.  There were plans made to watch the show together on our laptop, but that didn't happen.  There were plans to get her into the wheelchair and take her outdoors.  That will never happen.

But she is with Jesus, for this kind lady knew Jesus.  She is Home!   

Happy 7th Birthday, Evan!!!  We love you and are so very blessed to be your parents!

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Grandma Richey.  You will be missed!  Hug Jesus!