Reminders from a 14 (almost 15) year old.

I knew this day would come. I just didn’t expect it so soon.  The day where my teenage daughter would render me speechless.  Over the last several days we have had opportunity for some great conversation. Chunks of time spent simply chatting about anything and everything under the sun.

Part of our conversation has been about purity. It stemmed from some discussion about social media and the crazy stuff girls post there. I will admit I came into the conversation with my “mom” answers and opinions. All are based on what I feel like God has clearly stated in the Bible and some are personal convictions. Yes, I know “social media” is not mentioned in the Bible but gossip, slander, sexual sin? Those are and those things?  Well….sometimes social media is a breeding ground for those things.

During our conversation on keeping our hearts, minds and bodies pure, this child drops a concept on me that caused me to question who the adult was.  Her comment was this:

“Mom, I need to check my notes but at D-Now, one of the speakers taught us that purity is not a place we just arrive at. Purity is a direction.”

Purity is a direction.

Oh mercy. My heart skipped a few beats and I got excited because that statement opened the door for some of THE best conversation we have had on this topic.  For the sake of my memory, and the simple fact I have another child a year away from the teen years….I’m jotting down some of the things we said. AND because I love a list as much as my husband loves a spreadsheet….I making a list!

1.       Purity is a direction.

2.       According to Andy Stanley in The Principle of the Path, “Direction-not intention-determines our destination.”

3.       Often times, purity is a second by second choice to put one foot in front of the other and FLEE, or RUN FOR YOUR LIFE from things that do not line up with Philippians 4:8. (Things that are: true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, worthy of praise)

4.       Purity is more than NOT having sex. (Oh mercy…if you know me you know this is where I pick up a pillow and hide. This involves MANY banned words in my vocabulary!) God’s idea of purity includes our minds, our words, our thoughts, as well as our actions. And once again, the child spoke a word even grown adults need to hear. “Posting your have naked pictures on Facebook or Instagram with a seductive body position and look on your face is something my guy friends and my dad do NOT need to see. Put some clothes on.”  Biblically speaking she means...do NOT be a stumbling block.

5.       Contrary to what our peers may believe or say, God is FOR good sex. (Here we go again.) Good sex…well that happens when a man and woman have committed to each other and to God.  Anything happening outside those boundaries is NOT good.  It’s like craving Mexican food. You have a choice. Go for the instant gratification of the Taco Bell which is across the street OR, you could wait and drive 15-20 minutes and have On the Border or Aubella’s!  There really is no comparison.  Taco Bell is a cheap imitation of the good stuff!

 

6.       People who tell you choosing a life of purity is easy, are liars.  This is NOT easy! Especially in today’s world where we are given entire TV series based on scandals, mistresses, and “pretty” liars as entertainment options. In my opinion, we are no longer shocked. Nothing seems to make us blush.  THAT concerns me. 

 

      God’s word tell us in Luke 6:45 that “for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” What we allow IN is what will take root and eventually come OUT.  Thus the reason we line it all up with Philippians 4:8. (P4-8 it all) Proverbs 4:23 says we are to, “Keep your heart will all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” 

 

      I must say here that ALL of us make mistakes.  We ALL have compromised in the area of purity at some point in our life.  As we said earlier, purity is more than NOT having sex.  It's our thought life, our actions, our words..... One of the most amazing thing about God is that He is READY and WILLING to forgive.  All we have to do is ask.  If you have stepped off of the path of purity, it is not the end of your journey! You CAN repent.. or TURN from the impure, ask God to forgive you. I promise He will.  If we confess our sin...He is FAITHFUL to forgive.  AND He will clean us up and set our feet back on the path headed in the direction of purity again.  No condemnation my friend!  He loves you so much!

7.       Purity is WORTH the fight and hard work!!!  AND YOU are WORTH the fight.  To the unmarried person, your future spouse  and marriage is WORTH the fight and hard work.  To the married couple, your marriage and family are WORTH the hard work! Do not give up! You WILL reap a reward.

8.       Isaiah tells us God’s ways are higher than ours. When we choose to walk in obedience to what He commands, there will be blessing.  It may be years down the road and in some cases we may not “see” a tangible reward until we see His face. BUT…His way is so good.

9.       It is important to be more concerned with your character than your reputation.  Character is what you REALLY are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. (This was a quote on a friend’s Facebook page. They gave credit to John Wooden)

           

10.   God’s Word is the final authority on everything.  When we think purity we automatically think holy.  Here are the verses we discussed. 1 Peter 1:13-16 First from the New King James Version

 

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

 

And here are the same verses from the Message

 

So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”

 

This morning I was reminded of our conversation and the importance of NEVER ever forgetting that purity is not just for our young adults. It’s for me, an almost 40 year old mommy.  We lead by example. To live in the direction of purity I must be in the Word more than ever before.  Proverbs tells us over and over to get wisdom, insight, discretion, knowledge, and understanding. Why? Because as I read this morning:

 

They will be LIFE for your soul. (Prov. 3:23) and after getting them,

 

THEN you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. (Prov. 3:24)

 I LOVE Proverbs 4:4

 

“Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments and live.”

Oh how I pray our girls hold fast the Word! I pray they love it because it is the written word of their Creator to them.  I don’t want them to keep a bunch of rules out of fear…but out of an overflow of LOVE and desire to obey the ONE who died for them. 

Purity is a direction on a path customized for YOU and for ME by the one who knit us together in our mother’s womb.  You CAN trust that His path and plan is FOR you. 
 
“Choosing the right path begins with submitting to the One who knows what’s best for you better than you know what’s best for you.” Andy Stanley in The Principle of the Path.

He Still Shops With Us

They were tiny little things when we started this.   With Chloe, a 45 year old woman in a two year old's body, and Emma my tiny newborn, we began the  "Parson Pre-Shopping Power Prayer." 

It really did not matter what we were shopping for, as we would pull into the parking lot we prayed. It normally went something like this,
Dear God, thank you so much for giving us the things we need.  You know that today we are (grocery, clothes...) shopping.  You know the amount of money we have to spend and the things on our list. We ask that you would help us to be good stewards of the money you have given us.  Also, please help each of us to shine for you in our words and actions.  

Why did I start this?  Because my Bible study teacher told us she did this.  I knew what her children were like and I wanted godly girls more than anything, so we started praying before we shopped.

While we have certainly had our breakdowns and less than Christlike moments in the mall, for the most part shopping has been a faith building time with my girls.  Last Saturday was one of those times. 

Chloe has entered her Freshman year of high school and we have entered this season of life fairly uneventful.  She is adjusting to the work load and being diligent to complete her studies.  Her grades are good and her attitude (even when she is having to choose joy) has been positive. :)  SO....

When her...well....her.....

best "guy" friend asked her to his homecoming dance.....we said yes.  (Plus...we like this kid.)

This was the two of them at our school spring formal last year

 

 

Saturday morning we set out in search of a dress.  As we started the drive, I asked Chloe to pray. 

 

She did. 

 

She asked God to show us the exact dress that would be hers. Not please help me find one today..but show me the exact dress. She was prepared to wait on the EXACT one. 

 

We hit the first store, loaded up our arms and locked ourselves in the dressing room.  Every.Single.Thing. she put on looked great, but got a quick NO.  Until a specific dress...

 

That dress caused quite a reaction. Big eyes, a slight twirl, and a "hmmm.....well....maybe."  I knew it was the one but was not about to say it. 

 

We wound up in three other shops that morning. No other dress she tried on fit like a glove.  No other dress made her eyes dance.  No other dress.....was THAT dress at the first store. 

 

We got back in the car and she gingerly asked, "Mom, could we just go back and take one more look around the first store?" I agreed and we pulled back in. 

 

"Her" dress was hanging right where we left it.  I grabbed it and we walked through the junior section looking on each and every display for anything else that just might be an option.  As we picked up one dress, a lady walked past us. 

 

She stopped, turned around and said "Excuse me. I have this store cash stuff that I am not using.  I have walked this entire store and can not find ONE THING I need or want.  It expires today, please take it and use it."

 

We were shocked.  I asked her if she was sure. (Surely she could find a candle or some jewelry...something!) She assured me she didn't want it and put the "cash" in my hands. We thanked her, and she walked away. 

 

Chloe looked at me with BIG eyes and said..."I am getting a dress!" 

 

We did wind up with THE dress.  :)  But God was not done thrilling us. 

 

We got to the check out.  I knew that the dress was not on a "sale" rack.  It was at the top end of our budget, but still okay. The "cash" was a treat and Chloe and I had already said that God had definitely come shopping with us.  

 

The cashier was a darling twenty something who asked Chloe if this was for homecoming.  She said yes and we chatted a little bit.  She then announced the dress was...

 

$40.06. 

 

 My mouth dropped. That was WAY less than it should have been.  She had NOT deducted the "cash" or my on-line coupon.  I may have squealed, "WHAT?!?!" The cashier said..."WOW. this is really on sale!"

 

THEN she started scanning my coupon and the "cash" from the mystery shopper.

 

When all was said and done, Chloe got her dream dress...for.....

 

$17.11 

 

We were standing there remarking at how God had really shown off for us. That little cashier just smiled. We may have scared her a little.

 

You better believe God got a big ole' hand clap when we got in our car. 

 

I drove home and Chloe texted as fast as her fingers could type, sharing her news with her friends. 

 

I smiled because as much as my girl loves this midnight blue homecoming dress, she was the first one to say..."God really did answer my prayer today."

 

Yes baby girl, He did. But He answered mine as well...

 

You see, when they were little and we would pray before we shopped, I always finished that prayer silently...God, please help them understand it is not about the shopping.  Please help them see that you want to be involved in the everyday activity of life.  Give them hearts that love you, the GIVER ,more than any earthly gift you give to them. 

 

 After 12 years of taking God shopping with us, He still amazes me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Personal Reminder..If Not for the Grace of God

Doing a little writing this afternoon and came across this post that was never published.  Felt like today was the day it was intended for. 

We just wrapped up an incredible weekend at our church. (Disciple Now)

To say I am tired is an understatement. At 3:00 Sunday morning I let God know that I do not do late night well and that next year perhaps I should simply be on the prayer team. You think I'm kidding. After a few minutes I finally just quit praying and was still. The girls in our group had finally settled in and I was almost asleep when this passage came to mind.

Isaiah 55:10-12

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

God is so sweet to speak right when we need it.

Just a few hours later, we sat in a gym and listened to just a few of the testimonies of what God had done in the hearts of our middle and high school students. I needed to hear their stories and I am so thankful our student pastors pulled those students up to share.

My prayer today is that the seeds that were planted this weekend will continue to go deep into the hearts of all those students.

So, where does the grace show up? Well.....

In one of our sessions grace was the topic...but...

God gave me a little lesson in it on Sunday afternoon.

All year God has been dealing with me about holy living, guarding my heart and making sure that I am in proper relationship with Him...we have talked about it here and here.

Philippians 4:8 is my verse for goodness sake! I have been completely immersed in this topic for almost three full months. And I blew it.

In one simple conversation...I blew it.

Before I knew what I had happened...the word that came from mouth was NOT pleasing or acceptable to the Lord. Far from it.

Thankfully, it was with two believers who know me and know this is not my character.

Grace.

This afternoon as I replayed the event in my mind AGAIN. I was so thankful that God is faithful. Faithful to extend grace to me. Thankful he is not stingy...like I am. We all have moments where we need a little grace, but at the same time...

We all have moments where we need to extend a little.

To the person with 25 items in the 10 items or less line. Grace.

To the person who never picks up after their dog! Grace.

To the spouse that overlooks the daily chores. Grace. No, I am not speaking to my husband here.  He goes out of his way to help out around the house! 

To the person, who thinks they are being funny, but hits you in the back of the head with a roll of toilet paper. GRACE.

If I want to be the recipient of grace, I must be willing to extend it.


Today was a day when Lamentations 3:23 came to life.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning;great is your faithfulness.

Grace. Mercy. It never ceases to blow my mind. My heart is so thankful for it.

Maybe you needed the reminder that YOU have not traveled too far. God's grace is unending.

His mercies never come to an end.

His love is steady. It is solid and will never cease.

His grace is enough.


As long as you are breathing the grace of God is available.

Holy Living - Guarding Your Heart

On this journey to holy living, the very first thing God has impressed on me is that I must guard my heart. Proverbs 4:23 says:

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Above ALL else. Pretty strong words aren’t they?

Guarding our hearts has to become more than a nice Susie Sunday School phrase.
Guarding our hearts must become a way of life. As one of my daughters like to put it, let’s talk about the “why” before we talk about the “how”.

WHY GUARD YOUR HEART?

Our heart. The place where choices are made. It is the unseen holding area of our emotions. It is our core being or the center of our spiritual man.

Contrary to popular belief, following your heart is absolutely the worst thing you can do. Why? Jeremiah tells us that The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick. (Jeremiah 17:9) Look at how the Message words the same verse along with verse 10.

The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things .I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.

God tells us way back in Genesis 21 that “the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” (vs.21b)

We are born with a sick, deceitful, wicked heart. A heart of stone. A heart, that when untouched by the holy hand of God, WILL bring harm. A heart that will hurt, disappointment and will guide us in a way that is opposite of the way God has purposed for us. BUT…look what God offers us in Ezekiel 36:26

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

That is our God. Once He has replaced that old dark and deceitful heart, it is our job to guard the new one.

Luke 6:45b tells us that out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Quite frankly, what is IN that thing is going to come OUT. Look at the first part of verse 45:

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil.

Friend, we may fake it for a while. We may memorize some scripture. We may sit in Sunday School, go to Worship and even attend small group Bible study…but at some point

What is IN will come OUT.

Why do we guard our hearts? As a Christian we guard our hearts because…..

First God tells us to. His word is truth and when He says guard something it’s not for His health, it’s for ours!

Second. God has detailed, thought out plans for each of our lives. He has specific fruit that we are to produce! (Check out Luke 6:43-45 and then go read John 15) I speak from personal experience when I say this: A divided, wicked, unguarded heart cannot fully accomplish what God has planned. Ask me about the year 2005 and I will share with you what happens when you serve with a divided heart.

HOW DO WE GUARD OUR HEARTS

The first thing that comes to mind is what I call the P4-8 verse. Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

The longer I am intentional about holy living the more this verse enters my mind. I find that as I scan the radio, I hear “Is this song praiseworthy? Is it true?” OR, as I’m flipping through the DVR to see what is recorded, “Is that story line honorable? Is it lovely to me?” AND yes, in conversation…”Is this conversation pure and truthful? Is it building up or tearing down. Are your words bringing me glory?”

P4-8 has become the measuring stick. It is the power tool for me!

Holy living starts with guarding our hearts. Not guarding FROM something…but guarding FOR something.

We are guarding so that we are READY and properly positioned to be used for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Guarding Our Heart is simply:

Protecting the place where choices are made.

Being intentional about what we allow to influence the unseen holding area of our emotion and the core being or the center of our spiritual man.

Guarding our hearts, I dare say is imperative to holy living.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Holy Living

Last fall, I knew that God was calling me to REALLY enter into Philippians 4:8.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

That passage was and is to become more than lip service, it is to become my way of life. I honestly thought my word for 2012 would be “whatever”. But it isn’t.

My word for 2012 is: Purpose.

As 2011 came to a close and I finished reading through the Bible, each day the word purpose or plans seemed to pop up in the passages I was reading. The last verse I memorized for 2011 was the very familiar Philippians 1:6 “And I am sure of this, that HE who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” God seemed to be weaving a theme together.

Here is just a sample of the verses that God placed in front of me the last few weeks of 2011.

Isaiah 46:10b My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish my purpose.

Isaiah 55:11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Job 42:2 (Job speaking) I know that you can do all things, and that no plan of yours can be thwarted.

Purpose.

For so long I have felt my purpose has been to be the best wife, mom, pianist, teacher….that I can be.

Wrong. I was created with one purpose.

My purpose is to glorify God. Your purpose is to glorify God.

As He began to place PURPOSE on my heart, He was also placing scripture about holiness in front of me. Remember Philippians 4:8? That was just the start.
I continue to hear “Guard your heart, be careful what you expose your mind to. Ask yourself if this (book, show, song…) is a ‘whatever’?”

Guard your heart. Purpose. Two “themes” that I knew God would somehow weave together. And He is. Which is the reason for this focus on holy living.

2 Timothy 2: 20-26 has become my chunk of scripture for this focus on holy living. I am sharing verses 20-22 here from the NIV because that is the translation that God used to connect my two themes for the year.

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart

My purpose is to glorify God. I can’t do that if I am an unclean vessel. Look at how The Message states verses 20-21:

In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.

Holy living is making a conscience effort to not just read God’s word, but to apply it. TO LIVE IT. Why?

It’s simple. God has plans for me, for you. We have PURPOSE.

SPECIAL PURPOSES. He says nothing can thwart or hinder those plans from happening. He WILL accomplish them. This life, MY life is not about me at all. It’s about bringing glory to my Savior. THAT is purpose.

I believe He has special purposes planned for us each day. Holy Living is as 2 Timothy 2:21 says (from The Message) being the kind of container God can use…

A container that is focused on whatever is:
True Honorable Just Pure Lovely
Commendable Praiseworthy Excellent

This week, I'm asking God show me what changes need to be made in my life. They may be small things and they may be big! What He asks me to step away from maybe okay for you...no judgement! :) I'm approaching the week with anticipation, expecting Him to move in my life. I pray that you will join us!