You would have to be completely against technology or not have a pulse if you haven't heard of the Ashley Madison website leak. In recent news a popular cheating website and all it's users were blasted online by a spunky hacker clan. While the truth will set you free, some people or couples can't handle this devastating truth. Infidelity itself is not a new problem, the way people cheat, is.
Technology has become our master and pornography is at the underbelly of our slave ship. Some may argue that watching pornography is harmless, however, there are millions of marriages who will disagree. With thousands of porn and dishonorable websites at our fingertips, cheating is easier and more tempting than ever before. The Internet holds so many wonderful things like talented musicians, interesting facts or my personal favorite, hilarious prank videos.. But it also holds the key to an underground world of lust and deception.... In short, we are technologically trapped... The phone or computer we send family photos on or work emails or midterm papers from, we can also find cheating websites and full blown porn videos on the same device. How do we separate those 2 worlds? How do we protect our families from becoming trapped? The solution is found in our heart. What our eyes see will take root in our heart so above all else, guard your heart! The relationship or marriage you are in or will be in is far more valuable than any image on a screen. I am well aware of addiction to pornography but I am also well aware of amazing support groups and marriages that survived infidelity. The sooner we realize what is truly at the root of cheating, the better we can prevent heartbreak. You wouldn't send someone into battle with out proper gear so don't let your heart be exposed to things with out guarding it daily. The good news is God is the only way we can hope for a changed heart because once he enters into a heart, relationship or marriage all things are possible and a super strength is found using His resources.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
Friday, July 31, 2015
In a blink of an eye the month of July is gone... Now that I think about it, the year 2015 is half over! What a year it has been. So far this year has held some extreme highs and sadly some horrible lows. Losing my mother-in-law was probably the most traumatic event in my adult life. I try to imagine life with out her... it's unbearable and yet we are doing it. If I close my eyes and quiet myself enough I can hear voice and picture her with all 3 of my kids jumping in her lap. I lay awake at night thinking of how I could have done more, said more, been more... Then I am gently reminded that it's over. God chose to have her leave this earth to be with Him. I will never be ok with that decision but I know she loved Jesus and for accepting that simple gift of Salvation, she will spend eternity with our maker. I was blessed to have know her and so was everyone else who knew her. It amazes me that her life touched so many others and her love was her legacy.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Identify your identity
Blogging seems to be the new trendy pass time of our fast paced, technology filled lifestyle, but lets not forget for just a moment that a "blog" is really just a fancy way of saying "written thoughts". I can think of a few good biblical heads that would be considered fabulous bloggers, David, Paul, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.... to name just a few... But I digress.
It is currently 12:22 am and as usual, my almost 2 year old son is asleep on the couch next to me. I was woken up by him, for the second time, so I thought I would continue some research I had started earlier on testimonies of ex gay, now Christian, people. To my surprise, I have found lots of them! One in particular was shocking to me because it was coming from a 75 year old woman. Her name was Roberta and she had quite a remarkable story. She spoke of her childhood and adolescent years that were spent in confusion of not knowing why she was different. Roberta was so honest about her struggles and fears. She lived with women, slept with women, had multiple failed realtionships and almost took her life when thankfully God gave her a vision. She dreamt that she was at the gates of hell when Jesus appeared to her, telling her to change. She was saved shortly after and even then she admitted that she just believed that God just made her to be homosexual. Roberta talked about not wanting to give in the truth, it was easier to continue believing a lie than face the harsh reality of the truth...but we all know the truth shall set you free! She finally gave into knocking at her heart and gained a new identity, one only defined by the love of Jesus.
When we are a new creation in Christ we are still who we are, but have a new found purpose and identity. Before God saved Roberta, she was Roberta the homosexual. After God saved Roberta, she became Roberta, daughter of the most high king. I truly believe that once people are living in God’s truth and see themselves through his love, their identity has to change.
I can't help but to compare homosexuality to my struggle with food addiction. It would be easier for me to say that I was born to love food, I can't change, I won't change because I have no desire to change but in reality I am well aware that gluttony is a sin. Even in my heart I know that when I over eat and obsess over food, I am committing a sin. It is something I have to repent of all the time. Every person struggles with a different problem. I could look a drug addict and think "just quit" while they could look at me and say "just stop eating". God looks at us both and says "I can heal you both".
God is no respecter of persons. He treats us all the same, loves us all the same and wants all of us to love Him in return. The concept is quite simple but the journey getting there isn't. My walk with the Lord that seems to be easy at times and yet an uphill battle at other times, always leads back to this: "God's grace will always surpass my efforts to be like Christ". Rest in His goodness and find peace in your God given identify instead of your world given one.
It is currently 12:22 am and as usual, my almost 2 year old son is asleep on the couch next to me. I was woken up by him, for the second time, so I thought I would continue some research I had started earlier on testimonies of ex gay, now Christian, people. To my surprise, I have found lots of them! One in particular was shocking to me because it was coming from a 75 year old woman. Her name was Roberta and she had quite a remarkable story. She spoke of her childhood and adolescent years that were spent in confusion of not knowing why she was different. Roberta was so honest about her struggles and fears. She lived with women, slept with women, had multiple failed realtionships and almost took her life when thankfully God gave her a vision. She dreamt that she was at the gates of hell when Jesus appeared to her, telling her to change. She was saved shortly after and even then she admitted that she just believed that God just made her to be homosexual. Roberta talked about not wanting to give in the truth, it was easier to continue believing a lie than face the harsh reality of the truth...but we all know the truth shall set you free! She finally gave into knocking at her heart and gained a new identity, one only defined by the love of Jesus.
When we are a new creation in Christ we are still who we are, but have a new found purpose and identity. Before God saved Roberta, she was Roberta the homosexual. After God saved Roberta, she became Roberta, daughter of the most high king. I truly believe that once people are living in God’s truth and see themselves through his love, their identity has to change.
I can't help but to compare homosexuality to my struggle with food addiction. It would be easier for me to say that I was born to love food, I can't change, I won't change because I have no desire to change but in reality I am well aware that gluttony is a sin. Even in my heart I know that when I over eat and obsess over food, I am committing a sin. It is something I have to repent of all the time. Every person struggles with a different problem. I could look a drug addict and think "just quit" while they could look at me and say "just stop eating". God looks at us both and says "I can heal you both".
God is no respecter of persons. He treats us all the same, loves us all the same and wants all of us to love Him in return. The concept is quite simple but the journey getting there isn't. My walk with the Lord that seems to be easy at times and yet an uphill battle at other times, always leads back to this: "God's grace will always surpass my efforts to be like Christ". Rest in His goodness and find peace in your God given identify instead of your world given one.
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