http://www.reverbnation.com/myspacecomcarriewilliams57/song/12792086-this-cant-be-love
I don't know if this link will be one you can click on, but if not, copy and paste it and go listen to my friend, Carrie Miller singing "This Can't Be Love." It's a song about an abusive relationship. I love her voice, and she writes some pretty amazing and heartfelt songs. She has plenty of other originals on Reverb Nation so please feel free to check those out as well.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Saturday, March 8, 2014
"My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is The Lord who judges me." 1Corinthians 4:4
As I read this verse it reminded me that even when we think we are okay, we may still be doing something displeasing to God, something that grieves his heart. Over the course of our lives we have been gradually desensitized to sin. It's all around us. We see it on tv, in movies, hear it on the radio, read it in books, etc. It's always packaged in an easy to swallow pill. And the more we are exposed to it, the more likely we are to think sin is okay. I mean, everybody does it, right? Yes, we all fall short when it comes to the standard of holiness God requires. That is why we needed a savior. But any time we sin we should be grieved by it. We should seek forgiveness. Sin should break our heart. In order for us to feel that way, we have to spend time in God's word. We have to know his heart and his character. Otherwise our perception of sin is based on a worlds view rather than on God's view. Our conscience is altered as a result.
As I read this verse it reminded me that even when we think we are okay, we may still be doing something displeasing to God, something that grieves his heart. Over the course of our lives we have been gradually desensitized to sin. It's all around us. We see it on tv, in movies, hear it on the radio, read it in books, etc. It's always packaged in an easy to swallow pill. And the more we are exposed to it, the more likely we are to think sin is okay. I mean, everybody does it, right? Yes, we all fall short when it comes to the standard of holiness God requires. That is why we needed a savior. But any time we sin we should be grieved by it. We should seek forgiveness. Sin should break our heart. In order for us to feel that way, we have to spend time in God's word. We have to know his heart and his character. Otherwise our perception of sin is based on a worlds view rather than on God's view. Our conscience is altered as a result.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Bravery
Today I was thinking about bravery. Now some may immediately think of a hero who rescues someone or perhaps someone in the military. And while those would be considered brave, I want to touch on an aspect of bravery that is often overlooked.
Yesterday evening the family cat died. It was a really sad thing considering she had been a part of our lives for many years. Earlier in the day I had let her go out. She had been wanting out more frequently, enjoying laying in the sunshine. When my grandson and I went to leave for karate class we found her lying on the front porch having what appeared to be a seizure. It was quite distressing and I knew then that she would probably die soon. My grandson, Jacob, began crying and then screaming, "No! Don't die, Zoe!" The pain he was feeling was evident. My heart was breaking, not only because Zoe was dying, but because Jacob was hurting. I got Jerry and he grabbed a box and put a blanket in it. He then put Zoe in it and brought her inside. I wanted to spare Jacob so I asked if he wanted to leave the room. With tears in his eyes he said, "No, I want to respect Zoe." So I let him stay with her. In a short while she breathed her last breath. Afterwards, Jerry and Jacob took her out by the pond and buried her next to our dog, Princess.
So why does this bring bravery to mind? My grandson did something many adults can't bring themselves to do. Despite the intense pain he was feeling, he stayed by Zoe's side to offer comfort and show his respect for a cat he loved just like family. He displayed a strength of character beyond his years.
Over the years I have known people to suffer from illnesses that left them unable to move and communicate. Many of their friends and family avoided going to see them because it was too painful for them to see the person like that. And I can understand how they felt. But wouldn't the courageous thing be to lay aside your own feelings and put the other person first? In a sense, this is exactly what Jacob did. He is definitely a brave young man.
Yesterday evening the family cat died. It was a really sad thing considering she had been a part of our lives for many years. Earlier in the day I had let her go out. She had been wanting out more frequently, enjoying laying in the sunshine. When my grandson and I went to leave for karate class we found her lying on the front porch having what appeared to be a seizure. It was quite distressing and I knew then that she would probably die soon. My grandson, Jacob, began crying and then screaming, "No! Don't die, Zoe!" The pain he was feeling was evident. My heart was breaking, not only because Zoe was dying, but because Jacob was hurting. I got Jerry and he grabbed a box and put a blanket in it. He then put Zoe in it and brought her inside. I wanted to spare Jacob so I asked if he wanted to leave the room. With tears in his eyes he said, "No, I want to respect Zoe." So I let him stay with her. In a short while she breathed her last breath. Afterwards, Jerry and Jacob took her out by the pond and buried her next to our dog, Princess.
So why does this bring bravery to mind? My grandson did something many adults can't bring themselves to do. Despite the intense pain he was feeling, he stayed by Zoe's side to offer comfort and show his respect for a cat he loved just like family. He displayed a strength of character beyond his years.
Over the years I have known people to suffer from illnesses that left them unable to move and communicate. Many of their friends and family avoided going to see them because it was too painful for them to see the person like that. And I can understand how they felt. But wouldn't the courageous thing be to lay aside your own feelings and put the other person first? In a sense, this is exactly what Jacob did. He is definitely a brave young man.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)