What About...

Please listen to this song. Especially the third line, it applies especially to this post- the Joker more specifically.

Most of you have probably heard about the shootings in Colorado. Some guy dressed up as the Joker from the movie "The Dark Knight Rises" went into a movie theater and started shooting people. (Find the details here: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/20/witnesses-to-batman-massacre-describe-terrifying-scene/ and here: http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2012/07/23/shooting-suspect-in-court-with-orange-red-hair224093/ )

The stories I have been hearing about the heroic acts of others have been on my mind lately. Three guys and their girlfriends entered that theater. One guy and three girls made it out alive. When the shooting started the men either pushed those girls to the floor or threw themselves on top of them in order to save their lives. Two men died, the third was shot three times .
One of the men who died had earlier (in life) told his buddies that he wanted to die a hero.
Men and women died in that shooting. Children died in that shooting.

Children.

People all over the country are praying for the families who have lost loved ones.

What about the Joker*? Is anyone praying for him?

What about that young girl that could have been in the audience? What if she was totally excited for her birthday the following week because she would finally get to see her over-worked dad? What if she died?

What about the Joker? What traumatized him so much as a child that he would grow to hate mankind?

What about the rest of us? What are we supposed to do with this catastrophic even that just rocked so many of our worlds?

What about the Joker? What if he really is sitting in a jail cell grinning evilly at the chaos he has created? What if he really is crazy? Is there any hope for him- at all?

What about the mother ready to commit suicide because her husband and son are dead? Who will comfort her?

What about the Joker? Can he come to his senses and realize what he has done? Will he be the old man in a jail cell waiting to die? Will he be the one begging God for mercy when no one else will?

What about you and I? What will happen when we are put to the test?

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” Proverbs 24:10 (KJV)

What about the Joker? Is anyone praying for him? Would I? If I gain the strength to pray for him, will I?

“And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

“forbearing one another and forgiving one another. If any man hath a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Colossians 3:13 (KJV)

… will I?

Tirzah

* I am calling the murder suspect "Joker".

On My Mind

Hello all. There have been a lot of things on my mind lately. Like how much I love coffee and how much I don’t want to get addicted to it. And how awesome storms are when it’s super dark out and there are raindrops on your window and you can hear the thunder. Boom.
Anyway- this is a super awesome 2 minute video. Would you please watch it before you read the rest of this post? Otherwise you may not understand what I’m saying… or writing. Whatever.

Lately I was wondering what I would do if I had to evangelize to someone. More specifically, what would I say if they asked me “Why does God let bad things happen to good people?” I know that God gives you the words to say in the right moment, but sometimes I am very slow to listen. A few days later I got a newsletter from Living Waters with that ^ specific movie in it. Boom. I love it when God answers me when I didn’t even ask Him something. That’s like, so cool. :D
I also found these awesome verses when I was reading Job the other day. “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.” Job 5:17-18 (KJV)

In a way I guess this also applies to the above thoughts. In another way it reminds us that even when we fail, God has a plan. Sometimes I think that we have to fail, so that we know who is actually good. I think sometimes our past, our pride, our temptations have to wound us so that God can heal us. What do you think?
Thoughtfully,
Tirzah

Killing the Shame

Something I have seen so many people struggle with, and something I have tasted myself, is guilt. Or rather shame is the correct terminology. The feeling of such utter despair for your sin that you run and hide from God.

That feeling is so painful, replaying that one sin in your mind over and over, beating yourself up for it, mentally, or even physically. Shame, it's a heavy burden to carry, and maybe you're carrying it. What causes this hurtful emotion and what can you do to kill it?

Let's take a hard look at why we feel shame. We sin and that thing inside us, the "c" word (our conscience), lets us know we sinned. So far, so good. We feel guilty because we know sinning is wrong, very wrong. We need to be punished for it. Still on the right track. But then, consciously or not, we throw away God's precious gift, deny HIS punishment in our place, and decide we can do it better. Our sin is too great for God's sacrifice, our own punishment is better. So we fall into shame, the carrying of our own sin, trying to atone in whatever way we can. Denying ourselves, giving to others, cleaning up our act, all right things done for the wrong reasons.

So if you dust it off and really take a look at it, shame is really pride, thinking we can save ourselves, how conceited is that? And that realization could drive us into feeling even worse. We not only carry shame, but now pride as well!? And no amount of good work is going to fix that because we already established trying to atone for our sin is the cause of the problem.

So that's shame, self righteousness. Now for the real question, how do we get rid of it?

The short answer? Lay it at the foot of the cross, along with all your other junk. Jesus can take it, He already paid for it.
The practical, everyday answer? Preach yourself the gospel every day, or whenever you catch yourself beating yourself up about the past. Stick a sword through it. Learn and move on. Trust God will use your sin and weakness for good, and for His glory. Memorize Scripture that assure you of God's gift and your freedom, or write them down on sticky notes and put them on your bathroom mirror.

Whatever you do, just kill it, and not by yourself, let God do it.

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. John 8:36

And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. John 10:28-29

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed. Romans 3:24-25

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

Living Loved

It all seemed so normal. My faith. Jesus. Oh yeah, someone died for something and someone came back to life to tell everybody something. Normal. It’s something I grew up with, I never truly was ASTOUNDED with the reality of how someone actually came back to life. That is, until now.

These last two years God has shown me more about my faith than I’ve learned in all my thirteen (almost fourteen!) years. It’s been horrible, it’s been wonderful. It’s been astounding, it’s been frightening. I’m not sure I can even explain any of it because I think to truly know God’s grace, He has to show it to you. Your eyes need to be opened by the Healer of the blind. I don’t claim that my own eyes have been opened all the way, but I think I’m just beginning to squint at the glory Jesus has been trying to show me for so many years. He died. He died. That’s NOT normal. He came back to life. He is alive. If that’s not abstract I don’t know what is. What’s even more odd, is how much He loves me. Why would Jesus love me? Out of all the things He could have done instead, He chose to die. Are you paying attention?

HE CHOSE TO DIE FOR ME. HE CHOSE TO DIE FOR YOU.

All the font sizes, cap locks, under-liners, highlighter and italicizers couldn’t shout it out loud enough.

Why did You do it Jesus? Why?

For a while I’ve been struggling with feeling loved. I kept asking Jesus to show me His love; to prove that He loved me. I gave up this question for a while, I didn’t think I’d ever get an answer. I just pointed my desire for love towards the end of time when I’ll finally see Jesus face to face. The other night I was looking up my verse for the Fifty-Two Weeks Fifty-Two Verses Challenge. My verse was John 14:13. I scanned the page for the verse when my eyes landed on John 14:15- “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.” (Jesus was speaking) This applied to a particular part of my life, so I kept reading. “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” Another Comforter. I kept reading. The whole chapter of John 14 was Jesus telling His disciples, His people, how much He loved them. (It continues into John 15) I didn’t know I needed it, but at that moment I felt utter peace. I felt love float up from the pages and wrap around my heart. I could almost audibly hear Jesus saying, “See, I love you so much.”

Seriously, that’s going to be a moment I remember for the rest of my life. I love John 14. I can’t wait to meet him (John) someday. I love Jesus. That’s a phrase that has been thrown around a lot. Proclaiming to the whole online world that you “Love Jesus” while turning singers/movies into idols and remembering Jesus only when you go to Church on Sunday. I’ve been guilty of this myself. We’re all so guilty. That’s why God’s grace is so amazing. It’s so astounding. It’s awesome. Seriously.

Jesus loves me. Jesus loves you. Jesus loves everyone, that’s why He chose to die.

Thankfully,

Tirzah

Grace For Us "Good" Kids

The world get's this idea that kids who grow up in a strong Christian home receive no wounds, no scars, and have no pain. And just because they don’t have any horribly outstanding sins, they must be perfect and happy. That is completely false. All you have to do is live in this world to sin and probably get some baggage along with it, that is just a part of life. Some people’s baggage is just more visible than others. And if people can't see your baggage they call you a "good kid".

“Good” kids have a good reputation, they are the first to volunteer for charity, they are the ones that try to be righteous enough to be a Christian. They play this sort of masquerade with themselves and other people, covering up sin so no body sees it and pain so no body thinks they are weak, because this would wreck their "good" lie. They look smooth, like they have it all together, but inside they are bitter, wounded and dirty. Is this ringing a bell for you? I know it did for me. Sure, Jesus saves, and Jesus heals, but you have to be good or you won't ever get those gifts. That is the mindset of most good Christian boys and girls.


It’s hard keeping up those smiling faces and good works, but the worst part about it is that when people act this way, they are rejecting God’s grace. They are being self righteous, somehow thinking that their good appearance is getting on God's good side so He will save them.

God wants to save and heal everyone. We all need saving, in God’s eyes your sin is equal to the convicted criminal sitting in jail right now. And in God’s eyes your pain is as real as a child's from a broken home. No matter how “good” of a life you have led, you need God’s grace. And that means you stop relying on your “good” reputation, works, and attitude to save you, because our works are like filthy rags to Christ. It also means you don’t hide your scars from God because you think they are unimportant and try to do it all on your own. Because you can't. And that is so amazing. You don't have the pressure to be perfect because God knows that you aren't, and that is why we have the Cross.

Accepting His grace means trusting Him to save you from your goodness.

Everyone needs grace, everyone needs healing, and God will give it to you, if you let Him.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

From a recovering good kid,

Victoria

P.S. If you're interested in reading more on this topic, I would recommend the book "Grace for the Good Girl" by Emily P. Freeman, it's primarily for ladies, but the concept applies to everyone. It was a life changing book for me.

Leading the Blind

And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.  Isaiah 42:16

Out of all the promises in the Bible this one rings true for me.  If I think about it hard it almost brings me to tears because of the comfort and strength I find in this one verse. 

I am legally blind, and in this world where everything is fast paced, going by in a blur, sometimes I feel alone and afraid.  There are so many unknowns.  I don't like the unknown, I can be content just staying home, on my farm, in my comfort zone.  But I know that isn't what God wants for me and the last year of my life has been a time of God leading me on paths that I hadn't forseen.   But He is faithful, he won't just ditch me in a new place.  He makes the darkness, light, before my feet and makes the crooked path passable.  With this promise in my heart I can step blindly, yet boldly out into the unknown and joyfully confront uncertainty.  

He promises to do this with all His children, not just those of us who are physically blind.  If you are blind to a situation, blind to God's plan, unable to clearly see spiritually, you fit into this verse.  God promises that even if you have absolutely no idea what you are doing or where you are going, He will be there and guide you ever step of the way.  If you step out in faith, the path will not only be revealed to you, but the road will be made straight.  

I cling to this promise as I'm stumbling through the dark of this life, and believe me, it is better to be blind and have God guide you, then to have vision and choose your own way.          

Don’t Let Your Music Get Too Loud

"Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD." Psalm 34:11 (NKJV)

Often I find out that the time when I feel closest to God is in the bathroom. No joke. Whether I'm cleaning the toilet or taking a shower, I feel as though I can talk to Him there, and that He'll talk back. I'll turn my MP3 on with Steven Curtis Chapman or Robert Pierre, and I'll be able to praise my Father through the music.

The other week before I cleaned the bathroom, I was "planning" to have a talk with God in the bathroom. Because I felt like I needed to talk with him. When I started cleaning however I had my MP3 on and my headphones in my ear, which is normal for me. Usually I can tune out the music and listen for His voice. But this time was different. My music loud enough so that it clouded out my time with God. By the end of my cleaning I realized I hadn't talked to my King at all. It made me sad, and it made me think. This is similar to life. (Not that cleaning the bathroom isn't life)

Imagine the MP3 as things in our life. Imagine there are two kinds of music, good songs, and bad songs. The good songs are things like Church, blogging, family, eating dinner, etc. The bad songs are things like cursing, smoking, thoughts that we're not supposed to be thinking, you get the idea.

Now imagine that throughout our life we have our MP3 on, and are listening to these songs. Maybe not all the bad ones, maybe you always listen to good ones, it doesn't really matter. But if we let so many "good things" get so loud that we can't hear the One who tries to tell us what good really is. Good is Jesus. Good is listening to His words.

I'm not saying that Church and family is bad. That's not what I'm trying to get at at all! But if we get so absorbed in things that we think we need to be "close" to God, then we've got it mixed up.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! " Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)

To be close to God, all we need to do is just listen to Him. Sit down for a moment, even if you've got a million things to do, and just listen. Listen to His words of love for you. And tell Him how much you love Him. Remember how much He loves us. That's it. It's so much more simple than I ever thought.

Don't let your music get so loud you drown out what is truly good for you.

Cheerfully,

Tirzah

Culture and the Effects it has on Christianity

One of the hardest things a young man or woman can endure, is when several people rise up against them. I don't mean anything aggressive, and that's what this may sound like. Let me better explain with a story about myself and how people used their authority, personalities, and language to changed how I acted as a teenager.


1 year ago, I worked at a place called Jet's Pizza. The store was just opening and I got the chance to work with the first employees and managers of the business. When I first started working there, I was known as the "Christian kid." or the "kid who never sins." Why was this? Well, I got called these names because I wouldn't sing their songs, talk the way they talk about people, swear, and be disrespectful to my bosses. I was a beginner Christian, however, at age 14 (almost 15) I was easily persuaded to the "dark side."

With much persuasion from the employees, which soon made me feel like everyone was nagging me, I started to become a part of their culture. By culture, I mean the way they live, how they act, and all the differences from my own culture to their own.

I started listening to secular music, ones that didn't glorify the Lord at all. I started talking about girls the wrong way, I wasn't giving respect to people, and I continually was slipping away from the relationship I once had with my family. I was removing myself from the Christian and home school culture I had been raised in, and was becoming a sinful punk who didn't do anything that honored the Lord.

I was able to hide the way I acted from my parents, and lived two separate lives that were both dishonoring to my family and to the Lord.

However, a year passed, and my family forced me to quit my job. Not because of how I was acting, but because I was starting High school+college and I didn't have the time to work. I was really mad and this cause my heart to turn away from my family and the Lord all the more.

Although my life was confusing, chaotic, and very sinful during this time; the Lord found me and saved me from all those thoughts, songs and images I had in my mind. Quitting was the BEST option for me. I spent more time with my family, spent more time growing back into my original culture, and started learning more about God and the way Faith works and how Jesus washes away all sins.

I shared this story with you, to hopefully show you how people can influence other people to accept certain characteristics, habits, and/or language. I also shared this story with you, so you can better understand the background I came from, and so you can understand the glory of God; how He saved me and took me from that darkness.

Sure...I know what your thinking, surely all that stuff I learned from those people didn't leave me once I accepted Jesus. That fact is, it didn't. I am still struggling, to this day, with the sinful lusts of the flesh. However, with Jesus's help, I know I can be redeemed from these sins and be able to better serve Him.

Now, back to the main topic I was trying to cover. I know this post is long, but hang with me for a couple more paragraphs! :-)

Culture effects the way Christians behave and act around the world. Sometimes the culture we are a part of is good, and sometimes not so good. Thousands of different cultures live in the world, and every one's stereotypes (the exact characteristics of a person: such as, White, Northern European, Christian, Homeschooler, etc.) are pretty much different!

Let me share with you a conversation I had with someone on Face book. The name of the those who comment on my post will be anonymous. AND I MEAN NO DISRESPECT WHEN POSTING THIS. I am only trying to help prove my point by sharing an example from a couple different people, who are a part of different cultures and have different stereotypes.

As you can see it's a long discussion, however several times "culture" was thrown in there. This is just an example of how culture effects the way Christians think. G is saying that because culture says one way, it's best to just agree with them because you'll fit in as a person better. Does that make sense? There is more details and different lessons that can be learned from the discussion...but that's for another time.

I am sharing all this informmation with you because I am trying to warn you from the effects culture can have on us, as young teenagers, and I want to encourage you to stand your ground! Do not let others persuade you into sin. Instead, pray and ask God to help you stand strong.

Hopefully this makes sense and is an encouragment to you. Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns, opinions, or comments by writing to www.dedicatedchristians.com

Thanks for reading!

Godbless,

Josiah