Encouraged to Follow
It’s been a wonderful fall week here. With the time change it seems easier to get to sleep, the weather has been cold and gloomy and we are enjoying living in just one apartment since we turned in the keys to our old one on Sunday. Now to unpack the new one…so far we’ve been able to get the kitchen and living room and most of our bedroom set up. Yesterday the mail even began forwarding. We’ve grocery shopped and done laundry–feels like we are just about all settled in.
I’m continuing to read John MacArthur’s book Our Sufficiency in Christ, and am enjoying his usual clear profundity as he unleashes Scripture shining the light of the Word into real life. Here is a portion of what I was able to read today:
In the practical sense, our holiness is directly proportional
Word. The psalmist said, “Thy word I have treasured in
my heart, that I may not sin against Thee.” (Ps. 119:11)
The more complete our working knowledge of the Bible is,
the less susceptible we are to sin and error…The best way to
avoid serious spiritual problems, therefore, is to give yourself
to the faithful, patient, and thorough study of Scripture
with an obedient heart.
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I had a thought provoking conversation with a friend over dinner last night. We discussed some things happening at our church that present various rewards or challenges. She noted that it is easy when time passes to simply ignore some problems and never deal with them. In doing this we never really grow beyond them, but simply move on in spite of them. I was convicted that I do this often in my own life. It can be easy to have those “small” sins, weakness or bad habits, and think that I can simply move on from them. That in time they will just go away.
We started talking about ways that we could live much more preemptively. By immersing ourselves in he Word, maintaining genuine fellowship with other likeminded believers and seeking the guidance of godly older women. The latter has proven to be the most difficult. I find that it is really a matter of us seeking the older women out because they seem busy, disinterested or intimidated by the idea of mentoring younger women like us. All the same, I remain hopeful because I can still learn from those who are older than me. I regularly read and glean a great deal from several blogs written by older women. I also enjoy the many conversations I have with my mom as she constantly seems to have wise, practical and Biblical thoughts on life. I hope in time to be the same as these women are for us younger women, what they say is so valuable to listen to not just because they have lived more of life than me, but because they have obviously grown increasingly throughout their life in their knowledge of and obedience to Scripture.
What a blessing that God uses people in our lives to spur us on toward Christ! I’m thankful for these godly people the Lord has put in my life. They are a great source of inspiration to focus on the Lord, stay faithful in the Word and keep me humble about my sin. These people would especially be my sweet husband and his constant encouragement, Bobby’s best friend Ty and the worshipful music they record, my dear friend Missy and the fellowship we share and my mom, what wonderfully long and uplifting conversations we have.
November 2nd, 2005
That’s great that you have such resources to pull from. I posted this question on the previous day but you posted this about the same time and I was afraid that no one would see it so I’m posting it again.
Possibly someone could help me here. What can a person learn from a couple who disowns their parents, their siblings and some of their own children supposedly in the name of God. Can’t be sure since they won’t justify their actions by actually telling anyone.
November 3rd, 2005
Anonymous- By the nature of your comment I figure that you must be one of my aunts or uncles. Thanks so much for reading my blog! I’m not really sure if your comment is a question or meant to be just a statement regarding my parents. But I would like to help you by answering simply from my perspective. I don’t speak for my parents on any conflict that may remain between you and them. However I would like to stand by the fact that I am continuing to learn a great amount from both of my parents regarding aspects of family life and most of all about walking closely with the Lord and standing firm in His Word.
I suggest that if you feel compelled enough to comment about them here, that you might consider even going so far as to talk with them about your thoughts. I know that they would be very open to talking with you anytime. I hope you will keep reading and if you feel comfortable, please feel free to e-mail me so that we could even have a more personal but not public discussion on this matter. My e-mail is in my profile box.
Blessings to you-
Christa
November 3rd, 2005
I’m Anonymous because I don’t want to air family issues either, just thought that since you always have so much to say you might have a viewpoint on this. Apparently I struck a some cord here. I imagine that if I was a blood relation I would speak to you directly since you seem very open, however that’s not the case.
Like I said, how great that you have such resources to pull from and that your parents are open to speaking on whatever your family issues happen to be. That is not the case with the family I’m discussing.
November 3rd, 2005
With regard to being Anonymous, it needs to be said that this is YOUR blog, and it IS listed as an option! To “out” someone like you did…that smacks of “bearing false witness.”
I feel the same about spyware…someone who is given the option to be Anonymous uses it with a reasonable expectation that they will be. Bait and switch — bearing false witness. Shame on you.
November 3rd, 2005
Anonymous- I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you’re referring to. This lack of clarity naturally comes when people try to talk anonymously. I think if you really want to talk, it would be better for you to simply e-mail me rather than having a cryptic conversation here in my comments.
Anyone is free to e-mail me at any time so I’ve put my e-mail address in my profile.
November 3rd, 2005
Just like to clear up that that second Anonymous is a different person from the first. Wasn’t totally clear to me either.