Run-on Thoughts About 9/11
Today marks 13 years. Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing when the news reached their ears. For most of us, the memory still sears our thoughts like it were only yesterday.
For many, though, it’s far deeper than anything we could experience watching the news. The events of 9/11 tore apart many families, took thousands of lives and still stains the hearts and lives of many in emotional and physical repair. It seems insufficient to pay my respects and go about my day.
Today I will not only remember, I will pray for those involved. I will pray for those that survived and the families left behind. I will not simply reflect for a good couple of minutes and carry on my life. I am immeasurably blessed and undeserving to have been spared my life during such a time when thousands weren’t. It’s amazing what we don’t foresee in the future and how much we are saved on a day to day basis. We may never know why…why this person died and why this person now suffers every waking moment to get past that horrific day. It’s a constant struggle, still, for many.
Today I want to remember them- all of them. I want to pray for every life that’s been sacrificed since then as a result. Let us not forget the events on 9/11/12…
Today I want to live for those that were lost on 9/11. Their lives can be lived through each of us. I want to be living proof that hate can be overcome by love. God’s love knows no bounds, it’s unconditional and forgiving. I want to share that as best as I can and know how.
I want to live in peace and harmony with those around me. I want to be a living proof that not only does tragedy awaken fear but that fear can be overcome and defeated. We cannot live behind our bolted doors every single day. We cannot live in fear for the next tragedy either. Let’s live this legacy for America. The enemy cannot win the hearts of those grounded faithfully in Jesus. Let us not succumb to fear but to have joy in knowing that to die is gain and to live is Christ.
Today I remember, live fearlessly, pray and spread God’s love.
Jesus Wasn’t Wealthy (not financially at least).
”Not being rich and famous is kind of a blessing…” Jesus knows the human heart and He knows that eventually most of us will fill our lives with false happiness and temporary satisfaction. He knows that the only permanent possession we can ever take to Heaven is our salvation which is guaranteed to all of His children.
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.(James 1:2-4, 9-12 NIV)
It’s interesting to consider lack of wealth as God doing us a favor. Wealth is something many of us long for and presume it will solve all of our problems. But the greatest Problem Solver is Jesus and until we start trusting Him to fulfill our needs, we will be consumed with what everyone else has.
Money cannot purchase what Christ offers us. I’d rather not have any more temptations of what money can buy from having worldly riches. The only riches I want to focus on are the ones that cannot be bought. These are most valuable to Him.
I pray that if I ever do come into a wealth of money one day, that God will give me the humility, discipline and self-control to pay it forward to those in need.
Jesus + Nothing= Everything.
Photo credit: http://richiehalversen.com/2012/11/10/jesus-friend-of-sinners-and-the-paradox-of-poverty-and-wealth/
The Truth About Yoga
If you’re a Christian and do yoga, have done or are thinking about doing yoga, read this:
“I felt peace descend upon me for the first time in my life.”
The Truth About Yoga
Please leave your thoughts in the comments :).
Tolerance Exists: Let’s Be Prayer Warriors for Meriam Ibrahim
We keep seeing her beautiful wedding picture but in reality right now she is chained in prison. It’s hard to grasp such a drastic change in one’s life all because she refuses to denounce her Christian faith. It’s sad the lack of tolerance for religion these days.
Yesterday I was going to the store. As I was pulling into a parking spot a woman, in the car next to the spot, suddenly opens her car door to get out. I quickly stopped so I could give her room to get out before I pulled in completely. She looked up, noticed this, and smiled at me. She was a Muslim woman. Little did she know, with my cross earrings on that day, she was smiling at a Christian. I honestly don’t think she would have reacted any different.
Not all believers are murderers and intolerant. While we may not agree on each other’s beliefs, and even secretly pray for one another, we should continue to show love and compassion.
I pray that the government of Sudan releases Meriam, her new precious baby girl, and her little boy. We have to learn that attempting to force someone to convert, is not true conversion. Forcing someone into any religion, will not get them to truly accept that religion as truth, thus it will not “save” them. Christians can take a lesson on that as well.
I look back on the times when I was not right with God, I didn’t care if He existed and down in the deepest layer of my soul, I hated Him.
My bitterness did not lead me anywhere but in a downward spiral. All of this time, I remember the seeds. A select few people in my life came along and planted seeds in my life. Some people planted and left and some people stayed.These are the seeds we need to be focusing on. Kind of like little “Jesus impressions” on the hearts of people.
God bless Meriam for her courage, bravery, and planting seeds in every single unsaved soul of the world who reads this story. I’m sure she had no idea God would use her in this way, that her life would be threatened, the life of her children at risk, all for the purpose of reaching others. Cold-hearted humans placed her in jail but I feel like her rich and authentic faith has spoken volumes across the world and God is using this experience to plant seeds in the lives of millions.
Let’s keep praying for her and her entire family. Let’s be prayer warriors for Meriam as she is a warrior for Jesus.
Memorial Day
Today I may miss my husband, but deployments are nothing in comparison to what the widows and loved ones of a fallen hero face every day. Their grief doesn’t take a day off since it’s a holiday, and it doesn’t stop even after one such as Memorial Day.
Memorial Day is not about BBQs, parties, fairs, festivals, or retail sales. Memorial Day is a day to remember. A day to reflect and give thanks. Our country may not be perfect or even be run by perfect officials, but we have amazing Americans who gave their life for a greater purpose. The sacrifice they paid provided us a better future and freedoms not afforded in countries all over the world.
We are a privileged nation and we need to remember those who made that possible. Many young people today don’t realize the gravity of that fact. Despite the best efforts of our history teachers, it still doesn’t click: Thousands of people DIED for YOU to be free.
Many young people don’t understand that freedom isn’t free at all. Because it’s become a norm for them, it’s become an “entitlement”; something which they feel they deserve by being born.
Memorial Day is not for the entitled youth but a day for all of us to reflect in the legacy thousands of people have fought for. This legacy empowers something within each of us which states: America will never be defeated because we are brave, strong and determined.
Even today, as I watch the news there are troops in places of turmoil. Today is for the thousands lost years ago and those in recent months who have also given their lives.
God bless, America 🙂
“It’s no wonder why our culture is so heavily engrossed with sex.”
I wrote an article recently on my other blog about the Golden Girls. I haven't received much response from it, so I'm assuming people don't agree! Check it out for yourself here and let me know your thoughts!
When Our Hate For Sin Goes Too Far…
Someone recently posted on Facebook about a man getting raped several times in prison as a result of raping his toddler son. People commenting were spewing hate toward him and saying things like, “Serves him right!” for committing such a horrific crime and receiving this abuse afterward. I am sickened by this man’s actions and that is something he will forever have to live with. I pray for his soul, because only God can take a sick, broken man and renew his heart. But I am also sad by those applauding the actions done to him. “Eye for an eye”? Really? I don’t condone his actions but then I don’t condone any rape. Even if it is done to a rapist himself. I’m not sure what actions will be taken to the other prisoners involved, and what will become of this man in his future, but the boy needs Jesus, and HIS revenge, not ours. We are human but this is savage.
I can not be okay with this. My mind agrees with the others and wishes the man to hell. But my heart says, “No. This is wrong. Jesus would not have condoned this.” I’m not asking for people to feel sorry for him- because his crime was indescribably horrid- but I’m asking for us to take a step back. We are here on this earth to witness and serve others. In this way, we should be trying to fix the broken by telling them about Jesus, pray for healing, and pray for forgiveness.
What good could possibly come out of this? He “learned his lesson”? There is no good. All I know is that God had no part in that. That’s what my heart tells me, that’s what the Holy Spirit keeps telling me. This is heartbreaking.
Kindle Sale! $0.99 04/26-04/27: Let Me Walk with You: Letters of Faith and Strength
Let Me Walk with You: Letters of Faith and Strength by Gisela Yohannan
About The Book:
Are you feeling alone or overwhelmed in your journey with the Lord Jesus? In this volume of letters, originally addressed to women serving on the challenging mission fields of South Asia, Gisela Yohannan shares precious lessons from her own life and insights from God’s Word that will fill your heart with faith and strength, no matter where you are in your walk with Jesus. By His grace, you will make it!
Click here to see if it’s still on Sale!
GREAT MOTHER’S DAY GIFT!
Free Online Bible Study: April 23rd @ 7pm PST
This month we’re doing a great bible study by Heather Bixler, called “Be You”. This mini study takes place every Wednesday, 7:00PST online! It’s completely free! All I need is your email to send the invite.
Crossing Paths Daily 