Aug. 5, 2007 - A "Dedication" to All Bloggers Out There
This post is dedicated to all bloggers out there, and their journey through the blog world. Firstly, I'd like to mention that there are so many of you with such great blogs, filled with your love of God and the wisdom God has given each of you. But, there are times when we each slip up very badly. Or, if something seems to be just going well for us, it's not rare that we take these moments and swollow our pride whole.
God has given each of you this time to do things on your blog and encourage other Christian homeschoolers, which is such a great honor! It's so hard to find GOOD bloggers out there, because there are so many people on blogs that just get so proud of themselves, that it becomes almost annoying to read their posts, when they speak of themselves highly, and how they believe they are such followers of Christ, how they are so right in so many ways, etc. - because, as you know, it's hard reading about people that put more trust in themselves than in God. (And even worse, when they do not see their wrong.)
Remember, do not lean on your own understanding...There are way too many people doing this. Use what you feel God has given you, and express it.
When you're low on creativity, pray for God to provide you ideas. It makes a difference when you read something that comes truly from your heart, instead of something that is just scribbled down.
You know what is so refreshing to see? Someone who writes from the depths of their heart. Someone who is so sincere, that they are not hiding their true thoughts and opinions on matters. Someone who trusts so much in God, that they are not afraid to speak what is true. Someone that doesn't scheme with things they write, aiming at someone in particular. Someone who will allow others to talk meanly of them, but not lash back in anger - but with love and endurance from the Lord. ( Many are confused with the term "persecution", but that my friends, would be labeled as true persecution, and true patience and trust in the Lord!)
When you are humbled, and when you have a spirit full of joy from God - that is a blessing! You could be one of the wisest and encouraging person on earth, but if you do not humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, He will not lift you higher. If you take the glory that has been given to you, and build yourself a kingdom of selfishness, you will stumble terribly.
Here is something that I'll reveal to you about Jillian and me:
We'll be honest about this, but we have, several times before, built ourselves up a castle of selfishness and pride. And we would do it with, well, half-knowing we were wrong, but mostly tending to think we were right. We would take our positions as followers of Christ, and take advantage of it, in a strange way. We ignored what God was really telling us at times. We'd put our own "wisdom" (which is really folly) in front of God's wisdom sometimes. This caused us to stumble terribly...But thankfully, we knew that there was a Solution to our problem...
God is really the solution to every problem - when we are lost, He shows us the way out. When we are looking for something, He shows us where to find it. But sometimes, we take our knowledge of the Bible, and when we come across those that are so confused with the simplest things, we tend to get very angry at them, for being such a bad Christian. (Or, whatever the situation may be.)
This is what the Word of God says about this:
NOTE: Alright now, before reading these verses and chapters from the Bible, I want you to apply it to yourself. That is a real important step, and it can really open your eyes to certain things. Even if you know certain things may not apply. Just try it, it'll make your experience reading it more worthwhile...
"Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on thine own understanding. In al thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil." Proverbs 3:3-7
"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour." - Ephesians 5:1-2
"Neither filthines, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks." - Ephesians 5:4
Romans chapter 12 is SUCH a great chapter, and there are so many great verses in it, that I'm going to post the entire chapter...So here it is:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think somberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saintsl given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, 'Vengence is mine, I will repay,' saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." - Romans 12
James chapter 4:
"From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." - James 4
Okay, I don't know about you, but the entire book of James in the Bible is so refreshing to read! It is definitely one of my favorite books of the Bible!
For a minute, I want you to think of something humbling...Something that you have felt guilty for, for a long time. Take that matter to God, to help you clear it up. No matter what it may be. Whether it be pride, or foolishness, or hate towards someone. If you don't have the nerve to ask for forgiveness, ask God to forgive you.
Anyway, I apologize for this long post. (It's okay if you had to skim over some parts!) But I felt that I had to let out what rushed through my heart. I wanted to remind some of you how important the things you write can leave impressions, and to keep on doing what you're doing, and above all, try to include a message throughout everything you write. Sometimes this can be hard, but it can really touch other people. It's not about making them laugh, or impressing a certain someone - it's about writing something true, and using the gifts God has given to YOU! Reveal to people what God has revealed to you. Be a witness, a testimony, in everything.
Pray before your actions - it has become a habit to me to pray really hard before doing things. And it doesn't matter what it is. It could be something very simple, or something of great meaning to you - just keep it all in prayer. Prayer is our way of communicating with God, and it's so important!
"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
God bless you!
~PRICELESS PURITY~
P.S. ~ Keep posted, we're hopefully going to make an entry on modesty soon!
Comments
Aug. 5, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Ebell1993
Wow great entry! Thanks so much for the comment. You are welcome to use that article.
Love, Elizabeth
Aug. 5, 2007 - OldFashionGirl
Posted by OldFashionGirl
Yes please add me! I'll add u too! That is awesome what you are doing! I love the "Women against feminism!" That is so cool. I'm really pleased that I'm not the only one on here doing ministry thru blogging! Please check out my lasted poem!
Thankz
~Lexi
Aug. 6, 2007 - a note from Rose
Posted by Rose
Hello,
Thank you for the comment and adding me to your friends. I apologize for not contacating you sooner.
I just wanted to say that your posts are very well written. I like how you include several bible verses in each one. Your template is also lovely. You must spent a lot of time on it.
Thank you again for the comments.
Love to hear from you,
Rose
Aug. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sharla88
wht an awsome post! i will be rembering that when i post and i hope that we all keep our pride in oursleves cheked.
GB~
sharla~
Aug. 6, 2007 - Hello
Posted by Jocelyndixon
Sorry to have scared you... thank you for the encouraging comment and this post. Well done.
Yes, long, but a good read.
Jocelyn
Aug. 6, 2007 - Hi
Posted by rjdjohn316
Ok, good post!
I'll stop by later!
Love, Rachel
Aug. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Honeybee
I'm so glad you girls stopped by my blog and introduced yourselfs. I'd love to be friends! I'm truly impressed with your misssion statement and blog posts. What an inspiration you are! I hope my little girl will have role models such as yourselves, throughout her life.
God bless you in all you accomplish for Him,
Melissa
Aug. 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Princessleia12
feel free to put me on your friend list.. I would love it
Princessleia12
Aug. 10, 2007 - That was a very good post
Posted by SuperAngel
Great job, girls!!
RYC:
Thanks for stopping by.
You have a great site here. Keep up the great work!!
As Always...
SUPERANGEL
Aug. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by mandygrace
Great post! I think there would be less controversy on HSB if everyone followed this advice. :-)
~Mandy
Aug. 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Caity
That was such a good post. Thanks for encouraging me to continue posting the Truth! I've added you to my friends list.
By the way, you left a comment on my old blog (http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/purepeace) Feel free to use anything you want.
