When you are working the harvest with all of your heart He gives you,  “Handfuls on Purpose” ~ Ruth 2 RSS Feed
 
 
 
 

So, you wanna be cool huh? Or do you wanna be Holy? Can we be both?

Being “cool” means being popular with the world.

Being “Holy” means being popular with God.

And until the world wants to be popular with God the two cannot be the same. So let’s change that! I was talking with a dear friend recently who publishes a popular family magazine. We were both agreeing that big families who love Jesus are the normal ones, and the ones who don’t are the weird ones. By big families I mean the ones who appreciate the value of children, not just the amount. God knows the heart and the willingness, the number of children we have is not our merit badge, it is the condition of our hearts that warrant the merit. Have you ever been to a family gathering where the children outnumber the adults? And everybody is loving it? That is what I mean be normal. It was a at such a gathering that my friend and I were talking. When you are somewhere with like minded folks it is easy to be ourselves. It is easy to speak freely about our convictions. It is easy to act like a Christian who believes. It is acceptable to be “Holy”. sometimes it is even expected. So why do we act different around a different crowd.

How many times do believers act like non-believers when they get around non believers?

Why do we so often care more about peoples opinions than we do about God’s opinion? Are we afraid of persecution? You can’t have salvation without persecution. It is part of the package. A matching set.

When we are around non-believers we should hold our heads high, not with pride but with confidence, acting like someone who has the answer. We do have the answer to all problems, every problem in the universe is solved with one name, Jesus. No matter what they are going through the solution is found in Him. Yet instead of sharing that answer like we know it is true, we speak in hushed tones with a guilty conscience like a drug dealer in a school yard. Oooh, don’t want anyone to think we are un-cool. Well come on folks, is He the one who died for you or not? Is He the one who paid for your sins or not? Is He the one you love or not? Is it His name emblazoned across the chest of your t-shirt or not? Ooops, did I interfere with your coolness there? Is that too “old school” to have Jesus’ name on your shirt? Well if it is then you better not have any name on your shirt, unless the second commandment is no longer applicable.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  ~  Philippians 4:8

Until we start standing up for things that are Holy and right instead of being embarrassed of them, the world will not take us seriously. When was the last time you saw a commercial where the spokesman was behind something with hushed tones saying, “you might kinda like to try this product, I mean it isn’t for everyone but umm, maybe it will work for you, I mean you don’t have really go all overboard with it, just try it and see if it works, you know kinda like a 14 day free trial, I mean it might be ok” ? Would you shell out $19.99 for that? How about give your life for it? Of course not. And yet that is how we share the Gospel these days. Like it isn’t really worth having. I have news for anyone listening. Jesus is not something you try. It is something you have, something you are willing to die for, something you will give your children to, something you BELIEVE IN, something who is a SOME ONE.

If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”  ~ Mark 8:38

So if you believe that, tell someone. I dare you to tell someone, share your testimony with someone today. Out loud. Publically. Not being proud of yourself but being proud of Him. That is one area we are allowed and even encouraged to boast in. Who Jesus is.

According to most public studies at least 70% of America still claims to be Christian. Don’t forget that when satan got himself exiled from Heaven he took one third of the angels with him, so that still leaves 2/3 on OUR SIDE. So either way we have the unbelievers outnumbered. All we have to do is ACT like we ACTUALLY BELIEVE! It will give others confidence to come out of their closets and maybe, just maybe start a snowball effect and we can all get about God’s business. what is God’s business you ask? Making Holiness cool of course.

If God is for us, who can be against us?  ~ Romans 8:31

So, what are you waiting for? There is nothing to be afraid of :) .

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By 20th Century Fox

Based on a true story! Travel to Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, where a man murders five Amish girls in a senseless schoolhouse shooting before taking his own life. Through the eyes of a grieving mother, the film explores the Amish community's reaction---particularly how they extend unconditional forgiveness and support to the gunman's widow. Stars Kimberly Williams-Paisley. Dove Approved. Approx. 89minutes.

DVD Features:

  • Widescreen
  • Closed Captions
  • Spanish Subtitles
546985: Amish Grace, DVD
Amish Grace, DVD

We watched this movie last night so I thought I would share my opinion. Yep you get my 2 cents worth for free :) . This is the story of the Amish school shooting that happened a few years back. Having a heart for children and seeing clearly the dangers of public school, I pay close attention when I hear of school shootings, and I pray, hard. It truly breaks my heart and this one was no different, I remember it happening even though it was several states away.

I don't know know how closely this story follows the real one but it is believable that it could be close. The Amish folks were not much at all like our real Amish neighbors here in TN but I know there are different sects so who knows. The story line was good but the "realness" could have been much better. The guys appeared to have fake beards and the women had makeup on. I think any actress could forgo makeup to make a part real. But maybe that is just me. The story goes through the process of forgiveness after the shooting that resulted in the deaths of several young girls. And with some it was really hard to do. It brings up good family discussion but in general my crowd described it as "sad". Very sad. And I think they all cried. The actress who played the murderers wife was very good and made you really feel for her character.

Tragedy is sad. All the way around. But when we choose to take matters in our own hearts and harbor unforgiveness we are taking away the sovereignty of God. Judgment is His place. We can judge actions and determine whether they are right or wrong but it is up to God to dole out justice. We have received mercy so we should react with mercy, the rest is up to Him.

Anyway as for the movie, well is was pretty good, not really good but pretty good, and very tastefully done. The movie is family safe, and non offensive (except for the beards, lol) . The subject matter is the only reason you may need to consider whether or not it is appropriate for your family. Without spoiling anything I will say the end was worth sticking through the movie. God wins as usual. :)