June 27, 2011
Yesterday Dustin and I visited a church and the pastor gave a sermon on one of the Beatitudes, the one about those who are pure in heart. After the message, he gave the congregation a challenge to think about the past week and how "pure" we'd been in thought, word, and action. I have to admit that I didn't do too good of a job at the whole purity thing. He also gave us the challenge to ask God to help us to be pursue purity each morning when we get up. After hearing that message, I did focus more on my actions, thoughts, and words. This morning I even thought of that prayer the pastor prompted us to pray. It was certainly convicting to be given that reality check and to have that challenge stay with me through the next day.
I will also admit that my spiritual life has been more or less at a standstill. I've also kind of ignored the convictions to get back in the Bible for study. I keep telling myself that I need to get my homework done or I need to get something else done...or I simply could do it tomorrow, which rarely happens. How am I supposed to continue to grow as a Christian and as a godly wife to my husband without constantly living in the Word? Pretty lame I think. So, that's definitely something I need to actively work on; enough with the passive attitude. Lord, thank you for convicting me of my impurity and my need to get back in the Word. I need Your help to remain diligent in pursuing Your Word constantly. Thank you for being patient with me and thank you for your faithfulness in helping me get back on track.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Biblical Clarity
June 25, 2011
Yup, it's been a while, blog. Since I'm back, with the gentle bidding from my husband, I'm going to focus on some thoughts I've been dealing with for a while and be somewhat candid in my approach, so bear with me. My parents got a divorce last August and since then my father has been seeing another lady whom he knew from high school. Anyway, they got married yesterday....I didn't attend. I really had some struggles regarding whether or not I should have gone. I took some time to think and pray and talk to Dustin about it. It came down to what the Bible said about such relationships and divorce. On one hand, I did want to honor my father's request to attend but on the other hand my conscience was really bugging me about the "rightness" of it all. I do not want to offend or anger my father in sticking with what I felt was right, but I couldn't bring myself to publicly support the situation.
I'm still learning how to deal with the whole reality of divorce and my father's remarriage. I don't know how to react to it at times. Maybe that's why I'm especially thankful for the clarity of Scripture in times like these. Thank you, Lord, for the purity and clarity of Your word. May I continue to pursue Your truth and may it continue to be a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
Yup, it's been a while, blog. Since I'm back, with the gentle bidding from my husband, I'm going to focus on some thoughts I've been dealing with for a while and be somewhat candid in my approach, so bear with me. My parents got a divorce last August and since then my father has been seeing another lady whom he knew from high school. Anyway, they got married yesterday....I didn't attend. I really had some struggles regarding whether or not I should have gone. I took some time to think and pray and talk to Dustin about it. It came down to what the Bible said about such relationships and divorce. On one hand, I did want to honor my father's request to attend but on the other hand my conscience was really bugging me about the "rightness" of it all. I do not want to offend or anger my father in sticking with what I felt was right, but I couldn't bring myself to publicly support the situation.
I'm still learning how to deal with the whole reality of divorce and my father's remarriage. I don't know how to react to it at times. Maybe that's why I'm especially thankful for the clarity of Scripture in times like these. Thank you, Lord, for the purity and clarity of Your word. May I continue to pursue Your truth and may it continue to be a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Dinners Together
Married life is amazing so far! God has certainly been good to Dustin and I, even through financial issues. We have a roof over our head, a bed, plenty of food, transportation, jobs, and each other. It makes me sad to see couples who have been married for years who can't stand to talk to each other when ordering food or simply carrying on a conversation. It makes me all the more thankful for the fun and love we share as newly-weds, something that I pray and hope doesn't diminish as the years pass. It also makes me thankful for the meals we get to share together. Dustin is already a pretty good cook and we get to share in the fun of preparing our meals. I know we are definitely not going hungry anytime soon with the way he cooks.
Several people have told me that the fun won't last after five years. I wish I had the guts to ask them "why not?" Why shouldn't the fun last after the first five years of marriage? Why did you fall in love in the first place? What was that special something that made you fall head over heels for the man beside you? Why not work at keeping the fun coming and that precious love alive? It's discouraging to hear such remarks, especially after having been married for only three weeks. But then, I remember the sweet older couples with whom Dustin and I learned. One particular couple who were our pre-marriage mentors are still so in love with each other; it's evident in the way they treat each other, look at each other, and put each other before themselves. What a testimony! I hope and pray, and am willing to work for, that our marriage remains strong; even though we may get on each other's nerves, even if we have stupid little arguments, even if times get tough, even after we have kids, may we never forget the reason why we fell in love in the first place. God, bless those who are married and are going through a rough patch in their marriage. I ask that You grant them strength, wisdom, and the selflessness needed to get through. God, I also pray that You continue to strengthen our own marriage, to learn from our mistakes, and to always keep You and each other ahead of ourselves.
Several people have told me that the fun won't last after five years. I wish I had the guts to ask them "why not?" Why shouldn't the fun last after the first five years of marriage? Why did you fall in love in the first place? What was that special something that made you fall head over heels for the man beside you? Why not work at keeping the fun coming and that precious love alive? It's discouraging to hear such remarks, especially after having been married for only three weeks. But then, I remember the sweet older couples with whom Dustin and I learned. One particular couple who were our pre-marriage mentors are still so in love with each other; it's evident in the way they treat each other, look at each other, and put each other before themselves. What a testimony! I hope and pray, and am willing to work for, that our marriage remains strong; even though we may get on each other's nerves, even if we have stupid little arguments, even if times get tough, even after we have kids, may we never forget the reason why we fell in love in the first place. God, bless those who are married and are going through a rough patch in their marriage. I ask that You grant them strength, wisdom, and the selflessness needed to get through. God, I also pray that You continue to strengthen our own marriage, to learn from our mistakes, and to always keep You and each other ahead of ourselves.
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