Just kidding...I know who he is. Last night, my facebook lit up with Tebow!! Tebow EVERY where, even on those who don't love Christ...and they are the ones that make me concerned about what Tebow is doing so publicly.
I admire him for what he does at his ballgames...and for some people, this is a huge turn off. I feel like the Christian community is who is benefiting from this and not the non-Christian community. Funny don't you thing?!
I even wonder if Tebow is getting frustrated by all the attention.
Do you know, I saw some non-Christians saying really bad things about Tebow? Makes you think, doesn't it. Makes you think as a Christian, if being SO bold is really worth it...after all, it's not the healthy that need a doctor, it's the sick. And what are we doing to the sick to make them not want to go see a doctor?
Good question.
And don't get me wrong, I think it's awesome that Tebow is not ashamed of his love for Christ...but it makes me sad for those who don't get what he is doing and find it more of at "turn off."
I'm sort of feeling sorry for all of those other football players out there, who just "plain ol' love" their teammates, and that is how they are sharing Christ with others. I'm positive that there are other football players who love Christ...let's commend them, for not getting the advertisement that Tebow is getting. Let's commend them for doing the silent job of serving Christ. I know from experience, that there are people in this world who will be turned off by this boldness.
And, it makes me wonder if that is what Tebow was wanting...all of this publicity from the Christian community? Is that what he was after...and if so, then he needs to quit. However, I'm not sure...I want to hear an interview of him telling his fans, "Thank you, but please, this is me praising our Lord. I don't want all of this advertisement." ...and maybe he has, I don't watch sports stuff!!! Although, I'm sure the team management are all loving this advertisement...or are they? I don't know, because I don't read the newspaper or internet or watch sports related anything!! I'm not a good judge of this really!
(...Ok, I just watched a little thing on Tebow...he seems to be a pretty cool guy who loves Jesus...so it's stinky what all of this advertising has done to his Christianity as viewed amongst the non-Christians...at least from what I've gathered from looking at my non-Christian friends status updates from last night. Sad what the wrong publicity can do.)
I'm sure it's his way of showing his love TO Christ, out loud. Which I think we all need to think about it...what good or bad are we doing? We need to evaluate this!
Just a lot of questions today and unknown unless we speak to Tebow...but this blog post today, is more of a thank you to all of those out there who do remain silent with words/motions/symbols/etc. that represent Christ, and a "YOU GO!" to those who do not get recognition for their witnessing. After all, what are you trying to win? people to love you? or people to love Christ?
In the Christian community, I sometimes feel that it is harder to choose to be silent than bold about your love for Christ.
But seriously, Jesus did a lot of things that He got criticized for by the Christians...REALLY makes you think doesn't it? He healed on the Sabbath, He ate dinner with a bunch of sinners, He hung out with prostitutes, He did a lot of things that in the eye of other Christians, was not considered good...and He was the Son of God. I want to be more like Jesus, not be what Christians expect of me!
I don't need anyone's approval or pat on my shoulder except for His!!
...one more thing. I have experienced first hand how hard this is. My husband and I both have learned over time that it is harder and you may get more criticism from Christians by being silent than you will by being bold.
Interesting to me, the other day, my husband was speaking with my uncle, my uncle (who is a pastor) told him, in the past that he has wondered about his faith. Funny, because I've know my husband for 15 years and never once wondered this.
But you see, my husband is silent about his love for Christ...but not really. What he is, is bold like Jesus by how he shows it. He is willing to step out on a limb, do something that Christians may not approve of, for knowing that he will gain the trust of someone in order to share his love for Christ with them. This, is bold, people!!! Don't get me wrong, he's not out there doing things that Christ would not approve of...but he's hanging out with those who Christians don't approve of...and he's willing to go hang out at the skate park, go hunting, go fishing, go skiing, go places that may not have the most reputable reputations in order to win a soul over to Christ...just as Jesus did. (Not partake of the same actions of those involved...but be with them! And now, that he has a family to take care of, I think he thinks a little more responsible of what he gets himself into...however, for Christ, I'm ok with whatever! I would not want to get in the way of him winning over someone's heart for Christ, that's for sure!)
This is the man who deserves recognition...however, he would never want that! for fear that those he is trying to reach would be "turned off" by that.
My husband is so wise. He's such a good man of our household. He is such an amazing man of God. I love him...and I've learned what it means to love like Christ by watching him. I am so blessed to know him, and even more blessed to be his wife...such a privilege! Another example to me, to know that God is in control, and to let Him be!
Pretty sweet!!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
New Year's Resolution...ha...
No New Year's resolutions here!!...but other cool things for sure!
Where to begin?...
It's been a while since I last blogged...I have so much on my mind lately. Where to pick up from my last blog, is why I keep procrastinating writing on here again.
God has blessed me beyond my imagination. I seriously mean, I could not have planned my life to be this way if I had tried. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but every little detail is in its right place, and only a God so powerful and loving could have done that for me.
So much has happened since August, I can't believe I haven't blogged about it...well, yes, I can, because I have 3 little kids that keep me busy while trying to run a little small flower business and at the same time Halloween happened, Thanksgiving happened, and Christmas happened, and New Year's happened, while living out this crazy busy life of keeping up with a house hold (of which I am awful at!,) attending an in depth bible study (which was amazing!,) two weekends away: going out of town for our anniversary and going to the mtns with my sister and mom, and trying to spend quality time with our extended families as well. It's been busy, and that pretty much sums it up!!!
***As for our anniversary this year, I have to add, it was on November 11, 2011, we were married for 11 years...pretty cool! Something that I AM SO thankful for is my sweet husband who loves me dearly, and for that, I am KNOW God loves me so much for giving me that sweet sweet man in my life, who really is my better half!! We definitely compliment one another!!!***
Getting back to a little bit of God's teachings here, which is why I don't have a New Year's Resolution...I do not want to try to plan out my life, I'll take it one step at a time. I want to follow God's will for my life, not my crazy ideas! I don't want to say what I will and will not do....I learned a lot this year, God showed me a thing or two about how to love as He loves.
My bible study this past semester was on the book of Philippians...one of my favorite books of the bible! I absolutely love it!! I am so drawn to the books of the bible that teach me how to be a better Christian. (Our next bible study is on James...how perfect!! Another great book on how to be a better Christian!) I feel that churches around here don't really teach that. They teach more on how to judge others and what you should or should not do so that you won't be judged. So sad, but sort of true. They are so clicky too...drives me batty!
And to hear the way Christians talk about others, no wonder people who have no faith, can't stand to be around them. I can hardly stand it myself.
My prayer for myself since this study has been to love others the way Jesus loves us...which I know is an almost impossible feet to accomplish, but I am up for trying. I seriously think that is our best way of witnessing to those who are lost.
It's neat, it's almost as if God has taken away from me, my super close friends, either we aren't that close any more or we just can't get together like we use to. It's definitely lessened my chances of gossip. I love that because God knows I have an issue with it, and it's a prayer of mine to stop.
By taking away that part of my life, my heart is starting to be where God wants it to be...in a good place. I look at people differently now. And I think I love a deeper than before.
Real quick, I want to share a neat way that our family has gotten to see God. Preston, this past October, actually over Halloween (which sort of aggravated me,) along with the sophomore class from SouthLake, about 70 kids, went to Honea Path, SC, to help out a ministry called Widow's Watchmen. They helped out a lady whose name is Mrs. Shorty. She is 84 years old and lives in a falling in trailer, the ceiling literally was falling in. She heated herself at night with a heating pad. So sad. Everything about her trailer should be condemned.
I remember my husband coming home from work one day, after that weekend, saying to me, "Deedie, I can't get Mrs. Shorty off of my mind." Her living conditions were just haunting him. He couldn't believe that she lived in such conditions.
After he said that to me, the only thing I could think to say was, "Good." I really didn't know what else to say, because I loved that he cared so much for her that it was literally bothering him. What a testament of my husband's heart for others.
He decided that he was going to try to raise money to buy her a new trailer...that was the only thought that could help him sleep at night.
Soon after that, I was sitting in bible study one Tuesday morning, Preston and I had just been given a little money to help us get out of some debt (sweet gift!) and I can remember sitting in our large group with a feeling that made me want to go and call Preston. We we discussing sacrificial giving. I decided at that moment, that we could give every penny of that money to Mrs. Shorty, that God would provide for us!!! I was and am still knowing that God will provide for us.
Preston went and met with the gentleman over his school. He was on board with Preston to do this. And at the same time, another blessing came, someone told us not to give the amount that Preston was ready to give, that there was someone who would give that amount in our place...that someone has a clue of what my husband's salary is and knows that I don't work. So sweet!! Sort of an Abraham and Isaac story...Preston was ready to give, and God provided so that we could still get out of some debt. I believe whole hearted that God saw our willing hearts to sacrifice our finances for Mrs. Shorty! (However, we still gave, but a quarter of what we had planned, which to us, was still A LOT of money!)
He decided to get that group of 7 or 8 students that worked on her house and figure out a way to raise money to get her a new home. So, the asking began. He got it ok-ed by the "boss man" and then ok-ed it with the gentleman over Widow's Watchmen Ministries, and the letter writing began. Their goal was $10,000 by December 1. They began November 11th, asking for money, there was no time for fundraising, so they just sent out an "ask letter." By December 1, they had raised $20,000!! I'm still blown away by the thought of this. By the giving hearts of others who helped. It is such a testament of how mighty our God is!!!
It's funny, Preston and I tried over and over to raise money for Young Life, and never did it come this easy for us...which is a way that confirms to me that that was not our calling...it was more of a clearing the paths to get to what it was that we were "suppose" to be doing. Still in God's plan and it helped us to get to where we are today, but not what we were to spend our lives doing.
I love getting the opportunity to see this whole deal play out. It has been such an amazing experience. I am so thankful for this on so many different levels. So many different groups of people have gotten to see a glimpse of God's mercy and love because of this. Students, Faculty and staff members, those involved at Widow's Watchmen, Mrs. Shorty, Mrs. Shorty's neighbors, those who are hired to help with the demolition and set up of new trailer, parents of students, and the list goes on and on. It's so sweet!! It's been an amazing thing to see, and I am so thankful. And it's sweet to know that this 84 year old lady is being taken care of.
Love it!!! I love, love. I love that I get to experience it! I am thankful for God's love!!! I am thankful that I don't need a New Year's Resolution, because God loves me so much and is in control of my life with or without a change for the better for the new year. Why would I want to plan my life when such cool stuff happens without my involvement in planning it??!!!!
God is good, people! I pray that you will see God through His sweet people that He LOVES so dearly.
Until next time...
Where to begin?...
It's been a while since I last blogged...I have so much on my mind lately. Where to pick up from my last blog, is why I keep procrastinating writing on here again.
God has blessed me beyond my imagination. I seriously mean, I could not have planned my life to be this way if I had tried. Nothing too out of the ordinary, but every little detail is in its right place, and only a God so powerful and loving could have done that for me.
So much has happened since August, I can't believe I haven't blogged about it...well, yes, I can, because I have 3 little kids that keep me busy while trying to run a little small flower business and at the same time Halloween happened, Thanksgiving happened, and Christmas happened, and New Year's happened, while living out this crazy busy life of keeping up with a house hold (of which I am awful at!,) attending an in depth bible study (which was amazing!,) two weekends away: going out of town for our anniversary and going to the mtns with my sister and mom, and trying to spend quality time with our extended families as well. It's been busy, and that pretty much sums it up!!!
***As for our anniversary this year, I have to add, it was on November 11, 2011, we were married for 11 years...pretty cool! Something that I AM SO thankful for is my sweet husband who loves me dearly, and for that, I am KNOW God loves me so much for giving me that sweet sweet man in my life, who really is my better half!! We definitely compliment one another!!!***
Getting back to a little bit of God's teachings here, which is why I don't have a New Year's Resolution...I do not want to try to plan out my life, I'll take it one step at a time. I want to follow God's will for my life, not my crazy ideas! I don't want to say what I will and will not do....I learned a lot this year, God showed me a thing or two about how to love as He loves.
My bible study this past semester was on the book of Philippians...one of my favorite books of the bible! I absolutely love it!! I am so drawn to the books of the bible that teach me how to be a better Christian. (Our next bible study is on James...how perfect!! Another great book on how to be a better Christian!) I feel that churches around here don't really teach that. They teach more on how to judge others and what you should or should not do so that you won't be judged. So sad, but sort of true. They are so clicky too...drives me batty!
And to hear the way Christians talk about others, no wonder people who have no faith, can't stand to be around them. I can hardly stand it myself.
My prayer for myself since this study has been to love others the way Jesus loves us...which I know is an almost impossible feet to accomplish, but I am up for trying. I seriously think that is our best way of witnessing to those who are lost.
It's neat, it's almost as if God has taken away from me, my super close friends, either we aren't that close any more or we just can't get together like we use to. It's definitely lessened my chances of gossip. I love that because God knows I have an issue with it, and it's a prayer of mine to stop.
By taking away that part of my life, my heart is starting to be where God wants it to be...in a good place. I look at people differently now. And I think I love a deeper than before.
Real quick, I want to share a neat way that our family has gotten to see God. Preston, this past October, actually over Halloween (which sort of aggravated me,) along with the sophomore class from SouthLake, about 70 kids, went to Honea Path, SC, to help out a ministry called Widow's Watchmen. They helped out a lady whose name is Mrs. Shorty. She is 84 years old and lives in a falling in trailer, the ceiling literally was falling in. She heated herself at night with a heating pad. So sad. Everything about her trailer should be condemned.
I remember my husband coming home from work one day, after that weekend, saying to me, "Deedie, I can't get Mrs. Shorty off of my mind." Her living conditions were just haunting him. He couldn't believe that she lived in such conditions.
After he said that to me, the only thing I could think to say was, "Good." I really didn't know what else to say, because I loved that he cared so much for her that it was literally bothering him. What a testament of my husband's heart for others.
He decided that he was going to try to raise money to buy her a new trailer...that was the only thought that could help him sleep at night.
Soon after that, I was sitting in bible study one Tuesday morning, Preston and I had just been given a little money to help us get out of some debt (sweet gift!) and I can remember sitting in our large group with a feeling that made me want to go and call Preston. We we discussing sacrificial giving. I decided at that moment, that we could give every penny of that money to Mrs. Shorty, that God would provide for us!!! I was and am still knowing that God will provide for us.
Preston went and met with the gentleman over his school. He was on board with Preston to do this. And at the same time, another blessing came, someone told us not to give the amount that Preston was ready to give, that there was someone who would give that amount in our place...that someone has a clue of what my husband's salary is and knows that I don't work. So sweet!! Sort of an Abraham and Isaac story...Preston was ready to give, and God provided so that we could still get out of some debt. I believe whole hearted that God saw our willing hearts to sacrifice our finances for Mrs. Shorty! (However, we still gave, but a quarter of what we had planned, which to us, was still A LOT of money!)
He decided to get that group of 7 or 8 students that worked on her house and figure out a way to raise money to get her a new home. So, the asking began. He got it ok-ed by the "boss man" and then ok-ed it with the gentleman over Widow's Watchmen Ministries, and the letter writing began. Their goal was $10,000 by December 1. They began November 11th, asking for money, there was no time for fundraising, so they just sent out an "ask letter." By December 1, they had raised $20,000!! I'm still blown away by the thought of this. By the giving hearts of others who helped. It is such a testament of how mighty our God is!!!
It's funny, Preston and I tried over and over to raise money for Young Life, and never did it come this easy for us...which is a way that confirms to me that that was not our calling...it was more of a clearing the paths to get to what it was that we were "suppose" to be doing. Still in God's plan and it helped us to get to where we are today, but not what we were to spend our lives doing.
I love getting the opportunity to see this whole deal play out. It has been such an amazing experience. I am so thankful for this on so many different levels. So many different groups of people have gotten to see a glimpse of God's mercy and love because of this. Students, Faculty and staff members, those involved at Widow's Watchmen, Mrs. Shorty, Mrs. Shorty's neighbors, those who are hired to help with the demolition and set up of new trailer, parents of students, and the list goes on and on. It's so sweet!! It's been an amazing thing to see, and I am so thankful. And it's sweet to know that this 84 year old lady is being taken care of.
Love it!!! I love, love. I love that I get to experience it! I am thankful for God's love!!! I am thankful that I don't need a New Year's Resolution, because God loves me so much and is in control of my life with or without a change for the better for the new year. Why would I want to plan my life when such cool stuff happens without my involvement in planning it??!!!!
God is good, people! I pray that you will see God through His sweet people that He LOVES so dearly.
Until next time...
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