Thoughts on Sin

Sin.  We all know what it is.  That ugly, little three letter word which haunts us and hangs a dark cloud over our heads.  We’ve all been guilty of sinning in our lives.  We confess our sins and God is good enough to forgive us.  Sin to me is black/white.  I don’t think there is a grey area which says, “Well, this sin is worse than that sin.”  I believe God looks at us all, no matter what we’ve done displeasing to Him, and He sees sin the same.  So, why do we rank our sin?  “This sin isn’t so bad.”  “This is the worst sin of all.”  “This sin is bad, but not as bad as…” 

 

Last night a terrible tragedy occurred.  While I was in bible study, there was a terrible, terrible accident near our church.  A woman who was high on drugs senselessly chose to drive.  Her decision had fatal consequences when she drove into a motorcycle killing a father and son.  A decision that will change her life forever. 

 

On my way to church last night, I saw this father and son driving the motorcycle in an empty parking area.  I remember casually glancing over and seeing two cars in this parking lot and a motorcycle driving.  Today, I was told this was the family who died.  The son, who was 19, was practicing to take his motorcycle license test.  After practice, he decided to make the short trip home riding with his dad, a licensed rider.  A decision that changed both of their lives forever.  They leave behind a wife/mother who lost her entire family by an irresponsible driver.  Her life is changed forever.

 

Today, I have felt the overwhelming presence of God teaching me a very important lesson.  No matter if I use his name in vain or fall into temptation, He sees my sin the same as he sees the young woman’s sin.  I am not to be judge and jury for her.  I will choose to pray that God will use this wilderness to draw her closer to Him.  I will pray for her children who are losing their mother to “bad decisions.”  I will pray for the family who lost loved ones.  I will pray for God to use this terrible tragedy to bring honor and glory to His name.  He is faithful.  He is good.  The decision to trust Him in heartache and happiness is a decision that changed my life forever.  

 

 

"RFW: Pretty in Print?" And, I saw God last night!

Double post coming up folks! I’m a blogging machine these days! And as anyone who knows me already is aware, I *heart* blogging! Literally, it makes me happy!

Resolution for Women: Pretty in Print

(What it means to have biblically based femininity in a post feminist culture)

The answer at the heart of the next resolution is found by answering, “What kind of woman are you going to be?” (page 35)

How have you seen feminist ideals affect women in the way they dress? Act? Make Decisions?

Women’s attire, or lack there of, has certainly been on the forefront of many feministic ideals. For some reason unbeknownst to us, we seem to think “less” is better. I realize I am generalizing here by saying “we,” because contrary to what seems to be the trend, I’ve seen women personally take a stand against dressing provocatively—so much so that they refuse to buy their own daughters toys who are dressed inappropriately. To those women, I say “Good for you!” Sometime ago, I joined the ranks of your thinking by cleaning out my closet and disposing of everything that was less than modest. Its hard to find clothes which aren’t so skimpy, but it is possible.

I do agree in women rights, and I feel as if some of the wrong has been corrected in history. I am so grateful that I have the right to vote and can expect equal rights in some retrospect’s of life. However, women sometimes overstep their need to be equal by trying to be something that God hasn’t ordained. I’ll save some of my opinions to myself, but if we are truly trying to be as God created us to be, then we can’t neglect our own God given roles—which I think we can lose sight of by our own obsession to be equal. In my opinion, it is this same obsession which affects our decision making skills when we lose sight of our unique, wonderful, secure purpose which God created us to fulfill.

What are some of the most noticeable ways you see young women turning away from biblical womanhood?

Most obvious to me would be women taking on the role of spiritual leader in the home because the man in her life won’t. I have mixed emotions about this because I do feel it is better to have a leader, woman or not, than not to have any leader. I’m honestly not sure what would be the right solution to this dilemma we see too often in our society. I also feel as if women are neglecting their “helper” role to their spouse by being preoccupied by other obligations or responsibilities, myself included.

What biblical principles of womanhood strike you as stifling or repressive? Why do you think you feel that way?

The need to be submissive (and you all know what I’m talking about!). I struggle most in being able to meet the needs of my husband and often challenge his biblical authority over me as his wife. Read the fine print here: Being submissive doesn’t always mean I allow Kyle to control me. I am learning more and more everyday to trust his judgment and give him the opportunity to be who God has biblical called him to be. I also am becoming more conscience over the fact that I am his helper, and I am to be submissive to him in the ways he needs me to be. I don’t think that by being submissive that I am allowing him to belittle me.

As you read offer your concerns about this issue to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to use this time to answer your concerns and reaffirm His priorities for you in this area.

Lord, I can tell this is going to be a challenging area for me—perhaps the most challenging. Yes, you created me with a unique purpose, so you already know you created me a stubborn (okay, very stubborn) control freak! Lord help me to understand that my role as a woman is very specific. While I am so worried about being who I think I should be, I neglect my God given role. Help me be mindful of my biblical role in my family and society. Amen.

I saw God last nigh! He was in my bed, right smack-dab between Kyle and I as I worked on my bible study. For the first time in our entire marriage, we sat in bed and discussed what God was doing in our lives and the things He was showing us. The entire dynamic of our marriage has changed as we have embraced our biblical God-given roles in our family. God was right there, in the very center of our discussion as we discussed what we were learning, and we both surmised this: The more we learn, the more we want to know. The more we want to know, the more we find that we don’t know.

We’ve both decided to adopt a new motto in our household. We’ve done many things which have made God unhappy with us, but we have asked forgiveness and we know that God and his abundant grace has forgiven us. Like the movie Courageous, we may not have started out well. We know we didn’t. But, it’s not how you start that matters. It’s how you finish!

Have a blessed day!

RFW: Sunday Resolutions

Resolution for Women: The Balancing Point w/ Resolution

Hello All! I hope you have had a blessed week. Yesterday's devotion was on "The Balancing Point." It was the final piece of the puzzel in becomeing satisfied and content with my circumstances. It concluded by giving me a resolution to commit to.

What's a resolution, really?

Resolution
1. the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc
2. the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute, firmness of purpose

I have completed the first of thirteen sections in the study, and I would like to publically announce my resoltions here so that I can be held accountable to the committment I am making for myself and family. I will also add a text section on the right side ------> to keep track of all the resolutions I am willing to make.

Without further ado, by signing my name at the bottom,

I do solumnly resolve to embrace my current season of life
and will maximize my time in it. I will resist the urge
to hurry through or circumvent any portion of my journey
but will live with a spirt of contentment.

This is a resolution I make of myself to my family and my Lord.
October 23, 2011
Elaine M. Killian

RFW:Overflowing Blessing

I saw God visablly working in my life in the form of two answered prayers recently. Please visit Kara and Terri and offer your congradulations on their miracles. I love both of these girls to pieces, and I've been praying for them for so long! I'm super excited and I know God has BIG plans for these sweet little lives!
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Resolutions for Women: Overflowing Blessing

When you consider your level of willingness to give of yourself, does it reveal more contentment or discontentment residing in your heart? In what way?



My level of willlingness has never been an issue for my level of contentment. If I can, I will on most occassions. However, I've also found myself discontented with my circumstances or situations because I consistently take on more than I can handle. (Anyone else guilty of that?!?) When I begin to feel overwhelmed, I find that my contentment level plumments to record levels. I feel compelled to only "finish" whatever I am giving of myself, and sometimes this entails a half-hearted effort.

Based on God's provisions that you listed at the end of the last chapter, what is one thing you can close this book and go do for someone else out of that resource?

One of my needs was to be loved and supported. I noted that God's provision in this aspect of my life was to surround me with very supportive and encouraging family and friends. One way I can do something for someone else who feels similar is by dropping notes or cards of encouragement in the mail. I try to do this often with my sisters who are suffering through Infertility. I think emails are wonderful, but there is something that is more personal by sending a hand written note. I hope in the future that I will be more mindful of people I see suffering in the areas that I listed as "my needs," and I hope that God will compel me to take action as He advises.

Record your thoughts regarding this statement: "Sometimes the best, most empowering word you can learn to utter is "no."

This is one of the biggest stress contributors in my life. I'm one of those people who hardly says no to anything, and as a result, I often stress myself (and my family) out trying not to let others down. I succeed more often than not, but there are times when I also let everyone down. I'm doing better as saying "no" to committments which I don't have extra time for.

Review and Giveaway :)

Hey Everybody! I was contacted a few weeks ago from the fabulous people at DaySprings to host a review of the Recordable Story books found at their website.

Recordable Storybooks from DaySpring feature exclusive voice-capture technology that enables a person to record each page of a book and have it played back over and over as the recipient turns the pages. The recording will not be lost, even when the batteries need to be replaced. Currently, Daysprings has four different books to choose from. I was sent the "I Love You Head to Toe" by Bonnie Rickner Jensen as featured below. I love this story and its simplicity of how much not only I love my kids head to toe, but how God loves us all from head to toe.




One of the best features about the storybook is that it comes with fool-proof instructions. For anyone who is technologically incompentent (like myself!), you can't mess up!


Incase you over think whose voice you want to record, you can re-record at any time! Once you've found that perfect someone, there is a safety lock found in the battery compartment to prevent you from erasing it! Pretty snazzy, huh? Books have come so far from when I was a kid!

Kade absolutely loved the book. He thought he was making it talk by pressing on the pictures! Ha! And, he even shared it with his brother, Kohen.




These books retail for $29.95, but I've been given the permission to award one of my lucky readers one for FREE! Daysprings will send me a promotional code to award one winner. They can't cover shipping and handling, so I will pay the shipping and handling charges for you! You'll get 1 recordable book of your choice from DaySprings for FREE!

To enter:

1. Visit DaySprings website and tell me which of the books you would choose in a comment below. Please include the email address where I can notify you if selected.
2. Blog about this giveaway and leave me a comment to let me know you did so.
3. Become a follower or let me know you currently follow this blog.

There you have it! Three chances to win! These books are super cute. They are certain to make the child in your life feel special!

Winner will be drawn by random generator on 10/29/11!

Disclaimer: I was given the recordable story book free by Daysprings to review on my blog. All of the opinions expressed here are my own.

RFW:The Secret

Resolution for Women: The Secret

A woman of contentment is aware of her needs and what God has already supplied to meet them. Begin your journey to contentment by making a list. Label one side “My Needs.” Label the other “God’s Provision.” Then match up your needs with the way God is currently meeting them. Place your list in a handy place for the times you are tempted to lean toward dissatisfaction.

My Needs -->God’s Provision
To have a career that matters-->He led me back to school to become a teacher
To have a support system -->Introduction of new friends and reconnect with old friends
To be loved and supported -->Given me a wonderful husband and family
To be challenged spiritually -->Re-kindled a fire in my soul to know God better
To have financial security--> Provided me and Kyle with stable working environments

What might God be trying to grow in your character or cement in your relationship with Him by keeping you separated from some of the things you want but don’t yet have?

I believe that God may be trying to grow my faith and dependency on Him. I believe He also wants to teach me that He is in control, and His ways are better than my ways. Whatever He is denying me, He will use it to bring glory and honor to His name. Because, He is a good God, even when He is saying “no” or “not now.
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Please stay tuned. I have a review/giveaway that I will post this weekend from Daysprings!

Resolution for Women: Part 1 This is Who I am...

Kyle and I went to see the movie “Courageous” this weekend. I can’t justly explain how wonderful, life-altering, and convicting this movie can be if you allow it to be. It isn’t just for dads. It’s for all people, parents or not, to have the courage to change. I’ve been convicted for quite sometime of letting go of some stumbling blocks in my life. More importantly, I decided I no longer wanted to be a stumbling block for others. Kyle and I went to church on Sunday and resolved to rededicate our lives to serving God and setting a Godly example for our children. There are big changes occurring in our lives which surmise that there is a Bigger Someone than all the tribulations we encounter.

I rushed out to buy the bible studies which accompany the video. There is The Resolution for Men and the Resolution for Women. I began my journey last night, and I’ll document here the progress I’m making. The RFW is written by Priscilla Shirer. She also wrote the bible study I am completing with other women in my church, One in a Million. I love, love, love her!

So, join me in my journey! I won’t list spoilers here, only questions and my answers.

1. What have you been hurrying through?

Life!!!!! We live in a society which seeks to have immediate gratification, and I certainly am not an exception to this mentality.

2. What have you been hurrying to get to?

I hurry to get everywhere. I savor last precious moments in bed until I’m rushed in the morning. I hurry to get to work and often walk briskly (if not running) in order to clock in on time at work. I also hurry to get home after work so I can relax. Basically, I hurry to get everywhere.

3. What are some of the good parts of your experience that you have missed in your attempt to rush through the more difficult ones?

I’ve missed out on living in and appreciating the “now” which I can never get back. When I am in difficult seasons of my life (which I want to hurry and get out of), I miss learning opportunities to draw me closer to God and what He wants to teach me.

4. What can you do differently today to gather up all the good things around you and begin enjoying the journey of your life?

Today, I can live life with a resolve to be conscience of the “now.” Life is so precious, and it often passes by much too quickly. I can live a life which the people in it will feel my love and appreciation for them, instead of what I oftentimes give them: too little of my time. I can pace myself to enjoy the present moment and let God handle tomorrow.

I eventually plan to do all of my posting here. Please feel free to follow along over at the right where you see my happy little group of readers.