…with simple faith. Although I share my faith in Christ on this Blog, I am not here to apologize for the faith I have…
You are wondering why I say this? Well, this post is in response to an email I received this past week. I don’t want to go into details, because the email was just too confusing. No, I don’t have theological discussions on my Blog, because I choose not to.
My Blog has the purpose (besides my personal life) to point to the One way to Heaven. God is a just God, but He is also a loving God. He made a way to Heaven for all of us. The Gospel is but a simple message, I will not add nor will I deduct from it. Jesus was not murdered, but it was the choice of God:
“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
~ John 10:16-18 (ESV)
Since we all have sinned and have fallen short of glory of God, we needed His way out. To be reconciled to Him and spend eternity with Him. Have I stopped sinning? By no means. Although my sins are changing, there are many that reoccur. My pride is my worst enemy. My pride stands in the way of loving the un-lovable. My pride stands in the way to forgive as He has forgiven me. My pride stands in the way of being the wife and mother God wants me to be. And my pride stands in the way for fully living out the life He has planned for me…But through the blood He has shed for me and the gift of the Holy Spirit, I am able to still witness of His great love for all of us and who are willing to receive this gift.
I read a wonderful quote this morning by one of my favorite Bible study writers. You guessed it — Beth Moore. She says in her book “A Heart Like His“:
‘We must remember we don’t stand in victory because of our faith. We stand in victory because of our God. Faith in faith is pointless. Faith in a living, active God moves mountains. He is alive. He is active. He wants to make you living proof. Remember, the Cross would have been God’s worst defeat had the people not had cause to exclaim, “He’s alive!”‘
With His help, I will move mountains — because I believe that He is alive and active in me…
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
~ John 3:16-18 (ESV)
BTW – you might have noticed a new button on my side-bar. My friend Carrie is collecting links of women of faith for her web-site. If you are interested in being linked and share your faith on your Blog, let Carrie know here…
Have a blessed Sunday :smile:..
I really appreciated your post today. I don’t apologize for my simplicity either! Hugs and prayers!
I’m off to check out her site! Thanks for the link!
Hope whomever emailed you didn’t get out of line…
XOXO
God is good… even to simple folks =)
Thanks for the mention, Iris!
Great post. I would like to move away from debating and just share my faith, but I seem to have attracted some naysayers lately as you know. Not much you can do but just keep speaking the truth and trusting God.
The one positive thing I have found with debating theology is that it forces me into the Word to have better support for my beliefs. God has used this knowledge then in my personal life to witness to others. And the more I learn about God the more I am blown away by him.
Great post, thank you for sharing your words of wisdom….
hmmm…. i’m curious as to what this person had to say about your blog and your faith! i enjoy your blog, and it is true that keeping it simple is the best way to go. nothing preachy here and however you would like to express your faith, whether it be through your everyday experiences or through the inspiration you get from others, is your own business. it is great that the Word provides the necessary wisdom and strength needed to prepare ourselves for situations like this…
Hope you have a great week ahead! 🙂 drop by again when you have the chance… i actually had time to post over the weekend, surprise, surprise! haha!
Yep you said it all in this post. Great account of Purpose!
Yeah!!!
You know, Iris, with my recent one-year bloggiversary, I’ve contemplated “direction” for my blog. In other words, “what” I want it to be and “what” I don’t want it to be. I’m neither a mommy-blogger nor a God-blogger, but I write about both my children and God. Sometimes I wonder if people read me and then go on their merry way because I’m too…spicy. I say and do things a “traditional Christian” would never say, do (or admit).
But, now, in my mid 40s (yikes!), I’m more crazy about Jesus than EVER! I have clarity in my relationship to Him, and more importantly, His relationship with me, and after a season of intense doubt…I’m astounded by His grace! Stunned!! And thankful.
It’s good for you to understand “who” you are at “Sting my Heart”. It’s good to not be shaped by perhaps, what others “want” you to be. I don’t know the circumstances of your email, but I find you uplifting, positive, and an arrow pointing to Christ :). You are a blessing to me and so many others!
I love Beth. But then, who doesn’t? Here’s something I read from her online tonight. I can SOOOOOOOOO relate to this:
“Do you ever struggle with pride?
One of the most wonderful things God’s done for me is to leave my memory about my miserable past intact. I’d be an idiot to think highly of myself after where I’ve been! The very thing I hate the most is the thing that protects me from pride. I have other struggles—but buying into the press of this public ministry is not one of them.
This only happened one time, but it broke my heart. A pastor became aware I’d had a sinful past and decided I wasn’t appropriate for his women’s group. I bow to that. If what you need’s a sparkling testimony, you’re not going to get it from me. But if you could use a testimony that there’s life after pit dwelling, then maybe I can be your girl.
I’m ashamed of my sins, but all I can do now is walk in the Holy Spirit’s power. That’s my life’s pursuit—till I see him face to face.”
Amen, sister! Walk on. Keep shining the light into the darkness.