deep{er} #22: reflections

Hello, friends:)


Welcome back!! It's been about two weeks since I've posted-- we have been super busy!

UPDATE: We've been busy starting the year and beginning our journey as the Worship Leaders for New Hope East Campus. Last week was our first week leading the worship, but the past two weeks have been filled with meetings, meetings, and meetings! We LOVE this new adventure and serving the Lord again with the gifts that He's given us. This is a dream come true! We appreciate your continued prayers! THANK YOU! 

Then... my grandma came into town! She stayed here with me for a day and then we headed out to her Winter home in Avon Park. I had a great time with my grandma. I especially enjoyed having her attend my Bible study group on Monday night. She literally talked about that group the whole time I was with her- she just loved that there were so many women (my age) who were interested in the Bible! She even said that she wanted to try and attend a Bible study up in Indiana when she returns home. That got me to thinking about giving her a devotional book **NOTE: My grandma is a Catholic. She never has done a devotional. My favorite thing about her trip this week was that she completed 2 days of her new devotional! Both times I walked into the living room about to go to bed, and she told me that she finished her reading for the day. I just love it! I pray that she will continue to go deep{er} and continue to read this devotional book! 

This is how I found her devotional- it's on the side table in the living room, open with a pen. Grandma said she liked the first couple of devotions-- hopefully she will continue to read it:) 

REFLECTION: So for this post... I'm doing something different for my reflection. I am going to get real honest and just share my heart. 

The past week I have really felt "the world" coming in on me. I'm not sure if it's because I've stepped into a new position at a church or if it's just something that God is revealing to me. All week I've heard things (from family and on TV/etc) or seen things that just break my heart. This world NEEDS Jesus! 

This world is getting worse. Temptation and sin are everywhere. And what breaks my heart is that "Christians" are not different... most of them conform to the world. Now don't get me wrong--- I've conformed to the world too! So maybe I should say that it breaks my heart that I am enticed and go along with (believe/follow/etc) the world. 

But I'm tired of that, and honestly, the Bible says I shouldn't follow the world [Romans 12:2]. 

Example #1: So just last night I was with Trav at our local mall. We were in a store, and he was trying on pants. I was sitting on my scooter (I decided to use it since there would be a lot of walking), and I saw a pair of sweat pants for $40! Forty dollars!?!?!?! 

Goodness! And then I saw a super cute tank top on the top shelf. 

And THEN I saw what it said, "Good Girls Like Love Bad Boys". **I just reread the shirt--- I thought it said "like"... it's even WORSE now that it says "love"! :(

Really? Is that appropriate? Wouldn't you want your daughter to wear a shirt that said "Daughter of the King" or "Precious and Loved". What breaks my heart is the message on the tank top. This feeds young girls' minds that bad boys are the prize/goal and that it's ok to be "bad". Oh how that is wrong! 

The Truth is that each girl is precious and loved so much by God. And God wants these girls to find, fall in love with, and marry a man that treats her like Jesus loves His church. We should honor God with our body and relationships.  

I just want to sit there in that store and tell each young lady that buys that tank the Truth. Or buy each tank so no one would get them... but then I would promote this company by buying this shirt... maybe I should make my own shirts to sell. Either way, I just wish there was a way to stop these lies. I don't want any girl to follow the world like I did-- believing these lies and making choices that they might regret someday because what they did dishonored God. 

Example #2: This is a bit more personal. I love my family so much that I want nothing more than for their hearts to be opened to Jesus and the Truth. And I should say that it's hard each time situations like this come up. I just don't know what to say, and I feel like I'm being attacked (persecuted) because I'm a "Christian". 

Ok--- these are the type of things that are said that make my heart sink. 

• God grades our sin on a curve (i.e. murder is worse than lies, etc).
• It's ok to cuss because God knows how frustrating some situations are.
• I can't _____ (drink, cuss, etc) because of Savannah.

There are other things said in conversations, but these are the most outrageous because they are so far from the Truth! And the worst part is that all I could say is, "That's not true! The bible says..." **NOTE: The worst-worst-worst part is that I couldn't say where in the Bible my proof was located. Not that that mattered- the ones who say this don't care if I can locate it in the Bible. Their response is to just end the conversation before it starts by saying we could believe two different things. Which is also FAR from the truth! Especially if we are both "Christians".

When responding, I try really hard to not be pushy/etc. And I try hard not to lose my temper. How does one defend God? How do you put out the fiery darts of lies and misconceptions from the devil? Can I just shake my family and yell at them, "You don't KNOW the Truth!" Ok that last question is not a real question... and the first one isn't either. I know it's not my job to defend God. My job is to share and speak the Word. It's God's job to open up their hearts. 

(sigh)

I'm changed. I am no longer who I was because of Jesus. I want to share the Truth and help others. So I guess my reflection this week is that I want to find a way that gently shares the Good News and Jesus with my family and with the world. 

My Prayer: Help me, Lord! I want to be the light in this world! And please open up my family's eyes to Your Truth, Word, and love! Open their eyes so that they would see how much they (we all) need You. Help them to accept Jesus and be changed!

My goals for this week:

1. Pray pray pray :)
2. Continue reading You and Me Forever- Trav and I are doing a book study with our pastors using this book. We are on chapter 3! LOVE!
3. Continue with Today in the Word Acts Bible study.
4. Continue with chapter 4 of the Dr. David Jeremiah Agents of Apocalypse
5. Start working on my 2015 Spiritual Goals.
6. Find time to complete another video for you-- I've got SO much I want to share;) 

I pray that God has been speaking to you--- and that you are blessed beyond what you have asked or wanted ❤️. Remember, if you need prayer, please contact me {savannahland2 at comcast dot net}. 

THANKS so much for stopping by today! Be blessed:}