When Lying is Okay

Is it ever okay to lie?  The Ten Commandments (Ex. 20) prohibits lying on one another.  The Bible calls Satan the "father of lies", and says that God hates lies.   But I am wondering if there are some loopholes.  Is it okay to lie if someone's life is at stake?  Is it okay to lie when we are facing uncertainty?  Is it okay to lie when the truth is inconvenient?  What about lies by omission?  Where do we draw the line?  More importantly, where does God draw the line?  Are our lines cohesive, or do they take divergent paths?

I am wondering what you think.  I usually don't ask so many questions in one post, but I am pondering these things right now, and I like to ponder with someone.  It helps.  If you've lied recently, what was the reason?  How did you justify it in your mind?  Was it worth it, or did the consequences outweigh the expected gains?

Marriage is Outdated

Is it true?  Could marriage be on the verge of extinction?  Apparently Cameron Diaz feels that marriage is unimportant and old-fashioned.The divorce rate is high and continues to rise.  Many choose simply to live together without marrying.  Others procreate outside of marriage.
Does marriage still have value?  Why or why not?

Fear of divorce seems to be enough to keep many from ever walking down the aisle.  Why get married if it won't last anyway?  I'm curious what you think?  Is marriage simply a contract with no real meaning, or is marriage a beautiful covenant that can be a lifelong celebration?

Unseen Advantage

He's humble, and he wins games.  He doesn't get into trouble off the field.  Yet, he's ridiculed and despised by sports writers and analysts everywhere.  Why?  Oh, he's a Christian.  Why is Tim Tebow being persecuted for his faith?

I don't watch much football, but we've all heard about this guy who wasn't expected to win.  Yet week after week he's been confounding the almighty sports "psychics" who think they know what's coming.  Favor, anyone? 

I feel convicted watching this quiet servant pray and give glory to God.  Is my public faith obvious enough to draw ridicule, or have I been flying low under the radar?  How about you?  Has anyone "mistaken" you for a Christ-follower recently?  Why or why not?

Virtual Beauty

Last week I stumbled into a mini firestorm.  Apparently real women are not en vogue right now for modeling.  The H&M clothing company has decided to use virtual models for swim suit and lingerie models.  They've been criticized heavily for this choice.  They were accused of "creating unrealistic physical ideals" by a Norwegian company in the ABC News article I read, while the company defends its position to simply show off the clothes.

What I'm trying to figure out is how this is any different from the live models that are usually used especially for these types of clothing?  My body doesn't look like a swimsuit model's, and I have no illusions that it does.  So if most women don't look like models, how is this affecting the self image of women any worse that live models?  Help me out.  Am I missing something.  Real of virtual?  Does it make a difference?

Peace in a Storm

As we move from the Thanksgiving holiday into the Christmas season, I am putting things into perspective.  This has been a very financially hard year for my family.  I know we are not alone in this fact, and many of you can probably relate.  The interesting thing is that God has used this time period to increase my faith in Him.  He has miraculously provided for us in ways that we could not understand or foresee.  Our own thinking would have dictated a different path for us, but God has our steps marked out.

I don't know what's next for us.  I am weeks from graduating and no closer to finding a new job.  I just keep hearing God tell me to trust Him and walk forward without looking away from Him.  He promised to meet all of my needs, and I am resting in that today.  I am working not to dwell on my circumstances no matter how tempting it is to do so.  God has never left me alone.  When I feel far away from Him, I realize that I am the one who moved away.

As we prepare for Santa's visit, I am wondering how we will put presents under the tree.  I know that God will meet our needs and some of our wants too.  I am carrying the spirit of Thanksgiving into the Christmas holiday. I am not stressing over cyber Monday or all of the alleged sales that are taking place right now.  I am enjoying the peace that comes from knowing God is holding me and teaching me right now where I am.

Something New

For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun!  Do you not see it?  I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.  (Isaiah 43:19, NLT from YouVersion)

From Jim Liestman http://www.flickr.com/people/gods-art/  

If you're like me, you love new things.  New clothes, definitely new shoes and even a new car or some new jewelry.  We love our shiny new things.


In this season of my life when things are tight, and the economy is squeezing our budget to the max, I treasure new things more than ever before.  This sense of awe is not only reserved for presents.  I celebrate new paper towels.  New sunrises.  New discoveries and new revelations.  


This verse encouraged me to realize that newness can simply be a state of mind.  It also excited me to think that in this time of "dry wastelands", God has already begun to do something new in my life!  I am eager to to follow Him out of this wilderness.


Father God, as we travel along paths marked with uncertainly, remind us that you are with us.  Help us to trust the new things that you are bringing into our lives and to fully embrace them.  In your Son's name, Amen.

Restored

Three years ago, last month, we lost our baby to miscarriage. I was surprised that I didn't mark the date or post anything on the 24th. When it first happened, I thought the date would forever be burned in my brain. I thought the pain in my heart would not cease and that I would never truly be happy again. I was certain the whole in my heart would never be mended. I did not understand His ways. But God is a God of restoration.

Instead of marking the month on October with immeasurable sadness, I spent it celebrating the birthday of the most precious two-year old in the world. Forgive me, I'm biased. She is such a happy baby. What I realize is that I would not have her had the other baby lived. God has a way of reminding me of His love when I need it the most. He brings joy where tears once lived. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. It's morning, y'all.