Babies Everywhere

If you've been reading for a while, you know I often have questions about the things that puzzle me.  I often wonder if I am the only one scratching her head when something odd crosses my radar.  So what am I wondering about today?  Pregnancy.  

No, I am not pregnant, nor do I want to be pregnant.  I have paid my debt to society and obeyed the command to "be fruitful and multiply" :)  What I am wondering about is whether or not you think pregnancy is sacred and about whether or not we encourage unwed pregnancies in our society.

Please don't think I am being a judge, because that is not my intention.  Often, a single, pregnant woman signifies the fact that she bravely chose to allow her baby to live instead of ending its life.  But that's not what I'm talking about today.

What made me ask these questions is the nude spread a very pregnant, single celebrity recently did.  The other is a photo of two very young, single women posing at a baby shower.

While I don't believe unwed mothers should be stoned or persecuted, I do wonder if the shame and stigma that used to be associated with bringing children into the world outside of marriage, is missing.  

Does the fear of being embarrassed help to deter us from making poor decisions?   If that is the case, are we glamorizing single mothers with many of the shows that we find on television now and the choices of celebrities?  Are we doing ourselves and our girls a disservice?  What do you think?

If it Feels Good

While catching up on a drama via DVR a few days ago, I found myself speechless.  I won't say what show I was watching, but I will say I probably won't be watching it for much longer.  One woman, who is currently separated from her husband, was telling her friend about a sexual affair she's involved in with another man.  She is asking for advice about casual sex.

Their exchange goes something like this:

Are you having fun?
Yes.
Well if you're having fun, and it makes you happy, I wouldn't change a thing.
You're right.

She continues having the affair.  I had to rewind it twice to make sure I heard it correctly.  Wow.  What kind of advice is that?  Basically she gave her carte blanche to do whatever feels good.  I would expect this kind of advice to come from a tween perhaps, but not a grown woman.

I have found myself watching much less TV lately.  I used to enjoy the mindlessness of watching funny shows or compelling dramas or even inspiring reality shows.  The problem I'm having is that everything seems laced with excessive negative drama and/or illicit sex.

The messages are poisonous.  It's no wonder marriages are in trouble.  It's no wonder girls and women are fooled into believing the Real Housewives lives and acting desperately.  Television is sending such powerful messages to us even if we don't realize it.  The media has the ability to chip away at one's values and replace sound thinking with nonsense.

I am not implying that television is evil.  Anything has the ability to be evil.  I am simply suggesting the we carefully choose the things we allow into our homes through our television.

Ask yourself:
1.  Does this show cause me to have impure thoughts?
2.  Does it make me dissatisfied with my real life?
3.  Do I feel guilty after watching it?
4.  Does it compromise my morals?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to rethink your tv choices.  I know I am.

The Words We Speak

Yesterday yet another school shooting made national news.  A young man in Chardon, OH opened fire and changed the lives of many families in an instant.  The article I read said that the shooter dressed in a goth style and was teased for his appearance.  It also said that he kept his feelings inside.  Though I do not excuse his actions, I wonder how little emphasis we place on the words we speak to others.

Are we concerned that our hateful words may wound someone irreparably or contribute to such tragic incidences as this?  Do we value our own opinions more than the feelings of those we encounter?  Are we immune to the pain that our tongue can cause?

It is no wonder the Bible has so much to say about controlling our speech.  In James 3:3-10, the tongue is compared to a bridle and a horse and a ship's rudder.  Both are small components that perform the task of determining direction; just as our tongues are small organs that can inflict huge damage.

Sometimes we all have difficulty controlling what we say.  Sometimes hurtful things are said in anger, other times from carelessness.  It is necessary to confess our faults to God and not make excuses.  Contrition can lead to healing and help to prevent tragedies like this one.  Please pray for the families involved affected by this horrible tragedy.

Humbled Beyond Words

I am writing this with tears in my eyes.  My heart is full to overflowing.  I am so humbled that I cannot find the words to express it.  I have just spent the last hour discussing brokenness with some encouraging women.  This was the first actual meeting for the Virtual Bible Study.

I admitted before that starting this study was a big leap of faith for me, totally outside of my usual comfort zone.  But after this meeting, I am already looking forward to the next one.  I feel so blessed by each of them and their unique insights.

I am humbled that God placed me there with them tonight.  I pray for each of them.  I pray that they feel even half as blessed as I do right now, because I feel like I could float away.  I am so glad God gave me the strength to trust Him enough to simply obey.  I am anticipating all that He has planned for us.

He promised He would be with us when two or more are gathered (Matt. 18:20), and He definitely kept His promise.  I am so grateful I was there.

A Little Crazy

So, I'd like to chat with you like the friends you are.  I have a confession to make.  Sometimes I think I'm a little crazy!  Recently I felt God leading me to start an online Bible Study for women only.  I love studying the Bible and teaching it, so that's not the crazy part.  The thing is that all of the steps were not clearly laid out for me!  He didn't give me many details, but I knew it was His plan.

It's a total leap of faith.  I'm terrified and excited at the same time!  Crazy, right?  Maybe not.

Following God defies all logic sometimes.  Faith is not logical.  It doesn't inherently make sense to follow someone you can't see.  But Hebrews 11:6 says it is necessary to please God to put our faith in Him implicitly.  So maybe I'm not going crazy.  Maybe I'm just growing...

Does faith make you feel a little "crazy" sometimes?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Looking Up

Throughout the last week or two, I've been studying the life of Job.  I expected to be a bit depressed by studying the life of a man who lost everything.  Remarkably, it's been one of the most uplifting times of the last two years.  God is funny that way.  I realized that the moaning and crying I've been doing through these rough patches is probably pretty normal.

I realize that maybe it's okay to ask God why sometimes.  I also realized that there is light at the end of this tunnel and that all suffering has a purpose.  God is shaping and molding me into the woman He wants me to be and preparing me for the next chapter.  Timidly (at times) I'm following Him and stepping out of my comfortable place into the unknown.  But, as Britt Nicole says, what do I have to lose?

At times it has hurt more than I thought I could handle.  I've cried out to Him.  I've yelled at Him.  I've ignored Him.  I've run back to Him.  And guess what?  Through it all, He's put up with me.  He's still there.  He can handle my temper tantrums, and He can handle yours too.  What is God teaching you in your current trial?

When Everything is Lost

Have you ever been angry with God?  Have you ever blamed Him for your suffering or wondered if He was mad at you?  I have.  I admit it.  Though trials are a part of life, they are never easy to endure.  It is easy to feel abandoned, unloved and frustrated.  I've been learning lessons from a man who was undeserving of suffering but found himself holding the short straw.

Job was a man who lost his wealth and his children.  His body was covered in sores.  His own wife turned on him, and his friends were useless during his troubles.  Though he cried out to God for answers, he did not turn His back on God.  He was honest in his request for explanations.  He was even ready to die rather than continue to suffer.

Few of us have been through trials like Job, but some of us have.  We have endured the loss of a spouse or a child.  We have been assaulted by someone we trusted.  We have been through a painful divorce or faced financial ruin.  No matter what we've been through, God promises to walk with us through it and never leave us. (Deut. 31:6)  Sometimes that promise may be the only encouragement you have in your storm.  God gives us the strength to hold onto it.  Rest in that tonight.  I know I will.