FaceBook Fasting

Tags

about me, facebook, gossip, worship

Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.

1 Timothy 5:13

I probably engage in FaceBook more than I do anything else in life. More than I sleep, more than I eat, surely more than I pray and read the Bible. More than I have real conversations with people face to face, I FaceBook. This social networking thing that has come into our lives in the past few years has totally replaced reality to many. There are folks that I don’t even recognize in person, yet we converse daily and I know their deepest thoughts and actions throughout the day. I know about the daily happenings of my FaceBook friends than I know about my Grandma. I might talk to her once every few weeks, yet I talk to Sally “IDoMe” Smith every day all day. It’s funny, but it is also counterproductive. FaceBook is a great way to interact with people you physically can’t see often, but it shouldn’t replace real person to person interaction. I know it has in my life.

My FaceBook friend had a great idea, in correlation to the release of The Social Media movie, he called for a FaceBook fast for the month of October so that we, his Facebook comrades, can actually go into the world and accomplish something with out faces not buried into our phones and laptops all day long. Can I, for a whole month, go without visiting a website? It sounds pretty silly when it is put like that. So much of my life is tied around a website, that didn’t even exist 10 years ago. It doesn’t aid in any of my vital activities, and even though it connects me to people, there is nobody I talk to on there that I can’t get in the car and see or pick up a phone and call.

I definitely feel that FaceBook has become as obsession of mine. I try to conserve each of my thoughts into tiny bite sized sentences, and am constantly condensing my life down into photos, quirky sayings, hoping that people will understand me. Then wondering why people don’t understand me! I am worshiping, explaining and proving myself to a world that is fake, first of all. This morning, as I confidently explained my fast to my coworkers, my hands automatically keyed the site into my Web browser. Without thinking, I was on FaceBook! The madness has got to end! We say we are on FaceBook to chat, and call in meaningless fun, but the Jesus says, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. (Matthew 12:36)” That means every status update, every tweet, and every gossipy tidbit we type on the ‘net.

People fast for all sorts of reasons nowadays. People like to tell people they are fasting for clarity, fasting to lose weight, fasting just to see how long they can not eat or drink before they go back to doing the same thing again. In the Bible, people fasted for many reasons, for vary amount of days and from different things. I have learned that fasting itself has no spiritual value; God doesn’t count someone better or worse based on the fact that they fast. It is something intimate and personal someone does. Some people in the Bible fast for clarity and humbleness, some fast to intercede for others and some fast to repent for sin. There are a lot of resources on fasting, and I suggest that you read up on all the fasting that took place in the Bible.

I am hoping that by denying FaceBook in my life, I will have more time to spend with God by praying and studying. I hope to create more engaging and enriching relationships with my real friends in real life. I hope to be a better steward of my idle time, and not to be one of those people not basing every conversation and interaction in my real life off my cyber life. I don’t discount that God will become more powerful in my life as I deny this little website and seek Him.

Think Like A Saint, Act Like A Lady

Tags

faith, how to, love, marriage, relationships, women, worship

Every woman wants the secret to getting a good man, who pays bills, has good credit, is strong, sexy and powerful. A man who is well respected in public and a compassionate king at home. Everybody’s chiming in on what women are doing wrong. Some books say to get over it, he’s just not that into you. Some say a woman needs to follow a set of rules. According to some of these books, you can get a man to marry you in less than three years, while thinking like a man and acting like a lady! Aren’t you confused? I read some of these books, and I can just say that theories like these are not absolute. They cause you to think that there is something wrong with you that only having a husband can fix. But once some of us get husbands, then what? Getting a man through tricks, and acting a certain way is good, but how do you even go about marriage?

Well ladies, today I am going to give you the secret of all secrets on how to be the woman that every good man desires! Ready for it?

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalms 37:4

What does that mean, delighting in the Lord? It means to take pleasures and make priority the things that God wants you to do. He knows that women want and need companionship. Some of us think our lives will be perfect when we get a husband. But deep down, we know our desires are sometimes more than that. How many of us want to travel the world, help children and young adults, love to paint, sew, draw and write, yet put all our energy into dating? How many of us sit on the couch, complaining about loneliness when we have family members we haven’t seen, friends we only Facebook and a Bible that is collecting dust in the corner. Delighting in what God says and doing for others is essential to unlocking a life that is abundant and full, not stagnant and desperate.

Men can find five star chicks, bad chicks and all sorts of women. Who knows a woman who enjoys doing God’s work, and in turn, is joyful and content? Who can find a woman like that? I think the quintessential woman “who has it all” in the Bible is the infamous Proverbs 31 woman. What is it about her that inspires so many and is it even possible to be that way in the 21st century?

The Virtuous Wife

Proverbs 31:10-31

Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
She considers a field and buys it;
From her profits she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
“ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

This woman surely does a lot. Let’s see, she has a family, works outside of the home, takes care of needy people and the women who look up to her. She makes sure that her family is dressed well, she buys them good food and not garbage, she takes care of the home finances and she doesn’t sit around gossiping about other people. She is trustworthy, while her husband is out working the land. Nobody can say she is out acting crazy while he is at work. All of those attributes make her great, but what makes her most attractive to her husband is her fear of the Lord. I didn’t make that up, it’s in the Bible!

Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
“ Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”
Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:28-31

Many women are accomplished, goal-setting, hard working, homemakers. But a woman who delights in God is showered with respect, adoration and praise. You can do all kinds of things to get a man’s attention, but a man who knows God and is looking for a virtuous woman is looking for a Proverbs 31 lady. This lady enjoys her own business, and blessing the people she loves. She enjoys the wisdom of God and fears Him. In return, people (including her husband) love her. And when it comes down to it, we are all looking for love. People are drawn the the light of God, and when we exude that we attract the love of so many. In return for being a believer who follow His direction, God gives us the things that we really want in our hearts. Isn’t that a more beautiful and simple concept? Isn’t that a more desirable outcome, instead of trying to think like Steve Harvey? Seek to think like God instead!

9 Things That Don’t Make You A Good Christian

Tags

attitudes, faith, how to, Jesus, music, relationships, salvation, the church, wisdom, worship

Wearing a cross necklace doesn't make you a good Christian either...

Since I’ve started this new, wonderful relationship with God, I have noticed that people are trying to prove to me that they know God too! It’s kind of weird, because there are people who have misquoted the Bible in front of me or been accidentally blasphemous, trying to show me that they know the Bible just like me.

People should strive to explore God personally and corporately through a church where they belong and not try to compare their experiences to someone else’s. So I’ve come up with a list of things that people should examine to make sure that they are working toward having the most quality relationship with God that they can have for them, and not for other people.

1. Not accepting Jesus Christ as your savior

If you don’t understand and accept what Jesus did for us, then you are not a Christian. Accepting that Jesus died for our sins is the first requirement to being a Christian. You may attend church, and you might believe in a “higher power” but if you don’t know or understand the sacrifice, you should do everything you can to understand that first and foremost.

2. Forwarding “Christian” emails

We all get emails from people talking about a sick kid or someone who died tragically that makes you want to cry, then tells you to forward it on to eight people if you are a “real Christian” and some “miracle” will happen. For like 10 seconds I feel bad for not forwarding those things on, then I remember that we cannot treat God like he is a chain letter or pyramid scheme. If you want to share testimonies or information about God, that is great, just don’t put stipulations on it that make people uncomfortable.

3. Knowing the Word and not doing the Word

There are so many people who can quote the Bible, yet do not apply its wisdom to their life. Even the devil knows the Bible! He uses it to confuse us! Knowing the Bible verbatim is wonderful and shows that you study, but knowing it and not doing it is a futile practice. It shows that you can memorize. A thing that people often pray is that they want to “not just be hearers, but doers of the Word.” Praying that God will help you to apply what you hear is a blessing!

4. Having a stanky attitude

God wants you to be nice and be happy. Point blank. Not, nice when people are nice to you. Not happy when all your bills are paid and people are acting right. Galatians 5:22-23 says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Going to church, reading the Bible, but being mean to your waiter or cashier is not what God wants you to do. Waking up everyday, being sad and pitying your self is not what God wants you to do. If you are unhappy or have an “attitude problem” seeking advice from the Bible, and asking God for help is the way to change.

5. Threatening people with the Bible

When people talk about homosexuality, abortion and politics, they often beat people over the head with the Bible. They will tell people they are going to hell if they are gay. They will quote Leviticus and tell them they are dammed. I know what they Bible says about sexual immorality, but teaching people with love reaches them before beating them over the head with the Bible. It takes more energy to actually get to know a person and understand why they do what they do, and I think that’s why people choose to just write others off.

6. Not having a real relationship with God

A relationship with God is personal. It’s not going to be the same thing your mom experiences, or your best friend knows. It will touch the most important and specific parts of your life. I have a friend who took years to find her artistic niche in molding and sculpting clay. One day, she told me she was reading Genesis and noticed how God was a ceramicist too. That is a personal, meaningful relationship. You establish that by asking God to reign over your life, putting everything on the line. You allow Him to use your gifts to say what He wants to say. And you thank Him for your life, and pray to Him to help you and others. So many people fake that to their own detriment, just to sound like a Christian in front of other Christians. Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)” I surely don’t want to be on the other side of that fence.

7. Worshiping other things than God

Imagine on Judgment Day that there is an account of all the money we’ve spent, the time we’ve spent doing everything we’ve done in our lives and what has moved us the most emotionally and intellectually. How much time, money and energy have you spent on knowing God versus knowing other things in life. Have you been more engrossed and involved in sports, music, career, TV, dating, drama, etc. than learning who God is? It is an emotional, intellectual and spiritual experience that takes a lifetime of learning. Are you dedicated to that or something else?

8. Listening to Gospel music

Gospel music may help you feel better, remind you of scriptures and can serve as an alternate form of entertainment, but do not base your relationship with God off of it. Music can help you to praise and worship God, but it should not be the only source of your Word and relationship with Him. You should be able to feel better, know scripture and worship God with and without an organ present or a Mary Mary CD. Gospel music definitely fills a gap, and helps us to praise and worship God, but it is only a tool and does not make you sanctified.

9. Being a Professional Sinner

Not wanting to change and not wanting God “all in your business” will lead to a life of professional sin. We all sin, so they doesn’t necessarily make bad. Recognizing your sin and changing your life makes you a person who really understand what God is all about.

Music For The Spirit: Unrestrained by Myron Butler & Levi

Tags

music, Myron Butler, New Covenant, worship

Unrestrained by Myron Butler and Levi

This song was sung at New Covenant last week, and it pierced my spirit! This is the way that we should approach God, in submission and worship. Before we begin to lay our own troubles on Him, try singing this song or reading the lyrics. I am sure it will make your spirit feel free!

Lyrics:

(Verse)
Most Holy Lord, you have my attention.
You know my thoughts and all my intentions.
I want to honor you in every way

(Chorus)
And I pour my love on you.
My whole life belongs to you.
I worship you completely unashamed.
I give you my heart unrestrained.

(Verse 2/ With Choir)
Almighty God, you have my devotion.
With all my mind and all my emotion,
I want to know you more, got to know you more
everyway.

(Chorus)
And I pour my love on you.
My whole life belongs to you.
I worship you completely unashamed.
I give you my heart.
(2x)

(Bridge)
I pour my love like oil from this broken heart.
I give myself away. (Unrestrained)
I let myself go you have set me free.
I surrender my soul
(2x)

And I pour my love on you.
God my whole life belongs to you.
I worship you completely, completely unashamed.

I give you my heart. 2x

And I pour my love on you.
My whole life belongs to you.
I worship you completely unashamed.
Unrestrained (Unrestrained, Unrestrained)
Unrestrained (Uncontained, Uncontained)
Unrestrained….. 2x

I give myself away.
Holy and acceptable.
Completely unashamed.
Everything I have is yours.
And I am completely.
Completely unashamed. 2x
I give you my heart unrestrained

Worship, Take Me Away!

Tags

Dr. Carolyn Showell, praise, worship

Have you ever been to a friend’s new house or apartment, and as soon as you walked through the door, you starting raving over their new place? You notice every detail. You see every new thing your friend has bought to spruce up the old things she used to have. You take a tour of every inch of the new pad and “ooh and ahh” at the features. You tell your friend how great she is for having something nice and new and you feel good for her accomplishment.

When we pray, we are usually asking God for something. We should also enter into God’s presence and acknowledge Him for who He is and praise Him for doing all the things He has done…not just in our lives, but His good works period. Praise is a way that God can invite us into His dwelling. And when we get that chance to be one on one with God, it should be spent “oohing and ahhing” at what He has done.

Dr. Carolyn Showell visited my church, New Covenant Believers Church, this past Sunday, and talked about pure worship. She said that pure worship is worshiping God because He is God. It’s worship that is not connected to emotion. It’s connecting to God where He exists, not where we exist. God is our Father, and you can never be an uninvited guest to His house. So when you visit Him, you don’t have to bring anything but your praise! The housewarming gift that God wants from us is gratefulness and for us to acknowledge Him.

Hebrews 13:15 says:

Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

The commercials say that Calgon can take you away, but pure worship with God can take you away from your worries and troubles here on Earth and remind you of your spot in eternity.

Follow Up:
Psalms is a book in the Bible that is full of scriptures about praise and worship. Here are just a few that you can use when you are worshiping God.

Psalms 95
Psalms 100
Psalms 145
Psalms 147